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What kind of clipless shoes do you wear on your commute?

pmorgan1pmorgan1 Posts: 173
edited September 2017 in Commuting chat
Hi,

My Specializied Comp MTB (SPD) served me well over last 7 years. I felt they were light, breathable yet hide cleats for walking on tarmac or even running on the slippery floor during triathlon transitions!

Now it's time to shop around. What would people recommend and why?

Posts

  • joncomelatelyjoncomelately Posts: 660
    I have some old Mavic Rush (I think, if they're not then they're similar) with one ratchet straps and two velcro straps and chunky treads that mostly hide the cleat. Been fine for me, 4 years old and no problems in of themselves although they're fairly well ventilated so even with overshoes are chilly in winter. Not sure about light tho, never really had other SPD shoes to compare. Think they were under £80 when I bought them. Good value IMO.
  • QuinsQuins Posts: 239
    Shimano mtb for me. Have had them about 5-6 years, they've done club runs , commuting, a bit if mtb. My commute is to a station 12 miles away then I catch a train to London and have another just over a mile walk . They're great. Deffo not light but do a great job.
  • zebra67zebra67 Posts: 113
    SPDs. I love my Shimano sandals for summer.
    Good sole for walking but otherwise lightweight, velcro fastener & water resistant for winter.
    And then it just depends what I like in the shop within my price range.
  • mtb-idlemtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    I wear these bad boys and I love them.

    specialized-bg-comp-road-shoe-EV139098-9999-1.jpg

    Tried many different brands before buying them but these just fit my feet. YMMV

    They have even been through the washing machine a few times when they get a bit smelly from rainwater/winter commuting (put them inside a pillowcase/cushion cover to protect the shoes and washing machine and put in loads of conditioner. They come out smelling sweet).

    MTB SPD cleats FTW for commuting. About five years old and never changed them.
    FCN = 4
  • redveeredvee Posts: 11,922
    I've got several pairs of two bolt SPD shoes, Shimano XC70 & XC90 shoes, Spesh BG shoes, one with 3 velcro straps and one with a boa mechanism and a pair of DHBs that have been around for 7 years and still have a good thickness of sole on them.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • shamrock134shamrock134 Posts: 714
    M520 pedals + Giro Republic SPDs for the commute.
  • timothywtimothyw Posts: 2,482
    Diadora, because they come up wide which suits my feet - whatever CRC has in the sales usually.

    MTB SPD cleats - Mostly M520 although I use boardman MTB pro pedals on my good bikes, which save 100g....
  • elbowlohelbowloh Posts: 7,078
    SPD all the way for me, for commuting and all riding really as I walk in them also (cafes etc).

    I have these.

    Why? Because they're awesome!

    Comfy, not too expensive, hard-wearing.

    giro-privateer-mtb-shoes-EV172779-8500-1.jpg
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • thistle_thistle_ Posts: 6,978
    Shimano MT23 with SPD cleats.
  • imatfaalimatfaal Posts: 2,716
    Giro Terraduro - nice grippy soles

    giro-terraduro-mtb-shoe-black-EV202071-8500-1.jpg
  • prhymeateprhymeate Posts: 793
    Speedplays on SIDI Mega 5-fit. Mainly because overshoes seem to fit a lot better and wear out less on with a road shoe/cleat, but also so I can just use one pair of shoes across both of my bikes.
  • The RookieThe Rookie Posts: 27,811
    M520's and some 7 year old Spesh Tahoe's for me. I also use some Shimano lace/strap shoes occasionally (they are my MTBing shoes but if the commute shoes are wet....).
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • greenamex2greenamex2 Posts: 272
    Shimano M089 SPD if not raining, Shimano MW7's with SPD's if it is.

    Love the MO89's, not that impressed by the MW7's, water proofing less than perfect...but they are nice and warm in the winter...essential when your heart doesnt pump round blood properly.
  • kingstoniankingstonian Posts: 2,847
    shamrock134 wrote:
    M520 pedals + Giro Republic SPDs for the commute.


    Exactly the same as me !!!!
  • 964cup964cup Posts: 1,362
    Republics and M520s, mostly. Have Ritchey Paradigm on the Audax bike. Speedplay for actual riding, with SLXs.
  • bendertherobotbendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Giro Privateer R on the not so nice days, Giro Empire VR90 on the nice days.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • DrLexDrLex Posts: 2,142
    ^ good call; I do similarly, albeit with some DZRs or NW Artics on the grot days. BTW, nice piece on the Alliston case- an even-handed approach lacking elsewhere; thank you.
    Location: ciderspace
  • bendertherobotbendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    DrLex wrote:
    ^ good call; I do similarly, albeit with some DZRs or NW Artics on the grot days. BTW, nice piece on the Alliston case- an even-handed approach lacking elsewhere; thank you.

    Ta!
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • nichnich Posts: 888
    M520 pedal's on all my bikes.

    I wear more MTB orientated shoes. I started of with the Specialized Tahoe shoe which was excellent. Got through 2 pairs, but each time lasted about 2 years.

    I then went for some Northwave spike Evo. I love the 3 velcro straps over laces, plus these are good in wet weather. I don't like the slippy undersole, I often unclip and rest my foot on the pedal when coming up to junctions (or just pulling away)...can't easily do this as it slips of the clipless pedal easily (bashed shin multiple times).

    I've recently picked up some Shimano AM5's from Evans (fairly cheap!). These are great, although fairly heavy (but feel like they will last forever). These will be my goto commuting shoe for the time being :)

    I won't get anymore until the AM5's die, but I do like the look of fivetens (they seem quite light, and super comfy).
  • redveeredvee Posts: 11,922
    I've got 520's on the commute bike and 780's on the better bike and a spare pair of 520's cause they were shouting buy me when I saw them for £16. The pedals are cheap as chips and last for ages and at the price of around £20 it isn't a big deal if they do finally expire though the odd bit of care by filling the pedal with grease and reassembly gives them a new lease of life.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • mudcoveredmudcovered Posts: 725
    nich wrote:
    I then went for some Northwave spike Evo. I love the 3 velcro straps over laces, plus these are good in wet weather. I don't like the slippy undersole, I often unclip and rest my foot on the pedal when coming up to junctions (or just pulling away)...can't easily do this as it slips of the clipless pedal easily (bashed shin multiple times).
    Use Northwaves (of various sorts) myself. Haven't had the slippy sole issue but then I don't spend a lot of time unclipped. Also my MTB has the SPD variant (can't remember the model) with a metal platform as well so it gives better support and grip when unclipped anyway.
  • kleinstrokerkleinstroker Posts: 2,133
    Giro Rumble VR, great on and off the bike. Can't fault them.
  • prawnyprawny Posts: 5,438
    I flit between some ancient Spesh MTB comp shoes from Commute V1.0 and M530 pedals and some Shimano SPD SL Shoes (RO82 possibly) and Look Keos.

    I prefer the Keos and Road shoes, but on the odd occasion I need to walk somewhere I'm much happier in MTB shoes.

    When winter comes again I might get back on the Keos though because overshoes fit better and they dry loads quicker.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • jgsijgsi Posts: 5,062
    kleinstroker wrote:
    Giro Rumble VR, great on and off the bike. Can't fault them.

    Bloody awkward to find overshoes that fit though... size 10 upwards, I mean
  • kleinstrokerkleinstroker Posts: 2,133
    JGSI wrote:
    kleinstroker wrote:
    Giro Rumble VR, great on and off the bike. Can't fault them.

    Bloody awkward to find overshoes that fit though... size 10 upwards, I mean

    Yes, that is my next mission, think I'll go for the Giro Proof MTB overshoes.
  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 24,700
    Sidi shoes and A520 pedals.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • meursaultmeursault Posts: 1,433
    Shimano spd pedals, but just wear regular trainers, as it's only 4 km commute.
    Superstition sets the whole world in flames; philosophy quenches them.

    Voltaire
  • secretsamsecretsam Posts: 5,039
    7 year old pair of Spesh MTB and 520s.
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • greg66_tri_v2.0greg66_tri_v2.0 Posts: 7,172
    Wore DMTs for years. They for my feet really well. Currently riding Fiziks (which don't) courtesy of PX's clearance offers.
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A
  • prawnyprawny Posts: 5,438
    Keos have gone back on today so I can pop my toe covers back on. Cold tootsies last week.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
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