MTB SPD bike shoes for road bike - commute/race/suportives

aj81

Hi all,
Looking for some advice on buying SPD (MTB 2 bolts) shoes for a road bike. Want to move to SPD cause of my commute and being able to walk in the shoes safely but will also use these on my supportive rides/races (one to use one system)
I know they will not be as stiff as Road shoes many will be like MTB shoes for a road bike ? Looking at these shimanos, ideally like to avoid laces but any other recommendations?
shimano XC5 MTB

https://www.probikekit.co.uk/sports-footwear/shimano-xc5-mtb-shoes-grey-orange/11542761.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&variation=11542863&shoppingpid=CLOTH15_200718_&&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000012790857&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI85zAkKmF5gIVyKMYCh3TXg40EAsYAiABEgL2qfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks
Jay

Mad_Malx

Shimano RT (road touring) have velcro fastenings. RP similar I think. Some have rachet tightener too.
Velcro fastenings were a bit long and flappy on my narrow feet so I cut these down a bit and glued ends.

I've used them for commuting and weekend rides and they've lasted 30k km plus.

bikes`n`guns

I have these and they are amazing.

https://dromarti.com/collections/touring-shoes/products/sportivo-gravel-brown-tan-leather

singleton

I'm used road SPD-SL for many years and this winter have switched to using SPD on my new winter bike - as it's a cycle-cross bike and I use it both on and off road. I've got some MTB shoes and some old Road shows with SPD cleats on.
TBH, there's little difference once you get them setup. My SL's feel a bit stiffer and more secure when clipped in, but it may be psychological.

mtb-idle

I use these Giro Savix shoes. They are 'proper' road shoes but can mount two or three bolt cleats as I prefer to use MTB SPD cleats & pedals as well.

They do have a slightly more slippery sole than pure MTB shoes but I use for my commute into Central London and they are fine. The MTB cleats are much harder wearing than road cleats.

I'm a big fan of the BOA tension system.

Decent price too.

davebradswmb

I use a pair of Shimano MTB shoes for commuting which are heavy, but easy to walk in due to their flat sole, and being made of plastic they are also fairly waterproof - ideal for commuting but my commuter doubles up as my winter road bike so I wanted something a bit more like a road shoe for the weekends. I bought a pair of Fizik X5 Terra shoes which look better than most SPD shoes and come with a dial tensioner. They are significantly lighter than the Shimanos but still heavy compared to a road shoe.
https://wiggle.co.uk/fizik-x5-terra-off-road-shoes/

Longshot

I use Sidi Eagle 5s for my road bike. I tried SPD SL a few years ago and didn't like them so reverted to SPDs.

aj81

Thanks guys for all the responses, looking for a recessed cleat so walking is much easier Ideally don’t wanna spend more than £130.

vinny155

Fizik infinito x..a bit over budget,can be had for 162.50..these are a stiff pair of shoes.

exlaser

I use Shimano sh rt82 and I love them . They are getting very hard to get hold of now though. Looking at the new Shimano catalogue, I think their replacement are sh rt500 (RT 5)

amrushton

more carbon on the sole the stiffer they are genrally. Sidi make good shoes and the bits on the sole are replaceable (on the expensive ones). Do you prefer straps/dials/laces? Narrow it down and go from there

Longshot

aj81 said:

Thanks guys for all the responses, looking for a recessed cleat so walking is much easier Ideally don’t wanna spend more than £130.

You can get Sidi Eagle 5s and Eagle 7s for that budget. There's limited stock of the former but they are out there.

parmos

i use shimano MTB SPDs on my road bike after talking to a ex pro and top amateur cyclist Paul Curran that he prefers them to proper road pedals shoes etc.

edward.s

Shimano XC7. Slimline, carbon sole and as stiff as most road shoes. Twin Boa closure. I've done 2000 miles in mine and very happy. Combined with some Shimano PD-A600 pedals for the 'nearly-roadie' look.

karlsstrava

Shimano RT4 currently in the sale with all sizes on CRC https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/shimano-rt4-road-touring-spd-shoes-2018/rp-prod155247?gs=1&sku=sku567090&istCompanyId=8d42cf00-fc35-44ce-8770-97ae3ffd4c16&istFeedId=c759ee22-6d7f-4501-bd00-f1af47c60490&istItemId=iwxttarxp&istBid=t&pgrid=60711843098&ptaid=pla-672587674241&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid|s9wP5oWjS_dm|pcrid|309840163157|pkw||pmt||prd|567090UK&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4Om2zKSL5gIVArTtCh3jLg9eEAQYAiABEgLjxvD_BwE

Or these from decathlon https://www.decathlon.co.uk/520-road-cycling-shoes-id_8510113.html?iv_=__iv_p_1_g_65718867591_c_316386457332_w_pla-306378754696_n_g_d_m_v__l__t__r_1o9x_pla_y_15177021_f_online_o_2456287_z_GB_i_en_j_306378754696_s__e__h_9061006_ii__vi__&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4Om2zKSL5gIVArTtCh3jLg9eEAQYCSABEgI_JfD_BwE

6wheels

Been using Shimano XC50n's for the last four years and have been superb, bit warm in the summer only downside. Think they have been superseded.

thistle_

Shimano MT23s ticked all the boxes for me - cheap, laces, casual look, lightweight.
They stopped making them a while ago and haven't been able to find them for a couple of years in my size.

Ended up getting a pair of specialized Tahoe until something better comes up, but not keen on them - quite heavy and bulky and seem narrow but they do the job.