Calling all Cobblers
A couple of years ago, I decided to return to SPD cleats, due to the more recreational nature of my riding and ankle flexibility limited by injury.
I have owned a great many shoes over the years—with attachment systems ranging from nailed cleats to fancy Speedplay mechanisms—but, like many others, the trusty Shimano SPD was my introduction to “clipless” pedalling.
The Sidi Dominator mountain bike footwear, pictured above, took me through the wilds of Alaska, Yukon, and British Columbia, as well as the trails of Vancouver Island.
It was these (18-year-old) shoes I returned to when the Specialized road shoes/Speedplay-X cleats I’d been using for several seasons were no longer appropriate. Unfortunately, the poor old Sidis recently decided they had done their duty, and the aged plastic mount for the slider buckle disintegrated.
So, I went out and bought a pair of Specialized Comp Mountain shoes.
I like Specialized shoes. Not counting my most recent acquisition, I have three pairs—all Comp road models. These will likely be up for sale soon. The last pair I bought are all but unused.
The roomy Specialized toe box is welcomed by the fat-footed (Sidi offers the “Mega” range, in wider widths (beginning at size 40). I haven’t tried them). Specialized shoes also include a patented varus (inward) corrective insole that I find helpful (see fitting page, under “Pedals” subheading for more info).
Specialized Comp Mountain Shoe
The affordable, mid- upper-range Comp features a 2-bolt SPD cleat pattern, compatible with all major MTB pedals, including Speedplay. The ratcheting top buckle (on the old Sidis and this shoe) has become a must-have for me. It makes on-the-fly adjustments simple.
I’m impressed with the welded reinforcement on high-wear areas. Deep treads should provide plenty of grip off the bike and, for serious hiking, screw-in lugs (see above left) are included. I do not anticipate using the latter, unless I return to ice-climbing.
The shoes weigh in at 370g (1/2 pair #42).
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I spent a great deal of time riding Crank Brothers Egg Beaters. They basically add up to being a more-friendly SPD, with less weight and complexity, and 4 useful sides of the pedal instead of 2. They’re a mountain bike-style cleat system, so as usual you get good walkability. I gave up on them (and switched to Speedplay Zeros) because I end up destroying them, but I also destroy bottom brackets and other things, so these should work fine for most people.
Ray, if as you’ve suggested this is mostly a range-of-motion issue, consider Speedplay Zeros—you can adjust them to have a very, very small range of motion required to release them. Their Light Action pedals, on the other hand, require very little release force, although they don’t make a pedal system that gives you both (probably for good reason).
Also, my fat-footed brethren, check out Northwave shoes. I measure up as a 4E width, and yet manage to fit into them reasonably well.
Thanks, Paul. I had considered the Zeros–still might give them a try before selling my road shoes–but I also have a problem with lateral stability (I fall over easily), so trying to stay away from wobbly cleats.
I know from working in bike retail that more than a few people are fans 🙂 of Egg Beaters, and have a couple of friends who like Speedplay Frogs. Since I’ve bought these MTB shoes, I may try those sometime.
So many options!
At 49, I have recently dusted off my 1985 Norco Magnum GT touring bike. I paid about $500 for it, which probably works out to about $5/km before this year. I am not yet a randonneur, but I did ride 100 km from Tsawwassen to Kitsilano and back on Saturday. Trivial to you, major to me.
The Canada Day 145 km populaire will be my longest ride by 40 km.
My bike came with toe clips. Last month, I removed them so that my knee and foot could turn out to a comfortable angle. The new pedals are $12 ($6 each) mountain bike pedals, and I like them. I wear worn-out rubber soled dress shoes that I have trimmed to reduce heel strikes. The metal pedals bite into the shoes, and I am happy enough. I can reposition my foot for comfort, and my feet don’t slide off the pedals. (I must confess that the left pedal’s bearing might not survive the 145, so I’ll carry the old one. Whaddya want for six bucks?)
When I worked at a control at a 300 km brevet this year, I think every single rider was using some clipless system. It made me wonder how comfortable they are on a long ride, and how much better they are than platform pedals. Do they make you more efficient, or merely more powerful. If you are more powerful, do you tire faster?
Ron
Ron, I applaud your ingenuity and thrift.
Riding a century is never trivial, especially counted in Imperial measurement.
Though I’m not sure I’d want to enter an event with suspect components, I’m glad to see you follow the Scouting dictum “be prepared.” 🙂
It is generally true that the more powerful one becomes, the faster one rides; so the end result is usually the same, clipped in or not.
I own 10+ bikes and only one has clipless pedals [Time ATAC]. For 95% of my riding platforms and street shoes are a better choice for me. They are comfortable on and off the bike. I keep up with all the folks I should keep up with. There really is no downside.
safe riding,
Vik
My around-town bike has platforms. Certainly, there’s not much point in changing footwear for a short commute.
All my other bikes have clipless … except my dear old Nishiki, which still sports original Christophe toe clips.
I recently rode a 170km day on a MTB w/ camping gear in running shoes. My buddy wore his clipless shoes and there was no point in the ride where I thought to myself things would have been better if my feet were firmly attached to the pedals. OTOH there were many times that having running shoes on my feet was a benefit when I was off the bike doing things.
I’ve had quite a few long rides like that which have convinced me that clipless isn’t just for around town.
safe riding,
Vik
170km in running shoes would be a non-starter for me.
For those who prefer riding in running shoes, I’d just caution that laces have a habit of getting caught in the chain. Make sure to replace the usual ones with shorter laces and/or tuck them away.
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