First steps into SPD shoes...geddit??!!?? « CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum

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First steps into SPD shoes...geddit??!!??

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Started 11 years ago by Its_Me_Knees
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Its_Me_Knees
Member

I'm thinking of buying a pair of them there new fangled fancy-dan SPD shoes, specifically:

Shimano R064

but the sizes - at least according to the size guides at Decathlon and Tweeks - are effectively only on the UK half-sizes (ie. 8.5, 9.5, 10.5...). I'm a UK size 10 shoe/trainer, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience of Shimano sizing and whether I'd be better off with a size 44 (= UK 9.5) or 45 (= UK 10.5) [sizes according to Decathlon]. Worryingly the Tweeks site offers a size chart for the same shoes where everything is frame shifted up a size, eg a size 45 equates to UK 9.5.

Advice/guidance anyone..?

Posted 11 years ago #
gembo
Member

I have two pairs of shimano recessed cleats and roadie both are 42 or UK 8 which is my normal size and is also the standard sizing info. I see from decathlon sizing the bigger sizes don't conform. Might be decathlon but if tweeks also saying this, best but rather onvious advice is to try a pair on somewhere?

Posted 11 years ago #
Instography
Member

Also depends how you ride in them. I tend to have my laces not too tight which means that even though my shoes fit for walking, when I'm on the bike my toes tend to get push forward. Not painfully but it does mean that I need to keep my big toe nail in check or I start going through my socks. I could probably have done with a half size larger than my normal.

Posted 11 years ago #
gembo
Member

Range of sock thickness also a factor. I too watch this big toe nails. The shoeninnquestion has two straps, both my pairs have three straps and the road pair also has a funny clasp ring that you can tighten. Still advocating trying on shoes, any shoes in fact, maybe shoe shops have a future? I believe some places charge you for trying them own if you then don't buy them?

Posted 11 years ago #
Its_Me_Knees
Member

Notwithstanding my love affair with the online bazaar that is the internet, I was indeed thinking I would have to try a pair on, but as the internet will, in some cases, allow me to confirm who-has-what-size-in-stock, and where, I thought I'd see what other folk had experienced and then try to find a non-virtual store with a size that might work for me. Although the Decathlon price is £15 more than Tweeks...

Posted 11 years ago #
Arellcat
Moderator

Shimano shoes have generally always been on the small side for a given size. I prefer to use the EU sizing system because the intervals are smaller.

A few years ago I had a pair of MT70s which were only just large enough in my 'usual' foot size. My current shoes are MO63 and MT42; I took the advice of CRC reviewers and bought the next size up; they fit me nicely. That said, Shimano is a fraction slimmer in the toe box than Specialized.

Posted 11 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

Like Arellcat, i prefer euro sizes. I always fit a 36, but in uk sizes, I wear a 3.5 and in NA 6.5., but rarely comfortably. None of those translate into those sizes according to the charts.

Posted 11 years ago #
Baldcyclist
Member

I was put off of Shimano shoes because of the hole in the front of the sole. The hole continues through the insole, which of course makes perfect sense for ventilation, but I just thought that was easy access for water to ingres.

I bought wiggle own brand shoes instead, and they seem to do the trick..

Posted 11 years ago #
Smudge
Member

I assume it's a deliberate decision to go for the "road" spd's? Quite apart from the ability to walk normally off the bike, one of the reasons I have stuck with MTB type recessed SPD's is the extra sideways float (as I have 3/4 knackered knees...)

Not a criticism, just an observation ;-)

Posted 11 years ago #
stiltskin
Member

If it really is your knees then i would think twice before going with SPDs

Posted 11 years ago #
Its_Me_Knees
Member

Oh Lord...more things to think about. Thanks everyone, nonetheless.

Knees are *much better* these days than when I picked my user name, in part due to my renewed enthusiasm for two wheeled transport, but I wouldn't want to knacker 'em again using SPDs. However, it wouldn't be for the commute - solely for my road bike / recreational rides. Nonetheless, have heeded Stiltskin's warning - will proceed with caution.

Smudge, apparently I can get 6 degrees of float (whatever that means)with SPD-SLs if I want to, but I've no idea if that would save my knees as much as MTB style shoes would (or indeed if it is relevant).

Baldcyclist: like your thinking - will investigate Wiggle's own brand.

Thanks again everyone.

Posted 11 years ago #
PS
Member

I used to have a gammy knee (tendinitis). It had been an underlying issue for five or sixa years. Took up cycling and the problem pretty quickly went away. :)

Posted 11 years ago #
DeathbyPompino
Member

I've found that a combination of mnt bike spd and fixed gear riding has completely solved my knackered knees!

Posted 11 years ago #
Instography
Member

My knees are pretty knackered after tearing the ligaments in both of them (separate occasions). Used to be a problem with Time road pedals that didn't float but they're fine quite loosely clipped into SPDs.

Posted 11 years ago #
PS
Member

five or sixa years

Typed that on my phone last night. Didn't realise I was channeling Mark E Smith-a.

Posted 11 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

[my usual knee/pedal tale]

I tore apart my anterior cruciate ligament some time ago (misdiagnosed for about 5 years, but that's another story) and find that clipless is actually better on my knee than flats (I think, strangely, that more float/movement antagonises the war wound for me).

[/mukpt]

Basiaclly everyone's knees are different. Give it a try, see if it works... :)

Posted 11 years ago #
DaveC
Member

Silly Question!!

I assume you currently ride flats? Have you considered SPD (non SL)? They are marketed as MTB shoes. The difference is 2 holes instead of 3. The cleat is recessed which makes it easier to walk in, and the sole generally has rubber grips instead of slippery carbon/plastic soles.

I have Specialized MTB shoes (cheapest they sold at the time) from EBC. They are still the only shoe I use and I found longer Audaxes no problem.

Posted 11 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

SPD* aka "mountain bike" cleats (small, recessed metal cleat, 2 bolts) are MUCH easier to get the hang of than SPD-SL* aka "road cleats" (large, protruding plastic/nylon cleat, 3 bolts).

For everyday use, the SPD cleats are harder-wearing (metal vs. plastic) and as they are recessed don't get worn down by walking / putting foot down at lights. They are also generally cheaper (shoes, pedals and replacement cleats) and the soles of the shoes are more suitable for walking in (most "road" shoes have a stiff, moulded, plastic or carbon sole).

SPD-type also offer the advantage of a range of pedals, some with the mechanism on both sides, making it easier to locate the shoe on the pedal and others with a flat on one side and a mechanism on the other, allowing you to cycle in "normal" shoes, which have a habit of skiting off the road pedals.

* Other non-Shimano brand names are available.

Posted 11 years ago #
amir
Member

I'm also an SPD fan - they are more compatible with cafe stops etc

Posted 11 years ago #
amir
Member

I also had knee problems when younger - but I think this was because no-one pointed out the benefit of lower-gears and higher cadence.

Posted 11 years ago #
chdot
Admin

"think this was because no-one pointed out the benefit of lower-gears and higher cadence"

Indeed. Youngish boys (is it gender specific??) see riding high gears as a matter of pride (or something).

It's why I wouldn't do fixed - or jogging...

Gears are good.

Posted 11 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

"Indeed. Youngish boys (is it gender specific??) see riding high gears as a matter of pride (or something)."

My 71 year old father-in-law has that pride. Taking him out for rides he'd always be in waaaaay too high a gear. Tried explaining the use of lower gears, but he was having none of it. His new bike is a single chainring, 7 speed, and it's quite enough for him (and he still says with pride that he got to the top of the hill without using the 'easiest' gear).

Posted 11 years ago #
neddie
Member

Not just a matter of pride. Some people are more comfortable to push a higher gear rather than spin away like mad. (myself included)

Posted 11 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

Oh absolutely, but there's a difference between that, and turning away in a high gear till you're almost at a standstill, then crunching down to a lower gear, often throwing your chain off in the process. Rode everywhere in the big ring of a triple.

Posted 11 years ago #
wingpig
Member

Wilmington has to go in a highish gear up hills so that his bike's lateral oscillation is slower than his Carradice's sway-frequency so that he doesn't resonate himself off the road.

Posted 11 years ago #
Two Tired
Member

For years I never used anything but the middle ring of a triple. It wasn't a matter of pride or comfort really I just never thought about it. I wouldnt even use the top or bottom gear within that range either as the chain rubbed and the noise annoyed me.

Recently though I have been doing far more reading on cycling technique and have been making a proper effort to let the bike do the work. And the results are great; I seriously put my being able to roll down into St Andrews last weekend with fresh legs almost entirely down to better gear changing. That and the marvellous hydration tablets I bought, whether they had a placebo effect or not.

And the tailwind, gotta love a tailwind.

Posted 11 years ago #
allebong
Member

Another very happy user of mountain bike SPDs here - though ironically my actual mountain bike has flats. I love being able to walk confidently past roadies who are teetering along on their road shoes. I'm sure there is some stiffness advantage to SPD-SL but you pay such a price.

I set the release tension of the pedals (M520s) to the lowest and have never felt a need to increase it. In fact the ease of release has saved me from several nearly clipless-moments.

Posted 11 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

Yep, MTB shoes and pedals for me too. I just think it's worth it to be able to walk normally off the bike, and protect the cleat.

Posted 11 years ago #
gembo
Member

Protect the cleat

Follow the gourd

Posted 11 years ago #
PS
Member

I prefer SPD-SLs. Who needs to walk? :p

Posted 11 years ago #

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