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Mountain Bike Shoes - recommendations?
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Have struggled away for years with a reliable and robust but clunky pair of specialised lead-monsters
Feel I am ready to graduate to lightweight to help improve times.
Any suggestions? -
thinking of going to Crank Brothers Egg Beater as well
Appreciate all the advice and information?
Nathan Brown
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go xt shimano clip in's virtually bomb proof..
5 10`s or GTFO!
I like the shimano XC60 that I have currently. Carbon soles, reasonable price.
Before that I used a SIDI, they're almost double the price compared to the Shimano
Sidi all the way.The heal retention makes a massive difference. Not all of their shoes have them tho. The great thing is that pretty much every thing is replaceable on them.
I would also use Shimano pedals. Crank Brothers only have 2 settings and Shimano are completely adjustable.
I just this year bought a pair of Bontrager RXLs which have proven to be a very comfortable shoe.
The gelcoat on the carbon sole doesn't take long to get scruffy if you clamber around rocks unfortunately, so not ideal as a general-purpose shoe, or on tracks where you need ot get off and walk. The weight is not fantastic either being only 20g or so ligher than my cheapy dhb's ... but the fit and heel retention are first class, the micro-adjust buckle is likewise excellent, the sole is rock solid rigid and I *really* enjoy riding in them.
I wanted the top-end shimano shoes when i went shopping, but unfortunately where the tongue was sewn to the inside of the upper was a big fat lump of material that hadn't been trimmed on the sizes I tried and which I suspected would get quite irritating after 4 hours of pedalling. The interior finish on the Bontragers by comparison was excellent.
I'll vote for Sidi, Bontrager and of course Shimano.
Using Shimano + SPD's atm. My first pair of MTB shoes (had heaps of road shoes before). Despite being a cheap pair, I can't fault the quality. They have taken a beating and there are no signs of any weaknesses. They are a little heavy tho.
As for crank brothers... Ive got one of their hydraulic seat posts and carbon handlebars, but something about their wheels and pedals makes me cringe.
Also considering new shoes, currently using Garneau and some lace up Shimano, which are 10 years old or more, but still in good nick. Looking for some hardwearing but LIGHTER shoes. Both of the above weigh over 1kg a pair.
So would be interested in the posting of weights
.
Also wonder if anyone else (using drillium) modifies their shoes for mid-sole cleat placement and what shoes they use?
The pros
I am assuming the guy versions are as good, very very comfortable, quite often ride to work and then wear them all day cause I can't be bothered taking more shoes.
Good in hike a bike situations.
Light, I have raced and done a few epics, they are my only shoes for the last year.... no complaints.
I did the scott in them from brand new no problems.
I have been able to get my clips almost back to mid sole without any extra attachments.
The cons...no heel enclosure, no replaceable parts, and completely water proof, if you ride through a river it stays in the shoe!
I would rebuy them.
I am also considering getting the Sidi dragon carbon shoe, for the heel enclosure and the fully fully replaceable part bit, they are at least 100 dollars more!
I have crank brothers pedals. Have seen some nasty shots of people breaking them off and driving them into parts of their legs..big guy type people.
I am small and don't have that sort of pedal drive...I have had two lots both candys, the first ones were 6 years old and fine still going good I am using them on another bike and will replace the new ones with them again!
I bought a second pair of flash red ones for christmas (middle of the three types) and they are buggared already. The flash red came off on the first ride, the bearings were not sealed properly and I should have returned them not used them.
I like the crank pedals. I prefer the way they feel and have no complaints about them. I would not go back to spd.
Being cursed with fat arse feet I have found the only shoes that are comfortable enough over the front of my feet are specialized. I have 2 pairs of Tahoe's. One pair is around 2.5 years old with just the laces - no strap. I bought a new pair a couple of weeks ago because I like them so much - this time with laces and the strap.
well i can't help you with any of it - my feet are to big to wear any clip type shoes for riding so im stuck with flat pedals and skate shoes
@ADZA I believe Bont does customs, and there will be others out there. $$$, but it is a solution.
I take a size 15 in our terms and that equates pretty much to a 50 in euro numbers. While it is pretty much impossible to find a bike shop that stocks them so you can try them on and there are limited brands / styles that actually run to a 50 anyway, you can pick them up on the internet if you keep an eye out.
I've got 3 pair - an old pair of Lake's bought from Dean Woods Direct back in the 90's which were a bit tight at first but are mainly suede upper so have stretched. They are still going strong and are pretty good to walk in - Vibram sole - best for exploring type riding where a bit of walking is needed. Also a pair of Diadora's bought from Torpedo 7 and a pair of Sidi's bought from CRC. The Sidi's are actually a 52W fitting and are marginally too big (it's not a problem I'm used to!) so they get mainly used in winter when thick socks or a couple of pairs of socks are the go. They are crap to walk in as well, so I tend to use them only on rides where I know I'll be on the bike the whole way. And they were pretty expensive at a time when the A$ was buying less pounds than today. The Diadora's are my main use shoes these days.
Both the Lake and Diadora shoes were relatively cheap - approx $100 iirc.
yeh i take a 15 or 16 depending on the make of shoe, i also have a wide foot so any of the racing type shoes are no hope, the only shoe i have found comfortable is a skate shoe - me thinks custom modification might be required