Best MTB shoe

[mountain tamer]

Hello 21% of users,

I am about make the conversion from flat pedals to clip ins, Graem has pretty much convinced me to get eggbeaters but i think i will wear out the stock shimano ones first.

Just wondering what type of shoes you guys have and if you have any recommendations probably <$150, also I have a size 13 foot which is quite wide if this changes things. also are all pedals compatible with all shoes?

here are a few i have found:

Answer Impact Shoes 2008

Shimano M122 SPD Shoes

no 1 pick= Shimano M085 SPD Shoes

advice appreciated,
cheers guys

MT

[mountain tamer]

very tempting= SIDI Bullet II

[crazycanuck]

I love my SIDI Donimators

Once I got the sizing right (now i have a size 38, 38.5 & a 39 ) all was ok!

[mountain tamer]

hi crazycanuk,

where did you but them from?

do you think they would suit a wide foot?

cheers,

MT

[Deanj]

You can get the dominators from chainreactioncycles and they also come in a wide size as well as a standard.

I use specialized MTB shoes which fit my wide feet well, but I've tried on a pair of sidis and I'll be going with those next. I've not tried shimano shoes, but from reading on here they are a narrow fit, so best to try and see how you find them.

[mountain tamer]

thanks dean,

Did you just go to a bike shop and try on the shoes you wanted, then after finding your size go home and buy it for 1/2 the price online?...or did you just take the risk and order straight up?

also, Graeme these would be compatible with eggbeaters?

cheers,

MT

[Kalgrm]

Dean will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he uses Eggbeaters.

Eggbeater cleats will fit on all MTB shoes. They won't fit on some road shoes (the ones with three bolt holes).

Oh, and don't go in and try on shoes and then buy online. That's unethical. They aren't stocking shoes for others to profit by - if you use them to fit, you should buy from them. (Later purchases of the same maker shoes can be done online though - you already have the size.)

Cheers,
Graeme

[mountain tamer]

Dean will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he uses Eggbeaters.

Eggbeater cleats will fit on all MTB shoes. They won't fit on some road shoes (the ones with three bolt holes).

Oh, and don't go in and try on shoes and then buy online. That's unethical. They aren't stocking shoes for others to profit by - if you use them to fit, you should buy from them. (Later purchases of the same maker shoes can be done online though - you already have the size.)

Cheers,
Graeme

fair enough, I didn't really think about it like that, thanks

are these type of shoes the same as buying runners, size and fit wise?

cheers

[Deanj]

Bought my shoes from the LBS, wouldn't take the risk of ordering without trying them on.

Yeah I use eggbeaters, they are known for wearing out the bottom sole of your shoes, so you may want to consider some of these.

[crazycanuck]

I couldn't find a size 38 up to 39's in the SIDI dominators anywhere in Australia. I ended up buying them on Team Estrogen in the US.

I use them with me eggbeaters.

[sogood]

Eggbeater cleats will fit on all MTB shoes. They won't fit on some road shoes (the ones with three bolt holes).

Not true. CB has an adaptor for shoes with 3 holes.

[Kalgrm]

Thanks Sogood. I didn't know that.

Cheers,
Graeme

[mountain tamer]

another question about the Sidi's.

are they very stiff soled, cause the nature of my local track(steep and covered in little sandstone marbles ) mean I have to get off the bike alot.

do you think they would be suitable for a reasonable amount of walking or are they just for racing?

P.s I wanted to find the Sidi dealers in AU and I don't think their website is working, you cant click on the dealer link, is this the same for you?

cheers,

MT

[318ute]

mountain tamer,
I am a noob to all this but I bought a pair of Louis Garneau from my LBS in Adelaide.
Like some I have a wide foot and these fit snugly but I still have room to wiggle...

http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/LGSSMN7MT

Just another option for you? and I bought the spd540 pedals.

http://www.torpedo7.com.au/torpedo7/cat ... andString=

Steve.

[mountain tamer]

Thanks 318,

Hey fellow noob

I am going to my LBS later and I will see what they have in stock, im a bit hesitant buying shoes first up online, because every company seems to have different sizing. If I spend that amount of money I want to be sure. hey look really good though, I like all the grip they would have when walking, definitely a plus while walking.

The bike I am pretty certain on getting after the HSC has similar pedals to those stock ,so I may try them out before I get my heart set on egg beaters, but I do like their simplicity and mechanism over the shimano's.

Thanks for the Heads-up, ill keep you posted,

MT

[318ute]

mountain tamer,
The links were only for a guide, as like you I was not keen on buying online only to end up with something that was not a good fit.

My normal shoe size is 10&1/2 E or EE fitting but the LG shoes fit nice.
I tried some shimano shoes but they are a little narrow and I explained to the LBS bloke I have a wide foot, so he then pulled the LG shoes off the shelf and they were a good fit out of the box so I bought them.

I went for the pedals on the LBS recomendation, so I don't claim to know what's good or bad, but as far as comfort and ease of use for a nooby I have had no complaints or problems after four weeks of use day in day out on my commute.

Steve.

[jp80]

Having used a few different brands, i can say that the medium width sidis are a lot narrower than shimanos of the same size... but sidi offer a mega too which is extra wide. theyre popular for really wide footed people. northwave fit to me very similarly to shimano, maybe a little smaller toe box but feel good. I'm the same size in shimano and sidi, the sidi squashes everything a bit more but i like that for feeling fast. I think shimano soles wear a bit better than sidis when walking around... if you have the coin, get sidi with SRS (sole replacement system) like the dragons.... ultra expensive but might last 5 times as long as other shoes. sidi are really well made, i've busted through shimano mesh a few times.
hope this helps!

[bigbuzz73]

thanks dean,

Did you just go to a bike shop and try on the shoes you wanted, then after finding your size go home and buy it for 1/2 the price online?...or did you just take the risk and order straight up?

also, Graeme these would be compatible with eggbeaters?

cheers,

MT

Mate, that is a dog act. Don't do it

[Kalgrm]

Mate, that is a dog act. Don't do it

fair enough, I didn't really think about it like that, thanks

are these type of shoes the same as buying runners, size and fit wise?

cheers

BB,

You'll find he's already indicated he won't do it. He now knows the depths of depravity of his former intentions.

Cheers,
Graeme

[brent84]

thanks dean,

Did you just go to a bike shop and try on the shoes you wanted, then after finding your size go home and buy it for 1/2 the price online?...or did you just take the risk and order straight up?

also, Graeme these would be compatible with eggbeaters?

cheers,

MT

Mate, that is a dog act. Don't do it

I'm guilty of this. You can't beat Shoes (Shimano075 + Pedals from Cell Bikes for $130

[singlespeedscott]

I have used a few models of Specialized shoes over the years and have found them very durable. My only real tip is to only get shoes with 3 Velcro straps. Ratchet's are roadie crap that are prone to breakage and besides why do roadies think they need to tighten their shoe so much that the blood flow is cut of to their toes.

[Deanj]

I have used a few models of Specialized shoes over the years and have found them very durable. My only real tip is to only get shoes with 3 Velcro straps. Ratchet's are roadie crap that are prone to breakage and besides why do roadies think they need to tighten their shoe so much that the blood flow is cut of to their toes.

Interesting, I use the Specialized ratchet strap version on both my MTB and road shoes and find they offer far more support and comfort than the 3 velcro version. The velcro has started loosing its sticky ness on my mtb shoes but its no problem with the ratchet. If it wasn't for that I'd have to throw them away and get some more.

For me, I wouldn't buy the 3 velcro version, but hey we're all different

[kandi]

One word: Sidi!!. I've just had two pairs wear out in 20 years. They just go on and on. Had some Shimano shoes, died with in a year. The price is worth it

[reddogbic]

I've got something similar to the 085's with the ratchet style. Found the ratchet mechanism excellent . Heard of them (ratchet) being the first thing to break on those shoes but never had that problem.

[trailgumby]

Mate, that is a dog act. Don't do it

What, not even an exception for Clarence Street Cyclery?