From: rwilson@sol.UVic.CA (Rich)
Subject: SPD shoes summary (long)
Organization: University of Victoria
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 92 22:03:38 GMT


A few weeks ago, I asked for opinions on Specialized and Shimano SPD compatable
shoes.  I ended up buying the Shimano M30, for reasons of price and
availability in my size.  The shoes are very comfortable.  I had little
trouble aligning the cleats.  I had to adjust them a bit after my first
40k, but that was about it.  They are great for commuting.  I can have my feet
helt tight, and also release them quickly when I need to.  I did fall once,
but that was controlled, and I caught myself with my hands.  No damage!
(I forgot I had the pedals, and tried to pull my foot out, a la toe clips).
I got the A525 sport pedal, by the way.  I got some claims of durability
problems with both Shimano and Specialized shoes.  I will update if the
shoes die and early death, but so far they are great.

Thanks to all who responded.  Here are the responses:
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From: wunder@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Robert Wunderlick)

Rich,
I have the Shimano M50.  The reason fro upgrading was mostly for the
shoelace strp.  Comfort was similar to the M30.  No complaints.

Bob Wunderlick
David Taylor Model Basin
Carderock Division HQ, Naval Surface Warfare Center
Bethesda, MD 20084-5000   (DTMBCDHQNSWC - whew!)
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From: dlundy@emdeng.DaytonOH.NCR.COM
I have the road pedals.  They looked great when I got them, but they
soon became scratched.  So much for the pretty colors.  I was led to
believe that the pedals naturally hung so that you simply step into them.
Not so.  They hang nearly upside down, so you must rotate the pedal with
the bottom of your shoe to get it correctly oriented.  It's not difficult
but not as easy as I had expected.  The off-road pedals, which can be
entered from either side, may be a better buy.

I have the SPD-M030 shoes.  I've worn them all day a few times and found
them to be reasonably comfortable off the bike.  I find that the metal
plate which covers the cleat can become a bit uncomfortable after riding
50 miles or so.  There is a thin sole pad between the plate and your sock,
but I don't think it is adequate.  But, since I haven't used any other
recessed cleat shoe, I can't compare.  They ride well and feel good both
on and off the bike, except as noted above.  The cost is great too.  The
only other flaw of which I'm aware is that the soles tend to get rather
slippery when wet.  Overall, I'm much happier with them than I was with
a standard plastic cleat and toe-clips.  However, it took a couple of
tries to get the cleats adjusted to the correct angle.  This is true of
any cleat that doesn't allow rotational freedom.

Hope this helps,
Dave

dlundy@emdeng.DaytonOH.NCR.COM
Systems Technician, ISTS, EMD-3
(513)445-7337 8:00A-4:40P
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From: nbernste@urbana.mcd.mot.com (Norman Bernstein)

I use the Specialized Ground Control shoes for MTB racing.  I
particularly like the velcro strap that runs across the heal.  It allows
me to fit the show perfectly.

As far as using any spd type shoe for general wear . . . I think you'll
find that they are really not made for walking.  I can walk (and climb
over rocks and logs and such) easily, but I wouldn't want to wear them
all day.

-- 
Norm Bernstein             ____    __o
                         ____     -\<,
                            ......O/ O            nbernste@urbana.mcd.mot.com
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From: obrien@netcom.com (Robert O'Brien)

I have the Shimano m100's (I *hate* laces) and am very happy with them, BUT
I could not walk around in them all day because of the stiff soles.  I can
even change and keep clothes in my private office, so that's no problem for
*me*   I can't think, though, of what kind of job would prohibit you from
keeping shoes and a towel in a gymbag somewhere around...

One day, I tried to work (programming, walking around some for meetings)
all day in my lycra shorts.  Couldn't take it after an hour or so.  If
I had a saddle instead of a chair, maybe...

I have heard (over the net *only*) a report of Shimano shoes having
the cleat ripped from the bottom.  I'm certain this could only happen to
m100's with enough force that the foot would be pulled out of the shoe
first.  Maybe the -50 and/or -30 model, but I think it was more likely
AFU.  (as in alt.folklore.urban: I don't choose to believe it)


I think the -30's are probably stiff enough that you'd regret trying
to wear them all day in an office.  Around my office, lots of us walk
around in socks all day anyway :-)

	Bob

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From: dai@kevlar.webo.dg.com (Dave Iwatsuki)

I just bought a pair of the Shimano M200.
  In order to get a good fit, I really needed both laces and Velcro closure.
The M200 has this mickey mouse piece of leather that serves as a tongue and
you lace it in place. Until I broke the leather in, it kind of cut-in to 
my instep. Now it's very comfortable.
  If I only needed Velcro, I could have gone with the M100.
  The Specialized Shoe has the tongue stitched in place, so that would have been
a good choice for me, but they didn't have my size.
  One other reason I went with Shimano is that some racers have complained about
the internal plate tearing through the shoe. The 1992 M200 has a reinforced plate
already installed and a set of screws with a note to use those parts, not the
ones that came with the pedals. 
  It's a little confusing since the pedal instructions say to pull up the liner
of the shoe to install a plate, but the shoe says not to since it's built in.
  Also, I used a torque wrench to set the screws to 44 inch-pounds. I found that
I had to retighten every 30 miles or so; finally after 3 such adjustments, they
are not loosening up any more.
  Since I had a FitKit Rad done when I bought the shoes and pedals (for free,
since the pedal/shoe combo cost me $250), I used a pen to mark the cleat position so if I ever need to service them, I won't need to be re-fitted.
  As a side note, I have seen ads for SPD adapters that are a platform that you
can use a regular shoe with. That would be a nice option since sometimes I want to
ride in tennis shoes. The ones I've seen for Look pedals are tough to get into
since there's no toe tab to flip them into position for entry.

From: jdu@ihlpb.att.com (John D Unruh)

I have top of the line Shimano shoes.  THey were the only SPD shoes
when I bought them.  A friend has the groung control shoes.  I think
the ground control shoes are better.  From you description, I think 
you could use the cheap Shimano shoes or the Performance shoes.

I have a set of Sidi G2 road shoes.  The Dominator SPD shoes are pretty
much the same, but with a different sole.  The G2s are great.

John Unruh
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From: ttsai@Athena.MIT.EDU

i've a pair of the m525 pedals and a pair of the specialized ground control
extremes (or whatever they're called - the expensive black ones).  i like the
pedals a lot and also i love the shoes.  a friend of mine bought the shimano spd
road shoes and they fell apart easily.  my specialized's are great.  they have
laces for a snugger fit and a flap to protect you from getting the laces stuck in
the chainrings or whatever you ride in.  i've had no problems with my specialized
and would probably buy another pair when i wear these out...



terry tsai
mit '93
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From: ed@titipu.meta.com (Edward Reid)

I just got the SPD shoes and pedals about three months ago.  I love them.  I
took a two-week tour in Washington and Oregon wearing them.  I'm not sure of
the exact models; the pedals are the basic two-sided and the shoes are the
lace-up with one velcro strap; I think it's M50.  The shoes are just a little
narrow in the toes, but I was able to get used to them and they have not caused
any pain.  This is very good because I have trouble finding shoes that fit me.

On the tour I wore the Shimano shoes all day, for riding, walking, sightseeing,
eating ... no reason or desire to take them off; they were comfortable.  I took
a five-mile hike on a rocky trail; the shoes worked well, though I wouldn't
mistake them for good hiking boots.  I changed into flipflops in camp each
night, but that was for the change rather than any discomfort in the Shimano
shoes.  I'd probably be happy going to work in them, though the slight pinch in
the toes might occasionally bother me.

Previously I used Look pedals with Lotto (standard cycling) shoes.  These are
still slightly more comfortable for riding, but of course are almost impossible
for walking.

I find the SPD pedals a little more difficult to get into, though perhaps I will
eventually adjust.  I find it helps to point my toe down some.  Part of the
problem is simply that with a rubber sole, it's more difficult to move your
foot around to find the catch point.

You are quite a bit lower on the pedal with SPD compared with Look.  I started
getting saddle sores until I realized this and lowered my seat.

Edward Reid  (8*}>
  eel:   ed@titipu.meta.com  or  nosc.mil!titipu.meta.com!ed
  snail: PO Box 378/Greensboro FL 32330
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From: rgo@druhi.att.com

I have the Shimano M50 SPD shoes which I use when
riding my SPD-equipped road bike.
They are a good all-around touring shoe with a fairly stiff
sole, but are still quite comfortable for walking.
They have laces and a velcro strap.
I used them on a recent 380-mile bike tour in southern Utah,
and was pleased with their performance, both on and off the bike.

	Ron Olsen
	Boulder, Colorado
	r.g.olsen@att.com
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From: ph297mi@prism.gatech.edu (MARK IKEN)
     I am using the M030 and love them.  They are very light for this type
of shoe.  BTW I use these on my road bike.  I get a slight amount of cleat
rub if I am walking fast, but I way ALOT so that probably will not be the
case for most.  I used to have problems with my feet falling asleep, but
no such thing with these shoes.
REI let me buy them and wear them for a few days, before installing the
cleats, to see if the shoes would be comfortable enough,   they were.
Later,
M.I.
-- 
MARK IKEN
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
uucp:	  ...!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!ph297mi
Internet: ph297mi@prism.gatech.edu
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From: klee@wsl.dec.com (Ken Lee)

Some SPD shoes have stiff curved soles.  These are great for riding, but a
little clumsy for long distance walking.  Those with flat soles are better
for walking, but a little less efficient for riding.

The Specialized shoe has a curved sole.  It is lightweight and has lots of
adjustments for a good fit.  Price is very reasonable.  The outer tread is
very thin for less weight, but also less traction in mud.

A cheap, but reasonably good shoe with a flat sole is the one from
Performance.  It is kind of heavy, but does have large lugs for good
traction.

The low-end Shimano shoes are not very stiff.  This makes riding somewhat
less efficient, though you probably won't notice this unless you ride fast or
up alot of hills.

-- 
Ken Lee
DEC Western Software Laboratory, Palo Alto, Calif.
Internet: klee@wsl.dec.com
uucp: uunet!decwrl!klee
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From: chandler@wc.novell.com (Mark Chandler)

Two others to recommend:

Alpinestars: Stiff, fit well, and have lots of adjustments (lace,
instep AND heel straps).

AXO: Supposedly very nice, but only available directly from the
company themselves.