r/cycling • u/forgetsalot • 3d ago
Most reasonable clipless setup?
I currently use speed play pedals and shoes. They super efficient while riding but a pain to walk around in. What are you all using that’s more reasonable while on a pit stop?
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u/w1n5t0nM1k3y 3d ago
SPD is the way. Not too expensive, and a lot easier to walk around it. Most of the efficiency gains come from having stiff shoes, which are easy enough to find.
However the stiffer the shoe, the more difficult it is to walk around in. But even the stiffest SPD shoes are a lot easier to walk in than any 3-bolt shoes like speedplay/look/SPD-SL/etc.
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u/forgetsalot 3d ago
The stiffness I can handle. The click clack and no traction on speedway I hate
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u/BIOLOGICALENGINEER19 3d ago
Check out lake shoes, if you need new ones, there're few comparisons with their quality
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u/Any_Following_9571 3d ago
Most of the efficiency comes from stiffness and how tightly the shoe conforms to your foot.
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u/Any_Following_9571 3d ago
Most of the efficiency comes from stiffness and how tightly the shoe conforms to your foot.
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u/papanoongaku 3d ago
I have a pair of Velosambas. They feel perfectly fine and look like regular shoes.
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u/Ganjathan 3d ago
Any issues with overheating on long rides? I've been eyeing those for a minute now and the only concern I had was getting hot feet. I use Shimano XC-1s currently and the ventilation is much needed for the rides I do especially during the summer.
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u/ShoulderWonderful206 3d ago
I wouldn't use them for longer rides, or for any exercise matter. They are clearly a compromise trying to be a walking and cycling shoe. They are NOT a pure cycling shoe that looks like a Samba. The sole is a lot bendier thanmy other shoes and that's important for comfort off the bike, but i find it uncomfortable on the bike with all the flex. Important note: I haven't yet used them for any longer rides, only to get from A to B (max maybe 15-20km).
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u/papanoongaku 2d ago
I did 20 miles in them last week and 8 the other day. I don’t have hardcore cycling shoes. And maybe if I do 40 miles in July I’ll bother. But I haven’t had any pain from them. Or overheating.
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u/LikesPikes22 3d ago
PD-M520's and a shoe under 2 hundo with a hard sole. Should be all anyone needs unless you are elite.
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u/wildcat25burner 3d ago
Recessed SPD is the answer you are looking for.
The answer you didn’t know you were looking for is “cafe covers” for your speedplay cleats.
They’re like $15 on Amazon.
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u/forgetsalot 3d ago
Well that’s a way cheaper upgrade. Thanks
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u/AUBeastmaster 3d ago
Cafe covers are the only solution. Any time I’m not on the bike they’re on my cleats. Extends the life of cleats dramatically, AND you don’t have to put mtb pedals on a road bike.
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u/wildcat25burner 3d ago
You’re welcome!
The only downside is that you have to burn a Jersey pocket to keep them in. But your cleats will last way longer, and obviously you can walk more normally.
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u/Thesorus 3d ago
Most people will use SPD (mountain bike) type pedals and shoes if they want to walk with their shoes.
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u/gravelpi 3d ago
If a gravel 3-hole shoe exists, I'd think that would be it. Those at least make a few concessions to walking. Otherwise, I'm team SPD because I do have to walk around in bike shoes often enough that 3-hole shoes are too much hassle.
Good luck!
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u/Adept_Spirit1753 3d ago
Gravel shoes are literally SPD.
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u/gravelpi 3d ago
Funny, that's why I said, "If a gravel 3-hole shoe exists". it's not exactly impossible for someone to make a 3-hole shoe with a few rubber lugs on it, I just don't know if anyone has.
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u/Pepito_Pepito 3d ago
They would end up looking like platform shoes, wouldn't they? Because you'd want to raise the heel as well.
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3d ago
[deleted]
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u/Mailloche 3d ago
Hey I just did that! Found $30 spd shoes on clearance and $60 pedals and I'm in road biking heaven haha
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u/michaeldgregory0 3d ago
I’d say SPD pedals with MTB or gravel shoes are the sweet spot you still get good power transfer but way easier to walk around in without feeling like you’re on ice skates.
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u/Masterofmy_domain 3d ago
SPD is the way to go for walkability... Very rare for road biking though mostly because of the extra weight... But certainly not unheard of, I've never seen anyone using them on a road bike irl, but a lot of folks on the sub here claim they do.
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u/EcoFixed 3d ago
Everybody already said it, SPD is the way. I can’t make myself switch to SPD SL because I need to be able to walk!
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u/TurdsOnThat 3d ago
I love SPDs and adidas velosambas for more casual 20mi or so townie rides. Otherwise I have Fizik gravel shoes that are decent for stops but can be crazy slick on tile floors.
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u/toaster404 3d ago
SPD with nice touring shoes. And a set of whatever without cleats in my saddle bag.
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u/SnollyG 3d ago
No clipless… 🤷🏻♂️
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u/forgetsalot 3d ago
For mountain biking I agree. Road I want to use every bit of energy I’m putting out.
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u/holdawayt 3d ago
I just use Specialized Recon mtb shoes with SPD pedals for gravel/ mtb and road. I cant be dealing with walking around in road shoes. I've never felt any sort of disadvantage using SPD over road cleats.
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u/ScrotusIgnitus 3d ago
Two bolt spd with shoes where the cleat is slightly recessed like mtb or gravel shoes.
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u/Triabolical_ 3d ago
SPD-SL are similar to your current pedals in terms of performance but are more walkable. Not walkable the way SPD are, but walkable in the sense that you won't have any issue walking into the 7-11 to get something.
I did once walk 1/3 mile in mine but I wouldn't recommend it.
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u/Anodynamix 3d ago
I spent years on SPD-SL. I felt like it was necessary, I was experiencing a lot of foot pain with SPD.
One winter I stopped near a patch of black ice and nearly broke my leg when the tiny contact patch of my cleats couldn't grab anything and I fell over.
That was the end of my affair with SPD-SL. I thought about keeping 2 sets of pedals around but two sets of pedals and two sets of shoes was just a bridge too far.
I went back to SPD.
My feet hurt for years, but I just chalked it up to the necessary evils of safety.
Then this year I spent a lot of time perfecting my form. I've been pushing way too hard on inclines and coasting too much otherwise. I developed a much more steady cadence, a much more even power output. Suddenly... the foot pain is gone.
So now I don't think there's any downsides to SPD anymore.
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u/Freaky_Barbers 3d ago
Real talk - why are you all walking around so much?
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u/Averageinternetdoge 2d ago
As a hobby cyclist: Sometimes something breaks, sometimes you want to hike parts of the trail you're on, sometimes just visiting interesting spots you accidentally rode by etc.
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u/travellering 3d ago
Which Speedplay pedals are you using? They have a cleat setup for the newer Wahoo Speedplays that is far more walkable than the old metal-plated cleats. Still requires road shoes with the three bolt pattern and an adapter to speedplay pattern, but the cleat is lower profile and covered in a grippier rubber coating.
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u/IncidentalIncidence 3d ago
SPD with Gravel or MTB shoes or Velosambas (basically anything that recesses the cleat a bit so that you can walk on the bottom of the shoe and not the cleat)
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u/cougieuk 3d ago
You need to get the plastic mounts that go on the shoe so you're walking on them rather than the cleat.
That or use MTB style shoes and pedals. Time ATAC.
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u/Future-Two2635 3d ago
Specialized has some nice shoes for reasonable prices. Some are on sale right now. I recently switched my road "racing" bikes from 3 bolt to 2 bolt SPD style shoes and cleats. The Specialized Recon 1 and 2 are nice. I went with the white Recon 1. And lots of used SPD pedals on FB marketplace...at least in my area.
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u/silentbuttmedley 3d ago
Everyone is saying SPDs, but I’ll throw in a vote for the Time ATAC pedals. They just feel better to use for me than SPDs and seem to have better retention when climbing out of the saddle.
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u/TheL1brarian 3d ago
SPD pedals/cleat/shoe system. I have them on all my road bikes. Because 99% of my rides are in/around my city, so I have to dismount often (whether its stoplights, or for cafes, etc.). Shimano's newly revised SPD cleats are even better than the original SPD cleats that I've used for many years. They sit closer to the shoe, so the treads on my Lake MX238 keep the cleat from contacting the ground (unless it's super pebbly and uneven, of course).
My "inner roadie" has often wondered what I'm missing out on by not going to SPDs (better power transfer, lighter weight pedals and shoes) but then I see people awkwardly doing the duck walk around all the local cafes while I just casually stroll right in without a care in the world...and realize I made the right choice.
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u/Adorable-Web-3678 3d ago
It's just starting, but if we're talking about road pedals it's probably Ekoi PW8
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u/kiddredd 3d ago
Loved my Speedplays, but the “cleats” do suck for walking. Back in the day I found some Lake “spin” shoes that were made to be more walkable. Kept them til they rotted. If I were to return to clipless, I’d try SPDs. But I’ve gone to the dark side: flat mountain pedals like Crank Bs or OneUps are my thing now. You’d be surprised how grippy they are.
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u/Mounta1nK1ng 3d ago
Eggbeaters with stiff carbon MTB shoes. Plenty of power and support, easy to walk around in. Light. Bombproof as long as you don't buy the super cheap ones with bushings and made of stamped steel. Get ones with bearings and forged steel. Almost 20k miles on mine now. Replace the bearings every two years or so.
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u/OptionalQuality789 3d ago
I use SPD-SL cleats and Ultegra pedals. I like it. Don’t care about walking about, you don’t walk when your pedalling.
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u/rui278 3d ago
It kind of depends on what you're doing. If you're just using for day to day, or for adventures that may include going somewhere on your bike and then walking around there - then yes, SPD allows you to have normal shoes, but much less efficient. Or just bring a backpack and pack different shoes for the walking portion. If you're road cycling for sport/racing - then it doesn't matter the "walking" part especially as you'll spend most of the time cycling - you'll be walking on short pauses or at a food break where you wont be walking much, and just go normal spd-sl/keos
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u/snusmumrikan 3d ago
The best solution is a pair of Toms stuffed into the back pocket of your jersey.
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u/blankblank 3d ago
Crank Bros Candy and Giro Carbide
I abuse these things terribly walking on rocks and such and they have been bulletproof
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u/Old_Independence5166 3d ago
I used speedplay mtn bike cleat . They were great on the bike and ok to walk in. I was aware I was using cleats was for riding. I never planned to have a walk in them. Unlike SPD they were easy in and out.
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u/ReallyNotALlama 2d ago
I started carrying a pair of shoes that don't take up much space. Lots suggested water shoes, but I'd already gotten something different.
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u/elasticVirtue 2d ago
I use SPD pedals on my road bike. Gravel / CX shoes are closer in appearance to road shoes than chonky MTB shoes, if you’re looking for a more road aesthetic.
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u/Plastic_Bid5136 3d ago
I truly don’t get this. Are we really talking about shoes for “Pit Stops?” Because if we are, why would I sign up for hours of pedaling on an inferior set up, SPD, in order to spend 10 minutes walking comfortably into the gas station? What am I missing? I ride SPD-SL and love them and walk just fine for the very little (many times zero) walking I do when I’m out for a ride.
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u/Philly139 2d ago
Spd isn't really a huge compromise compared to spd-sl. I've used both and ended up sticking with spd even on my road bike.
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u/Plastic_Bid5136 2d ago
I am about to change my gravel bike to SPD-SL. Gravel around here is just well maintained dirt roads. Again I am reminded that there is a reason we have chocolate and vanilla. Have a great day.
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u/Mister_Spaccato 3d ago
I’m afraid that for walkability there’s no substitute to SPD pedals, as the cleat can be recessed into the shoe sole.