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Urgent Advice please please

Dear All 

 

Apologies in advance because i am not a cyclist in anyway but my Husband is cycle crazy. 

 

He loves cycling and he has three bikes which i am sure he loves more than me!

It is his brithday this Wednesday and I wanted to get him some new cycling shoes.  I have spent hours on line researching and reading reviews and was just about to buy some shoes on wiggle when i have discovered I need to also consider the cleats system.  

So currently he has some specialised size 44 shoes which have a 2 bolt square metal thing in the middle, the shoes have extra plastic sticky out bits which allow you to walk in them when not cycling yes.  So this means maybe he hasnt got road shoes but moutain bike shoes??? even though he is road riding.  I know he rides to places has a walking wonder then rides off again.  

Guys I spent days researching prior to this and was close to buying MAVIC COSMIC ELITE VISION CM SHOES but now i have discovered 2 things these are road shoes so cant walk in them and also the cleat system is different.  

I have spent another day trying to figure out what i should do now- which is just panick really as the more i read about cleats the more confused I get and also none of the cleats look like the one he has on his current shoe, so i might be buying everything wrong. 

Please please please can someone help me or advise me about this subject as I am now even more lost than when I first started 

These are the facts I know -

He needs a cycle clip on shoe with 2 bolts and it is square metal , 

he wants the show good enought to be able to walk in between cycling, 

has to be rain proof due to english weather 

I was willing to spend up to £120 ish if needed or extra if really good for a new pair, 

 

can anyone please help with advice to what I need to be looking for what is the best shoe for this above want list please.  

 

Many thanks in advance and again apologies for the complete lack of knowledge.  

R xxxx

p.s was actually hoping to be able to post photos of his old shoes but lookes like the forum doesnt allow it 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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24 comments

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hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
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You're more than welcome. Hope the shoes are well received.

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cycle-newbie | 5 years ago
4 likes

Hawking Peter and Rakkor 

 

Thank you for your advice which I have taken 

I searched for the xc7 and they were about 110-120

then i searched for the xc701 (newer ones)  theye were all 150 except at tweets cylces for 128

So then I contacted wiggle and got them to price match them so basically for an extra tenner got the newer model! and when checking out did a search for vouchers and got an extra tenner off with NEWGB code!

All in 118 for a pair of shimano XC701- BARGIN!

So excited and Happy!

I have ordered sizes 44 and 45 and will return the one that is too big or too small!

Thank you guys for all yur advice and help- you are real stars- couldnt have doen ti without you.  If I can return the favour in any way with limitied cycle advice let me know! 

Thanks xxxxxx

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Rakkor | 5 years ago
0 likes

Hi - I have the XC7, lightweight and comfortable, with a good stiff sole, they are my goto summer shoe (I have some gaerne winter booots for my colder/rainier commutes) - Shimano shoes do come up a little small for my feet, I'm a 47 in the real world and a 48 in Shimano's - If I was given another pair as a present I would be very happy.

 

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hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
1 like

Looks like the XC701 are just the 2019 model of the XC7.

Here's a Road.cc review of the XC7: https://road.cc/content/review/226422-shimano-xc7-spd-shoes

I'd be inclined to get the latest model just because it's newer, but there's an equally good argument for getting the older model because it's cheaper.

The dials for tightening the laces should be fine - they're pretty common on good quality cycling shoes.

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cycle-newbie | 5 years ago
0 likes

Thanks Jonnyvee

munchcrundle I joke with my husband if I had a chain maybe he would appreciate me more!  

 

On the last leg have to  decide between Shimano XC7 or shimano xc701 both in black!

cant see any reviews for the xc701 is that because their new? They look funkier and more modern sleeker.  But do those dial things break too easily!  Not too bothered about price difference as it maybe the cost of a takeaway pizza difference! 

The xc7 have loads of raving reviews should I just stick to that model reviews are about 1-2 years old!  

 

The only problem being female indecisiveness.

Any advice appreciated-will order firsthand thing tomorrow during work break!  

Thanks again

R xx 

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Johnnyvee | 5 years ago
0 likes

I found it difficult to get waterproof shoes most roadies have overshoes or wear waterproof socks.  

Just pinging a reply as I use Sidi Mtb spd shoes for my road bike - find them easier to walk in for commuting but also good enough for club runs. I had a pair of specialised shoes before those and had to go one more size up for the Sidis to fit.

Have a look at both size guides but as others have said wiggle are so easy to get on with when you have to return stuff and it's free.

Hope you get something he loves. 

 

J.

 

 

 

 

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hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
0 likes

The Vista Outdoors boycott was discussed here: https://road.cc/content/news/237709-should-you-boycott-bike-brand-if-its...

Those cleats do seem to be some other variety of SPDs, but as StraelGuy states, it makes no difference to the shoes (2-bolt SPDs).

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Mungecrundle | 5 years ago
4 likes

Wish you were my wife!

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Run BMC replied to Mungecrundle | 5 years ago
2 likes

Mungecrundle wrote:

Wish you were my wife!

Really Mungecrundle?!  She almost bought the wrong shoes!  I'd set my sights a little higher if I were you  1

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ConcordeCX replied to Mungecrundle | 5 years ago
1 like

Mungecrundle wrote:

Wish you were my wife!

https://youtu.be/QHdcP-WxSRE

 

 

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cycle-newbie | 5 years ago
0 likes

Hawkinspeter, RDMP2, Dingaling and finally Straelguy- you guys are amazing and thank you for taking the time to answer my queries! Now I have this infor I can look and order the shoes! 

HawkinsPeter wait till I quote you on your Giro boycott info- my Husbands mind will be blown! 

 

Thanks again and il try to order tomorow for Wednesday and let you know what I go with!  

Of you remember anything else or have any other suggestions please do let me know! So Excited! 

R xxx

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StraelGuy | 5 years ago
1 like

Good spot, you're right. Doesn't affect shoe choice though. Shoes are either 2-bolt or 3-bolt so any 2-bolt shoe will still be 'right' for SPDs.

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Dingaling | 5 years ago
1 like

I've been using SPD and SPD-SL for a long time now and the cleat in that photo doesn't look like my SPD cleats? Is there a version different from Shimano?

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hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
1 like

Almost forgot - there could be a boycott issue with Giro as they are owned by Vista Outdoors which is primarily a guns'n'ammunition company and as such they funnel a lot of money towards the N.R.A.

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rdmp2 | 5 years ago
0 likes

Answer above is correct. You need 2 bolt shoes, also know as SPD. Not SPD-SL which is 3 bolt. If you are using Wiggle browse to cycling shoes then there will be filters on the left hand side. In "cycle shoe type" choose two bolt (and two or three bolt) then everything should be compatible. When you pick one just finally check that the description says "SPD compatible" or similar. Happy hunting

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hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
1 like

Hi,

Personally, I like NorthWave, but then my feet are quite wide so I wouldn't get on with a lot of makes.

Sidi are generally recommended though I've never had a pair. I used to use a pair of Five-Tens when I only had a mountain bike, but they were quite heavy and more "skater" style. Giro and Shimano are both good makes as well. Specialized is also a well regarded make.

I'd recommend going for a reasonably lightweight pair for road cycling, but other than that it's going to be a personal preference thing regarding the syling. Don't underestimate the importance of colour co-ordination with the bikes, either.

Good luck.

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cycle-newbie | 5 years ago
0 likes

Dear HawkinsPeter

Thank you so much for all this advice defo makes it much easier to search for options, 

I will have a look at wiggle as they seem quite comprehensive.  Now I know what to search for much easier hopefully.

Can I ask if you have any personal suggestions, 

 

now looking I can see shimano xc7R and also Giro Turraduro are rated well along with shimano SHM-E7 and five tens mens kestrel cycling shoes

Any advice other than these would also be appreciated. Thanks again, of note i havnt even looked at sidi's is this something i should also consider?

Thanks again

 

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
2 likes

The two bolt fitting style are the Mountain Bike (MTB) style cleats (known as SPD).

Yes, you can use them fine on a road bike although the other main cleat style is known as "Road" style (also known as SPD-SL).

I use SPDs on my road bike as, like you say, it's easier to walk in them. Typically shoes will either be for 2-bolt SPD MTB style or 3-bolt SPD-SL Road style - I don't know of any shoes that would take either style.

Also, the pedals are different for SPD and SPD-SL, so you'd need to buy him SPD MTB shoes. If your husband has wide or otherwise unusual feet then it might be worth giving him a voucher instead as he might well want to try on shoes to check for fitting.

Hope that helps.

Edit: buying shoes from Wiggle should be fine as their returns process is quick and easy, so if you do get the wrong colour/shape/style then you can always send them back and exchange them for different ones (or get your money back).

 

 

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henryb replied to hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
0 likes

HawkinsPeter wrote:

Typically shoes will either be for 2-bolt SPD MTB style or 3-bolt SPD-SL Road style - I don't know of any shoes that would take either style.

 

Some shoes do, or used to - such as the Simano R087 (https://www.rutlandcycling.com/103993/products/shimano-r087-wide-shoe-white-black.aspx )

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hawkinspeter replied to henryb | 5 years ago
0 likes

henryb wrote:

HawkinsPeter wrote:

Typically shoes will either be for 2-bolt SPD MTB style or 3-bolt SPD-SL Road style - I don't know of any shoes that would take either style.

 

Some shoes do, or used to - such as the Simano R087 (https://www.rutlandcycling.com/103993/products/shimano-r087-wide-shoe-white-black.aspx )

Nice.

Looks like the RP1 is the newer model: https://www.halfords.com/cycling/cycling-clothing/cycling-shoes/shimano-...

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cycle-newbie | 5 years ago
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cycle-newbie | 5 years ago
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cycle-newbie | 5 years ago
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another photo

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cycle-newbie | 5 years ago
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some photos of current shoes

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