in message <
[email protected]>,
[email protected] ('
[email protected]') wrote:
> I returned to cycling two years ago and was persuaded to buy a pair of
> cycling shoes. In the shop I replied 'yes' to the question, 'will you
> require to walk in them'. They have studs not unlike football boots
> and a recessed cleat; Diadora brand.
>
> Looking at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_shoe and elsewhere, it
> seems they are what is called 'mountain bike shoes'.
>
> It could be that the pedal type and shoe are SPD?
>
> When looking at cycling shoes in websites (e.g. Wiggle), and I suppose
> pedals too, the types are not clear to me.
>
> Are there just two types of cycling shoe in common use?
There are two /main/ types in common use. The original Shimano SPD system -
now marketed mainly as a mountain bike system, but actually better for
utility bikes - uses two bolts side by side. This bolt pattern is shared
by almost all the real mountain bike pedal systems such as egg-beaters and
ATACs. I'm not sure what bolt pattern Speedplay use, but I imagine it's
the same.
The other main type is the Look delta three bolt pattern, now used by most
road-oriented cleat systems, including Look, Time, Campagnolo, Keywin,
Shimano SPD SL, and others. The three bolts form an arrowhead pointing
forwards. But Shimano's SPD-R road system uses a completely different
pattern.
Three bolt cleats are all much bigger than two bolt cleats. They spread the
pedalling load over a wider area of your foot and are consequently less
likely to cause hot-spots and other pressure discomfort. They're the
system to choose if you regularly ride long distances.
In general, three-bolt cleats are not designed to be walked on. Shoes
designed for three-bolt cleats often have extremely stiff, smooth and
slippy soles. If you regularly need to walk even a few yards off the bike
with your cycling shoes on, you're probably better off with a two-bolt
system.
Shoes designed for the two-bolt side-by-side systems typically are designed
to be walked in. The cleat is much smaller and can be recessed into the
sole. Some of these shoes are designed for mountain biking and have studs
or tread patterns designed to grip on mud and wet rock, but others are
more discreet and won't look out of place in any informal situation. I
don't know of any cycling shoe that you could comfortably wear into a
formal business meeting, however, which is a shame. Anyone?
Personally I use Look Keos (three bolt) on my 'good' road bike, and Time
ATACs (two bolt) on my mountain bikes and on my old road bike.
--
[email protected] (Simon Brooke)
http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
;; All in all you're just another hick in the mall
-- Drink C'lloid
