BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I have a pair of Shimano SH-M034's (size 45) that I've been meaning to give away. I like them and just bought a very similar new pair, but they were just a tad too small for me and made my big toes hurt after a long ride.

They look like this: http://www.cambriabike.com/Images/product/shim_m034_kaki_grey.jpg

They're in good shape and I'll leave the cleats on if you want them. I think they're pretty comfortable for walking around in, although for a pure commuting shoe I can't recommend the DZR's highly enough. I have a pair of concubines that I wear all day every day, you'd never notice they're bike shoes. I still use the Shimanos on longer rides though.

They're free if you want 'em... if you don't want them, the offer is open to anyone.

I have an older pair of Shimano SH-MT42s that I've commuted in for the last 3 years. I wear them basically everyday and they fit me very well, having a bit wider/boxier foot. I highly recommend them.

That said, I also have an older pair of Cannondale Range Mountain Shoes (Grey and Red, Men's 11.5) I would be willing to give away. I bought them before the Shimanos a while ago on closeout from nashbar but they were too small.

Aw, you guys are so awesome, but I'm in Cali right now! The BikePgh community rules (obviously) and that is why I ask bike questions here. Dmtroyer, I am actually an 11.5, but you should definitely give those to somebody in the burgh :]

I have a pair of DZRs on the way... nice! I ended up getting the Prolly because it was vegan but it was $$$. If this thread had popped up before I bought them I would probably have just snagged some free shoes, you guys are too nice!

I need cleats. I am watching some auctions on eBay but keep forgetting to bid/they get too expensive. If anyone has some OK condition cleats they want to sell me for cheap I'm big time game.

They're in good shape and I'll leave the cleats on if you want them. I think they're pretty comfortable for walking around in, although for a pure commuting shoe I can't recommend the DZR's highly enough. I have a pair of concubines that I wear all day every day, you'd never notice they're bike shoes. I still use the Shimanos on longer rides though.

Whoa there...

Rule #69 / Cycling shoes and bicycles are made for riding.

Any walking conducted while wearing cycling shoes must be strictly limited. When taking a slash or filling bidons during a 200km ride (at 38kmh, see Rule #68) one is to carefully stow one’s bicycle at the nearest point navigable by bike and walk the remaining distance. It is strictly prohibited that under any circumstances a cyclist should walk up a steep incline, with the obvious exception being when said incline is blocked by riders who crashed because you are on the Koppenberg. For clarification, see Rule #5

I'm gonna see if any shops around me have those Shimano mt42's to try on. The DZR's and the Chromes / other shoes in that style look good, but I'm worried about weight and sole flex. Anybody got any recommendations for pure mountain shoes?

at least the model of DZRs I have, the soles are definitely not as rigid as dedicated shoes, although i don't know how much it really matters. no idea on the weight, i certainly don't notice but i also don't really care.

@ Salty how comfortable are your DZR shoes off the bike?

I feel like I'm starting to sound like an paid commercial spokesman at this point, but they are super comfortable. Not that I have exacting shoe standards - I've pretty much worn chucks since I was 13, but I wear these to work every day, and walk around in them both inside and out. The cleats are more recessed than normal bike shoes so they don't make that crunchy sound and so it doesn't wear out the cleats. I thought that might create problems clipping in but at least with my pedals I don't notice a difference.

If youd like to try a fun basic pair of clips with the two bolt try Crank Bros egg Beaters. As for the shoe thats personal preferance. I use fly spd only cuz there light comphy on and off bike and cheap . happy trails

I've got a pair of Specialized Tahoes, and I like them quite a bit.

I have wide feet and like room in the toes, can't wear most of the narrow cut Euro shoes like Diadoras, Adidas. No idea what Mavics would be like. Never tried Sidis, people rave about them, but probably cost more than you want in a first time shoe.

The best fitting bike shoes I have ever had were Lakes. You might be able to find a good deal, since they are a lesser known brand.

Having had a pair of Pearl Izumi's and just recently got a pair of Specialized shoes, the Specialized ones just seem to be much better built.

@edmonds I like room in the toes, too. The shimano mountain/touring shoes generally are much less tapered at the end. Keens even more so, and Sidis do make a wide version (mega).

@orionz which model shoes?

I will chime in by saying, I love my DZ-R's as well.

What about Chrome's Kush Pro shoes?

As for the type of cleat/pedal I don't like SPD's because when the cleats wear down it's the release part that wears. You tend to start getting stuck so you have to yank harder to release. With others it's the retention part that wears so you just don't clip in. Seems safer.

Stupid story but you may get a chuckle. We were riding the trails/streets of Pittsburgh when we stopped at the Tilted Kilt for a drink. I went in to use the restroom and WHAM!!! First step inside the door, I went down just like the first time on ice skates.

I flopped around until I got a few waitresses to help me up. Embarassing. Road shoes and cleats do not get much grip on a sealed concrete floor.

Anytime I wear road shoes into a gas station on a road ride I fear falling.

I have friends with the Chrome shoes, and the common problem seems to be that the cleat recess isn't high enough.

I ended up getting a pair of Mavic Switchbacks on sale from DepartmentofGoods. Fit is a bit close but I'll have to ride them before I know if they're too tight. Now I'm looking at crankbros eggbeaters (durability issues?) or SPD's (mountain/no platform, or single-sided platform?).

If you do a lot of trail riding and a little road, single sided platforms will get the platform side destroyed in short order. I think you can get snap in platforms for spd's for when you want to use flat shoes.

@dmtroyer

I actually went with the Specialized Pro MTB (for road).

@abracadabra

Damn, those shoes were limited editions and don't appear to be available anymore

Vegan... you didn't come up in any of my rants?

@edmonds59, my Mavics are definitely cut narrow, and I've read that about all their shoes. I have narrow feet and I think they're going to work out for me.

Let me say that I'm ready to dust off the rainbow wig and the squeaky red nose, because I'm gonna clown myself learning how to clip in and out of these things. Happy I went with the eggbeaters despite the durability stories - they'll stand up to skidding if I want to put them on fixed gear, and I like the 4 entry points. Or rather, I can barely handle 4 entry points, let alone 2.

Already tipped over in traffic once. *honk honk*

I'm a solid Crank Bros pedal guy. Have used them for years and years now, and have not experienced the durability problems that many have for whatever that is worth.

You'll stop tipping over in traffic eventually. It becomes second nature. I learned to ride clipless mountain pedals as a kid, a few years before learning to drive. I swear that when I first started driving I twisted off of the gas and brake pedals.

Do the Crank Bros have a release tension adjustment? That's one thing I like a lot about SPD's for noobies.

You can mount the cleat so it's easier to get out. You can mount it one way, or rotate it 180 degrees for the other way. For awhile I had them both mounted the same way which meant I had one that was really loose and one that was tight.

I am using Crank Brothers Mallets on all ff my bikes. Great pedals, thousands of miles in dirt, mud, and dust without issue.