I need new shoes.

[hairygrump]

After three years, a few thousand miles of biking and god knows how many miles of walking, the plastic sole plate in my right Adidas Minret cracked. I love these shoes because they're the first recessed-cleat shoe I've owned that has decent stiffness for riding but gives you some time walking before you knees and back start to feel that stiffness. Unfortunately, I can't buy new ones because they've been redesigned to look and work like ballet slippers compared to the old version.

I'm looking for a recessed-cleat shoe that I can wear year-round for commuting and mountain biking. If you've got a pair you've been murdering for a few months that have held up well walking and riding. I'm particularly interested to hear if anybody owns the Adidas El Moros, but whatever you got... let's hear it.

[althegud1srtakn]

i wear my shimano shoes all the time for commuting, between classes, road biking, and mountain biking. when it gets warmer out i go with my spd sandals, but these shoes have seen a lot of abuse and are still kicking. mine are the ma80s, but they don't make 'em anymore, the closest thing (and the shoe i plan on buying to replace them) is the m075.

not sure if the 75s will have the same issue, but the heals of the insoles went out after about a month, but then i replaced them with some new ones from a running store and they've been good for a year or so now.

i dunno if these are too stiff for you, but i like them

[rockyrider]

I'm using Lake MX165's right now, a really good value, they work well with just the velcro closures, don't need the laces. The best thing is they have Vibram rubber soles so you can walk on wet rocks and they have rubber through the middle of the sole so they grip a pedal when clipped out (even Eggbeaters). They seem to last a couple of years in the mud here before they get kinda soft and mushy feeling.

The new Lake MX190's look like another good option.

I used to have Specialized shoes but they got to be hard to find here a few years ago and I switched to Lake.

[mimbresman]

I'm using Lake MX165's right now, a really good value, they work well with just the velcro closures, don't need the laces. The best thing is they have Vibram rubber soles so you can walk on wet rocks and they have rubber through the middle of the sole so they grip a pedal when clipped out (even Eggbeaters). They seem to last a couple of years in the mud here before they get kinda soft and mushy feeling.

The new Lake MX190's look like another good option.

I used to have Specialized shoes but they got to be hard to find here a few years ago and I switched to Lake.

I got the cheaper version: Lake MX85. 3 Velcro straps. Good stiff sole, good solid knobs, but showing some wear and tear from hike-a-biking up and down sharp limestone rock.

I got them last summer at Performance in ABQ on sale plus a $20 in-store coupon = only $30 for a pair of shoes. Add the $20 back on for new Shimano cleats and shoes + cleats = $50. Good deal. I have Fred Flintstone-esk feet, so I go through a pair of shoes in about 1 year before the side seams or sole blows out. These Lakes seem to be on track. No seam bursting just yet, but keeping an eye on the sole getting cut on the limestone, especially around the cleat area.

But the Lake MX265 or MX101 (http://www.lakecycling.com/category.aspx?categoryID=33)look like a good choice for walking and riding.

[hairygrump]

Yeah, I hadn't ever considered Lake for anything but their boots... I forget sometimes that they make regular bike shoes too. I'll look into those.

The MX265 looks like they're made for cops.

[50 Mission Cap]

661's are good too... I got mine for $10 shipped off ebay - albeit they were used, but I'm over it. Like under $30 new. There are some things I refuse to pay top dollar for - shoes are like on the top of that list. Hubs, free wheels, cranks, anything drive train related, that's another matter.

Mickey Cap

[Hand/of/Midas]

Specialized's TAHO or Sonoma shoes fit the bill.
stiff sole for riding, with a flexable toe area for walking.
taho=mtn tread
sonoma= smooth tread
both are recessed cleat, and sell for about $70.
specialized has done more research to making ergo insoles than anyone else.
will that be cash or credit?

[althegud1srtakn]

I used to have Specialized shoes but they got to be hard to find here a few years ago and I switched to Lake.

damn, i have the opposite situation here. i've heard lots of good things about lake shoes, but i can't find them anywhere. everyone and their mom seems to carry specialized shoes around here tho

[robcycle]

Shimano SH-MT20's (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22057&subcategory_ID=2120). Stiff enough to ride in, comfortable enough for a 12 hour shift at the hospital (did it today), and casual enough that I wear them out without thinking about it.

-Rob.

[Hand/of/Midas]

damn, i have the opposite situation here. i've heard lots of good things about lake shoes, but i can't find them anywhere. everyone and their mom seems to carry specialized shoes around here tho

QBP distributes lake, and everyone(and their mom) orders from QBP. you just cant try them on first.

[sthrnfat]

I've got throw in a plug for Specialized shoes. They shoes are well made, and super comfortable and won't break the bank like some of the euro shoes. The fit is the key - there really is something to the body geometry stuff.

Check out their website to see their range of shoes. Surely there's something in there that fits the bill.

[hairygrump]

So, in spite of everybody's advice here and my own initial assessments of the Minnrets, I bought a pair of them last night (after riding around on a broken shoe for what seemed like forever... combination of inertia and actual business). I tried on some of the lighter Lake shoes, but they felt a little too much like really stiff hiking boots... I don't know. I like adidas shoes because I feel like they wear like regular tennis shoes, and the Lakes weren't doing that for me.

So I got the shoes I said I didn't want.

I've only got about 12 miles on them so far, but here's what I know:

What I was wrong about:

They're not that much lighter than the old ones... the outers just aren't as layered so they don't look as fat.
The sole isn't stiffer than the old ones

What I was right about:

The toe box is a little narrower, which might mean problems for me in winter, but I'm going to let it break in and see... the box isn't so stiff that it won't stretch.
The same tongue-pocket lace retention system is there, and I like it.
They still look a lot like regular shoes, which I also like.


I'm racing in them in the Stupor Bowl this weekend, so I'll be able to say some more about how they break in later, in case anybody's interested.