[ToffieBoi]

Recommendations for Speedplay shoes? Narrow feet.

Hello everyone.
My Shimano R132 shoes is more than 2 years old now I am looking for a new shoe.
They are still in perfect shape, no damage whatsoever but quite heavy.
I want to try something else, lighter. They are 720 grams per pair, for size 43. Factory claimed.

Since I am riding with Speedplay pedals, I want speedplay shoes and its where the problem starts.
There are not much option to buy and they are mostly the highest end models.

My feet are 282mm long and 95mm wide, which is quite narrow.
Thats the second problem. Finding a good fitting shoe, and speedplay 4 bolts.

So, what I want from this shoe is;
- Narrow fitting
- 4 bolt Speedplay
- Lighter than my Shimano's
- As rigid as my shoes

Any ideas?

Cheers

 

[Marc]

Speedplay for 2013 only list 6 makes that make 4-bolt specific:

SPEEDPLAY : HIGH PERFORMANCE PEDALS

2013 Manufacturers of Shoes that feature the Speedplay-Approved 4-Hole Cleat Mounting Standard:

DMT	Gaerne
Lake	Northwave*
Rocket 7	Sidi

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IMPORTANT! Required Accessories:
DMT, Gaerne, Lake, and Sidi 4-hole shoes require Speedplay’s Carbon Sole Protector Kit (#13290):

• 8 M4x13mm cleat mounting screws
• 2 stainless steel wear protector shims

*Northwave Speedplay Approved Shoes require a proprietary shim, available from Northwave.

That being said I don't remember seeing native Speeedplay on Sidis this year.

 

[ToffieBoi]

Speedplay for 2013 only list 6 makes that make 4-bolt specific:

SPEEDPLAY : HIGH PERFORMANCE PEDALS



That being said I don't remember seeing native Speeedplay on Sidis this year.

But which of them is good for narrow feet... Thats the point I need real help from others.

 

[tvad]

Since I am riding with Speedplay pedals, I want speedplay shoes and its where the problem starts.
There are not much option to buy and they are mostly the highest end models.

I have narrow feet like you. I have searched and searched (and tried and tried) different brands of shoes, and without question, the best fitting stock narrow shoe that I have tried has been the Sidi Genius 5 Pro Narrow. Bont Vaypor+ in narrow may be an option (3 bolt, though), but I did not try the Bont narrow.I did try the standard width Bont...way too wide for my foot.

It's very difficult to find narrow cycling shoes. There's no reason to make the search more difficult by refusing to change from Speedplay pedals. There are many outstanding 3 bolt pedal systems.

I'd recommend taking the path of least resistance and making the pedal switch so you can buy shoes that fit properly. Otherwise, you're looking at custom shoes, IMO.

 

[frdfandc]

Find a shoe that fits properly first. Then worry about the cleat interface. Thousands of people use Speedplay pedal systems with a 3 bolt shoe without any issue.

 

[Roland44]

Find a shoe that fits properly first. Then worry about the cleat interface. Thousands of people use Speedplay pedal systems with a 3 bolt shoe without any issue.

Couldn't agree more. Find a shoe first and then worry about the cleat.

 

[Peter P.]

You're gonna spend too much energy trying to find a production shoe that meets all your specifications.

I like the suggestions above; find a shoe and ignore your 4 bolt requirement. Use the adapter plate as many happy Speedplay users have done.

Of course if you still insist on the 4 bolt spec, then just go custom.

And to save yourself more headaches, ignore shoe weight. Fit and durability are everything. It will weigh what it needs to weigh and no more. Extra grams of shoe weight are not worth scrutinizing.

P.S. I don't use Speedplay pedals now but I'm considering them when my current pedals wear out. I too, am interested in a 4 bolt shoe and hope to find one that fits so I won't have to use adapter plates. Like you've discovered, 4 bolt shoes are not that common at local bike shops and when they are, they tend to be high dollar models. I can empathize with your search.

 

[ToffieBoi]

Thanks everyone for the answers.

Main reason I want 4 bolt shoes are extra stack height. And since I don't want to use any other pedal brand, I think buying a non compatible shoe and using cleats with adapter sounds silly to me.

I found a quite nice discount on old Northwave Extreme Tech SBS models here.
I tried those shoes 2 years ago and fit was perfect. (unlikely the other wide Northwave shoes). Unfortunately they were too expensive for me..

Now, I am planning to buy them. Matte black will fit with my matte black Catlike Whisper and also matte black frame. They still need an adapter, not 100% Speedplay shoes, but still better than standard 3 bolt shoes.

I am planning to make the order on monday, so meanwhile I will search the other shoes you guys mentioned.

Thanks!

 

[tvad]

Northwave Extreme Tech SBS models here.
I tried those shoes 2 years ago and fit was perfect. (unlikely the other wide Northwave shoes).

That's new information for me. Let us know how they work for you.

*Edit - I recall a friend owned these shoes. He liked them, but was disappointed that the heel bumper could not be replaced, and therefore the shoes "wore out" quickly considering their price.

 

[mtrac]

Find a shoe that fits properly first. Then worry about the cleat interface. Thousands of people use Speedplay pedal systems with a 3 bolt shoe without any issue.

This. I tried on a bunch of shoes at LBS and bought Louis Garneau Ergo Air and Speedplays at the same time. The shop handled everything. A couple of thousand miles later I'm still very happy with this combination.

 

[tvad]

ToffieBoi, I'm interested to know what you enjoy about Speedplay pedals that make them indispensable to you. I'm not being argumentative. I'm trying to learn a little about your preference.

 

[ToffieBoi]

ToffieBoi, I'm interested to know what you enjoy about Speedplay pedals that make them indispensable to you. I'm not being argumentative. I'm trying to learn a little about your preference.

The pedals I was riding with before was Ultegra 6700.
First thing is; really easy to use, 2 sided. Push and go. Really nice thing.
Maintenance is a bit problem, but nothing really hard.

The main reason for me is, if feels more direct. Feels more natural, correct. I don't know, it is maybe the stack height or contract area...
There are more written on the reviews but nothing important for me actually.

 

[tvad]

The pedals I was riding with before was Ultegra 6700.
First thing is; really easy to use, 2 sided. Push and go. Really nice thing.
Maintenance is a bit problem, but nothing really hard.

The main reason for me is, if feels more direct. Feels more natural, correct. I don't know, it is maybe the stack height or contract area...
There are more written on the reviews but nothing important for me actually.

I used Look and then Look-style Shimano pedals for many years (last use Dura Ace). I found them a little tricky at times to get into. Also, I found the cleats with float to feel "loose" and unconnected (Shimano yellow cleats and more recently blue cleats). I know this is the feature of the float, but it felt odd to me.

Then, I tried Time pedals (iClic2). They were a revelation. They are easy to get into. They provide 15 degrees of float while still feeling connected to the pedal without slop. They can be extremely lightweight depending on the model. I recently purchased a set of Dura Ace 9000 pedals to try again, and I have decided I prefer Time iClic2. The new Time Xpresso pedals function exactly the same as the iClic2. I've owned Xpresso pedals as well.

Tip - when comparing pedal system weights, be certain to compare the combined weight of the pedal and cleat. Speedplay cleats weigh more than other brands, which negates the weight "benefit" of Speedplay pedals. IMO.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from Speedplay. I'm just offering information that might be new to you.

 

[Peter P.]

ToffieBoi, I'm interested to know what you enjoy about Speedplay pedals that make them indispensable to you. I'm not being argumentative. I'm trying to learn a little about your preference.

My interest in a Speedplay future is their adjustibility and two-sided entry. Each of the adjustment parameters are independent of the others, and rotational float is fine tunable via set screws for both inward and outward rotation. I like the fact that the pivot point of the rotation is centered on the cleat vs. Look, where the "hinge" or pivot point is the toe. I tried Looks and didn't like that feeling. I also found them hard to enter. While the two-sided entry feature is not a necessity as I do fine with my current road pedal, to have such ease of entry as with my mountain bike shoes would be a bonus.

One drawback with Speedplay cleats I've heard is they're very slippery. I plan on trying the rubber cleat covers for which still allow the cleat to function.

 

[scottma]

FYI, Competitive Cyclist has Lake Speedplay shoes on sale for $151
Lake CX331 Speedplay Shoes - Men's | Competitive Cyclist

 

[ToffieBoi]

My interest in a Speedplay future is their adjustibility and two-sided entry. Each of the adjustment parameters are independent of the others, and rotational float is fine tunable via set screws for both inward and outward rotation. I like the fact that the pivot point of the rotation is centered on the cleat vs. Look, where the "hinge" or pivot point is the toe. I tried Looks and didn't like that feeling. I also found them hard to enter. While the two-sided entry feature is not a necessity as I do fine with my current road pedal, to have such ease of entry as with my mountain bike shoes would be a bonus.

One drawback with Speedplay cleats I've heard is they're very slippery. I plan on trying the rubber cleat covers for which still allow the cleat to function.

You really need to have rubber covers.
Its really slippery on tarmac and impossible to stand on stone... Also the screws get damaged when you walk on bad surface. What makes them impossible to remove after some time...

 

[tvad]

The main reason for me is, if feels more direct. Feels more natural, correct.

That's the sensation I get with Time pedals vs. Shimano pedals.

 

[ToffieBoi]

Thanks everyone for messages.
I ordered Northwave Extreme Tech SBS shoes today, and hoping to get them tomorrow.

After trying them, I will let you know about the fit and the NW 4 bolt adapter.

I wasn't sure about the size since last time I tried them, it was 2 years ago. I hope I remember correct and will not have to send it back and wait the new number...

 

[mikerp]

I have Sidi Wires speedplay specific and regular, as far as connecting the shoe to the pedal there is no difference, no real stack difference either (the speedplay specific sole has added molding for the cleat, the thought there is less stack seems a myth vs. reality to me in regards to the wires, if I have some time I'll take side view comparisons), the real difference is the regular sole has better ventilation (so I only use them in the colder months).
So my input, don't bother looking for a special shoe, the adapters work just fine.

 

[scottma]

I just replaced my (well worn) cleats last night with a new set. They have a new v.2 version of the cleats. The 3 to 4 hole adapter is a little nicer than the old type. I agree with Mike above. The adapter is pretty straight forward. Besides 3 to 4 hole, it is a curve to flat adapter. A dedicated 4 hole Speedplay shoe would also need the flat section for the cleat. The adapter is not a real big deal.