[Closed] Shimano ME7 SPD Shoe

Not tried that particular model, but I'm a big fan generally of Shimano MTB shoes - great quality, fit (my feet) well, and good VFM. IME you need to go a size up compared to your normal size.

I find them a bit narrow tbh, coming from the old AM45 (?) the big black and white DH ones anyway...

I find them a little uncomfortable, was hoping they would ease of a bit, but so far not, worth bearing in mind

I've found them big (feel like half a size larger) compared to all my other pairs of shimano SPD's, though I used them straight away, so couldn't send them back to try a smaller set (impatient b*rst*rd I is..). I also find the front vent very very effective, so get chilly or wet toes very easily, it's a summer shoes only for me. The good point is that there very stiff, which is exactly what I wanted, after my lovely but flexy MT90/91's

I have the previous generation M200s and love them. You can pick those up really cheap now, too...

Thanks for your reply's everyone.

This is my first pair of Shimano shoes as I've previously had Specialised.

I'm reading that Shimano tend to be narrow - which suits my foot shape.

That the ME7 has a Neoprene ankle cuff - which I like the sound of.

Z1ppy's point about the toe vent gets mentioned in reviews but my current Specialised shoes have a similar vent and I think that will be OK.

Finally; I've looked at the M200's and I can't find an online store with my size (very quick internet search - so I may be wrong).

I've ordered some ME7's from Evans Cycles who have price-matched Winstanley Bikes and are delivering the shoes to my local Evans Bike Shop in Leamington Spa. My plan is to try them on and see how they fit.

If I don't like them it's much easier to send them back then and there.

The M200s definitely have a whopping vent at the toe. Waterproof, they certainly ain't, but I've got proper winter boots for the damp stuff. I'd have certainly preferred less ventilation for even a modicum of waterproof capability as it's pretty rare that my rides are 100% dry, even in the midst of summer.

ME7s look really nice though. Possible next year shoes 🙂

I'm reading that Shimano tend to be narrow - which suits my foot shape.

That's the first I've ever i've known that be said. Shimano are def not narrow ime and every review i've ever read seem to concur.

patriotpro; you should read this one then, it's here in black and white on this...

[url= http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/shoes/shimano-me7 ]MBR Review of Shimano ME7[/url]

They say...

The ME7 is really comfortable with a neutral to slightly narrow fit

The ME7 is really comfortable with a neutral to slightly narrow fit
Read more at http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/shoes/shimano-me7#MjohMQxFxfScc62L.99

Does not equate to

I'm reading that Shimano tend to be narrow

My experience of Shimano is that they come up wide-ish - MP66 and AM9.

I've always found shimano shoes narrow, except the AM ones which are hugely wide, but still need a euro size bigger for the length.

I have a pair of 48s which I bought a size up from my usual 47s. Lo and behold they are a size too big. Rode in them though, stupid boy. They are neutral to slightly narrow. I have narrow feet so my road Shimanos and previous spds, MT89 I think, fit me slightly better. Other than that I really like them. One thing to note is the ratchet catch on the outside of the shoe is an absolute foliage magnet if you ride anywhere with even a bit of growth on the sides of the trail

I've only worn mine on one ride so far but impressed so far. They do what they're meant to - stiff when pedalling but remarkably good to walk in (compared to my [url= http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/clothing/shoes/product/review-specialized-bicycles-body-geometry-trail-110-shoes-25192/ ]Specialized 110 trail boots [/url] which are classic hard plastic tread and midfoot. Used with ATAC MX pedals you can definitely pedal clipped out reasonably well.

Fit wise I'm wearing the same size as my Shimano Winter boots MW81's. I sized up from previous Shimano shoes (and my Specialized) for those to get space for thick socks so they defintely come up smaller than Shimano of a few years back. Shimano width is pretty neutral - they're a bit narrower in the toebox than Specialized but not much.

Slight disappointment with them is that they don't have any ankle protection built in (they could be a bit higher on the inside) and could do with a bit more 'armour' on the outside edge of the foot. The vented toe is a bit of a crap idea as well - better to keep the toe covered and vent the sides as it does mean any puddle will fill up your shoe. They're a summer shoe.

I've always found shimano shoes narrow, except the AM ones which are hugely wide, but still need a euro size bigger for the length.

Exactly that with the AM9s.

Update on sizing for these - I just fitted some Specialized footbeds.

The insole of the Size 46 Shimano is exactly the same size as a Specialized 45 (I bought a 46 and had to cut it down.....)

I'd always assumed there was *some* sort of standardisation to shoe sizing - on length at the very least - but it seems not.

I have to agree with you Simons_nicolai_uk

I got the ME7. I ordered a Euro 48 (because I have Specialized in that size that fit very well).

The Shimano 48 is bigger, actually just longer than the Specialized 48

There is about 10 mm between my toes and the end of the shoe. I have decided to keep them as the rest of the fit is very good and I really like the shoe.

I have to agree with you Simons_nicolai_uk

Actually you're disagreeing with me - you're saying a 48 shimano is BIGGER than a 48 Spec. My experience is that shimano come up smaller - a 46 shimano is the same as a 45 Spec.

After a honeymoon period with these shoes I fell out of love with them quite quickly. I gave mine a week of (admittedly pretty hard) use in the Spanish Pyrenees by the end of which their limitations showed up.

The sole is brilliant, both on rock and on a pedal when clipped out. They seemed to meet that magic aim of being both good to walk in and stiff enough to pedal but...
- the 'kevlar' fabric covering on the toe box isn't up to the job. On one shoe it tore away at the side. On the other shoe it caught on something I rode through and tore.
- the heel doesn't have a proper 'cup'. there's no real structure to it - the soft part starts low down- which means your heel tends to lift when walking
- the lack of heel cup along with the fairly soft fabric meant that when it got to serious hike-a-bike i found the shoe was trying to rotate around my foot and slide off the footbed if i walked on anything off-camber.

I reckon the cheaper ME5 might actually be better on some of those points (particularly with the higher inside padding for ankle protection) but then it also loses the Michelin sole.