Yo! Festive greetings to all you happy schralpers out there!
I have been using a Giro chamber 2 that is SPD but also has a flat esk sole to can be used with associated pedal types. However they weigh a ton when sodden and I'm thinking of treating my feet to a winter upgrade in the form of a boot. Is there anything out there that will fit the bill? All the winter boots I've seen have very gnarly soles... Having said that I like the look of the shimano MW7.
Ive worn my Shimano MW7 boots on flat pedals once when it was raining and i found my work bike had a flat in the garage so i grabbed the hardtail as i didnt have time to fix it
Grip was ok but the sole is too chunky, when just cruisng along they gripped ok, as soon as i tried to put some power down my feet would slip a bit
I have never found SPD shoes to be anything other than awful on flat pedals. I doubt winter boots are any different
I have never found SPD shoes to be anything other than awful on flat pedals.
I was pondering that when the Mega sack prize was those clip/flat pedals the other week. What shoes for... Handily I didn't win them, (never do!) so I don't have to worry too much.
Not an answer but another question. What are the Chamber II shoes like in general?
I only ride flats and I've failed at every attempt to clip in. Mostly because I don't like being perched on my toes. I like the idea of the setback cleats and wider stance but I'm not sure if it will make any difference.
Don't want to throw over £200 on shoes and pedals unless they offer something different.
I've used my bontrager OMW boots on flats. They worked but where not ideal. Biggest problem was where the sole narrows around the mid foot. This means there is a step on the instep which ends up not being supported by the pedals. I'm a mid foot pedaler so noticed it lots. Might be better if you position the pedal under the ball of your feet or use those massively long flats.
@sharkattack your perching on your toes, when setting the spd’s at their most efficient (xc) pedalling position, but you can slide them further back for a more stable platform. TBF after 15+ years of spd, I was only told this lately, makes a huge difference to your balance on spd’s.
OP have you seen shimano xm9 boots? Far from perfect (or cheap), but I love this series as an all-rounder, & have had all the different versions.
The short answer is NO.
If you want to use flat pedals then you are better off with flat pedal specific shoes/ boots with flat soles.
On the subject of cleat position, some Giro shoes can allow the cleat to be placed slightly further back than some other shoes.
Midfoot foot placement on the pedal works for some.
https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/04/power-to-the-pedal-cleat-position/
Efficiency is dependant on various factors, one of them being what do people mean by efficient?
That's why I was asking the OP how they get on with the Chamber in particular. Isn't is supposed to be a DH shoe? I thought that Aaron Gwin wanted his cleat position to resemble his flat pedal position so they moved them back and inwards.
I really like the Chamber, the cleat position is better than all my other shoes with clips. Sadly the rubber compound isn't particularly grippy so on the flat side of my Funn Mambas it struggles somewhat and I changed the pins to give me better grip. It also weighs a ton when it's soaking and thus another reason for this post.
Someone mentioned XM9s, I use flats with either a pair of Shimano XM9s or Five Ten Trailcross.
If you’re after flat pedal shoe performance I’d say the XM9s are a no. That said I think they’re brilliant, but not for proper trail riding.