SPD cycling shoes

Clipless shoes for road bikes and MTBs

Clipless shoes have long since been worn by more than just performance-oriented cycling enthusiasts. They are used on the widest range of bikes – from MTBs to touring bikes. The tried-and-tested technology is both durable and simple. However, there are still a few things that you should bear in mind. Which cleats go with which shoes? Can your shoe get stuck on the pedal? And what should you consider in winter? Read on to find the answers to these questions and more.

Cleats and clipless pedals: what should you consider when buying your pedal system?

Clipless pedals and clipless shoes are available to purchase from numerous manufacturers. While Shimano SPD cycling shoes dominate the market, there are also plenty of other manufacturers with their own systems. They all use the same principle but aren’t generally intercompatible. When it comes to choosing clipless shoes, the process is far simpler though as they are usually compatible with both SPD cleats and cleats from other manufacturers. However, there is one limitation: road bike clipless pedals use a different system to clipless shoes with metal cleats. Shimano SPD cleats for road bikes are far larger than their MTB counterparts. They are also attached to the sole of the shoes by three screws rather than two. That means that road bike clipless shoes aren’t usually compatible with MTB pedals and vice versa. Whatever the selected clipless system and clipless shoes, the entry and release tension can usually be adjusted on the pedals. This enables you to determine how easily you want to be able to unclip your bike shoes from the clipless pedals.

Is it wise to use clipless pedals with normal shoes?

Many people often ask whether they can use their everyday outdoor shoes with clipless pedals. Although this is theoretically possible, it’s far from ideal. Light cross-country clipless pedals in particular have an extremely small contact area, so offer little grip for normal shoes. You can, however, get clipless pedals with a large cage, which offers good grip for even conventional shoes. Some clipless pedals even have two sides: one with a clipless mechanism and the other with a platform. These kinds of pedals are primarily useful for bikes that you ride on an everyday basis as they also work with cycling shoes without an SPD system. In the case of road bike clipless pedals, however, you should always wear road bike shoes as the pedals don’t offer any grip for normal shoes.

Cycling is a versatile sport: which clipless shoes are suitable for which ride styles?

Cycling shoes come in all sorts of different designs. There are cycling shoes that offer excellent comfort and a low weight. There are clipless shoes for MTB riding, cycling shoes for long tours and sporty carbon shoes for road biking. And these aren’t the only criteria to consider when choosing your new clipless cycling shoes. You can choose between stiff shoes for racing and comfortable models for everyday wear. There are shoes with thick linings and waterproof uppers or ultra-light models with outstanding ventilation. Some shoes have a hook-and-loop strap, others have a modern dial closure and yet others come with classic laces. Of course, the shoes all look different too: ultimately, you have to like the design of your new clipless shoes in order to enjoy wearing them. In addition to cycling shoes for clipless systems, the Canyon online shop also offers a wide range of accessories for top cycling experiences, including waterproof rain jackets and cycling trousers. If you do most of your cycling in summer, the breathable Canyon short sleeve jerseys are the ideal choice. Canyon offers you the perfect cycling clothing for all weather conditions and all ride types. You’ll also find a wide range of accessories such as bottle cages, fenders, smart phone mounts, bike lights, cleaners and lubricants.