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Which Shimano SPD pedal + shoe combo offers the best platform and support?

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wsad

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi,
I'm looking to pick up some XT Trail SPD pedals, but want a shoe that offers support and contact between sole/pedal.

So far looked at the AM9 and the ME7 - but which offers more platform?

Interested in any experiences, or if other shoes/pedals contact better.
 
#4 ·
Pretty much any SPD compatible shoe works, just pick at what level of stiffness you want. The less expensive shoes tend to have more flex in the sole. The upper levels are often carbon, or carbon mid-sole, designed for racing and stiff. I need a stiff sole to prevent hot foot, but you may get away with something less expensive. Head to a shop to try stuff on.
 
#6 ·
I like how my crankbrothers mallet lace clipless shoes have just enough flex in them to feel solid on my XT trail pedals. Definitely get more of that locked in feel versus the perched on top feel I get with my fiveten clipless shoes on the same pedals.

www.crankbrothers.com

Mallet Lace Clip-In Shoes - Black/Red

The Crankbrothers Mallet clip-in shoe plays nice on the race track and at the bike park. Our innovative Match System optimizes engagement for any MTB clip-in system, whether that’s Crankbrothers or SPD. It comes with Match shim and Crankbrothers cleat pre-installed in a neutral position so they...
www.crankbrothers.com www.crankbrothers.com
 
#8 ·
I had been using the XT 8120 pedal and did like it. However the shoe float never felt quite smooth. It seems the inboard retaining nut, which I believe is 17mm protrudes a bit and catches on my shoe sole. I decided to try the Look X-Track pedal in the standard XC (not trail) style and have been extremely impressed. Float is smooth, engagement and release feel the same as Shimano, you can use Shimano cleats if desired, and the wider pedal body (for an XC style pedal) totally supports my foot.

I personally find no additional stability with the XT trail style pedals since that little added pedal width does not touch the two parallel support bars adjacent to the cleat pocket of my shoes. Also, I always thought the fore/aft wings of the trail pedals would help me clip in a little easier when starting on technical climbs. but that simply hasn't been the case. At 55 bucks for the standard X-Tracks they are a steal, imho. The next model up, the X-Track Race, has a composite pedal body which is a bit wider still (if that is important to you), but I as I said before, that width will not contact my shoes.
 
#9 ·
Both the AM9 and ME7 feel pretty equivalent with the XT Trails, FWIW. Their cleat boxes have a very similar design and make a similar amount of contact with the flat parts of the pedal. The ME7 is slightly stiffer and breathes better; the AM9 has a roomier toebox and more padding. Both are very good shoes and I think it would come down to personal preference/riding style.
 
#10 ·
Ht pedals get rid of that skating around feeling and have actual shoe/platform contact. Zero accidental releases and the mechanism feels more precise to me.
 
#12 · (Edited)
I am of the opinion a pedal cannot both be a platform pedal and a clipless pedal.
So to me pedals like crank bros mallet, and, XT trail don’t make sense.
The engagement mechanism always sit proud of the platform. So when disengaged the sole of the shoe rides on the engagement mechanism.
When clipped in, with a perfect interface (eg Shimano shoe, Shimano pedal), yes the rubber portion of rhe sole likely engages the platform. But, the stiff sole of the shoe already provides a stable platform.
Anyways the best interface is likely Shimano shoe on their pedals.
 
#13 ·
wsad said:
Hi, maybe let me rephrase. I'm trying to find a shoe that avoids the "icy" metal on metal feel that some SPD shoes have. Trying to find one where the pedal contacts the rubber sole the most for stability - like the opposite of a carbon XC race shoe sole.
Click to expand...
Better understanding your question I get that icy feeling you don’t like. That maybe be one advantage of the trail. Shimano+Shimano is likely the best way to have rubber meet platform. I’m so used to that feeling. But I understand what your seeking.
You want more torsional grip on the pedals when clipped in.
 
#14 ·
wsad said:
Hi,
I'm looking to pick up some XT Trail SPD pedals, but want a shoe that offers support and contact between sole/pedal.

So far looked at the AM9 and the ME7 - but which offers more platform?

Interested in any experiences, or if other shoes/pedals contact better.
Click to expand...
I like the ME7. It feels like I am standing on the platform of my 647s while clipped in.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Hi everyone, thanks for the responses. So it seems the XT Trail pedal + ME7 shoes sounds like the best combo for shimano. And for crankbrothers the Mallet E and + Mallet shoe offering a similar, perhaps larger, amount of contact.
 
#16 ·
mikebikebend said:
I am of the opinion a pedal cannot both be a platform pedal and a clipless pedal.
So to me pedals like crank bros mallet, and, XT trail don’t make sense.
The engagement mechanism always sit proud of the platform. So when disengaged the sole of the shoe rides on the engagement mechanism.
When clipped in, with a perfect interface (eg Shimano shoe, Shimano pedal), yes the rubber portion of rhe sole likely engages the platform. But, the stiff sole of the shoe already provides a stable platform.
Anyways the best interface is likely Shimano shoe on their pedals.
Click to expand...
This is 100% the case with SPD's. The only connection point is your cleat and the mechanism and really stiff shoes make that skating around feeling worse.

I like mallets and with some shoes you can definitely get contact with the platform. However I haven't owned a crank brothers product that I didn't break in short order so those are out the window for me.

HT literally took the best of crank brothers and Shimano and melded them into one pedal of their own. In my opinion it's superior to either in every way.
 
#18 ·
wsad said:
Hi everyone, thanks for the responses. So it seems the XT Trail pedal + ME7 shoes sounds like the best combo for shimano. And for crankbrothers the Mallet E and + Mallet shoe offering a similar, perhaps larger, amount of contact.
Click to expand...
If you are looking for the most contact it will probably be a Saint pedal and a rubber soled shoe, but the difference between the Saint, XT Trail, XTR Trail, ME700 and 540 is minimal. I am currently running all of them on different bikes, and they are all pretty darn similar.

For shoes, I am currently using the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Launch and the Specialized Recon, both great shoes. The Pearl Izumis are MUCH more planted feeling, where the Recon feels pretty much like a traditional XC race shoe on all of the pedals mentioned above.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
xjbaylor said:
If you are looking for the most contact it will probably be a Saint pedal and a rubber soled shoe, but the difference between the Saint, XT Trail, XTR Trail, ME700 and 540 is minimal. I am currently running all of them on different bikes, and they are all pretty darn similar.

For shoes, I am currently using the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Launch and the Specialized Recon, both great shoes. The Pearl Izumis are MUCH more planted feeling, where the Recon feels pretty much like a traditional XC race shoe on all of the pedals mentioned above.
Click to expand...
Do you have any experience with crank brothers Mallet - did they feel more planted on shoe?
 
#20 ·
wsad said:
Hi,
I'm looking to pick up some XT Trail SPD pedals, but want a shoe that offers support and contact between sole/pedal.

So far looked at the AM9 and the ME7 - but which offers more platform?

Interested in any experiences, or if other shoes/pedals contact better.
Click to expand...
I have both of those shoes but if you want a more platform feeling without the "icy" movement then try the Saint pedals along with the Crank Brothers Mallet shoes (if they fit your feet). The pins in the Saints touch the sole of the Mallets and dampen the movement.
 
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