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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
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    Which MTB Shoe Am I?

    I'm looking for a good MTB shoe that fits the following criteria:

    - Clipless compatible
    - Flat style or at least good for short hike-a-bike sections
    - Not ugly as sin, preferably comes in a cool color that's not black
    - Relatively light (400-500g)

    I've got a pair of Giro Chamber II that I really like, but on long rides (20-25 miles, 3k+) they start to feel heavy and can get hot. I'm looking at the Specialized Rime 2.0, but I see mixed reviews... and I'd rather not buy Specialized.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
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    785
    If you like Chamber 2, you will like Ventana. Built with the same shank and last, but much lighter weight and more breathable.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
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    I think they are just a bit over 500g, but Ride Concepts Tallac clips might fit the bill?

  4. #4
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    Dec 2006
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    I haven't used them yet for long rides so put an asterisk there, but I'm really liking my Endura MT500 Burners. I can only compare to the 5.10 Maltese Falcon (and 5.10 flats) that I had previously but they are lighter, more comfortable, more breathable, more cleat adjustment, hike-a-bike better, and come with an insole that's not worthless.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    Sandy
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    PEARL iZUMi X-Alp Summit
    https://www.rei.com/product/176824/p...sku=1768240005

    Been pretty happy with these this year so far.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
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    SLC
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    Specialized sucks but they make the best cycling shoes on the market, it’s been that way for 15 years

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
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    northern BC
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    Quote Originally Posted by Benneke10 View Post
    Specialized sucks but they make the best cycling shoes on the market, it’s been that way for 15 years
    Yeah I've had 3 pair of the Spesh and IME they fit narrow in the heels/ wide in front which is my foot exactly

    edit : i have had 2 pair of shimano and they just do not fit
    Lee Lau - xxx-er is the laziest Asian canuck I know

  8. #8
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    Apr 2004
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    Quote Originally Posted by adrenalated View Post
    I haven't used them yet for long rides so put an asterisk there, but I'm really liking my Endura MT500 Burners. I can only compare to the 5.10 Maltese Falcon (and 5.10 flats) that I had previously but they are lighter, more comfortable, more breathable, more cleat adjustment, hike-a-bike better, and come with an insole that's not worthless.
    Hmmm, these look pretty sweet.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
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    Mid-tomahawk
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    The Burners are okay but I wish they were stiffer. The Specialized 2FO DH is my current favorite in that class of shoe.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    livin the dream
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    IME most “skate style” mtb shoes hike like shit, clipless or flat…. You should probably drop the “not ugly as sin” criteria and just get an ugly clipless shoe with a chunky tread. Every brand makes them because they work; Shimano ME5/7, PI X Alp, Spec Recon, etc…


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  11. #11
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    Dec 2006
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    Quote Originally Posted by HAB View Post
    The Burners are okay but I wish they were stiffer.
    I would agree that they are not particularly stiff. I come from flats so I prefer that feel but I can definitely see how many would find them too soft. I would say they are stiffer than my Freerider Contact flats and just a hair softer than the Maltese Falcon, FWIW.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    1,685
    Another vote for the Pearl Izumi x-alp. I use a pair for bikepacking, stiff enough for long days of pedaling, soft enough for miles of hiking.

    Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
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    Back in Seattle
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    1,259
    I’m pretty happy with my x-alps as well. Nice fit decent soles and the boas are easy to adjust. Could be a bit stiffer for XC rides but that would sacrifice walking.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
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    Bottom feeding
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    10,828
    I’m getting Lakes next. Maybe the 238
    Well maybe I'm the faggot America
    I'm not a part of a redneck agenda

  15. #15
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    Mar 2008
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    northern BC
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    Quote Originally Posted by Benneke10 View Post
    Specialized sucks but they make the best cycling shoes on the market, it’s been that way for 15 years
    I'm betting all you dentists are gona buy these shoes on-line but I go to a spesh dealer just to try/buy shoes period

    even tho I know its a really bad dealer never mind that its a spesh dealer
    Lee Lau - xxx-er is the laziest Asian canuck I know

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    Hell Track
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    Quote Originally Posted by nickwm21 View Post
    IME most “skate style” mtb shoes hike like shit, clipless or flat….
    Agreed with this. A shoe that hikes well really just needs a good heel pocket, and skate style shoes almost never have that.

    That said, I wear bike shoes to ride bikes, not hike. Good skate style shoes have much better toe and ankle protection than any of the "trail" style bike shoes. Personally, I'd take foot protection over hike-ability since I smash my foot into stuff semi often and I hike in bike shoes pretty rarely, and if I do have to hike it's usually pretty short.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
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    Boulder
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    I've ridden a lot of them and on Kestral's, the PI's, but the Shimano ME7 is the best in my book.

    I find the Kestral's too heavy and Bulky,
    The PI's are too soft (but great for bike-packing / hike-a-bike).
    While I love Specialzied XC shoes, their trail shoes don't jive with me. Recon's are too XC orientated. Rime is too bulky.

    The ME7's are the perfect blend of stiff enough on the bike that my feet don't get sore with rough descending but secure and grippy enough off the bike that Hike a bike feels secure on dirt and rocks.

  18. #18
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    Apr 2004
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    Bump for an update... I ended up getting some Mavic XA Matryx from the Pros Closet, and so far so good. Great fit, definitely way lighter than my Giro Chamber IIs, and so far they feel just as stiff. I even got a little hike-a-biking in this morning and they have decent grip on loose, shitty rocks.

    My only nitpick is the tightening system isn't the best, it's similar to the Salomon one but is in an awkward position with the velcro strap. I may just cut it out and replace it with laces eventually, but it's really not a huge deal.

    There was a deal on Mavic stuff last week so I got these for around $75 shipped: https://www.theproscloset.com/produc...-red-orange-10

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
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    Which MTB Shoe Am I?

    Interesting that “not ugly as sin” was a criteria and you ended up with those

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
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    Idaho
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    Next time maybe gut be worth looking at these too. I ride the flats version and like it.

    https://rideconcepts.com/collections...-s-tallac-clip

  21. #21
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    Apr 2004
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    Quote Originally Posted by Conundrum View Post
    Next time maybe gut be worth looking at these too. I ride the flats version and like it.

    https://rideconcepts.com/collections...-s-tallac-clip
    Those are just as heavy as my Giro Chamber II, unfortunately.

  22. #22
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    Oct 2005
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    Idaho
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    Hey, you said 4-500g and the RC's come in at 500. But, yeah, if the Mavic's are lite and fit, cool.
    Quote Originally Posted by Benny Profane View Post
    Well, I'm not allowed to delete this post, but, I can say, go fuck yourselves, everybody!

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    The better LA
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    Quote Originally Posted by XtrPickels View Post
    I've ridden a lot of them but the Shimano ME7 is the best in my book.
    The ME7's are the perfect blend of stiff enough on the bike that my feet don't get sore with rough descending but secure and grippy enough off the bike that Hike a bike feels secure on dirt and rocks.
    2X
    Actually, now the ME702
    Quote Originally Posted by Jer View Post
    After the first three seconds, Corbet's is really pretty average.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ian Malcolm View Post
    I mean, it's not your fault. They say talent skips a generation.
    But hey, I'm sure your kids will be sharp as tacks.

  24. #24
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    Apr 2004
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    Quick update on the Mavic XA Matryx shoes... they kick ass. Super light, fairly stiff, and comfortable to do some hiking in. No complaints after ~20 days of riding which includes park, super rowdy BC downhill, and even some singlespeeding.

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