Shimano M085 Cycling Shoes

Author's product rating:   

Value for money	Excellent
Durability	Excellent
How does it compare to similar products?	Excellent

Advantages:	Stylish, durable, comes with cleats for clipping in, you can actually walk in them off the bike
Disadvantages:	You won't be accepted by 'roadies' in them, can't fit waterproof over shoes over them

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

****Preamble****

There are two main types of cycling shoe, one for off road and mountain bikers (“MTB shoes”) and one for road racing riders)”RR shoes”. Being a road cyclist (who uses both a racer and a mountain bike, depending upon the weather and road conditions) I originally bought a pair of RR shoes but after a few weeks use and a few close shaves (I nearly came a cropper in them on numerous occasions) I changed them for a pair of MTB shoes.

****The similarities and differences between MTB and RR shoes****

Both MTB shoes and RR shoes are similar in that they are designed to allow the wearer to cycle more efficiently hence allowing them to go further and faster than if wearing conventional shoes or trainers. This is where the similarity ends though.

Both MTB shoes and RR shoes have cleats on them, although they are very different. Cleats are small pieces of metal that are pushed in to a clip located on the pedals, effectively locking the riders’ feet to the pedals so that momentum can be maintained through both the downwards and upwards stroke. This maximises power and stamina.

Since RR shoes and MTB shoes have different cleats (and hence pedals) it is not possible to swap between the two using the same pedals. This is a big disadvantage but then I suppose the manufacturers have done this so that a rider that wishes to wear both RR and MTB shoes (obviously not at the same time) will need to part with some cash on two occasions.

MTB shoes are different to RR shoes in that they contain grips and it is actually possible to walk in them off the bike, which is a necessity in off road biking since there are numerous times when you have to get off the bike and walk/carry it. Road shoes have a flat sole and whilst you would think these would be easier to walk in they are actually more difficult since the cleats touch the floor first which makes them very unstable, it’s like walking on marbles.

****Choosing the correct MTB shoes****

There are loads of off road shoes on the market and choosing the right pair is not an easy task. It is important that the shoes fit you properly (ill fitting shoes are likely to cause blisters, may make your calves hurt, may cause leg muscle fatigue) to ensure that your feet and ankles get the support they need for efficient cycling.

To get the shoes that fit best you need to go in to a cycling accessory shop, try some on and then jump on a bike in them to ensure that they are comfortable. I would not recommend buying some without trying them on, no matter how cheap they are.

In order to get the shoes that are the most suitable for you, as well as at the right price, I would recommend going to a shop, trying some on, choosing the ‘best’ pair and then ordering that particular type on the internet. This will ensure that you get the correct shoe and you get it at the best price since you will have the opportunity to shop around and take advantage of any discounts or redemption codes you can find.

In order to save a bit of time in the shop I did a bit of research on various cycling forums to see what other riders use. After a couple of hours I noticed the same name came up over and over again and this was Shimano.

****Looks****

The MO85s are only available in silver and at first glance I thought these shoes looked really strange, however the look has grown on me (despite the colour scheme). Having no laces (they are fastened using Velcro) I think they look a bit ‘childish’ but all cycling shoes, regardless of whether they are MTB or RR specific, are fastened this way. The reason for this is laces come undone and could get caught up in the pedals, front derailleur, crank or other moving part and travelling at over 20mph on a cycle and having this happen is likely to end in tears, dented pride and a severe case of gravel rash.

There is a black canvass section on the top of the foot. This allows the foot to breath as the material allows maximum airflow, which keeps the foot cool (I find there is nothing worse than having hot feet) hence making them ideal for spring, summer and autumn riding.

This piece of canvass leads to cold feet in the winter and since overshoes can’t be stretched over the MO85s (they are just too big) this is a big disadvantage. One way round this is to wear windproof winter socks in the winter but since these are quite thick I find I can’t get the shoes on whilst wearing them due to the tightness of the foot.

As already mentioned I am not overly fond of the colour scheme but when dealing with sports clothing functionality and comfort should always come above vanity so the fact that I look a bit weird in them or they are not a nice colour scheme or they don’t match my bike doesn’t really bother me.

If you are wearing these off road or on a mountain trail then you are going to look the part, however, if you are riding on the road and wearing these then you are not going to fit in with the road riding fraternity. There is a definite ‘snob’ factor in the cycling world and if you are not wearing ‘road cyclists’ clothing then you won’t be accepted. This doesn’t really bother me since I have the last laugh when I watch riders in RR shoes slipping about all over the place when they are walking with their bike and I can walk normally in my MTB shoes with proper grips.

****Comfort****

These shoes are the most comfortable cycling shoes I have ever owned. They are tight (they need to be a tight fit to allow for efficient cycling and avoid injury) and require a shoehorn to get them on, however once on the bike I forget I am wearing them because they feel so natural although it did take a few hours of wearing and riding to get used to them.

When cycling most power is produced when the ball of the foot is on the pedal as it allows the leg to straighten up just enough on the downward stroke. The cleats of these shoes are in the correct position to ensure that the balls of the feet are locked in to the pedals, hence ensuring maximum power. This does not feel natural at first and since you can’t alter the position of your feet (as they are locked in) you have to learn to live with it, however once you are accustomed to it this position is very natural and very comfortable.

Off the bike these shoes aren’t comfortable (but then no cycling shoes are as they are never as comfortable as conventional trainers) but at least it is possible to walk in them.

****Durability****

I have had these shoes nearly a year and whilst worn with a few scrapes here and there (which is to be expected given the many hours of use) they still look really good. The stitching is still intact, the soles are still securely glued to the uppers, there are no splits or cracks anywhere and the Velcro straps still hold fast.

I should also note that although the shoes have bedded in they have not overstretched and they are still tight and fit like they should do.

Because MTB shoes are designed for off road trails and hill riding through mud and crap they are made to last and since I only use mine for road riding and going down the occasional green lane (grassy track) they have not had that much hard and I am expecting them to last for many months to come.

****Sizes****

These shoes are available in European sizes 39 (UK size 7) to 50 (UK size 12) so no matter how big your plates of meat are there is a size to suit. This makes them ideal for people with ‘twinkle toes’ (like me) and those with feet Goliath would be proud of.

****Availability and price****

These shoes are widely available from both offline and online retailers. As mentioned I would suggest you try a pair on before you shell out the cash to buy a pair.

I bought mine in May 2008 and I paid £59.99 for them. At the time of writing these shoes can be bought for £39.99 (excluding postage and packaging) from Evans Cycles, although there are limited sizes available. As with everything I would recommend shopping around to ensure that you can get them at the best price.

****Conclusion****

Overall these are a fantastic pair of shoes and ones that I would highly recommend. They are comfortable, durable, can be used with cleats (to allow riders’ to lock their feet in for efficient cycling), allow the feet to breath and allow the rider to walk in them off the bike. They are not the cheapest shoes out there but the shoes are manufactured by Shimano, which is a highly respected brand in the cycling world.

It is a shame that they are too big to allow a pair of overshoes to be used, but then this is the case with all MTB shoes. Besides, I am not overly fond of cycling when it is minus whatever outside and prefer to use an exercise bike in the warmth of a gym.

(Originally posted on Dooyoo under the name of Yackers1)