Recommended Pedal/Shoe Combo's?

The ATAC system has masses of float, up to 20° depending on the pedal. they're the floatiest pedals that I'm aware of.

Regarding platform size, sole stiffness etc: it's more of a problem for some people than others where comfort is concerned. I've never had any problems with any system but I know others that swear by a super-rigid sole *and* a big cleat, and have real trouble with SPD-type cleats.

Personally I stick to MTB shoes and pedals because I can walk in them and the road variants don't offer any meaningful performance or comfort advantage for the types of riding I do. The only proviso is TTing where I use SPD-SLs, mainly cause my road shoes are lighter.

Thanks mr-andrew. But according to the blurb on Wiggle, the ATACs I use have the same amount of float as the iClics (±5º) and I always thought the size of the platform was less important than the stiffness of your soles...if you're wearing decent shoes the load should be spread evenly anyway, no? Reason I'm pushing this a bit is that my shoes are getting on a bit and when I replace them I'll have to make this MTB/road decision all over again

In reply to Martin, my 2 reasons for recommending the Speedplay and Time pedals over SPD's are 2 fold. Firstly, both have a lot more float. Secondly, the Time's in particular have a far larger and more supportive base for your foot to rest on.

I have never used the Atac pedals, so I can't comment, but Shimano SPD's just don't seem to be nearly as comfortable on longer rides.

Got to say I pretty much only use road pedals for photographic purposes these days because I find my Shimano MTB shoes so much more comfortable than my Shimano road shoes.

I am going to try another brand of road shoe soon though

I know this has now been resolved but I wanted to question mr-andrew's point about not considering an MTB set-up for longer rides. I did a six-day LEJOG last year in Specialized MTB shoes on Time Atac MTB pedals and the only difference I noticed between me and my fellow riders was how much easier I found it to walk and clip in. My feet were not comfortable by the end but then nor were anyone else's.

I've considered changing to road pedals/shoes several times over the years but could never quite make the jump because ultimately I can't really see the point. Is there really anything inherently better about road shoes/pedals or are the systems just different because they developed separately over the years, I wonder?

I've used Shimano PD-A525s for years (sourcing them might be a problem!) - they are road-specific one sided SPDs, and they are Rock Solid. for anything other than all out road racing, I'd still recommend them over the look and speedplay types for quality, convenience (especially for shoes) and reliability. MTB SPDs are different beasts.

I think shoes are pretty much a case of get 'whatever is comfortable.' As long as the soles are reasonably stiff and they don't weigh too much you should be fine. Pedals would be a toss up between Time iClicks and Speedplay Zero's. Both have plenty of float and the new iClicks are stupid easy to clip into. MTB pedals are great for commuting but for longer trips at a reasonable pace I wouldn't consider them at all.

pedals - i've seen Crank Bros pedals explode on a ride and heard enough stories of them breaking to avoid them at all costs, and Speedplays are lovely once you've got used to the pedaling-on-ice float feel, but the metal cleats are fiddly to set up, clunky to walk in and expensive to replace.
Looks are popular but the cleats are made of cheese, if you're used to the feel of Times i can recommend the new I-Clics as they're stupid easy to click in and out of.

shoes - decide on a budget and find which ones fit you the best, if it's Sidi throw that budget out the window and buy them anyway

I use- Look Keo 2 Max CroMo pedals with Bontrager RL Road Shoe's. (which just checking now, the shoes are on sale for £79.99 instead of the £139.99 i paid.....)They are really comfortable and light, as are the pedals, plus very easy to clip in/out of.

shoes- http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bontrager/rl-road-shoe-ec022374

pedals- http://www.evanscycles.com/products/look/keo-2-max-cromo-ec020471

hope it helps.

i use crank bros pedals as well as SPDs and SPD-SLs but i favour the crank bros for the amount of float and the fact you can walk in the shoes. i've read many times that a bigger cleat means more contact area, more efficiency and less chance of hotspots but i find the differences to be fairly minimal to be honest. if you're doing a long ride with stops then that efficiency saving has got to be worth minutes just to counter the fact that spd shoes are easier to walk in

personally i tend to go for crank brothers peds and MTB race shoes as a first choice, the shoes are pretty light and easy to walk in and the pedals are pretty light too with lots of float so they're easy on the knees. but i'm more audax than sportive, i guess