[Closed] Cheap + supportive clipless shoe/pedal?

Shimano M530 pedals combined with AM7 shoes, can't go wrong.
If you want more support then look at the Saint SPD ones, but those are one or two price brackets above

If you want clipped in support then it has to be Mallets, they're not cheap but I got a few sets for a reasonable price second hand, just keep an eye on the Pinkbike classifieds. Shoes need a bit of flexibility, no XC stiff soles. I personally don't like the skate shoe style but everyone has their own preference.

I’ve not found any clip less pedals that are as supportive as flats. Do they need to be clipless?

I’ve not tried mallets though, they look like they’d be the best, but the don’t pass the cost/benefit analysis. I just use flats 99% of the time.

Why do you need support?
If you’re looking for a stable place to pedal then buy the stiffest shoes you can find and a pair of PDM530’s. The cage in the latter doesn’t do much, the shoes are what provide it.

It's definitely not the same feeling, I have Mavic XC shoes with Shimano pedals, there is no real flex and you can feel that you are only connected through the small cleat area. Mallets with more flexible shoes can give the feeling of a flat pedal (support across the whole pedal area) whilst also being clipped in.

I was a long term Shimano fan but I have to say for more aggressive riding that Mallets are better IMO. Finding the right shoe/pedal combination is key.

zezaskar

Shimano M530 pedals combined with AM7 shoes, can’t go wrong.
If you want more support then look at the Saint SPD ones, but those are one or two price brackets above

I was coming to that conclusion ....
Lunge

Why do you need support?
If you’re looking for a stable place to pedal then buy the stiffest shoes you can find and a pair of PDM530’s. The cage in the latter doesn’t do much, the shoes are what provide it.

I think DC1988 sums that up....

It’s definitely not the same feeling, I have Mavic XC shoes with Shimano pedals, there is no real flex and you can feel that you are only connected through the small cleat area. Mallets with more flexible shoes can give the feeling of a flat pedal (support across the whole pedal area) whilst also being clipped in.

TBH not tried clipped in for years but what I remember on XC type is that point of contact feel.
I don't know if I'd feel confident hitting big jumps and drops with that feel. TBH not sure I'd be confident doing that clipped in at all but having a comfortingly supportive platform has to be better?

prawny

I’ve not found any clip less pedals that are as supportive as flats. Do they need to be clipless? I’ve not tried mallets though, they look like they’d be the best, but the don’t pass the cost/benefit analysis. I just use flats 99% of the time.

Yeah .... its a cost/benefit
They don't need to be clipless, indeed I don't really need new pedals but I'm being shaken all over the place on the HT. It's less descending and more trying to pedal on the flat but gnarly though I've had a couple of moments on rock gardens ... it's a bit childish but I got dropped by a "less skilled**" rider on a FS and it's annoying me.

**in my head anyway ..

Right so ... jumped in needed a headset and Some Crankbrothers Doubleshot put me in free delivery so Plus my pedal shot off the spindle the other day ...
I've now got some ready to Click n Collect.

So now looking for Shoe suggestions ... cheap as "sensible"
Still not overly fussed about pedal efficiency ... I mean I'll give em a go but not the main reason.

Contact area/support on clipless shoes/pedals is not a myth. With the right shoe-pedal combo, in the case of SPD type systems, one can easily feel the increased contact with the flat areas around the pedal clip mechanism. That makes for little effect while pedaling seated down, but you to feel it when landing drops or pumping and pushing the bike around