Don’t expect admiring glances…

Cut off studs as shown

Real racers obviously wear real racing shoes; the rest of us can pick and choose what we put on our feet for pedalling and, if truth be told, would often be better off with footwear such as Shimano’s SH-M075 ‘Off-Road Sport Shoe’. The off-road designation should not deter anyone from considering what is, in fact, an all-rounder. Compared to serious mtb footwear, the sole pattern on the M075 is mild-mannered and entirely lacking in aggression, with rounded studs and ridges either side of the cleat location. The rubber tread is, as claimed by the manufacturer, light and durable, with the reviewer’s previous pair lasting two years of daily use and a size 40 pair weighing just 623g. Unless, that is, you take a craft knife to the sole and remove a couple of studs as shown, saving a good 50g per shoe.

Why bother? Well, with a fairly stiff GRP insole, triple Velcro (or ‘hook and loop’ in Shimano-speak) fastening and roomy but snug fit, if such a thing is possible, the M075 makes a perfectly good road-sports shoe that can be usefully improved by shedding a few surplus grammes.

Do so and the shoes are even better suited to anything from touring and commuting to short and long-distance time trialling, sportives and even – er – track racing. For sure, the GRP sole lacks the stiffness of a carbon (or even GRP) road sole and the steel SPD cleat is heavy. However, the same lack of absolute stiffness means all-day comfort, while SPD cleats last indefinitely used on-road. Supportive and aesthetically pleasing, Shimano’s single-sided PD-A520 pedal is the perfect match, while the sombre black and silver upper is unobtrusive and perfect for that touring pub stop….

Verdict

Great all-round shoe even on the road

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Comfortable, durable, versatile

Surplus rubber on sole

More at www.ultimatepursuits.co.uk