Review: Shimano AM51 All-Mountain shoe

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The Shimano AM-51 is the latest in a line of mountain biking shoes with the “AM” label, denoting the shoes’ intended use for “all-mountain” riders, providing a balance of sole stiffness, additional protection and all-day comfort. The Am51 was preceded by the AM50 and Am30 shoes, on which it improves by using a new design and an improved sole.

I have a little over 120KM on my pair of AM51’s and it would be reasonable to review them now. The short verdict: I love them! But let’s get into more details.

Design and build quality:

The design and aesthetics of any design is a matter of personal taste, and bike shoes are no exception. personally, I find the black and bronze design with the little red accents on the sole, studs and velcro straps of the Am51 are very nice and matching to the rugged image and intended use of the shoe. It is an improvement over the somewhat bland design of it’s predecessor, the Am50.

The reinforced toe box, heel and upper ankle and side areas is where the AM51 provides a real advantage. I can count at least a few times when I have scraped an ankle on a sharp, protruding rock snaking my way on technical singletrack, so the additional protection is appreciated.

It is somewhat early to judge the long-term durability of the AM51, but it seems to be well made and I will post a long-term review when I have a few hundred kilometers on it.

Closure is done using three well-placed velcro straps. However, the shoe could use a ratchet closure mechanism for additional fit adjustment or a fourth strap near the top like the BG Trail shoe from Specialized.

Sole:

The Shimano AM51 sole

The Shimano AM51 sole

The Am51’s sole is reasonably stiff. By “reasonably stiff” I mean it is stiff enough for good pedaling efficiency while not being so stiff that it makes walking difficult. You will appreciate this balance in the hike-a-bike situations or even walking around at the trail head before/after rides.

The tread is well designed and provides excellent traction on the rock/gravel/sand of our home trails.

The sole has two screw-in toe studs (shown in the above picture) that are intended to provide more foot traction in loose/muddy conditions. I find them a nice addition, but some may find the unnecessary. They are removable, but you are going to need a special tool to remove them. Surprisingly, Shimano does not include this tool with the AM51!

On the bike…

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The Shimano AM51 All-mountain shoe on the bike

The AM51 is a very comfortable shoe. The toe box is roomy enough for those with wider feet, and the high ankle does not hinder pedaling and provides excellent foot support. The three velcro straps provide adequate closure, but a ratchet mechanism similar to those found on Shimano’s (and other manufacturers’) racing-specific shoes would have been a nice touch for on-the-fly adjustments.

Finally…

The Am51 is a solid all-mountain shoe from Shimano that provides extra protection and comfort for long rides on rugged terrain. It improves on previous similar models in build quality and design, and it’s well-designed sole provides excellent traction on grip.

Pros:

1- Well designed, durable all-mountain show.

2- Additional protection for ankle and toe areas.

3- A sole with balanced stiffness makes for efficient pedaling and comfortable (short distance) walking.

4- Toe spikes provide additional traction in loose conditions.

Cons:

1. The special toe spike tool is not included.

2. A ratchet mechanism would be a nice addition for quick fit adjustments while riding.

MTB Egypt rating: 5/5 5stars

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