[Closed] New MTB shoes for road cycling - would you?

I've used mtb shoes/pedals on my road bike for years. Never had a problem. It's only now I'm switching to a pair of road shoes/pedals to see how I go with them.

The only reason i can see for non seriously competitive cyclists not to use MTB pedals on Road bikes is fashion.

I use good quality MTB shoes on all my bikes with SPD's and always will now.

I've always used Shimano stiff carbon soled MTB shoes on my road bike.

I wouldn't use any of the more flexible soled 'trail' type shoes though.

I use carbon-soled Giro MTB shoes which are very similar to their road shoes, for road riding and haven't noticed any appreciable weakness/ problems.

Yeah I figured fashion would be the main reason for most people to use road shoes but mtb shoes also have the added benefit of being able to walk around comfortably without fear of falling on your arse.

I use MTB shoes on road with SPD pedals. But run the cleats in different places, fully forward on road and fully back on the MTB. So I've got two pairs of shoes with the different set ups. You may not be as fusy as me so one pair of shoes could work.

I did notice a difference switching to road shoes and pedals, but it's not going to make me a contender...

Main reason to have them though was that they generally stayed dry, so were sometimes nicer to squeak a cheeky ride in, which you could easily acheive with a nice pair of mtb shoes and a cheap pair from sports direct or something.

This:[url= http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#34 ]Rule 34[/url]

Or you could do what has already been suggested ignore the rules and wear what you like.

I have expensive road bike, Single speed, tandem, XC FS & XC HT all running with various versions of Egg beater pedal. Wife has SPD and MTB shoes on her road/MTB and her bit of the Tandem.
So one shoe fits all (or in all honesty all shoes fit all)probably less of a problem ans you can step the cleat up correctly and then you'll have a constant where as if you run two types of shoe youmight struggle to get the same position with both(make sense?)

I have drawn the line on clipless pedals on the unicycle.

I swapped to Road pedals a year or so ago, not convinced to be honest. I would have swapped back but I gave up roadying instead.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-xc50-mtb-spd-shoes-2014/rp-prod69960?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_name=UnitedKingdom&gclid=COiL9Ljrrb4CFdLHtAodazoArg&gclsrc=aw.ds

This is what I was considering buying. Nice looking and I know I like the fit and feel of shimano shoes. Anyone tried them?

I found my Spec BG MTB shoes gave me hotspots with eggbeaters so I switched to road shoes. Not had a reason to try MTB shoes again really. Whatever works for you though.

I'm not sure it's fashion, I think it's more right tool for the right job. Road shoes are (usually) lighter, stiffer, more vented, don't have any tread and use a different cleat bolt spacing.

I'm pretty sure if this thread had been can I use road shoes for off road there would have been a whole load of 'no, you'll die' responses. That said, it won't matter that much if you do use mtb shoes on a road bike. A few people I know do, and they haven't died (yet).

Iv'e got some slimish Shimano MTB spd shoes that are in mint condition. Why not? I'm not buying MORE kit just because I want to look like those 5ft8 pot-bellied company Directors in all the gear.

Proper road kit is for seriously good amateurs, no-talent wannabe's with lots of money and pro's.

Its always easy to spot the one above that doesn't fit.

I was using mtb shoes & spd's on my road bike, but needed a new pair of shoes (they were 10 years old!).
As i only used them on the road bike (i use shimano AM45's for MTB) i thought i'd try road shoes, but keep my spd's, as i thought they'd be lighter and i got some with the ratchety strap thing for a decent price.
I then decided i should go the whole hog and buy road specific pedals, and i actually think i've noticed a difference. I just seem a bit faster and have a bit more power! I smoked another roadie the other morning on a hill, and i'm a fat knacker!!

This does coincide with the nice weather though so i reckon that probably has more to do with it.........

Proper road kit is for seriously good amateurs, no-talent wannabe's with lots of money and pro's.

Or maybe for people who like riding road bikes 🙄

Spesh mtb shoes and Time Atac Roc on the cx bike and Spesh road shoes and Time xpresso on the good road bike. The latter is slightly stiffer and more comfy once over 50 miles, but not a huge amount in it really.

i use a pair of these on my CX bike which occasionally sees tarmac

[img] [/img]

couldn't give less of a toss if that bothers anyone

spot the difference...

[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]
[img] http://www.ivykkistyle.com/images/i/4/663177/S6142A006-158 @1.1.jpg[/img]

the design is the same with differences in the materials used.

I've had the Specialized and the Giro, and the Giro are better because of the stiffer sole, particularly for road use. The Shimano ones look like they have the same sole as the Specializeds. I think it's worth the extra for a carbon sole.

Or maybe for people who like riding road bikes

We all like riding bikes.

I use SPD's for both road and MTB

Usually I use new shoes on the road bike for a year or so then trickle them down for use on the MTB where they get proper dirty.

This way they do seem to last a bit longer and I have nicer shoes for the road bike for longer!

alibongo001 - good thinking. I could keep my tatty old shimano mtb shoes for summer riding as they've got quite a few unwanted ventilation holes now!

OP - have you actually tried MTB shoes on your road bike? This discomfort you are describing with road shoes sounds similar to what people complain about with MTB shoes for road. Either the shoe isn't stiff enough or the cleats need adjusting.
Just because you find your mtb shoes comfortable on the mtb is doesn't follow that they will be on the road as there is very little rest from pedaling which uncovers all sorts of problems.
Having said that there is little difference in performance of stiff mtb shoes and road shoes. I just prefer road shoes because of aesthetics - chunky shoes and svelte bike do not go.

We all like riding bikes.

hora, my dear chap. The [b]road[/b] bit was the important bit. You're suggesting anyone who's mediocre on a road bike should't buy road kit. Surely you're not suggesting even if someone only rides a road bike they are a wanna be for buying road specific gear?

I have gone back to spds(platform 530s) on my road bike after prolonged dissatisfaction with road pedals. I have a decent pair of road shoes so bought a converter to use 2 bolt cleats on 3 bolt shoes but I still find myself preferring the MTB shoes which although not quite as stiff are better in every other way.
I recently went with some other old blokes who are actually good road cyclists to Majorca for our annual visit and they were all moaning about road pedals. However they couldn't take the step of moving to spds, obviously it's all about what you are used to.

I switched to mtb spds on my road bike for last weeks Fred Whitton in anticipation of having to walk up Hardknott Pass. Have to say the walk was almost pleasurable, but could say the say for my fellow 'walkers' in road shoes who we're slipping and sliding all over the place.

Also, on decent length road rides I get some light knee pain when wearing my road shoes, but no such pain with the mtb's even after 112 miles! I know that this will be down to cleat positioning but I haven't seemed to be able to get it right on the road shoes.

I started getting hotspots with MTB pedals on my roadbike (and needed new shoes anyway) so made the swap to road pedals. The difference is noticeable (ie they feel stiffer, more efficient), but not so big that I'd pick road pedals over MTB ones if comfort was an issue. My wife still uses SPDs on her roadbike and kicks peoples arses all the time.

hora - presumably you don't have any MTB specific kit either and ride in tennis shorts, a singlet, and flip flops? After all, unless you're really Steve Peat you don't need all that fancy MTB specific kit eh?

Proper [s]road [/s]MTB kit is for seriously good amateurs, no-talent wannabe's with lots of money and pro's.

I've always used road specific shoes and pedals on my road bike. My (drop bar) commuter though has MTB pedals and I wear MTB shoes/winter boots as they are easier to walk in.

Use what suits you best.

Edit: I think I have the older version of the shoes you linked OP. Very comfy and hard wearing IME.

I got a pair of road shoes to use on the road bike, mainly as it meant that during the winter I didn't have to wear my wet, muddy mtb shoes when out on the road. So, perhaps more a case of getting two pairs of shoes and might as well make them specific to their task.

I originally used mtb pedals & my mtb shoes. I tried the mtb cleat on the road shoe once I'd got them, but the small metal cleat coupled with the lack of surrounding tread meant that this didn't work too well.
I looked at getting some plastic spacer things that Shimano do for just this purpose, so I could keep the mtb pedals, but they were £15 (for two plastic spacers) and I could get a pair of road pedals for only a few £ more.

The road pedal/cleat combo is very secure, but I am not sure that I like the fact that they are only one sided. The pedal always seems to flip over when I have to stop at lights and getting clipped back in again can be a pain. If the pedal is flipped, pedalling away standing on the upturned pedal to 'sort it once up to speed' can also be a pain as the lack of tread on the shoe means it can easily slip off the pedal.
I keep considering going back to the mtb cleats and pedals and getting the adaptors to surround the cleat....might swap over one day and see how much difference there really is.

Would I? No. So I must either be a pro, a seriously good amateur or have too much money. I'll let Hora decide which...

I have always used MTB shoes with my CX bike (which gets given road tires and does some road cycling occasionally). I've never had a problem but have nothing really to compare to.

I hope roadies don't stop wearing the road shoe & cleat, the comedy value is emmense watching them walk into cafes like a penguin walking on ice for the first time

hora - presumably you don't have any MTB specific kit either and ride in tennis shorts, a singlet, and flip flops? After all, unless you're really Steve Peat you don't need all that fancy MTB specific kit eh?

No I wear whatever shorts are cheap, I favourite riding shoes are Teva's (bought cheap from TKMaxx): http://www.teva.co.uk/mens-fuse-ion-casual-water-shoes/1000225,en_GB,pd.html

(They are wet water shoes).

I have two Norwegian adidas football tops that I wear, a merino top and a goal keeper puma one.

Gloveswise -anything, my current favourites are some french fingerless gloves.

Backpack? a climbing Mammut backpack.

I also occasionally use my 10yr old Dakine heli-pro backpack when I need more packing space.

Its riding - any running, etc top etc can be used. If it wicks it works. I don't subscribe to POC clothing etc.

I mislay so many tops/kit that its great to buy loads then you can always find one to hand when you are tiredly staggering around on the morning of the ride

whereisthurso - Member
> http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-xc50-mtb-spd-shoes-2014/rp-prod69960?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_name=UnitedKingdom&gclid=COiL9Ljrrb4CFdLHtAodazoArg&gclsrc=aw.ds

This is what I was considering buying. Nice looking and I know I like the fit and feel of shimano shoes. Anyone tried them?

I've got the older version of those, use them with Atacs on my road bike - I haven't had any hot spots or other discomfort, and I've certainly done long enough rides to properly test them... Go for it.

I hope roadies don't stop wearing the road shoe & cleat, the comedy value is emmense watching them walk into cafes like a penguin walking on ice for the first time

😆 😆

I think I'll give it a try. Will probably stick with the shimano shoes I mentioned earlier but some giro privateers have caught my eye too. Anyone tried them? They look a little sleeker.

I have always ridden with mountain bike shoes. But I am considering road shoes in order to try some Speedplay pedals which I've been advised to try. I do like being able to walk in the shoes though, so not sure yet.

In my opinion, it's always worth having two pairs of shoes incase one gets soaked and it won't dry in time for the next day.

it's always worth having two pairs of shoes incase one gets soaked and it won't dry in time for the next day.

So many times I've forgotten to stuff my shoes with newspaper as soon as I get home. Two pairs makes soo much sense.

I've always worn my MTB shoes on my road bike (specilized shoes/Time Atac pedals) - Convenient for walking in. More shoes to choose from in different weather (one pair of winter boots) etc etc. However, and after long rides I get hot spots so I've been thinking about getting some road shoes and cleats :-0

I'd say that just because your mtb combo doesn't give you pain on your mountain bike doesn't mean it won't on our road bike - I find theres much less moving around/standing up/unclipping/stopping and starting on the road generally and my road rides tend to be longer overall.

You know what I'd do? I'd do this.

Use one pair of shoes for both MTB & Road, I'd then ride MTB first with them on, have fun, get down and dirty. Then I’d pick the Roadie and fit the Keo’s on then attack the shoes and file off the tread on the sole and hey presto, one pair of shoes covers both disciplines.
Always choose the MTB first mind... 😆

I mentioned earlier but some giro privateers have caught my eye too. Anyone tried them? They look a little sleeker.

I have the Giro Gauge which is the same as the Privateer but with a composite sole.
the Specialized BG Comp, the Shimano XC 50 and the Giro shoes all have the same shape and are probably made in the same factory but the Privateer and it's "stiffest in class" sole is made with better materials. the uppers are certainly less prone to stretching than the Specializeds.