Currently using my Giro Privateers and XT trail spds on my road bike. I need another set of mtb spds but before I do I’m just wondering whether it’s worth getting some road specific pedals and shoes. I assume it would be a lighter set up but beyond that is there much advantage given the extra outlay for a distinctly average road rider?

Shimano A600 pedals are a road/spd combo and weigh just 290g a pair so almost no weight saving from going spd-sl, plus they match my Ultegra chainset pretty well 🙂

I don’t race, but do ride for up to 4-5 hours & I find absolutely zero difference between decent mtb and road shoes, no “hot spots” and my awesome power seems to be transmitted effectively enough.

I refer you to rule #34

oldejeans +1

Depends on you. I got hotspots with Spec BG shoes and eggbeaters when I started on the road so I bought some Look pedals and some shoes and never had them again.

Sod the rules.

It basically comes down to whether or not you want to spend the money. There will be a weight saving but that is about it.

If you have stiff soled mtb shoes of the xc variety (which it seems you do) then road shoes will just be lighter. The fact your foot is in contact with a smaller pedal should make little difference if the shoe is suitably rigid.

I went down the roadie route but then I’m doing quite a lot of racing.

But I also use my cx for long and mixed rides. I’ve noticed no issues doing 100-150mile in mtb shoes (shimano XC51N) and XT pedals. And the only real difference in my road setup (R170 and 105 pedals) is the weight. My road shoes save weight by having ventilating mesh all over them so I normally end up with oversocks anyway until June.

Do you do much/any walking around when out with the bike? If so, then forget road pedals.

I have to cross a couple of pedestrian crossings over railway lines & although it’s not very far, my cleats are getting wrecked.

You could get some road shoes, fit spd cleats to them & Shimano do a rubber ‘bumper’ adaptor to stop the cleat grating on the floor when off the bike.
Like this:

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/shimano-sm-sh40-spd-adapter-with-run-protectors/aid:417163?gclid=COjU4pHIlsUCFWH4wgod_qYAfw

It’s an excuse for some exotic disco slippers innit.

In your case it may be worth having some nice “summer” shoes that you can use on all bikes in half decent weather and some “winter” shoes that are cheaper and get trashed in winter. Rather than road/mtb shoes.

There is a significant difference in ‘feel’ between SPD and SPD-SL (or other brand equivalent) and you’ll hear lots of talk of additional stiffness and feeling more ‘clipped in’ and the like. It probably won’t make you go faster but it might make you feel faster (it did for me) with is just as important IMO.

Not really sure if the advantage is worth it if you’re buying new road shoes/pedals as well as MTB ones unless you’ve got a bucketfull of money.

Apart from the rules where I have no idea what you’re referring to, thanks all, very helpful. I’m not that fussed about the weight and don’t get hotspots so will just stick to the mtb variety. Plus a chunk of my road riding is into London for work so the latter part of the ride involves lots of traffic lights where I assume mtb shoes are better. And jonba, now you mention it…..

If you don’t race, aren’t bothered by The Rules, and don’t want to waddle like a penguin to the coffee shop post ride, keep the mtb shoes/pedals.

I travel all over with my road bike, often using trains to get out of cities to ride, and the ability to walk in my XC mtb shoes far outweighs any perceived marginal gains for my kind of riding.

THE RULES

Tongue in cheek, or pretentious twaddle – you decide!!

Single sided road pedals are also a bit more involved clipping into than double sided mtb spds.
I like the idea/style of a road pedal combo, but the practicality of double sided pedals.

+1 decent MTB shoes + A600s on the good roadie. Not quite as light but much easier to walk in and no hotspots (200 miles enough?). I actually prefer the float of spuds too.

I have the A600’s and the cheaper version, with Shimano SPD touring shoes. Not suffered up to 100 miles. I’ve not tried SPD SL’d but I really don’t fancy trying to walk in them.

It’s makes little difference, or it might…There seems to be little logic to it, I found on long roadie rides my otherwise comfy MTB shoes gave me uncomfy hotspots on my soles which was resolved with the larger roadie pedals. I put it down to the fact the you tend to be sat on one position on a roadie…I’m aware that this may be all bollards…

I have, however, happy feet, so don’t mind.

oldejeans – Member

I refer you to rule #34

This is no time for Princess Jasmine porn.

Thanks Dantsw13, the rules are amusing in parts.

This. Put a road shoe/cleat down onto a greasy manhole cover and you could find yourself falling in front of cars/buses etc. Plus the more you put your feet down, the shorter the life of your cleats.

There’s certainly something about feeling more “connected” when using road SPD pedals (and I do use them in summer) but it’s all pretty marginal.

This is no time for Princess Jasmine porn

wrong rules 😉

the rules are logical on this one

road shoes and tiled urinals go together like face and plant

if you only have one bottle you won’t need to visit a urinal at any point on a ride

or wear mtb shoes and dance

or go speedplay and have double sided, road specific AND face plant
potential (the cleats are metal faced !!) all in one neat, lollipop
shaped bundle of joy and fun 😉

failing that … get some more xt trails and have done with it 🙂

the latter part of the ride involves lots of traffic lights where I assume mtb shoes are better.

I would stick with spd’s and mtb shoes then. I commute a fair distance on road and both my road commuters have spd’s fitted but on my proper road bike I have some nice road pedals. I wouldn’t want road pedals on my commuter mainly due to the walk from bike shed to locker room.

MTB shoes for commuting, road shoes for longer road rides. I don’t know if there’s any objective difference, but they feel a lot nicer.

TP – Member

Sod the rules.

Rule 1

I must be Fred Astaire’s long lost grandson, I’ve never slipped over in Road shoes.

I don’t find it that difficult either, certainly not enough that I’d sacrifice the rest of my ride for the tiny bit of walking involved.