Tri, road and mtb pedals in one?

Kazunori

I am a runner, Roadie and mtb'er who is a couple of months away from my first Triathlon. I am wanting to get some Tri shoes and clip in pedals for the road bike, that I can also stick on the mtb now and then? is this possible? I have seen some Sidi Terra Tri shoes with a mtb sole, would these be ok for road tri's as well as mtb (xc) and if so, what sort of pedals could i use with them, I am assuming they would work with spd's, are these ok for road use?

On the road bike i would want to leave them clipped in, jump on the bike bare footed and do them up on the go. When on the mtb i would slacken the tension off a bit and keep the shoes on when getting off the bike?

I can't be the only one in this situation, surely?
Cheers..

hammerite

Tri bike shoes are very similar to road bike shoes. The differences tend to be, they let more air in to allow them to dry (you'll be puttling wet feet in), tend to only have one strap to make them easier to do up. They are not mountain bike shoes, or generally for use on a mountain bike.

I've done all my tri's bar one in SPD touring shoes with a recessed cleat as they are easier to run in.

I've now moved to road shoes, and tbh I can move quite well in the and tend to just do a cyclo cross style mount/dismount although if it's a wet day I'll probably be a bit more careful.

I avoid leaving my shoes clipped on the bike for the following reasons.....

a) you get too much crap and stones in your feet from running bare foott that are uncomfortable (generally there are no carpets down like elite races).

b) I've seen a few carbon soles get damaged by them spinning round on the pedal and getting jammed on the path/road - although there is an elastic band trick.

c) it's a nightmare to get started if you aren't connected to your bike and it's an uphill start! and I've seen people weaving all over the place trying to get their feet in their shoes while pedalling.

If you want to ride with SPDs wear whatever shoes you want, but I probably wouldn't get tri shoes (usually Look style pedals needed). Most people who take part in tri will use road or tri shoes, and have a seperate pair of MTB shoes .

passout

I'd have separate MTB shoes myself.

Mister W

I'm chuckling at the thought of a newbie triathlete emulating the pros and having his shoes already clipped onto the pedals

I've been racing for a couple of years and I don't bother. It doesn't save much time and it can, and will, go horribly wrong. I have seen people lose a shoe and have to stop and walk back to get it. I do get my feet out of the shoes and leave them clipped to the pedals at the end of the bike leg but that's far easier to do.

Kazunori

Thanks for the first couple of responses, they were helpful. As for "chuckling at the newbie trying to emulate the pro's" - I am surprised you can compete with that big chip on your shoulder mate, I might be new to tri's, I'm not new to duathlons or even cycling for that matter, I am also not "emulating the pro's", just trying to get my transitions as quick as I can.
Keep the sensible replies coming though, they are helpful!

blu3cat

I'm in a similar situation - doping a duathlon later in the year, and I thought stuff the running barefoot part.

I purchased some roadlike SPD shoes with soles good enough to walk on normally , so will jog from the transition to the bike start line.

Mister W

No chip on my shoulder. I've just been doing it long enough to have worked out what does improve transitions times and what doesn't. But if you fancy giving it a go then all credit to you.

Kazunori

Having listened to advice and googled it etc I am thinking I will go for some Shimano Tri shoes and Look pedals and use them on my daily run to work and back. A couple of months practice should help me decide whether to put them on first or not.

daviesee

Hi,

I use a pair of these, in black

http://www.sidiuk.com/MTB/giau.html

They are mtb specific so they should work for that but I find the soles stiff enough to be well worth using on the road bike. They have mesh for cooling/drying and the velcro straps are quick enough for tri.

The fact that I can also walk relatively comfortable is a major factor for me :P