MTB v ROAD Shoes

gbs

I started in cleats in november using SPD/Spesh MTB shoes but I am beginning to wonder if I should change and benefit from the larger base of road pedals. Once/week I aim to do a 100k+ ride plus at least one shorter ride.

My original reason for choosing the MTB option was ease of walking but I note riders using plastic clip on covers for that purpose.

Any comments re above will be welcome.

FSR_XC

Personally, I wouldn't bother.

I have done a couple of 100 mile + rides and have covered over nearly 3000 miles this year using mtb cleats (and about that last year too).

As long as your mtb shoes have a stiff sole and you don't have any localised pressure from the cleat, unless you want to spend some money, what's the point?

Woodchip

I'm on MTB cleats, but not going very far yet. My reasoning being that I'd got MTB race shoes (so stiff soles) and already got the cleats and pedals on my MTB. Why would I want to splash out another £80+ on ANOTHER set of shoes. I've already got a winter pair and a summer pair.

Rockhopper

Road shoes tend to be a fair bit lighter and some even have fittings for SPD style cleats as well as Time or other road pedal type cleats.

careful

I have both (different bikes) because like you I thought the larger support of a road pedal would be good. I dont really find any advantage with the road pedals but they have serious disadvantages:
difficult to walk in for more than a few steps
easy enough to release but not as easy to clip in as mtb (especially starting on a hill etc)

gbs

so, a clear concensus favouring MTB over road type shoes.

Does anyone have experience of the MAVIC Switchback shoe that is said to be waterproof?

alters

I've done lots of long rides on MTB SPDs as also used them for commuting where I think anything other than MTB is just a annoying (as constantly have to clip in and out at lights and put feet down) but have recently got some road SPDs for longer rides. They do make a difference as shoes are lighter and stiffer

IMHO, if you only have one option and do some commuting go MTB. If you can afford both treat yourself and if you only go on long rides go road SPD.

k-dog

I would absolutely change - I had spds for about 16 years - I spent a fortune on them when they first came out in the 90s sometime.

I changed last month to Shimano 105 pedals and today to Sidi shoes (from the slightly narrow Nike's I was wearing) and the difference is huge - much more stable, much more comfortable. Taken a little while to get the knack of getting into them but they are easy to get out of.

Even with a stiff shoe you still rotate around the small cleat - but not with the huge wide ones.

It looks like the cleats will wear out a lot quicker but they're not that expensive - that looks to be the only downside.

stevenmh

I also use SPD's on my road bike. And now I have read the Review of the Mavic Fury I will be getting a pair of them once I find someone that will accept my money. :shock:

Dave-M

So what would be a good pair of shoes to get? I'd like to be able to walk around in them too, and eventually fit clips of some kind.

Budget for around £50 I guess.

I can see the need for cycling shoes as I keep getting my laces caught! But I'm not ready for clips of any sort until I properly recover from my ruptured ACL, this makes twisting my knee/feet painful.....and falling off could put me back months!

Nadder

I use wiggles dhb R1 on mtb spd's and all works fine - i do 100+ rides