Which pedals and shoes if likely to walk up hills :)

Smonks

I've just reserved myself a Trek 1.7 2009 model through the cycle2work scheme.

Currently I have time pedals on my mountain bike, but looking to get either SPDs or SPD SLs for the road bike.

As it's a compact, and I live in a hilly area, I'm likely to have to get off an push at times whilst me legs get stronger.

So, what would be a good pedal and shoe combo? I'd like to put SPD SLs on it, but have never tried to walk in very smooth hard shoes with SPD SL cleats on before.

Any advice?

ride_whenever

go mtb systems if you are going to be pushing up hills.

gkerr4

Smonks wrote:

I've just reserved myself a Trek 1.7 2009 model through the cycle2work scheme.

Currently I have time pedals on my mountain bike, but looking to get either SPDs or SPD SLs for the road bike.

As it's a compact, and I live in a hilly area, I'm likely to have to get off an push at times whilst me legs get stronger.

So, what would be a good pedal and shoe combo? I'd like to put SPD SLs on it, but have never tried to walk in very smooth hard shoes with SPD SL cleats on before.

Any advice?

put SPD-SLs on it then - it'll be another reason to NOT get off and push - you can walk in them, although it is an odd experience really.

I'd still recommend them if you don't "specifically" want to walk in them - i.e. if your bike is for training and fitness rather than "popping to the shops" or "commuting"

Regular (or mountain bike style) SPD's are OK - but the shoes are more flexible and not as efficient as road shoes with their solid sole. It does make a big difference. I have both types on various bikes and to be honest I hate cycling in my SPDs (with specialized sonoma leaisure/touring shoes- although I guess more racy MTB shoes would be stiffer) in comparison to the road pedals i use on the other bikes (I actually use TIME pedals having moved there from SPD-SL last year)

ugo.santalucia

SPD, the mountain bike ones... only ones you can really walk in

Tim jenkins

I use Crank Brothers Candy SL on one bike and Quattro Sl on the - with MTB/general purpose Shimano shoes - fine for walking in.

Slow Liam

You should be able to get up most hills on a compact.

I think the benefits of road pedals and shoes outweigh the difficulties walking.

You could go for a system that has cleat covers? I haven't used them but they are supposed to protect the cleats from wear when you are walking.

The Mechanic

The trick is not to walk but to stop(if you have to) and rest for 30 seconds and then get back on again. That way you can wear whatever shoes you like. I use SPDs on my audax bike but SPD-SLs on my race bike. SPD-SLs are easier to walk in that Looks.

aracer

gkerr4 wrote:

Regular (or mountain bike style) SPD's are OK - but the shoes are more flexible and not as efficient as road shoes with their solid sole. It does make a big difference. I have both types on various bikes and to be honest I hate cycling in my SPDs (with specialized sonoma leaisure/touring shoes- although I guess more racy MTB shoes would be stiffer) in comparison to the road pedals i use on the other bikes (I actually use TIME pedals having moved there from SPD-SL last year)

Well your problem is your leisure/touring shoes, not SPD shoes in general. As you've identified, more sporty shoes are stiffer - in fact if you go for current race MTB shoes you'll get a stiff carbon sole much the same as on a road shoe. Some MTB shoes are actually pretty much the same as road shoes from the same brand, apart from having a bit of tread stuck on.

I've used road SPD (not SPD-SL or SPD-R) pedals on my road bikes for many years for interchangeability reasons - means I have the choice of using road shoes or MTB shoes on any bike (have used tri shoes for my MTB for an off-road triathlon which didn't involve getting off the bike on the bike course!) However since my road shoes wore out a couple of years ago - and I realised the carbon soled MTB shoes I'd just bought were actually lighter anyway - I've used my MTB shoes for all my riding. No comfort or efficiency problems - I've done several sportives, including one on which I was fastest finisher. Have previously done week long tours covering up to 600 miles using MTB SPD shoes.

If you want to be able to walk in your shoes (not that bad an idea - I walked up a hill in a sportive later last year when I got unfit), then definitely carry on using the pedals you've already got (or if you must switch to Shimano SPDs), along with nice stiff carbon soled MTB shoes.

Anonymous

These?