New bike... pedals

scullyman

Hello!

Firstly, I know - there are loads of threads on pedals. Sorry... I do have a sensible question, though!

I am just about to pick up a Boardman Team Carbon... hurrah! This is my first road bike; I couldn't resist C2W so it'll be happily sitting alongside my MTBs from now on.

I've been looking at what pedals to get and have come down to Shimano 5610s or Look Keo Classics. There doesn't seem to be much to choose between them.

However, does anyone use normal SPDs on their road bike? I won't be using it for commuting, rather for training and the occasional sportive / tri. Would SPDs be a disadvantage? I wouldn't have to buy new shoes!

If they would, what's better between the 5610s and the Keos?

Thank you!

skyd0g

I use "normal" SPD (MTB type) pedals on my Boardman Road Comp without problems. I doulbt that you'd find any major advantages with "road" pedals/shoes* unless you were doing very long rides or racing.

*Road pedals + shoes = slightly stiffer soles, larger contact area, lighter combo.
...however, an extra pair of shoes for you to buy, single-sided pedals (so a little more difficult to engage), and difficult to walk in road shoes (cleat stands proud).

Personally, I stick to (MTB) SPD's as I like to be able to walk off the bike and so that I only need one pair of shoes for both my road bike and MTB.

Ectomorph

I used SPDs for a long time on my road bike 'till I needed new shoes & thought I'd go SPD-SL. They're sooo much better in that you have a wider platform and, with the right shoes, a very stiff & stable support (with SPDs I was aware of my feet 'rolling off' the edge slightly, I think causing a bit of knee pain).

Skyd0g's right though, they're a b*gger to walk in.

Ecto.

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scullyman

Thanks, guys. One for, one "against"!

Yorkshiredoc

scullyman wrote:

Hello!

Firstly, I know - there are loads of threads on pedals. Sorry... I do have a sensible question, though!

I am just about to pick up a Boardman Team Carbon... hurrah! This is my first road bike; I couldn't resist C2W so it'll be happily sitting alongside my MTBs from now on.

I've been looking at what pedals to get and have come down to Shimano 5610s or Look Keo Classics. There doesn't seem to be much to choose between them.

However, does anyone use normal SPDs on their road bike? I won't be using it for commuting, rather for training and the occasional sportive / tri. Would SPDs be a disadvantage? I wouldn't have to buy new shoes!

If they would, what's better between the 5610s and the Keos?

Thank you!

Congratulations on getting the new Boardman, you won't be disappointed ! I have Shimano 105's on mine as I already had these and like you I use my bike for training. They are lighter pedals than my normal SPD's but have a bigger platform. They are slightly more difficult to engage than my MTB style SPDs and the shoes would not be as easy to walk any significant distance.

keef66

I use spd shoes / pedals, partly cos I bought the shoes when I had an mtb, and partly cos I like being able to walk in them. Never tried the road specific ones though.

scullyman

Thanks for the help guys. I've ordered some of the Shimano 5610 SPD-SLs... we'll see what they're like.

gkerr4

SPD-SLs are nice - i think unless you are commutting or actually want to use your bike to go to the shops with then 'road' pedals are the way to go - I use both types - SPD's on my commuter / family bike but road pedals (time RSX) on my summer and winter road bikes.

They are much more solid in feel as well as lighter and more fit for purpose of training or sportives - you can still wander into a cafe with them - it's not like you "can't walk" in them - but only you can decide on the amount of walking you need to be able to do with your bike.