Do road spds have float?

ravey1981
ravey1981 Posts: 1,111
edited December 2009 in Road beginners
I come from a mainly mountain bike background but I am currently building up a new road bike (planet x carbon) and I'm looking for some new pedals/shoes to go on it.

I currently use mtb spds on my old road bike and some really old road shoes. The mtb pedal/cleat combination has a 5 degree float (twist) each way which allows you to move youre foot a little while clipped in. I assume this is to aid balance while off road...

I've got used to this float and I'm wondering if road bike pedals have any float or are fixed solid?

I'm currently looking at the shimano r160 and 105 pedal offer at planet x:

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/aca ... Offer.html

Any advice appreciated

Comments

  • fnegroni
    fnegroni Posts: 794
    With Shimano SPD-SL, you can choose whether you want float or not.

    SPD-SL usually come with black/yellow cleats, which give you some float (nowhere near as much as with SPD but enough to avoid knee injury).

    You can then buy the optional no-float variety cleat (red/black) without the need to change the pedal.

    The setting on the pedal only affects how strong the cleat is held by the pedal, but does not affect float.
    http://wokinghamcyclist.blogspot.com
  • GavH
    GavH Posts: 933
    The yellow SPD-SL gives 6 degrees of float.
  • giantsasquatch
    giantsasquatch Posts: 381
    The red SPD-SL gives 9 degrees float.
  • Splottboy
    Splottboy Posts: 3,694
    For road, I use Crank Bros Quattro's but I don't know if they still make them.
    Lots of Float for my Half-Century knees...

    Time Atacs are my 2nd choice, and I use 2 older plastic bodied pairs, and a new metal bodied pair being fitted, post Santa's visit to my house.

    Swap them for road, mtb, turbo depending on the weather, my shoes, session etc.
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    Do SPD's really have the same kind of float as Look/Time/SPD-SL etc? I never got on with Look float, always had to use the fixed cleats there, but with Wellgo SPD clone pedals (and the WPD-98A cleats) I've never noticed any knee tracking problems.

    Isn't it true that some float is free and other types of float have more resistance?
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    giantsasquatch wrote:
    The red SPD-SL gives 9 degrees float.
    Red are fixed. See. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28894
    My Fleet.
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    EDIT: I forgot you were talking about road spd's. Then again, some road shoes ARE compatible with the SPD 2-bolt cleat system, e.g. the Exustar triathlon shoe. Anyone got experience of such shoes?
  • giantsasquatch
    giantsasquatch Posts: 381
    John.T wrote:
    giantsasquatch wrote:
    The red SPD-SL gives 9 degrees float.
    Red are fixed. See. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28894

    Red is 9 degrees float in the LOOK pedals which is a type of SPD-SL system :wink:

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=33932

    Grey is 4.5 degrees.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=33932
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Red is 9 degrees float in the LOOK pedals which is a type of SPD-SL system Wink
    No it is not. SPD-SL is Shimano only. LOOK Delta and Keo are LOOK only systems. They should not be confused just because they use a common shoe fixing. No use winking at me. :roll:
    My Fleet.
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    PianoMan wrote:
    EDIT: I forgot you were talking about road spd's. Then again, some road shoes ARE compatible with the SPD 2-bolt cleat system, e.g. the Exustar triathlon shoe. Anyone got experience of such shoes?
    SPD cleats fitted to road shoes are nearly impossible to walk in safely. They are not very stable on the pedal either unless you fit the pontoons you can get for them. Not really to be recommended. Use proper road systems for road shoes or MTB type shoes for SPD pedals.
    My Fleet.
  • Infamous
    Infamous Posts: 1,130
    giantsasquatch wrote:
    The red SPD-SL gives 9 degrees float.
    Have you ever said anything true?
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    SPD cleats fitted to road shoes are nearly impossible to walk in safely. They are not very stable on the pedal either unless you fit the pontoons you can get for them. Not really to be recommended. Use proper road systems for road shoes or MTB type shoes for SPD pedals.

    So maybe just get some superlight MTB shoes with carbon soles.........that also have heel loops for fast transitions?

    (gets on the phone to the bank manager) :twisted:
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    PianoMan wrote:
    So maybe just get some superlight MTB shoes with carbon soles.........that also have heel loops for fast transitions?
    (gets on the phone to the bank manager) :twisted:
    Do those shoes have the 3 bolt LOOK fitting. If so you can use LOOK or SPD-SL some of which are fairly cheap.
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5369
    My Fleet.
  • giantsasquatch
    giantsasquatch Posts: 381
    SHIMANO COPIED THERE SPD-SL PEDALS FROM LOOK.

    THEY SIMILAR APART FROM SUTTLE DIFFERENCES

    AS you've just said you can even use LOOK and SPD-SL cleats on certain pedals because it still a 3 bolt design!
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    giantsasquatch wrote:
    SHIMANO COPIED THERE (their) PEDALS FROM LOOK.

    IT IS SIMILAR APART FROM SUTTLE (subtle) DIFFERENCES
    The above may be true but it does not make SPD-SL red cleats have any float. Nor does it make LOOK Delta cleats fit them. If you want to be pedantic please be accurate.
    My Fleet.
  • giantsasquatch
    giantsasquatch Posts: 381
    They both use the same exact bolt measurements. SPD-SL copied and slightly improved the LOOK system. LOOK's pedal design is as old as the 80's.

    They made easier to walk around in and so less wear too.
    They altered hardness slipping your foot out.
    They made foot closer to the pedal axle.
    They more adjustable.

    They even look similar. hahaha

    It also down to comfort and cost.

    There is fanboys of both.

    Some like being tightly locked in using the RED 0 degree float but it can lead to more knee injurys.
  • giantsasquatch
    giantsasquatch Posts: 381
    ravey1981 wrote:
    I currently use mtb spds on my old road bike.

    As you used to SPD, there is no reason why you can't continue to use SPD for road biking and spend the saving on some more shoes or upgrading your bike.

    Are your SPD's as good as these? These are quality at a great price.
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=3760
  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    I have 105s with yellow cleats, there is enough float for me.

    I have a dodgy ankle and need float and I've had no problems with the ankle or knees
    Richard

    Giving it Large
  • fudbeer
    fudbeer Posts: 118
    I use mtb spd peddles and shoes they work perfectly cant see the point in changing as you can walk well and ride well too :)
    Currently I have been mostly riding a Specialized Roubaix Comp
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    SPD cleats fitted to road shoes are nearly impossible to walk in safely. They are not very stable on the pedal either unless you fit the pontoons you can get for them.

    What do you mean by "pontoons"?

    As for walking, no they wouldn't be the best, but surely no-one is trying to say that the likes of Look and Speedplay are always easy? Part of it will always come down to the walkability of your shoe too.

    I was only thinking of such shoes as a race-day shoe if I was to do some duathlon or triathlon next year.

    In any case here is a road shoe with SPD fitting that was reviewed by Bikeradar:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 431--31711

    Or maybe I should save up and get some of these, and hope they're fast enough:

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Sidi_ ... 360037032/

    And before you ask I DO NOT simply expect to throw money at something and buy speed - this was a thought purely started by this thread. (don't get me started on those who think that carbon bottle cages make you go 1mph faster) :P
  • sub55
    sub55 Posts: 1,025
    What do you mean by "pontoons"?

    take a guess
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Shimano_SPD_Road_Cleats/4000000887/
    constantly reavalueating the situation and altering the perceived parameters accordingly
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    Or even THESE:

    http://www.exustar.com/product_detail.p ... l=2&t1s=30

    Yippee.........I can get some mini titanium road pedals, get the cleats, get the pontoons and then have a choice of whether to use them with MTB or road/tri shoes :D

    Just need to find a dealer :wink:
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    PianoMan wrote:
    SPD cleats fitted to road shoes are nearly impossible to walk in safely. They are not very stable on the pedal either unless you fit the pontoons you can get for them.
    What do you mean by "pontoons"?
    As for walking, no they wouldn't be the best, but surely no-one is trying to say that the likes of Look and Speedplay are always easy? Part of it will always come down to the walkability of your shoe too.
    I was only thinking of such shoes as a race-day shoe if I was to do some duathlon or triathlon next year.
    In any case here is a road shoe with SPD fitting that was reviewed by Bikeradar:
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 431--31711
    Or maybe I should save up and get some of these, and hope they're fast enough:
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Sidi_ ... 360037032/
    And before you ask I DO NOT simply expect to throw money at something and buy speed - this was a thought purely started by this thread. (don't get me started on those who think that carbon bottle cages make you go 1mph faster) :P
    These cleat kits have pontoons as do the rather expensive shoes you mentioned. Without them a road shoe with an SPD cleat under it is not very stable. It also wrecks most floors so not popular in cafes.
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28891
    There is a fair selection of Tri shoes here at all prices. Coupled with the SPD-SL R540s I showed earlier (£26) you can be sorted for under £75.
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/c/cycle/7/Shoes_-_Cycle_Triathlon/
    You can get normal road shoes for considerably less.
    My Fleet.
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    It also wrecks most floors so not popular in cafes.

    Please do tell me where these cafes are on triathlon events, I wouldn't mind having a compulsory pitstop for coffee. No one would beat me then :lol:

    Back on Planet Earth, regarding cleat pontoons for road/tri shoes, I was putting the point across because I already have some tough SIDI Dominators that are great for winter use and most general riding, would the Exustar tri shoes:

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Exust ... 360041405/

    together with cleat pontoons be a performance upgrade or would I be fine with the Dominators and be better off spending that money on something like an aero helmet? I DO like the look of a Catlike Chrono Aero helmet, plus if my local Catlike dealer wants a plug I'm more than happy to send you a PM.
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    I don't think you would notice any real advantage with the Tri shoes unless you changed to a LOOK / SPD-SL type of pedal as well. These give a more stable pedaling platform IMHO. I use SPDs all winter and for MTB competition but I would not consider racing with them. I just don't feel as secure.
    My Fleet.
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    Well if it's purely about security then I've got nothing to worry about. I really can't say that the SIDI Dominators are "slower" than the Diadora road shoes I once had with the Keo's (and btw I got sick of the way the Keo cleats kept flexing at the tip before snapping under hard efforts or when I went to unclip) I was just trying to assess whether the money would be well spent.

    After reading what you and other people have been saying I think maybe I should instead spend the money elsewhere on something like the Catlike I mentioned earlier. Then if I DO want a set of SIDI Carbon Dragon 2 shoes in the future (SIDI's best MTB shoes), I can buy them because I actually NEED new ones (because the Dominators will have worn out), NOT just for a tiny performance increase.

    Those Catlike Chrono's sure look good too :D

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