Road vs MTB clipless pedals

moolarb

I came to road biking via MTB and cyclo-cross, therefore I'm used to MTB-style clipless pedals. I've always used Crank Brothers Candy pedals and cleats. They're easy to clip in and out of (double sided) and you can actually walk in the shoes which is useful for commuting and touring or when you come up against a 25% hill.

I'm getting a new carbon road bike and was wondering what pedals to get. Why would I go for proper road pedals/cleats/shoes? What's the advantage? I can see two clear disadvantages - only one-sided so more difficult to clip in (I overtake loads of roadies at lights/junctions as they struggle with their pedals) and you can't walk in them. I must be missing something....

holybinch

road pedals are stiffer, so in theory, you get more power transferred to the pedal.
After, it also depends on the model of pedals you're thinking about.

I don't find road pedals to be harder to clip in, and certainly not to clip out.

South Bound

As someone that has made the same transition, I am still struggling with road pedals. Hate the one-sided thing when I have to stop at lights/junctions etc. Am going to try some speedplays to see how they go.

TBH, I have noticed little difference between road pedals/shoes and MTB SPDs/shoes in terms of comfort or performance and I only tried them out because of 'fitting in'! (still have not bought a road helmet though!)

Monkeypump

I came to road via mtb, and use eggbeaters on the road bike. Work well for me, easy to clip in/out and can walk in shoes.

Friends who transferred with me went for road pedals, and after getting used to clipping in/out (which took a little longer for them than me), the only difference now is that I can walk easier in my mtb shoes/cleats.

Wouldn't say either is 'right' (purists will disagree), but if you're used to something and it works for you, I'd stick with it.

RoadieBob

The advantages of road pedals are lighter and stiffer shoes, lighter pedals, larger cleat to pedal contact area, and lower stack height (i.e. foot closer to pedal axle). None of these are going to make a huge difference, but the only real disadvantage is that the shoes are harder to walk in, so if you don't need to walk, then I'd say go for road pedals.

keef66

I've stuck with SPDs when making the switch from MTB to road. I have nobody to fit in with, and the rest of the family laugh at the lycra already so didn't want to add walking like a duck to my repertoire.

moolarb

RoadieBob wrote:

The advantages of road pedals are lighter and stiffer shoes, lighter pedals, larger cleat to pedal contact area, and lower stack height (i.e. foot closer to pedal axle). None of these are going to make a huge difference, but the only real disadvantage is that the shoes are harder to walk in, so if you don't need to walk, then I'd say go for road pedals.

How do you work out that road shoes are lighter and stiffer? If you look at brands like Sidi, Northwave etc the shoes are almost identical apart from the grip

If you look at the likes of egbeaters I'm not sure how road pedals could be any smaller/lighter?

You are probably right on contact area.

Not sure about height as road cleats are bigger than MTB cleats.

DaSy

I came from MTbing too many years ago, but after a year or so I went to SPD-SL road pedals and cleats.

The main advantage is the fact that being difficult to walk in means you never have a viable option to get off and walk up a hill, so you tough it out.

As the pedals are single sided, the stack height is lower in general, and the pedal being slimmer allows for a good lean angle. The shoes look much nicer than the MTB ones with their big wellie boot tread on the bottom too.

The pedals look sleeker on the bike, and the shoes look more suited to shaved, tanned legs, to be honest that was enough for me!

akcc05

Has anyone mentioned road pedals have much better cornering clearances, that's the major difference, but if you are not racing then I guess that doesn't matter.

I have a pair of XT pedals on my roadie with Mavic Fury XC carbon shoes. That, to me, is stiff enough. I don't feel any hot spots on the bottom of my feet after long-ish ride either (80miles).

I think road pedals might be a teeny bit more aerodynamic though. What kept me from switching to SPD-SL is the awkward walking associated with road pedals, since cake stops and road side chat is big part of our chain gang rides.

ratherbeintobago

Quattros?



Out of production, but you might be able to track a set down.

Andy

(FWIW, using Time ATAC XS Carbons on the roadie with carbon soles; as far as I can work out these are good enough for my purposes)

Steve_b77

I've just fitted road pedals & got some Carbon soled shoes to go with them on my road bike, swapping over from MTB SPD's.

Had my first ride on them on Sunday and boy was there a difference, when out of the saddle the more stable platform is really noticeable and the whole set up just feels better on the road.

Had a couple of issues clipping in, but thats down to me just being used to double sided pedals and the ability to clip in without really paying any attention.

Go for it I'd say

Lagavulin

I'm still on "spuds" on my best bike.


+

I managed to get the XTRs as OEM for £55 a pair.
I've Comp, Expert and now Pro versions of Specialized BG MTB shoes and only the Comps I use on the MTB have what I'd call flex in them. The carbon-soled '07 Experts and 2010 Pros are more than plenty stiff (as fook) for me while still being functional to an extent off the bike i.e. you don't look like Pingu on crack trying to buy a slice of chocolate ginger cake.

RoadieBob

moolarb wrote:

RoadieBob wrote:

The advantages of road pedals are lighter and stiffer shoes, lighter pedals, larger cleat to pedal contact area, and lower stack height (i.e. foot closer to pedal axle). None of these are going to make a huge difference, but the only real disadvantage is that the shoes are harder to walk in, so if you don't need to walk, then I'd say go for road pedals.

How do you work out that road shoes are lighter and stiffer? If you look at brands like Sidi, Northwave etc the shoes are almost identical apart from the grip

If you look at the likes of egbeaters I'm not sure how road pedals could be any smaller/lighter?

You are probably right on contact area.

Not sure about height as road cleats are bigger than MTB cleats.

Well according to the Weight Weenies listings, the Sidi Genius 6.6 Carbon is 682g size 47, and the Dragon 2 Carbon SRS is 862g size 46. The Specialized website gives similar differences between their road and MTB shoes. As far as the stiffness, the MTB shoes I've owned had some flex built into the forefoot area to aid running, something I understand is pretty common, whereas the road shoes I've used haven't had that, although to be fair they were higher end than the MTB shoes.
You're right about eggbeaters, they are pretty light, but they seem to be the exception - in general road pedals are lighter. Finally regarding stack height, while road cleats are bigger, in my experience the area of the cleat which rests near the axle is very thin (SPD-SL), or the pedal sits inside the cleat (Speedplay), which gives a lower stack height.

ex-pat scot

In the good old days (early '90s), SHimano made both road and mtn pedals in the 2 bolt SPD design.
I have these on all my bikes.
I can mix n match between- for example my race shoes on my fixie in the summer but mtb shoes in the winter.
Only problem with this tactic is that they don't seem to do nice road shoes with 2 bolt cleat patterns any more

As for pedal width- I've never had a problem doing long distance on the very small platform road SPDs.
Indeed, I managed 444 miles in 24 hrs once, using the Dura Ace SPD pedals and feet felt fine! (unlike every other sinew and muscle in my body, but that's an entirely different story).

Chris James

ex-pat scot wrote:

Only problem with this tactic is that they don't seem to do nice road shoes with 2 bolt cleat patterns any more

Shimano RT81s look like they might fit the bill?

I have RT51s and A520 pedals for summer, but my winter boots are road boots (RW01) with SPS cleats and pontoons (SH71 cleats I think?).

The only difference I notice is that the road boots have a much thicker sole. I have done 100 miles in the SPDS without getting the 'hot foot' regularly warned about.

I have also ridden my brother in law's bike with Ultegra SPD-SLs and they seemed much the same as my normal SPD setup. maybe I am just insensitive?

RoadieBob

Indeed, I've never had problems with SPDs either, but I have found since going back to road pedals (speedplay) that they do feel slightly more 'positive', particularly through the bottom of the pedal stroke. Not a great difference though.

maddog 2

I run spuds with carbon soled mtb shoes. Plenty stiff, good weight and walkable. And I prefer the float to SPD-SL (which I have used).

Road shoes and pedals are a tad lighter I admit but this doesn't outweigh the practicality of spuds for me. Easier to walk in and easier to use.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

I find the Time MTB clipless are comfy and kind to my bow-legged knees!

Got the ATAC XS Carbon on the Felt and a set of Roc Atac S which have just come off the Pylon8 (which will probably go on the Felt now, as their extra width supports the outside edge of my feet better).

nax-ian

An advantage.
I've got got the same SPD's on both my MTB and my road bike. So one pair of stiff-soled MTB shoes and off you go!