Confirming - single vs. double sided cleated pedals?

rjkflyer

Looking to buy a road bike, having got used to (And really valued) the addition of cleated pedals to my hybrid - went for the Shimano dual purpose platform/spd - the PD-T780 (basically platform one side, cleat the other)

For the roadie, I had assumed just go for a cleat-only pedal, and therefore assumed also double-sided.

However, from reading various posts, seems the preferred choice is to go for a 'road' pedal like Shimano PD-A600 (which is single-sided) rather than double-sided MTB 'type'?

Am I correct? Better comfort/power transfer with the 'road' pedal?

I am stuck with SPD (as opposed to SL) to maintain compatibility (and cost!).

rolf_f

You've got the shoes already. M520 SPD pedals can be had online with cleats for £20. Buy those and see how you get on.

Road pedals have a bigger platform which gives more support to your feet. Some people complain that riding road bikes for several hours with SPDs gives them hotspots. One of my road bikes has SPDs and I often ride it all day and have no problem. I do prefer the road pedals but really the SPDs are fine.

So for £20 you might as well see how you get on with the SPDs.

keef66

I chose M540s for my road bike cos I already had SPD cleats / shoes. I'm happy on them all day long, but my shoes are reasonably stiff.

I like the double sided entry; very much stomp n go.