Pros/Cons of MTB vs Road clipless pedals on a road bike?

CyclingPiper

MTB shoes look kind of normal, a pedal can have up to 4 sides to clip into (which I'd imagine would make clipping in much easier than road pedals), and there is a much larger variety of shoes that are compatible with SPD style MTB pedals, including sandals and touring shoes. If someone can tour in them, they must be comfortable (not much problem with the small cleat creating a hotspot on your foot).

What's the main benefit to having road clipless pedals? The shoes might be harder/firmer, but it seems feasible making solid hard-soled shoes with a recessed cleat. Is the larger, non-recessed cleat any safer and more secure during sprinting than the smaller mountain bike cleat?

nicklouse

You can walk further in Mtb Spds.

Road cleats speak the load better as there is a greater interface,

Soles get stiffer making MTB. Spds stiffer.............


It all comes down to his far you want to walk in your shoes.

I went dancing in my MTB spd shoes.

pblakeney

May I suggest that you try the "search" function?

This subject has been overdone.

Neither side are convinced that the other is right.

pblakeney

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19705535#p19705535]cyd190468[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19705534#p19705534]PBlakeney[/url] wrote:

May I suggest that you try the "search" function?

This subject has been overdone.

Neither side are convinced that the other is right.

That makes sense 'cause if one side was convinced the other was right there'd only be one side.

Okay pedant.
Niether side will concede that the other side may have a point.

Giraffoto

For what little it's worth . . .

SPD-SL pedals are generally single sided, SPD are often double sided. If you ride around town a lot and don't jump red lights, this can be useful; it's definitely useful on an MTB. If you have both on- and off-roaders and only one pair of shoes, SPD is the way to go. If you have more than one pair of shoes or only ride on the road, choose the shoes that suit your feet first, and then see what sort of cleats and pedals you need to get.

debeli

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19705534#p19705534]PBlakeney[/url] wrote:

May I suggest that you try the "search" function?

This subject has been overdone.

Neither side is convinced that the other is right.

Neither side in convinced, but one side is quite wrong.

Road shoes and road pedals are deeply silly. I should know; I have several.

I have spoken to several deities from the major world religions and we have reached a working consensus on two matters: First that I am right; secondly that this thread should end now.

Buddha was unconvinced by my argument and Allah abstained in the first vote, but both motions were carried.

On that basis, I declare this thread over.

ForumNewbie

MTB SPD pedals are much easier to clip back into as double-sided, so I always unclip at traffic lights/junction etc. as easy to clip back in first time without looking down. Cyclists in SPD-SLs seem to do everything possible to keep clipped-in as they approach traffic lights or junction like trying to track stand or grabbing on to a lamppost. That's because it must be harder to clip back in first time on single-sided pedals. With MTB SPDs there is no wobble as you clip back in and you can set-off faster and in a straighter line. That's why I have MTB SPDs on my 3 road bikes.

Giraffoto

One other thought - the one time I had a total and utter mechanical failure to unclip with SPDs was because one of the cleat bolts had broken, so the cleat stayed attached to the pedal while I twisted my foot. Would this be less likely with SPD-SL with their three bolts?

markhewitt1978

That makes sense 'cause if one side was convinced the other was right there'd only be one side.

Yes but SPD pedals have two sides! .. I'll get me coat.

homers_double

I started road biking in SPD's because I rode mountain bikes and didn't want to splash out for new pedals and shoes so swapped a cheap set onto the roadie.

I've now got road shoes and pedals which are nice and light weith in the summer however I'll shortly be consigning them to the wardrobe and putting the SPDs back on for winter as I have an excellent pair of Shimano gore tex MTB winter boots which will keep my feet toasty warm throughout the dark months.

Summer MTB shoes can still be used for turbo training.

So sometimes it isn't "what's best" but "what's best for you".

markhewitt1978

So sometimes it isn't "what's best" but "what's best for you".

I'll repeat what I always say in this daily thread. SPD on road bikes gives you 99% (or 99.9%) of the advantages of being clipped in without the disadvantages of single sided pedals and difficult walking. For the riding I do 99% is more than good enough.

mmacavity

viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=13033115

simon_masterson

The short answer is that there is no performance difference between them. The main pro of SPDs in my view is not being able to walk in them (though it can be useful), but cleat life - my current set of Look cleats have been on not 6 months, and already look minced to death. The main con that I can identify is that they don't offer as much float.

Monty Dog

Depends what you're using them for / bike you're riding. Whilst you can walk in MTB shoes, the small cleat/engagement area means they never feel quite as positive and can rock a little when really pushing. Road shoes and pedals tend to be lighter (no rubber sole) and more 'direct' feel. There are some touring-style, recessed cleat shoes available but it's mainly down to aesthetics e.g. Shimano RT32/82

Bozman

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19705534#p19705534]PBlakeney[/url] wrote:

May I suggest that you try the "search" function?

This subject has been overdone.

Neither side are convinced that the other is right.

If everybody used the search function this forum wouldn't exist.

pblakeney

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19706377#p19706377]Bozman[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19705534#p19705534]PBlakeney[/url] wrote:

May I suggest that you try the "search" function?

This subject has been overdone.

Neither side are convinced that the other is right.

If everybody used the search function this forum wouldn't exist.

More time to actually go out on the bike.
Win, win.

carthorse73

I've used Speedplay Zero's for the last few years - best of both worlds for me, dual sided easy entry like a SPD combined with the advantages of using a road shoe. They are a bit of a bugger to walk in and set up at first though.