Should I buy SPD SL pedals and shoes??? Advice please.

I use SPD-SL and most people I ride with use similar road oriented systems.
However, I'm not aware that you'll notice a significant "improvement" by changing cleat type.

TBH I doubt you'd notice the difference.

I still ride SPD on double sided pedals most of the time. I've got SL's on my TT and summer road bike and the only difference I notice is that it's more of a pain to clip in on the SL's. My SPD shoes weren't expensive, but they're comfortable and have a stiff sole - thats the key part really - it means there are no hotspots even after long days in the saddle - I've done 100 miles with the SPDs as well as with the SLs - I'd still use the SPDs on long rides if I was expecting to do a fair amount of walking (eg touring).

Only difference I found is the SLs are a bit more of a faff to get clipped into, that's why I went back to SPDs.

SL's on on my best bike - I much prefer the feel of them when clicked in.

For commuting though I still use SPD - which I think it better for that purpose - easier in and out - plus I have wellgo platform pedals (flat pedal one side , spd other) which is very useful

No need to change really unless you want to.
Personally I use SPD-SL.

I did an audax last week (200 km) and there were lots of people on SPD's . They have the advantage that you can use a shoe with a recessed cleat on them and still walk comfortably, they're double sided, the cleats are steel and will rarely wear out.

SL's are not double sided, they're not easy/comfortable to walk in, and the cleats wear out, although they are more "road oriented".

Pedal choice is yet another one of those multitude of subjects that can split cycling opinion but, to answer the original question, IMHO you would not notice any actual performance advantage in changing from SPD to SPD SL (assuming that the respective shoes were equally as stiff). Personally, I use SPDs on all my bikes and am more than happy with them. I have single sided Shimano A600s on one bike, double sided A540s on another and A530s on a third which are SPD on one side and flat on the other. On shorter rides, I do not personally believe that there is much difference between them but, for longer distances, I find the A600s more comfortable as the seem to support the foot better (of course, it might also be because I want them to be better as they were more expensive than the others!). Some may disagree but, to me, the single point that swings my choice in the direction of SPD is the ability to walk properly in the shoes.

Vince133 wrote:

Hi All. Thanks for your replies. If I was sticking with SPD,s. is there any particular shoe you might recommend. I have done some research but sometimes when you search for shoes that are comparable with the 2 bolt system you get some that are not. Or is an adapter the route to take. My current shoes are quite old and I am need of a replacement pair. Thanks

I use Shimano RT82s with SPDs on my winter bike. They're classed by Shimano as touring shoes but look like road shoes except they work with 2 bolt cleats. Never noticed a particular lack of stiffness compared to my summer shoes. Easy to walk in too.