General Cycling Discussion - Shoe question

I'm looking for my first pair of shoes. I was wondering what the difference is between mtn shoes and road shoes. Is stiffness and walkability the only factor? I live on a 3rd floor walk up and I'm a new rider so I'm assuming I'll be doing a lot of pushing.

For a remedial rider is the difference in performance going to be noticable? are there any walkable road shoes?

What type pedals do you have?
Mountain or road bike? I'm guessing a road bike.
Can you put your shoes on when you get downstairs and take them off before walking upstairs?

What type pedals do you have?
Mountain or road bike? I'm guessing a road bike.
Can you put your shoes on when you get downstairs and take them off before walking upstairs?


speedplay frogs

road bike

the stairs and street aren't something you want to be walking in socks on really... puke pee and broken glass

speedplay frogs

road bike

the stairs and street aren't something you want to be walking in socks on really... puke pee and broken glass

with the frogs, you'll probably want to go with a mtn. bike shoe. some of the road shoes would need to be modified to fit with the frog cleats. i have a pair of specialized mtn. shoes (with frog pedals) and they are great. i can walk around in them and they are pretty comfortable.

with the frogs, you'll probably want to go with a mtn. bike shoe. some of the road shoes would need to be modified to fit with the frog cleats. i have a pair of specialized mtn. shoes (with frog pedals) and they are great. i can walk around in them and they are pretty comfortable.

I've been looking at the Frogs and I thought they were SPD-compatible. So, I figured almost any SPD road shoe would work.

I've been looking at the Frogs and I thought they were SPD-compatible. So, I figured almost any SPD road shoe would work.

some road shoes do work, while others do not. in most cases if the shoe does not work, the modification is quite simple...such as cutting a little bit of rubber from the shoe to make room for the cleat. however, doing this may void the warrenty of the shoe (does anyone need a warrenty for a shoe anyway??).

but in anycase, the speedplay website has a shoe compatiblity section. if you're in doubt, check that out.

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=shoeguide.searchstart

The advantage of an MTB shoe is that the cleat will be set into the pocket so it sticks out less, if at all. If you go with a road shoe, you will have the cleat sticking out from the sole its whole thickness.

I'm looking for my first pair of shoes. Where are you from, West Virginia? :D

The big differance is that road shoes have an exposed cleat, MTB shoes have a recessed cleat. There are bendy or stiff shoe available in either type. You want stiff.

I honestly think that the MTB shoes are more practical. You can actually walk a bit in them. I use Specialized shoes with Speedplay Frogs. If you decide to go with MTB shoes, you basically want cross country racing shoes. They are lighter and stiffer. More and more people seem to be using them. I am sure that some people would never consider them though.

I have found that quite a few things in road cycling are traditions. I have also learned that you often can't change years of tradition with a good idea. ;)

Where are you from, West Virginia? :D

:roflmao:

This is what I wear on my roadie....http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=5338&JServSessionIdroot=zxfjsmsbyv.j27003

I wear The above shoes as well. The Sonoma's are comfortable, walk well, and clip in nicely. Pretty stiff sole for a MTB which is great, but not so stiff that you walk like a duck.