Road Cycling - Cleats, Will these shoes take SPD cleats?

I've been using a set of Shimano SH-MT31 MTB shoes with SPD cleats & pedals.

I'm now taking longer rides for fitness and I'm incurring some substantial metatarsal pain after 3 hours of riding. So, I need better shoes and want to use a lighter road style shoe with a stiff sole. I will also be using these shoes for a few century rides.

I have found a pair of Shimano SH-R 160g road shoes. These are a 3 hole pattern, the Shimano website states they are for SPD-SL pedals.

Will I be able to install my SPD cleats and use my SPD pedals with these shoes? Or, will I need to change to SPD-SL cleats & pedals?

You'll need to change, can't mount slotted SPDs on three holed shoes.

Thanks

You'll need to change to spd-sl cleats and pedals

another option: stick with SPD and try the A520 'road' style SPD pedals combined with a stiffer soled shoe like the Sidi Dominator.

Or get a stiffer soled MTB shoe, like the Sidi Dominators. They're more expensive than the Shimano shoes you're looking at, but then if you go with the Shimano shoes you'll need new pedals as well.

I've been using a set of Shimano SH-MT31 MTB shoes with SPD cleats & pedals.

I'm now taking longer rides for fitness and I'm incurring some substantial metatarsal pain after 3 hours of riding. So, I need better shoes and want to use a lighter road style shoe with a stiff sole. I will also be using these shoes for a few century rides.

I have found a pair of Shimano SH-R 160g road shoes. These are a 3 hole pattern, the Shimano website states they are for SPD-SL pedals.

Will I be able to install my SPD cleats and use my SPD pedals with these shoes? Or, will I need to change to SPD-SL cleats & pedals?

Nope. Your SPD pedals need a 2-hole arrangement in the sole and these have a 3 hole pattern.

Your choices for replacement pedals to use with those shoes are not limited to SPD-SL , though. Any other pedal that uses the standard 3 hole cleat will work (Regular Looks, Keos, knock-offs from Ritchey, VP and EXustar all use a 3 hole cleat).Some of them can be had for a few bucks ($40-$50).

You'll need to change to spd-sl cleats and pedals

.

...or any other pedal with a 3 hole pattern.

Nope. Your SPD pedals need a 2-hole arrangement in the sole and these have a 3 hole pattern.

Your choices for replacement pedals to use with those shoes are not limited to SPD-SL , though. Any other pedal that uses the standard 3 hole cleat will work (Regular Looks, Keos, knock-offs from Ritchey, VP and EXustar all use a 3 hole cleat).Some of them can be had for a few bucks ($40-$50).

What are some of the better knock-offs & alternatives to Shimano? I don't care too much about weight, but I want an easy-on & easy-off pedal that is durable.

Michael

What are some of the better knock-offs & alternatives to Shimano? I don't care too much about weight, but I want an easy-on & easy-off pedal that is durable.

Michael

Why the **** do you want a knockoff? Shimano SPD-SL's are the best road pedals on the market and not expensive either. And, stop crossposting.

I wouldn't bother with new pedals for now. Shop around and find the best and stiffest road shoes you can afford. Try to find one of the many that models come with 3-hole and 2-hole options. Then you can continue to use your current pedals, and maybe get some road-specific SPD cleats like the SH-70 or SH-71s. If the hot spots continue, then new pedals would be the next step. No sense in spending your money until you're absolutely sure you know what you need.

Why the **** do you want a knockoff?

Perhaps cost?? Some of the knockoffs can be had for very little money compared to the cheapest of the SPD-SLs at around $80. So, if the OP has to experiment with new pedals, then he can do so at minimal expense.

Granted, I only have experience with the Ritchey Pro Pelotons and they were the worst pedals I've ever used in terms of quality. But I know many people that have used the Exustars, for instance, with very good results.


Shimano SPD-SL's are the best road pedals on the market and not expensive either.

you should have added a "...in my opinion..." to that statement. :D

I wouldn't bother with new pedals for now. Shop around and find the best and stiffest road shoes you can afford. Try to find one of the many that models come with 3-hole and 2-hole options. T

Not that there are that many but...I know of a certain well known and very strong Masters racer in the DC area that uses SPD pedals(not SPD-R or SPD-SL, but the first versions of the SPD road pedal) and now uses cheap CAT-1 brand road shoes from Performance (which have the 2-screw option). They work for him and he's a heck of a strong rider!!