rperkins146

I currently ride a shimano 2 bolt. But the used road bike I just bought had Ultegra SPD-SL's on them, which I changed to my old 2 bolt for now.


I'm 240 lbs, with one knee that gets just the slightest bit achy after long (50+ mile) rides and wondering if the SPD-SL will help with this.


What benefits would there be to changing?
I'm guessing power transfer, maybe knee tracking (maybe not)




R Perkins
TREK 7.2FX
Giant Defy 1

DrIsotope

The change is that you won't be able to walk around as well. You can get MTB shoes for 2-bolt SPD pedals that are every bit as stiff as 3-bolt road shoes. As to the matter of float, I would go to a fitter to see if it's actually the issue before you go spending money on it changing parts.

I'm sure the Speedplay guys will chime in here soon enough.

dr_lha

Unless you're having issues with your feet, I wouldn't say that a change to SPD-SLs would improve things much.

The float is pretty much the same for regular SPDs as "regular" (i.e. yellow, the most common) SPD-SL cleats.

I mainly changed to SPD-SLs because I was getting hot foot issues on longer (>60miles) rides, and it fixed the issue, although honestly getting stiffer shoes may have fixed it just as well.

People with knee issues often gravitate towards Speedplays, I can't comment on those because I've never tried them. I'd check if your fit is the issue before spending hundreds on new pedals/shoes.

Jarrett2

I'm an SPD fan on road bikes. I like being able to walk when I stop

sstorkel

Sounds like you just need to tweak the placement of your cleat on the shoe...

If you've bought shoes that don't have a stiff enough sole, switching to SPD-SL might help resolve hot spots caused by SPD's smaller cleat. My power meter hasn't noticed any differences in power transfer. I tend to think that knee tracking improves with a fixed pedal, which is one of the reasons I use SPD pedals on all of my road and mountain bikes.

jack_flack

If you need more float SpeedPlay pedals have lots of float. I think the zeros are adjustable zero to 15 deg.

Steve B.

I have foot issues, specifically old feet, ligament, tendons etc... of the middle toes that causes more pressure to be placed on the outer metatarsal bone - also know as the ball of the foot under the smallest toe, a condition often referred to as "hot foot".

After a few decades of cycling on SPD's, I could not manage 20 miles without severe pain.

I eventually went back to the SPD-L / Look style cleat, show and pedal and as well as using a pad under my toes, placed in the cycling shoes, can now ride 40+ without issue.

So other then the fact that the SPD-L pedal is a pain to get into, the shoes a pain to walk around in the cleats and being plastic, wear out faster, I'm good with them.

CliffordK

I'm happy with my SPD cleats & pedals, and like the walkable shoes.

I think there are a couple of differences between the SPD & SPD-SL. People routinely shim the SPD-SL cleats for slight angle adjustments.

I would like to try a zero-float option, but the only version available with SPD is multirelease which won't work for me. I think the SPD-SL has more float options without the multirelease.

Steve B.

I mis-typed and use the SL.

The standard SPD is the 2 bolt mountain bike style cleat/pedal system. Very small cleat, usually on a mt. bike style shoe with lugs, that help support the shoe on the pedal top. SL is the Look style wider plastic cleat and pedal system.

Cychologist

While there is nothing wrong with the SPD pedals I prefer the wider platforms of the SPD-SL pedal on my road bike. I don't find walking in them to be a major issue, since I don't intend to walk very far on them. However on my Bike Friday which I take on vacation I have regular SPD pedals, so I can ride in my bike sandals.

sdmc530

I started on SPD and had no big issues, but I too found the road set up better because the cleats covered more area and felt better on my feet. But this is just my personal preference. I had no issues with the SPD just found road set up more comfy for my liking.

kc0bbq

I love my SpeedPlays, they've been a major blessing with arthritis and one knee that's not pointing quite in the right direction, but they're not for everyone. "Riding on ice cubes" is an acquired taste. SPDs have to be loosened too far not cause pain after 40-50 miles, so I can't really use them for really hard rides - it's a bit freaky to pull out of a pedal on a really steep hill. I have *really* stiff MTB shoes, so I've never really noticed any real difference in ride feel. I'll defend the SpeedPlays from snark, though. heh


The biggest thing you gain with true road pedals is that it is more economical to get stiffness at a lighter weight for the shoes. My mountain shoes are just as stiff as my road shoes, but they are heavy. For rides where dropping some weight makes a difference I greatly prefer the road pedals. Noodling around at 16-18mph? Not so much.


It's all about finding the right tool for the job.

donalson

the big difference is really just the amount of area the foot/cleat has to sit on the pedal... which is even more important the less stiff the sole is.


others have mentioned the shoes... my shoe of choice is these guys.


I live in TX and have toured with these... I have waterproof (kyaking type) socks, hiking wool socks, light weight cycling wool socks (darn tough brand on the wool socks... I love them)... because they are sandals I can have lots of air flow or minimal, I toured with them in spring a few years ago high/mid 30* in the rain, thick wool socks with the waterproof socks over them... I do have an older pair of specilized S works (carbon sole and BOA lace system) but the comfort of the sandals is just sooo nice.


I have a very old pair of standard MTB spds but on the road bike I run these

Drew Eckhardt 

Probably not.

Issues usually come from fit - saddle too high, too low, too far forwards, too far back. Cleat too far forwards, too far aft, too inboard, too outboard, or rotated too much. Foot rotated about its roll axis. Etc.

The small change you get from pedal stack height might help, or it could hurt.

Getting a fitting from a reputable professional isn't a bad idea, especially if you can't figure out what adjustments to make yourself based on internet resources .

DrIsotope

This.

#humblebrag

rperkins146

I am planning on doing both actually.. I called my LBS and am going to go in and buy some shoes to mate up with my ultegra pedals, then get a proper fitting. Hoping this fixes the longer mile woes.


R Perkins

PatrickR400

I just recently switched pedal on my road bike from SPD (Shimano PD-A520) to Look Keos. I made that change in anticipation of switching to pedal based power meters. At the same time I changed stem from a 80mm to a 95 mm, same angle (+17 deg).

My fit was not affected; same saddle height, and angle. Of course the reach is now greater because of the longer stem. I like the lesser weight, stiffness, and adjustability of the road shoes. Just minimize your walking in them.

As previously stated, knee and hip problems can often be traced to saddle positioning.

aplcr0331

I use the SPD-SL with the yellow cleats, they have a lot of float in them and are broad based so very stable.


I've never had a problem walking in the cleats either. I ride mostly to a place and back...not typically riding to the mall on my bike and trying to dance across slick floors like everyone else seems to do. As a skier I've got no problems adjusting my walking position based on equipment I'm wearing.