QuoVadis

Hey guys,

Just got my first road bike a couple of weeks ago, and also bought the Shimano SPD-A530 (dual sided) pedals before I knew much about the different types shoes. Now I find out that most road shoes are SPD-SL compatible and the selection is comparatively less for SPD compatible road shoes. So, my question is - is it ok to use MTB shoes for road bikes? Are there any downsides? I am not racing or anything, so I don't care much if I am gonna lose a bit of power and stuff like that. Please let me know. Thanks.

PepeM

It's ok.

mcours2006

Yep. You're fine with SPD shoes/pedals. I've got SPD's on two of my road bikes.

corrado33

You're fine. Tons of people use SPDs on road bikes.

The only difference is that generally shoes that support SPDs (instead of SPD-SLs) are "walkable" meaning the cleats are recessed and slightly less aero. However, most people prefer the walkable cleats over the awkward SPD-SLs.

fietsbob

You have the widest selection of walkable recessed cleat SPD type shoes that way.

Paul Barnard

I prefer mountain shoes for road riding. The lugs on the sole help guide the shoe into place more easily than they go into place with road shoes, and I tend to get off and walk a bit, and walking in mountain shoes is easier.

TimothyH

Keep in mind that there are two types of SPD cleats.



SH51 single-release cleats are more secure for racing and aggressive riding, sprinting hard out of the saddle, technical singletrack, etc..

SH56 multi-release cleats are a little easier to get out of and marketed toward recreational riders, touring, etc.


-Tim-

Dirt Farmer

I've got Time ATAC pedals on my road bike

QuoVadis

OK great, thanks. I will start looking into deals for MTB shoes.

QuoVadis

Thanks guys. This looks like a good deal - Diadora X Vortex Comp MTB SPD Shoes | Chain Reaction Cycles

Anybody have any opinions/thoughts about these shoes?

fietsbob

I try on shoes in person to get the fit right.. that being said the Diadora company has been around for decades.

Darth Lefty 

I've been back trying some cheap old SPD's for a few months now and I like them. As a commuter I've been trying to figure out if I believe Shimano's "Click'R" system is worth bothering with. It's a variant of SPD with some specific features about the shoe and pedal that are supposed to make it more friendly, but if you think the selection is short among just-Shimano brand shoes and pedals, imagine an unpopular subset of that.

SwtBadger

I rode this way for years, with SPDs and one pair of MTB style shoes, no problems at all.


There are even some practical advantages to using MTB shoes for one's road bike. Only one pair of shoes means can not bring the wrong ones if launching remotely. MTB shoes are normally much easier to walk in

WizardOfBoz

I got road cleats to fit Dura Ace road pedals. That's because I'm an effete bike snob (came from working on bikes in the shop many years ago). If I get a non-repairable flat halfway out on my "loop", I'm gonna regret it - walking with those cleats on your shoe sucks. The folks advocating the practicality of MTB cleats and shoes are on to something.

That said, if you are planning on riding multiple centruries, or multi-day rides that cover hundreds of miles, or ride 30 miles a day, I'd probably switch to road pedals.

jefnvk

+1. Unless I know how a particular brand/model fits, I will always buy my shoes in a store. My feet are touchy about fit, and they are one of two things in contact with the bike for hours on end.

That said, this last pair I did try on locally, then buy online, simply because REI only stocked down to 42, and I ended up needing a 41. Illustrates why I do so, though, as I normally wear a 42, and would have had to send them back.

pdlamb

I did the reverse, many moons ago, because I take a 49 and most companies only make (or stock) up to 48. I figured it was a $25 investment in shipping to order three pairs and ship the two I didn't like back. Now I know what to order!

Doug64

I use both road and mtn bike SPD pedals. The road SPD pedals do not offer any more support to the shoes sole than the mtn pedals. My wife uses mtn bike shoes on her road bike all the time. Mountain bike shoes will work fine.

FestinaLente

I try to go with mtb shoes, that way if something breaks and I can't fix it on the spot I'm still in shoes I can walk in if I have to. Also I tend to prefer mtb clipless pedals personally.

manapua_man

I run SPDs on all my bikes, I like being able to get off and walk around easier. I switch over to double sided SPD/platform combos when touring...and my SPD-SL pedals/shoes only get used maybe 2-3 times a year, if at all. You might get hot spots on longer rides with the MTB pedals, but shoes with stiffer soles help a lot with that.

Camilo

Buy shoes that you can actually try on. Shop local for shoes if you possibly can.

kingston 

Road pedals are good if you are riding fast and not spending any time off the bike. If you are doing any walking off the bike at all, SPDs are better.


I would conservatively estimate that at least half of the people on the brevets I ride use SPD pedals. On the longer distances it's probably even more. Jan Heine uses Shimano PD-A600's and Dromarti shoes. He rides a lot of miles and he's pretty fast too.

WizardOfBoz

+1

Dirt Farmer

Aren't SPD both mountain and road??

DrIsotope

I have about 12,000 miles (I think, maybe a little more) on my Diadora X-Vortex Pros (one trim level up, double BOA instead of BOA + velcro) Love them. Very stiff sole, still very walkable. The stock insoles leave a little to be desired, you may or may not end up replacing those. Mine started to compress at the ball of the foot and were replaced with cycling-specific insoles about a month ago. But if you ride the miles of a normal person, that could take you 3-5 years.

mcours2006

SPD=MTB--2 bolt
SPD-SL=road--3 bolt
Generally speaking.