thirdin77

I'm running SPD's with my Sidi Dominator mtb shoes on one of my bikes as I want to sometimes be able to step off the bike and walk, esp in dirt or gravel which would instantly clog my Speedplay road cleats.

The problem is that since I'm used to road shoes and Speedplay road pedals, the mtb pedal/mtb shoes feel just don't feel stiff enough when I get out of saddle.

Are there any mtb pedals/cleats that give a stiffer, better power-transmissive feel than the SPD's?

I was thinking perhaps the Speedplay Frogs would better transmit power because their cleats are flatter and give a kind if mini platform, at least compared to the SPD cleats, anyway.

Any feedback on recessed cleats/pedals that give better power transmission than the SPD's would be helpful.

markieta

It sounds like its your shoes that are the cause of the flexing(those sidi's are plenty stiff already though....)

the larger platform pedals/cleats helps to reduce hot spots more than anything.

Tapeworm21

Where do you walk? I never understood this conflict. Do you park your bike and then go for a hike? Where is it you're walking to? I have many miles logged walking in my road shoes... it's really not bad. You'll wear down cleats faster but when you hop on your bike, ride your bike. Don't walk.

Get some Look Quartz and call me in the morning.

AEO

cleat covers.

thirdin77

I'm riding my cross bike on anything, really, including dirt paths, fire roads and a bit of singletrack. Just the kind of places where I don't want to put my foot down and clog my road cleat or put my cleat covers on everytime.

I'm looking for something with a recessed cleat that kinda bridges the gap between my SPD's non-existant platform and my road shoe's huge platform.

I asked here in the road forum because I think this is the only group that places value on power transmission.

In other forums, some insist that there's no difference between using road shoes & pedals and using old sneakers & bmx pedals.

stripes

my Time ATACs have a pretty good size platform on them. I use these on my commuter. Never used SPDs though so I can't compare.

AEO

I'd say bebop, but they're pretty easy to pull out of when they're clogged with ice.

PaulRivers

You probably don't realize this, but having a pair my Speedplays do NOT like dirt. Just taking a couple of steps on a dirt road can noticeably affect their clipin and clipout performance. That's not even getting to how awkward it is to walk around with a flat slippery cleat on the front of your shoes.

To the OP, the mountain bike shoes you linked to appear to have a plastic sole - do your road shoes have a carbon fiber sole? I'm surprised to hear your mountain bike pedals aren't stiff enough - I know I have a similar pair of SIDI's, and the plastic sole just isn't as stiff as the newest carbon fiber ones. The carbon fiber ones are like a sheet of rigid metal - ridiculously stiff.

I thought I read that the Crank Brother's Quattro pedals were designed for the shoes to come into contact with the pedals, but I'm not sure.

These are spd's, but I don't know if they would make a difference:
https://www.rei.com/product/752295


Just throwing thoughts out there.

kila kila kila

Time RXS. The cleat has rubber pads and they're okay to walk on for short distances. The RXS platform is also reasonably wide and flat so you can ride the bike in normal shoes for short distances if you're so inclined.

thirdin77

You nailed it, Speedplay road cleats are like ice cream scoops and clog very easily. That rules them out for anything but pavement use.

My road shoes have nylon soles, I believe, but still nice and stiff.

I had some crank brothers smartys but they were scarring the soles of my shoes and I didn't like the engagement so I stopped using them.

I've also had some Shimano M545's, they're like the ones you linked to but the platform didn't contact my shoes so it didn't increase the power transmission so I'm going to forgo those.

Thanks just the same for the feedback.

PaulRivers

Thanks, just trying to throw suggestions out! :-) Heck, if I knew for sure of a pair of shoes that worked like you want, I'd have already bought them.

I just wanted to add, so as to not mislead anyone, that Speedplays can still be used when they're dirty. I once literally slogged through mud in them, then managed to get them to click in and clip out again. The trick is to put the cleat on the pedal, then twist it back and forth like you're squishing a bug with the front of your foot. Eventually enough of the mud gets worked out and you can clip in and clip out. It's just a lot more work, slower, and really annoying to do so until you get home and clean out the cleat.

knobster

I've had really good luck with Crank Brothers Quattro pedals. I don't use the cleats that come with them as I use mountain bike shoes. Cleat is similar to SPD, but with the larger platform, I do think it gives me a more stable area to drive on. Plus no hotspots. I don't race but they work very well for me on long distance rides.

justforfun

I am not sure about the power transmission concern, as I don't sprint that much, but I am very pleased with my Candy SL's, which I have had for the last year and a half. So far they have worn well and I have not experienced any "hot spots", even during a summer century ride.

mercator

Try these:

kyriefurro

Can I get an "amen"?

$9 for a couple of little pieces of plastic. And they even have a nice texture on the bottom...no slipping on the ice as I'm carrying my bike past the glacier that builds up out my front door every winter.