Originally Posted by TimothyH

Millions of mountain bike riders would take issue with your fitters statement that SPD is somehow more efficient.

I'm not recommending one over the other, just pointing out your fitter's bias.


-Tim-

Originally Posted by Marcus_Ti

Road shoes tend to be stiffer than MTB at the lower pricepoints. It isn't until you get to "racing" MTB shoes that they really compete. IMHO.

Grass doesn't impact cleats. Mud does, particularly if there's gravel/aggregate in it. You can buy cleak covers, but for a bunch of injection molded rubber the cost is silly---and in mud they can get sucked off...and you'll lose them never to find them again.

Originally Posted by eduskator

SPD-SL = Road use
SPD = ''All Around'' use (technically used for mountain biking though)

If you ride a lot in the city (frequent stops at traffic lights, etc.), I'd stick with SPD pedals & get the 2-sided ones that can be used unclipped on one side and clipped on the other one (Shimano PD-EH500 for instance).

If you're looking for optimal performance & comfort (especially on long rides & when climbing), go with the SPD-SL ones. This is what I have & wouldn't switch.

Also keep in mind that the SPD shoes will be more comfortable when walking, as the SPD-SL ones have cleats that are screwed under them (makes you look like a pengouin when you walk!).

It's all about your needs.

Originally Posted by jpescatore

Short answer: I wasn't sure I was going to stick with SPD-SL when I first tried them, but for the type of riding I do, I ended up sticking with them. On the bike where I am more likely to do a lot of walking around, I still have SPD. On the bike where I don't, I stuck with SL.

I went to SPD-SL on my road bike years ago, still use SPD on my beater/hybrid bike (and in spin classes over the winter.) I actually put two sided pedals on that one - rides with my wife or rides with more walking than riding, I don't use cleats at all.

I definitely prefer the feel of the SPD-SL pedals - more locked in and just feels like more power going to the pedal. On the road bike I'm typical doing longer rides/longer times between stops/not much walking around.

Walking around definitely sucks in the SPD-SLs but unless you are really walking around in crazy stuff, the part that actually clips in on the SPD-SL pedal rarely gets clogged up for me. I bought some cleat covers that I keep in my saddle bag, easy enough to snap them on.

On tours that involve overnight stays, or one way trips I do several times per year where I will change clothes when I arrive, I have to carry sandals or sneakers, where with the SPD shoes I can get by just wearing them when off the bike. But, for those long rides still not much walking around and on long rides I still like the feel of the SLs better.

The SPD-SL cleats also require more care in setting up - there is another degree of freedom compared to the just one direction with the two hole cleats. For me, the SL plastic cleats wear out faster than the metal SPD cleats and cost about the same, if not more - SL is more expensive.

So, the usual YMMV answer! If I only had one bike, had to choose one or the other, and all I did was the typical road riding I do, I'd probably only have SL. If I only had one bike and most of my riding involved more walking or more overnight touring, I'd probably choose SPD.