Hi Everybody, happy new year!

I would like your opinion (if there's a thread already created please let me know...).

I've been serious in Road Cycling about 6 months now, before that I commute almost 3 years. I learned to use cleats with SPD/MTB Cleats y Shoes. When I bought my Road Bike, I also bought this MTB shoes.

The problem that I have is that the Shimano SPD/MTB cleats let the foot to rotate a lot over the pedal, and I'm tending to move my ankle outside (in a very weird position), I understand that this is common in MTB Cleats, but it's very inconvenient in Road Cycling. I don't want/can change shoes in this moment, so I was wondering if you know a type of MTB Cleat/pedal that allow minimal rotation or looseness between the pedal and the cleat?

I was looking this (Look Keo S-Track Race Mountain Bicycle Pedals), but suggestions are more than welcome.

Thanks a Lot!!!

Shimano makes two types of MTB SPD cleats. I think the SH51 doesn't allow as much float or rotation.
Looking online, they are less than $15. Cheaper to try than buying new pedals and cleats.

I'm not so sure why you feel it's a fault of the cleat type? Many road bikers use SPD style cleats. They aren't MTB cleats. That just got started when marketers noticed that mountain bikers tended to buy SPD's style cleats.

You don't mention what pedal you are using. Might it be the issue?? If you tried adjusting the position of the cleat and don't think the shoe is at fault, then change to whatever type cleat, shoe and pedal combo suits you. It doesn't have to say "road" in the marketing for you to use it on a road bike.

Personally, I only have experience with Shimano SPD on road bikes. Works for me.
My son uses CRANK Bros Candy's on his 29'er and road bike. Works for him.


PS... Those pedals are 30 bucks cheaper when you buy them from somewhere other than ebay or amazon.

The pedals are Shimano PD-M520L, and the cleats are SH51... I tried to adjust the tension of the springs and the now there’s less rotation, nevertheless there’s still some movements. What I would like to know if that looseness is common in any brand/model of MTB or there is an option that allows less movement.

Good point, that’s true

What did you use previously? I think you will find different pedals feel different for the same cleat type.

I just don't understand the issue you are having. To me it sounds as if you don't have enough strength in your ankles to overcome the power you legs are putting into the pedals. And I guess that's okay, you probably do need to find a cleat and pedal combination that works for you.

SPD's are considered easier to click out of, I think... so maybe they can be more prone to foot wobble or whatever you say your trouble is. I just have not noticed myself.

It could be, since the issue is present when climbing

Well can't you provide some proof when you do your name thing?

But I looked a little, didn't find anything definitive either way. So I'll stop stating that because Shimano may have needed a new cleat to get them into that emerging market.

But still I hate saying you can't use something on a road bike because it does not say or was not marketed for road. Particularly pedals and shoes.

It's called "float" and I think with what you have it is supposed to be 4°. In general, this is thought to be an asset, and easier on the knees.

However, I think it is possible to get zero-float pedals and/or cleats.

eg: Crank Brothers Premium Zero Float Cleat | Jenson USA

One thing on the PD-M520L's.... don't have any platform. Do you think one of the pedals with a platform around them might help? I use the PD-A520's which have a minimal amount of platform but they do make contact with quite a bit of the tread on my pearl izumi X-Alp Drift II's which are nice and cool in the summer but freezing in the winter.

I don't call it spoon feeding. I call it supporting your opinion with evidence.

That isn't the case for shimano spd though, they make both urban and touring shoes and road spd pedals.

Great, this is the concept I was looking for... thanks a lot!

I saw those and I think that the platform would help, men it's difficult when you can't try the things, those are not expensive though (listed in 70 at Amazon)

Well the article you referenced didn't provide the things I need to consider it "conclusive". It's not a fact because I say it, nor is it a fact because you say it. Nor is if fact because an article on the internet said it. You are just easier to convince yourself of fact apparently. It didn't take as much to convince you.

However I will admit that so far I found that late in 1990, Shimano introduced the SPD style cleat as an addition to it's Deore line of products which they did and still do market to mountain bikers. They don't appear to have an SPD cleated road shoe introduced at that time.

If you are talking about the PD-A520 then 70 dollars US is expensive. I only paid 35 dollars US for a set I bought new the middle of 2017 and before that in or about 2010. I know some people only trust amazon for shopping and shipping. But I go for whoever is the cheapest for the same product. I've never been stung.

If you’re foot is rotating through the pedal stroke, have you checked to make sure you’re saddle position is correct? Having your saddle too high, low, fore or aft could cause you to have to adjust your foot through the pedal stroke.

Changing pedals, shoes, cleats might be just throwing money down a well if the issue is actually your position on the bike.

Well, I'm not based in US, but I travel a lot there for work, usually for a week or so. Thus, I always check on amazon because convenience, I have a Prime subscription, so I can be certain that the product will arrive to the hotel I'm staying at during my short stay. I know that there are plenty of sites online with better price, but not with the three day free shipping that prime offers. Now, even with the prime subscription and the overcost of the goods, for me is cheaper, since most of those things are really expensive in my country. Neverthelss, I would like to ask you were you buy usually online? it may be an option...
By the way, thanks for your answers to the thread, I think the A520 might be an option, however the zero float cleat from Crank Bros seems interesting too, and they seem to have some CX pedals that would work with the shoes. I would have to invest a little more...

Thanks! but I just did a Bike Fit recently, and they adjusted the bike properly, I think the issue is more related with something somebody mentioned before regarding my ankles not having enough strength to receive the power of the legs, and since the SPD cleats/pedals have this "float" the foot tend to rotate over the cleat. Actually, this issue is only evident when climbing, which kinda supports the ankle/leg theory.

Ribble has them rite now for 35 USD + 17 for tracked shipping to me in the USA. I checked Amazon, and they actually show 47 USD to me in the USA. Which 40 to 60 USD is more in line with other online retailers in the USA.

I got mine from Nashbar and Jenson USA. At the time they were inventory closeouts. Not sure if they stock them any more.