voltman

Hi, I'm new here. Nice site.

I know you can use MTB shoes with SPDs on road bikes and that they'd be easier to walk in, but are there any disadvantages to used them on the road?

Thanks

joeprim

I use them. My pedals are platform on one side clipless on the other so they are about the size of a platform pedal so I don't know if I loose as much efficiency because the shoes are not as stiff as I would with those tiny clipless only pedals. I rode a century a couple of weeks ago and my feet didn't get hot sopts over the pedal until ~90 miles. Maybe if they were stiffer it would hve been 95 miles

So I don't see much disadvantage - maybe if you're racing and want every last bit of power transfer.



Joe

joeprim

I use them. My pedals are platform on one side clipless on the other so they are about the size of a platform pedal so I don't know if I loose as much efficiency because the shoes are not as stiff as I would with those tiny clipless only pedals. I rode a century a couple of weeks ago and my feet didn't get hot sopts over the pedal until ~90 miles. Maybe if they were stiffer it would hve been 95 miles

So I don't see much disadvantage - maybe if you're racing and want every last bit of power transfer.



Joe

samp02

some people note the stiffer soles on a road shoe. Other than that no difference.

jrennie

I use mtn shoes(661 brand) that have a fairly stiff sole on my road bike and they work just fine and allow me to walk around at work

roadfix

Only if you're a hard core road racer will you notice the difference or its effects.....although many serious roadies can feel the difference in sole stiffness which many claim affect pedalling efficiency....

Yoshi

You don't need to be a serious roadie to feel the difference (although you will need to be a serious roadie to claim it effects your efficiency...). I used to use LOOK pedals and road shoes and switched to CB Candy pedals and mountain bike shoes. My road shoes were completely stiff, but my mountain bike shoes definitely flex a little bit. This is even more apparent when I'm using my Eggbeater pedals as they don't have any platform. In other words I can feel the difference between shoe types and pedal types. All the same none of them bother me.

'nother

Some people will laugh and make fun of you if you wear mountain shoes on a road ride. I believe the terminology used is that it's a "red flag". For what, I do not know, because you won't notice much difference in pedaling. There are MTB shoes which are just as stiff as road shoes.

The main deal with MTB shoes is, they have a tread which will allow you to walk, such as if you need to carry your bike over an obstacle or some such which you are more likely to encounter on an MTB ride than on a road ride. But I like MTB shoes for road rides because frequently I'll ride to somewhere and walk around a bit and don't like the feel of walking in road shoes. Also I sometimes ride trails on my 'cross bike and I do need to hop off from time to time to carry or whatever.

I guess one other big thing is that some MTB shoes don't support the 3-hole LOOK-style or SPD-SL, so if your pedals use those kind of cleats you may need an adapter (or just get road shoes).

caloso

I use mtb shoes and pedals on my commute bike because I have a longish walk into the building to the shower room over tile and terrazo floors. I pretty near broke my neck walking in wearing Sidi road shoes.
Plus the pedals are two sided so you have the advantage of not having to do the toe-flip trick at every stoplight.

The disadvantage is that they're not as stiff, not as light, and not as sexy as road shoes. That is all.

DocRay

I have no idea why road shoes have to be so slick underneath, I've seen pros slip and fall with road shoes. WTF.

You don't want MTB shoes to be as stiff as road shoes, but they are heavier and some don't work well with road pedals.

webist

MTB shoes are all I have ever used. I like to be able to walk normally and not have to replace cleats that wear out. I'm gaining in the area of comfort and sacrificing nothing that matters to me at all in riding efficiency.

And, I don't mind at all being looked down upon by purists. Indeed I don't mind at all being looked down upon by those whom I do not look up to at all.

ViperZ

No disadvantage to me...

Infact I have abandoned my Sidi Genius 3 and Look cleat/Dura Ace Pedals long ago for SPD pedals on my Road bike. I found I rode my Road bike more often for casual trips to the store or to pick up a movie, where as before duties like this were always relegated to my MTB.

patrick07

Thank you!

dfw

I wear MTB shoes and SPDs.

If you ever break down and can't fix the problem, then wind up carrying your bike a few miles (which WILL eventually happen if you ride enough), you will thank the cycling gods for MTB shoes. Road shoes might be 2% more efficient when you're on the bike, but they are definitely 99% less efficient when you're off it.

RhumbRunner

I agree with all the above.

I've used MTB shoes and Nashbar double sided pedals for years. The only disadvantage to the shoes is that they are a little heavier...but then they last MUCH longer! The shoes are made to take a beating compared to what a roadie will do.

Rhumb

allgoo19

I'm glad I found many companies. My look pedals(made by Mavic) sit in my closet and haven't seen the day light for a long time.

duane041

Best quote today!

80vette

I tried MTB shoes and pedals (SPD-R) and had hot spot problems big time.
When I change to road shoes and pedals (SPD-SL) the hot spots went away.
The road system spread the "load" out over a wider area and are less flexible.
I think that was the key.

However, you are correct walking in them .... SUCKS Big Time.