SPD vs SPD-SL, am I losing power using SPD?
12-31-09, 01:07 PM
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SPD vs SPD-SL, am I losing power using SPD?
Hello folks, and a Happy New Year when it comes for you.
I have three bikes. 1 mountain bike, 1 road bike, 1 TT bike. Because I bought the moutain bike first, and kitted it with SPD (XTR) pedals, and bought a good, rigid show - I went on to buy the same pedals for the other bikes.
Only need one pair of shoes. Smart... or so I thought.
Now I'm wondering if I'm missing out on the road and TT bikes by not having bigger contact points with the pedals in terms of power transfer. Like I said, my shoes are pretty stiff (Northwave Raptor 2008 model) - so I'm not overly concerned about them - but lets, for instance, say I had the same shoes but they were SPD-SL pedals and cleats - would I get any better power transfer from the different pedals?
Any thoughts, welcomed as always.
John.
I have three bikes. 1 mountain bike, 1 road bike, 1 TT bike. Because I bought the moutain bike first, and kitted it with SPD (XTR) pedals, and bought a good, rigid show - I went on to buy the same pedals for the other bikes.
Only need one pair of shoes. Smart... or so I thought.
Now I'm wondering if I'm missing out on the road and TT bikes by not having bigger contact points with the pedals in terms of power transfer. Like I said, my shoes are pretty stiff (Northwave Raptor 2008 model) - so I'm not overly concerned about them - but lets, for instance, say I had the same shoes but they were SPD-SL pedals and cleats - would I get any better power transfer from the different pedals?
Any thoughts, welcomed as always.
John.
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Recess (aka John)
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"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."
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12-31-09, 01:37 PM
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Road shoes will be lighter, and you may get hotspots from spd's on longer rides due to the small contact area (happened to me).
12-31-09, 01:49 PM
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Actually that is exactly what happened to me. I switched spd-sls in August and the problem was solved. I feel more powerful in them, but maybe that's because I feel like I am more secure in the pedal than my spds which I could click out of really easily.
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12-31-09, 02:51 PM
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I rode SPD's for 20 years until today when I switched to Looks. I cried thinking of all the extra power I've left on the road over the years. I could have been somebody.. I could've been a contender.
12-31-09, 02:56 PM
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If the shoe soles are sufficiently rigid then the size of the contact patch should have no effect. But the larger patch can make up for deficiencies in the shoe's stiffness.
12-31-09, 03:05 PM
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between the pedals, not running zipp tubulars, ceramic bearings, and a non campy record group....you are cheating yourself out of at least 5 mph.
12-31-09, 03:08 PM
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If the soles of your shoes are stiff enough, it shouldn't make a huge difference. That said, I switched to SPD-SL's after a few years of using SPD's & definitely like the solid feel of the wider pedal.
12-31-09, 03:09 PM
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Instead of a bum. Which is what you are, let's face it.
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12-31-09, 03:10 PM
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12-31-09, 03:21 PM
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I just had a pro bike fit last weekend. The fellow that did it said that if I got road pedals and shoes I would see a big difference in the power/speed I would generate; I also ride SPD's. I believe he said the bigger platform on the road pedal will allow more power to be transfered.
Guess what I now have new shoes and pedals and will be taking them to my return appt with the "Bike fit Guru"
Guess what I now have new shoes and pedals and will be taking them to my return appt with the "Bike fit Guru"
12-31-09, 03:50 PM
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Between the SPD's on my mountain bike and the SPD-SL's on my road bike, I get a more solid feal on the SL's. It is like there is less movement and by that I don't mean float, but less up and down wobble, if you know what I mean. On my mountain bike when I really want to pull up it feals like my foot leaves the pedal.
12-31-09, 03:57 PM
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I use SPD pedals on all of my bikes and use the same shoe like you do. I don't think that there would be much difference in power transfer from what I've experienced.
12-31-09, 03:59 PM
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And how does he know this? Does he have a degree in mechanical engineering? Has he done laboratory tests using a power meter? Or is he just some random dude with a tape measure repeating the same unscientific crap that everyone posts on BF?
12-31-09, 04:02 PM
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maybe he was out, ya know, riding his bike to come to this decision.
12-31-09, 06:08 PM
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12-31-09, 09:07 PM
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Two of my road bikes are fitted with SPD-style pedals. Subjectively, I can't tell a difference between them and road pedals. Objectively, road pedals are usually heavier, it's more difficult to walk in road shoes, and without covers, the cleats are subject to damage off the bike. On the other hand, road pedals are the choice of those who race or want to look like they race.
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01-01-10, 05:26 AM
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It'll be fine...
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Thanks folks - interesting replies. I'll stick with the SPD's for the meantime, until I get a chance to do a comparison myself.
Happy New Year.
John
Happy New Year.
John
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Recess (aka John)
www.recess.co.uk
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."
Frank Sinatra
Recess (aka John)
www.recess.co.uk
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."
Frank Sinatra
01-01-10, 10:50 AM
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I use spd's on my road bike and I am basically trying to ride for speed over time. I don't think the difference is that big and if you can turn the cranks then that is what counts. The engine is what gets the speed and if you adjust the spd's then you are probably fine. I like the idea I can walk around and clip-in clip out fast, the difference may be less times spent getting your foot on the pedal. Power over time probably comes from spinning the best and simply power to push down on any given stroke I think is less a factor.
