anybody else use SPD pedals for their Road Bike?
12-05-12, 10:34 AM
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They are different than an SPD cleat, but appear similar. The cleat comes with the pedal, and controls float. So you get two sets of cleats with the pedals, from memory I think they are 7 deg and 15 deg float but I could be way off. There is no tension adjustment in the pedal, and I have found them to be a very simple system.
Not a thing wrong about SPD's and "MTB" shoes on a road bike. Unless you are concerned about gaining style points. I consider them touring shoes. I use Specialized Sport Mountain shoes on my road bike. They look like road shoes except for the tread on the bottom. For more casual usage, I have several pairs of other SPD shoes that don't look as much like bike shoes.
12-05-12, 10:37 AM
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They are not interchangeable with SPD, so both bikes would require the same pedal. Sorry if I missed that cross-over requirement in your initial post.
12-05-12, 10:40 AM
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SPD's on all 4 bikes, SIDI carbon mtb shoes. Only one pair of shoes to deal with and I hate trying to walk in road shoes.
12-05-12, 10:42 AM
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The commonest setup in the road groups I ride with is some sort of SPD and Sidi Dominators.
12-05-12, 11:11 AM
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I use some old Shimano look-alike SPD pedals that came on my KHS when I bought it in 2006, but never used them, until now on my road bike. Also use some Bontrager MTB shoes that look more like road shoes but have a pronounced plastic "tread" on the bottom that keeps the cleat off the floor most of the time.
The shoes are still annoying to walk around in due to being so stiff. I'd like to find some more "outdoorsy" type shoes with a rubber sole/tread that will accept SPD cleats for those times when I know I'll be out and about off the bike.
The shoes are still annoying to walk around in due to being so stiff. I'd like to find some more "outdoorsy" type shoes with a rubber sole/tread that will accept SPD cleats for those times when I know I'll be out and about off the bike.
12-05-12, 11:18 AM
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Absolutely SWEAR by my SPD's on my road bike! I tried switching to roadie pedals, but went right back. I rode Alpe d'Huez, Col du Lautaret and Col du Galibier with them and had no problems at all - I figure if they're good enough for the Alps, they're good anywhere! Yeah, I give up roadie fashionista points, but I'm more of a substance-over-style girl 
12-05-12, 11:38 AM
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I use A520s on my carbon rode bike. I've brought it to the highest pavement on Mt Rainier, Mt Baker, and over six or seven mountain passes. Sometimes I run out of water and have to scramble down to a creek for more; that's when I appreciate decent shoes the most.
(That's a water purifier hanging from my saddle.)
(That's a water purifier hanging from my saddle.)
12-05-12, 11:40 AM
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I have TIME ATACs on all my bicycles. I love them. I also like walking in MTB shoes better. Photo by Matt Alloy aka Motomatt.
Last edited by BykOfALesserGod; 12-05-12 at 11:42 AM. Reason: Photo credit
12-05-12, 11:56 AM
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It's a little fredly, but sure. My daily driver road bike has 20ish year old single sided Ultegra SPDs (the white and purple ones). They work really well.
Hot spots can be an issue, but with reasonably stiff soles and good insoles it's been ok.
Hot spots can be an issue, but with reasonably stiff soles and good insoles it's been ok.
12-05-12, 12:42 PM
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I currently have 3 bikes (fixie, cyclocross) and I FINALLY bought a new carbon road bike. I bought a pair of road shoes/LOOK pedals, but I JUST HATE not being able to walk around. (I do that a LOT mid-ride).
I don't race, but go on 50+ mile rides every other day with tons of hills so I bought a light and stiff carbon bike. The SPDs on the cross have a TON of flex, and even with the super stiff BB, I feel them ruining the ride.
Any suggestions for stiffer/lighter SPD pedals for road use? How about these?
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A60...ords=spd+pedal
I'd ideally like a double-sided pedal but it's not a deal breaker.
I don't race, but go on 50+ mile rides every other day with tons of hills so I bought a light and stiff carbon bike. The SPDs on the cross have a TON of flex, and even with the super stiff BB, I feel them ruining the ride.
Any suggestions for stiffer/lighter SPD pedals for road use? How about these?
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A60...ords=spd+pedal
I'd ideally like a double-sided pedal but it's not a deal breaker.
Like others have said, you can buy high quality MTB /treaded shoes that are as stiff as any road shoe. Just one example, high end Sidi shoes have the same sole, the MTB ones simply have tread added.
But if you're talking about flexy SPD pedals - I've never heard of that before and just can't imagine it, having never experienced it - and I've owned "real" good quality upper end Shimano brand SPD's and also cheap (Wellgo) SPDs. Never experienced flex in the pedal.
12-05-12, 01:55 PM
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The only downside to spd pedals in my opinion is their locking mechanism, it its not as secure as spd-sl our look keo systems. They do allow you to walk on them paired with the right shoe, but a stiff mtn bike shoe is going to be slightly better than a road shoe. I use keo pedals myself but if you are a bigger guy, that loves to sprint, and already have 3 bolt pattern shoes just swap to shimano spd-sl they offer the same stiffness, and advantages of a road pedal and are slightly easier to walks on because of the grip surfaces.
12-05-12, 02:13 PM
#40
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Guess I'll jump in too. Speedplay Frogs on my Giant paired with Sidi's. In the past 9 years, no one has ever said a word to me about 'em. Walking no issue and no worries riding.
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12-05-12, 02:20 PM
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They are different than an SPD cleat, but appear similar. The cleat comes with the pedal, and controls float. So you get two sets of cleats with the pedals, from memory I think they are 7 deg and 15 deg float but I could be way off. There is no tension adjustment in the pedal, and I have found them to be a very simple system.
12-05-12, 02:25 PM
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The only downside to spd pedals in my opinion is their locking mechanism, it its not as secure as spd-sl our look keo systems. They do allow you to walk on them paired with the right shoe, but a stiff mtn bike shoe is going to be slightly better than a road shoe. I use keo pedals myself but if you are a bigger guy, that loves to sprint, and already have 3 bolt pattern shoes just swap to shimano spd-sl they offer the same stiffness, and advantages of a road pedal and are slightly easier to walks on because of the grip surfaces.
12-05-12, 03:38 PM
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sorry no experience with blue burger place. thread on a stiff sole shoe will not give you great traction on a wet or slippery floor, although it might be better than spd-sls. mountain cleats are meant have a easy disengagement compared to keos or spd-sl. for 99% percent of road riding mtb shoes do not offer any benefits.
12-05-12, 03:52 PM
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I was using SPD's on my errand/bar commuter bike until they got stolen! Damn thieving bastards!
12-05-12, 06:26 PM
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12-05-12, 09:11 PM
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Originally Posted by cplager 
I think it's pretty common to use SPD and mountain bike shoes on a road bike. It makes walking around much easier. And if you are on a hilly area and need to get a foot down quickly, it's nice to have shoes that will give you some traction.
What he said.
I think it's pretty common to use SPD and mountain bike shoes on a road bike. It makes walking around much easier. And if you are on a hilly area and need to get a foot down quickly, it's nice to have shoes that will give you some traction.What he said.