MTB Cleats on a Road bike??

[LukeV-2]

So, i just bought a road bike. Been an avid MTBer for quite some time. Do i really need to buy the road cleats or can i stick with my smaller cleats? Also easier to walk in and run into the transition area.

 

Any power/speed differences with the bigger cleat?

[mudda]

I have been using mtb cleats on my road bike for two years.

 

I did not want to have two different pairs of shoes.

 

THe contact point with the pedal may be smaller, but there is still 360 degree power available.

 

I cant see that power will be reduced.

[Thomo]

I've seen quite a lot of MTB shoes on road bikes so you should be fine.

(albeit not fashionable )

[LukeV-2]

haha.. its not about fashion, its about the legs.

[nickc]

Used eggbeater MTB pedals on both my road and MTB. 1 x pair of shoes, feel totally confortable when changing from one bike to the other.

[tombeej]

When I bought my road bike, I put mtb pedals on so that I didn't have to buy another set of shoes for no reason. A lot of people do this, so don't worry.

 

If some stuck-up roadie makes a comment when you're out on the road, feel free to come up along side and kick them to the curb

[andretraut]

Nothing wrong with riding a road bike with mtb pedals and shoes, if you can steer clear of Style Man, he will freak! There are however benefits of using a proper road pedal, such as a larger pedal surface which will transform more power to the cranks. My opinion on this is ride with which ever pedal you are comfortable with, and save by only using one pair of shoes.

[LukeV-2]

If some stuck up roadie makes a comment im sure i'll dig deep and find energy somewhere to kick his ass and wait for him at the line. thanks for the help guys. Looking forward to seeing some of you at the road races.

[AndreZA]

I bet you've got bar-ends on your riser bars aswell.

 

Just kidding. You do get road pedals that uses the SPD cleats.

 

PD A520

 

http://www.brauns.com/gcimages/products/shimano-pd-a520.jpg

[Tankman]

That really depends on the stiffness of the shoe. Traditionally mtb shoes had more flex in them to allow for walking. Flex means loss of power transfer to the pedal.

Some top end carbon mtb shoes are probably just as good as their carbon road versions.

 

I doubt that mtb shoes can be lighter than road, there is more that goes into the sole and that piece of metal cleat. Do 1mil revolutions with 150g (or whatever) less per leg and increase your energy efficiency by quite a bit.

[LukeV-2]

http://www.pedalconsumption.com/archives/2010/files/tag-toe-clips.html

 

I was thinking of using these with my all stars.

Edited September 15, 2011 by Fruity

[LukeV-2]

I dont think im going to get that hectic, trying to lose 100 grams or so, i dont see it helping me to win a race.

[splat]

So, i just bought a road bike. Been an avid MTBer for quite some time. Do i really need to buy the road cleats or can i stick with my smaller cleats? Also easier to walk in and run into the transition area.

 

Any power/speed differences with the bigger cleat?

 

It's a bit like bar ends on risers...

Just kidding!

 

If it works for you (convenience and financially) then stick with it. Switching to road shoes won't make you faster.

 

But the road pedal & shoe marketing companies will tell you all about power transfer due to lower stack heights and larger contact areas and all that.

[KnobbyMech]

I have been using mtb cleats on my road bike for two years.

 

I did not want to have two different pairs of shoes.

 

THe contact point with the pedal may be smaller, but there is still 360 degree power available.

 

I cant see that power will be reduced.

 

Also been riding my road bike with mtb shoes. I do think there will be a small advantage riding with road shoes and cleats though (stiffer soles for better power transfer and bigger contact area of cleats), but not enough unless you are not an extremely competitive road racer.

[Breezer]

Used eggbeater MTB pedals on both my road and MTB. 1 x pair of shoes, feel totally confortable when changing from one bike to the other.

I used eggbeaters on my road bike as well, but I used to get a hot spot under both my feet. I changed to road shoes and the problem was gone. Still use the same eggbeater setup with my mtb and do not have a problem.

[nickc]

I used eggbeaters on my road bike as well, but I used to get a hot spot under both my feet. I changed to road shoes and the problem was gone. Still use the same eggbeater setup with my mtb and do not have a problem.

 

Thats a pity, my MTB shoes are very stiff - maybe thats why it works.