Difference between road and MTB shoes.

[F111]

Do road cycling shoes have any benefit over MTB shoes? Just wondered if the road specific shoes are worth buying when I get a road bike for the R4S this weekend.

[Letum911]

@F111 I can't really give fair comment on this matter. But I do use mtb pedals/shoes on my SS roadbike. As far as I know the road shoes are a bit stiffer than mtb shoes (and of course they are lighter with less tread on the bottom)

[Iwan Kemp]

Usually stiffer, almost no flex as you won't be walking on trails or gravel where you'll need grip, lighter and on average better ventilated as they can afford to have some air intake holes covered with mesh on the bottom as well.

Edited February 10, 2014 by Iwan Kemp

[Cellar]

The real answer, is that the road shoes on a road bike have the most important thing when it comes to road riding. The right image.

 

So, in your case, yes, get the road shoes, shave your legs and get R4k white assos bibs. Enjoy the ride, go fast, go slow, suffer, doesn't matter as long as you look the part.

[Capricorn]

The real answer, is that the road shoes on a road bike have the most important thing when it comes to road riding. The right image.

 

So, in your case, yes, get the road shoes, shave your legs and get R4k white assos bibs. Enjoy the ride, go fast, go slow, suffer, doesn't matter as long as you look the part.

 

hahhha. i know whatchu speak of. My mates slag me badly for rocking MTB clipless pedals. But ihave to admit, it's a shameless nod in the direction of my true love, and the fact i love a super wide platform, and that the MTB pedal is double sided.Useless for the road, but convenient irrespective.

[MrJacques]

Bigger platform / contact area on road shoe / pedal interface. Not sure if it makes a noticeable difference though?

[Cellar]

And just to add the name is different.

 

Well, in all cycling, brand names are all important, in road cycling though, it's the brand name, as well as how much it cost. The more the better.

 

What I mean, is that in mtb, some brands have a certain cachet. In road riding, price is king. As long as you had to take a second bond on your home to buy your kit, it is good. (This is of course after you sold your wife and children to an Arab Prince to buy the actual bike)

[Vetseun]

Walk on a polished tile floor with road shoes then mtb shoes. Then you can tell us if there is a difference.

[Disylizzy]

Biggest difference will be noticeable on the box that the shoes will come in when purchased...

 

...Road shoes will have "Road Shoes" written somewhere on the box and

 

...MTB shoes will have "Mountain Bike Shoes" written somewhere on the box

 

That is all

 

[F111]

Walk on a polished tile floor with road shoes then mtb shoes. Then you can tell us if there is a difference.

One of the reasons I want to only use my MTB shoes. Cannot afford another fall

[Witkop]

Road shoes are designed for only cycling,

whereas mtb shoes allow for some walking and pushing of bikes.

 

The interface (fancy word) between road shoes and the bike is more secure and has greater contact area. This allows for better power transfer and stability when pedalling. MTB shoes uncleat easer and have generous "float"

 

In the end road bike shoes are more efficient on the bike at the cost of being downright dangerous off the bike.

 

also road bike pedals are one sided which makes clipping in under pressure a tad difficult. (this explains the slow starts at road races)

 

So only four types of people will even consider using mtb shoes on a road bike:

 

noobies: these can be ridiculed

 

Cyclo-cross: these cannot be ridiculed as they will probably punch you in the face and ride you off their wheels (they lucky are rare in South Africa)

 

Mtbikers on a road bike, easily identified by baggies, hairy legs and mudded shirts. Like cyclocross riders they are rare but will accept a bit of ragging, but will definitely have a comeback line.

 

Noobie triathletes: just feel pity for them remember the actually will be running in those shoes during transition. Their maths is a bit wonky as the time they saved will be less than what they would have lost on the time trial without proper shoes...........

[camelman]

Do road cycling shoes have any benefit over MTB shoes? Just wondered if the road specific shoes are worth buying when I get a road bike for the R4S this weekend.

If the bike has Shimano or SRAM you are definitely allowed MTB shoes on a road bike.

 

If it has Campy, you will be castrated on the spot.

[android11]

If the bike has Shimano or SRAM you are definitely allowed MTB shoes on a road bike.

 

If it has Campy, you will be castrated on the spot.

As I slowly remove my campy crank to avoid castration

[Gandalf]

What about using Road shoes on a mountainbike? I am pretty sure that I saw a guy on saturday with road shoes and mtb cleats. (maybe I should have my eyes checked)

They have no grip to walk in, so I was wondering if people actually do this? See many people on road bikes with mtb shoes, but it was a first to see road shoes on mtb.