MTB or road bike cleats on a MTB?

[janus123]

Hi

 

I'm going to ride the 94.7 this year with a MTB, fitted with road tyres.

 

What is best - MTB or road cleats ? What is the difference ?

 

I will only be using the cleats on the road. When I'm doing MTB events I will still use the normal pedals.

 

What is the difference between the two, as well as the cost involved ?

 

Thanks

[shaper]

why you bothering with the expense of buying cleats and shoes just for one race?

 

If you are considering moving to cleats in the future for your MTB events, then buy MTB cleats and shoes.

[rouxtjie]

By cleats I take it you referring to shoes...

 

With this assumption, there is no best...best is relative ito application.

 

The short answer is...mtb shoes can be walked in, road shoes can't.

[Alouette3]

Road shoes normally have flat soles so no grip if you decide to take them on the mountain. I've got a set of mountain SPD's I use on my road bike, though I've moved to flats pedals on the mountain and just switch backs to clips if I race.

[janus123]

I was told that cleats instead of normal pedals make a massive difference especially on long distances (not having to use only upper legs)

 

I'm a novice so have no idea.

[Squier]

You can do road events with mtb shoes, but you can't do mtb events with your road shoes, for the reason Rouxtjie mentions above.

 

Why go to the trouble of buying new pedals, shoes and cleats for one race? Benefits would be minimal, if any, for an "average" rider.

[rouxtjie]

I was told that cleats instead of normal pedals make a massive difference especially on long distances (not having to use only upper legs)

 

I'm a novice so have no idea.

Makes a small difference, but fitness and gearing will always trump tech(wheels size / tyre width / gels and spells / cleats or pedals)

 

So with that in mind, tell the person that told you that to go fly a kite, use what you have and enjoy the day...no need to fork out money(2500 for proper road shoes and another 1000 for pedals and cleats).

 

Take the 3500 you saved and buy yourself something lekka, and take wife out for a steak dinner, money much better spent

[Squier]

I was told that cleats instead of normal pedals make a massive difference especially on long distances (not having to use only upper legs)

 

I'm a novice so have no idea.

I think I misunderstood your question.

 

Riding with cleats Vs riding with flat pedals makes a massive difference. Not only do you have pressure on the pedal for the entire rotation but your control of the bike is also much better. I would definitely go for it off I were you. Just spend as much time as you can getting used to clipping out before Sunday. Inevitably you are going to tip over at some point though. It's normal.

[rouxtjie]

I think I misunderstood your question.

 

Riding with cleats Vs riding with flat pedals makes a massive difference. Not only do you have pressure on the pedal for the entire rotation but your control of the bike is also much better. I would definitely go for it off I were you. Just spend as much time as you can getting used to clipping out before Sunday. Inevitably you are going to tip over at some point though. It's normal.

Yea, also misunderstood...mtb cleats <> flats OP. So if you have flats on your mtb, go get yourself some cleats(ask the lbs for mtb cleats, not road cleats). Will help a bit ito using the whole pedal stroke to generate power

[Skubarra]

Yea, also misunderstood...mtb cleats <> flats OP. So if you have flats on your mtb, go get yourself some cleats(ask the lbs for mtb cleats, not road cleats). Will help a bit ito using the whole pedal stroke to generate power

 

I agree in principle but not 6 days before the event.

 

I say ride with what you trained with & what you are used to, then make your switch after the race.

 

I just switched from mtb cleats to road cleats this weekend (i.e. blissfully ignoring my own advice about not making any changes shortly before the race) - personally I didn't notice much of a difference other than that I cramped on the first ride because I was using slightly different muscles. 

[janus123]

Awesome! Thanks all for the advice, hope to see some of you there (among the 33 000 others....)

 

I'm also riding for a purpose - if you want to contribute to my fundraising for abused and abandoned babies, please have a look

 

http://www.givengain.com/activist/128676/projects/9513/

[worriesnot]

I agree in principle but not 6 days before the event.

 

I say ride with what you trained with & what you are used to, then make your switch after the race.

 

I just switched from mtb cleats to road cleats this weekend (i.e. blissfully ignoring my own advice about not making any changes shortly before the race) - personally I didn't notice much of a difference other than that I cramped on the first ride because I was using slightly different muscles. 

 

wholeheartedly agree with that...

OP, jy gaan 10 teen 1 jou mielie afval elke keer wat jy stop.

BTW: ry jy nog die Merida?

[GlockG4]

The way I see it is, if you have a mtb and a road bike, why spend the extra money on road shoes and pedals as well? If you are planning to become a regular rider buy some mtb shoes and cleats, if not stick with flat pedals, I think it would be ok if you buy them now for the weakend ( just my opinion)

[dirtypot]

Question - Apart from being able to walk around in mtb shoes and not really road shoes, is there any other real difference between them?

 

I use road pedals and skoens on my road bike and mountain bike pedals and skoens on the mountain bike, but what's the real difference?  More rigidity on the road shoes?

[Raydek]

Question - Apart from being able to walk around in mtb shoes and not really road shoes, is there any other real difference between them?

 

I use road pedals and skoens on my road bike and mountain bike pedals and skoens on the mountain bike, but what's the real difference?  More rigidity on the road shoes?

 

[rouxtjie]

Question - Apart from being able to walk around in mtb shoes and not really road shoes, is there any other real difference between them?

 

I use road pedals and skoens on my road bike and mountain bike pedals and skoens on the mountain bike, but what's the real difference?  More rigidity on the road shoes?

Generally road setups have less float and a smaller contact area(more even power distribution but less gunk shedding..which you dont have on a roadbike of course)