SPD pedals

[slysi]

Sooooooooo............I have been riding my MTB off and on over the past two years. I recently finished my first 94.7 and I must say that I enjoyed the road, albeit a bit slowly. I wondered if riding a road bike instead of my MTB with slicks would make any difference?? Probably not.

 

Anyway to cut a long story short I have entered the Argus and The Fast One for next year and I consequently decided to add a road bike to my garage. I am now the lucky owner of a Raleigh RC3000.

 

The question I have is around pedal choice. I obviously have SPD pedals on my MTB and therefore did not want to go to the expense of buying another pair of shoes and cleats just for the road bike. The Raleigh came with a set of clipless pedals. I replaced them with Shimano SPD pedals.

 

So what exactly is the difference between a SPD pedals and a run of the mill clipless pedal? I have not seen many road bikes with SPD pedals. Should I have spent the extra money and got different shoes and cleats?

 

 

 

[levett]

I also went the same route as you (and got my Road Bike for the Argus last year) - I use MTB SPD pedals on my Road Bike (you can get 'light ones specifically forthe road) and you can get road shoes that accept MTB SPD cleats.

 

I liked the idea of only having to get used to one 'interface'/method of clipping in and out.

 

you see a lot of MTB SPD pedals on Road Bikes - oh and you can walk better!

[Aquatic]

I think it was a good idea putting the spd's, considering you new to the road bike.Once you use to the rc3000 and putting more training time on it, you can decide if you want road pedals

[slysi]

Thanks guys. Do road pedals make a difference though?

[Dealer01]

 

Thanks guys. Do road pedals make a difference though?

 

It does.

 

[mountain_lion]

 

Thanks guys. Do road pedals make a difference though?

 

It does.

 

How ?

 

(I also have SPDs on my RC3000, which only gets used only every now and again; she must be very jealous of the MTB standing next to her... )

 

 

[CAAD4]

I have a mate who rides with SPD pedals on both bikes. He likes the comfortable MTB shoes and the fact that he can walk normally. He also did a 2:55 94.7 with his MTB shoes on his road bike. It makes no difference to him.

[slysi]

 

Thanks guys. Do road pedals make a difference though?

 

It does.

 

Why?

 

 

[dollar]

Ha Ha - some of those okes could have worn wellies without it making much difference.

 

Now, in my case I need all the help I can get. Road pedals do seem to feel better though?

 

[Dealer01]

Stiffer more aerodynamic shoe, bigger/wider platform pedal gets more power transferred with each pedal stroke. FACT!!

[TNT1]

More aerodynamic shoe? Fact? Really?

[Slowbee]

 

More aerodynamic shoe? Fact? Really?

 

yes, and you go faster with socks on your shoes, actually socks upto your knees

 

[cyclenut]

SPD's on a road bike may give you a burning sensation on the soles of your feet - aka Hot Spot - caused by the small area of pedal to foot ... road cleats allow for a wider transfer of pressure - reducing the burning sensation.

You can use either - but both are deisgned for specific purposes and should be used accordingly.

[TNT1]

 

More aerodynamic shoe? Fact? Really?

 

yes' date=' and you go faster with socks on your shoes, actually socks upto your knees

[/quote']

 

Now that, I'd believe

 

[kosmonooit]

I am sure there are some benefits but since I mainly do mtb I fitted SPD's to my roadbike and will stick to that for now although I realise many a thoroughbred roadie will scoff

Also one benenfit is that you can walk fine in SPD shoes ?

[Flowta]

 

Stiffer more aerodynamic shoe' date=' bigger/wider platform pedal gets more power transferred with each pedal stroke. FACT!!

[/quote']

 

The power transfer will be the same as the force being exerted is the same.

 

The pressure on the foot will be bigger due to the smaller area. Hence more chance of "hot-foot".

 

I use them on my road bike, as I ride the MTB more. Haven't had a problem with them.