Road pedals

[J4CKO]

My new bike is due in May, currently use MTB pedals, Shimano M520s with MTB shoes but obviously will need to buy some pedals and probably shoes as mine are looking a bit doggy and dont smell so great either.

Shall I just replace like for like, and used to them or am I missing anything not using specific road shoes and some other system ?

[okgo]

Look/Speedplay/SPD-SL all have a large contact point (well speed play don't as such, but the cleat is large) and will over a more stable and solid platform. Shoes are stiffer, lighter, look better etc.

I'm sure in the real world the performance is negligible but I it did feel nicer to me when I switched from your setup to LOOK with proper road shoes.

[Gary29]

I run 'MTB' SPDs on my road bike and my MTBs, I have ran SPD-SL on the road bike previously, but I changed and it never made any difference to me, done 1000's of miles on both types.

Personally I think it's a con by the cycling industry that you need different pedals for road and mtb, unless you get into the upper echelons of racing etc where every gram and aero counts.

[mike80]

Gary29 said:

I run 'MTB' SPDs on my road bike and my MTBs, I have ran SPD-SL on the road bike previously, but I changed and it never made any difference to me, done 1000's of miles on both types.

Personally I think it's a con by the cycling industry that you need different pedals for road and mtb, unless you get into the upper echelons of racing etc where every gram and aero counts.

Agreed, I don't think it makes a massive difference, not at my level anyway. I had SPD and "mountain bike" shoes on my first road bike as they were cheaper. Only changed to SPD-SL as my wife bought me some fancy carbon soled shoes for my birthday.

[jesusbuiltmycar]

I use Speedplays - they have the benefit that you can clip in both sides.

[Nomadic Mind]

I run MTB Shimano XT on my gravel bike and have Shimano 105 road pedals on (oddly enough) the road bike. Both Treks. Both pampered! I'd cycle all day everyday if my body would let me....

I digress.

In all honesty? I would 100% never get road pedals again. Unless (as already stated) you are a serious pro into saving / making every watt generated count the advantages just aren't there for average to good recreational cyclists that most of us are.

Road pedals are fine when riding, but get off the bike (and you will) for anything and you penguin walk / slip etc. Just annoying. Hop off with MTB's and you can wander around at leisure.

I'm even coming away from Lycra on the gravel bike now - decent shorts / looser top from somewhere like Morvello (Overland range) is a much more practical place to be for many happy hours in the saddle.

Enjoy the new bike OP whatever you go for....

[okgo]

To be honest, 99% of people that ride road bikes use road shoes and pedals. So I wouldn't put too much stock in the 'have to be a pro' etc.

[jesusbuiltmycar]

You could always just use MTB pedals, I doubt that read pedals will make you any faster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykU99jLIFgg

[Gin and Ultrasonic]

I've got Shimano SPD-SL pedals on my road bikes (carbon 105 on good bike, R540 on winter / commuting bike) and they are great when you're moving, keeping your feet securely in the right place, with a wide platform and generally stiff-soled shoes making you feel well connected to the bike.

If you're planning on mainly going for 100 mile rides in the country or going up Ventoux they are great. If you're mainly doing shortish rides with a lot of clipping and unclipping they can be a bit of a pain - clipping in isn't really guaranteed which means semi one-legged pedalling until you get to a safe spot to retry, and you'll wear through your cleats quicker clipping in and out / walking.

I would say that the Shimano SPD-SL pedals last for ages. I've had one set on bikes for about 8 years and never done any maintenance other than giving them a wipe and an occasional spray of bike maintenance stuff, and they still spin freely and don't make any noise.

Sorry, I've not used SPD pedals, so can't compare.

[Dnlm]

Gin and Ultrasonic said:

If you're planning on mainly going for 100 mile rides in the country or going up Ventoux they are great. If you're mainly doing shortish rides with a lot of clipping and unclipping they can be a bit of a pain - clipping in isn't really guaranteed which means semi one-legged pedalling until you get to a safe spot to retry, and you'll wear through your cleats quicker clipping in and out / walking.

I'd say this but 30 mile + outside the city (rather than 100) and road is better. Have double sided SPD's on commute/winter bikes, go for a long ride on them and foot get numb, never quite feels as well connected when putting effort in, and yes "power transfer" is better. Very happy whenever going back to Look's on the summer bike.

[okgo]

The commuting thing is right.

By the end of a few years commuting 17 miles into London from Z6>1 (you can imagine how many lights there were) I got very good at trackstanding/using railings/poles/whatever to lean on instead of unclipping. I used the bike for training too so it did need proper pedals on it, but if ALL you do on a bike is commute and you live urban then I would agree that double sided SPD is the way to go.

[IJWS15]

Do you cycle after dusk?

Reflectors come on flats and can be fitted to Shimano road pedals, don't know about any others.

[gazza285]

SPD pedals on all my bikes now, double sided on anything off road/commuter based, and single sided on the sporty bikes.

If you get numb feet using SPD pedals I would be looking at changing your shoes, rather than the pedal type.

[outnumbered]

I used to use MTB format SPDs on my winter road bike, but got fed up with continual squeaking/creaking from the cleats. So I switched to Keos on that one as well.

[Fastpedeller]

M520's are (probably) the most prolific pedal out there - for MTB's or 'racers'. If Andy Wilkinson can break all those records using MTB pedals, then that's proof enough for me! After climbing off the bike it's better to be able to actually walk without falling over.

[Donbot]

My road bike was fitted with an Ultegra groupset. Being a tart I bought the pedals to match.

I wouldn't say they are massively better than the £20 Shimano ones I have on my other bike.

[numtumfutunch]

Confession time first, don't judge me , however I generally do as many miles on two wheels per year as I do on four

MTB. Obvs MTB pedal and cleat system as you can actually walk round obstacles, open gates and unclip rapidly when it all goes wrong

Gravel. Same really

Commuter. MTB with single sided pedal. Offers better platform but when you get to work can actually walk from car park to office and)or around town when shopping

Road. Formal road system with sticky out cleats you can't walk far in. Very stable platform and no fear of accidentally unclipping even when mashing out of saddle on a stupid steep climb

If I'm being honest I could probably manage on road with Shimano A600 equivalent commuter pedals if they still do them but definitely prefer the full SL road system

Cheers

[Paul Drawmer]

M520s on two road bikes and turbo trainer.

I'm happy to be able clip in easily, and also walk if needed.

I can't imagine any situation where any single sided pedal would be better. shoes/bikes all interchangeable.

Speedplays would be lovely, but not worth the investment for me.

[J4CKO]

Think I will stick with the tried and trusted, jut wanted to check when I have the opportunity whether its worth a change and doesnt seem like for me it will make any difference, been dead happy with the MTB pedals and shoes so will stick to that formula.

[flight147z]

I ran SPD's on my first road bike for 6,000 miles and I've ran SPD-SL's on my second road bike for the best part of 11,500 miles

SPD's are a lot easier to clip in and out of, even after the miles that I've done on the SL's I still find them harder to work with. I've noticed any real difference with power transfer or anything like that (although when first switching to SL's the float/lateral movement feels odd, you get used to it though). I noticed far more difference moving to a better pair of shoes with properly stiff soles (after doing so I'd definitely recommend investing in a decent pair of shoes!)

I ran time pedals for about 500 miles at one point, avoid at all costs, they are awful compared to Shimano (albeit very cheap and light!)