UKC

Hi all,

After a bit of advice from the UKC knowledge bank.

I'm thinking of trying SPDs on my road bike for commuting and would like to put them on my MTB as well. A little web research seems to show a difference between road and MTB shoes, my question is is there a good reason for this or are there any sets that would be suibtable for both styles?

In reply to spearing05:

Basically as long as you are not road racing at a high standard mountain bike SPD shoes will be fine for both.

Road shoes are stiffer and the cleat is not recessed for walking (and it is a different cleat I think)

With a bit of hunting you should be able to pick up a decent set of shoes for £50 ish. Shimano shoes are good but sized very small.

In reply to spearing05:

and check out these for some top value pedals: http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/save-over-10-shimano-pd-m505-spd-includ...

In reply to spearing05: I put shimano mtn bike SPD's on my road cycle and mountain bike. I was able to put the cleats on my road shoes as well as my mtn bike shoes; both also shimano though I use my mtn bike shoes most of the time due to the recess cleat!

http://www.pictoncycles.co.uk/shimano-spd-pedal-pdm520-10-0ff-rrp/product_i...

In reply to spearing05:

MTB pedals have a smaller cleat that is less likely to get filled with mud, and leaves most of the shoe unaffected for walking.

Road clipless have a big, stable platform pedal (by comparison), a huge cleat and the shoes are typically stiffer, allowing more efficient power transfer. However, they are a complete bitch to walk in and are normally more expensive for both shoes and pedals.

For commuting, you'll probably be happier with MTB pedals and shoes, particularly as you intend to use them on the MTB as well. Road clipless for commuting can be quite a bad idea, as stopping at lights etc. can cause a lot of cleat wear as you clip in/out and put feet down at lights.

In reply to spearing05: Thanks for all the help people, will look at MTB cleats then though stopping regularly is not a problem on my commute which is largely bypass and tarmaced(?) cycle track - only 2 sets of traffic lights in 12 miles.

In reply to spearing05:

Perhaps consider touring pedals for the road bike? Something like these:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/Road-Bike-Pedals-Shimano-C...

They'd be a good compromise; lighter and with better support than MTB pedals but would allow you to use the same cleats/shoes on both bikes.

Rob