What First Time SPD Shoes for road use
Discussion
Not necessarily what you have asked - but just something to consider:
I bought some Specialized BG Sport's which are a MTB shoe, as I commute on my road bike. The reason for this was that the MTB shoes tend to have a recessed cleat, with something akin to a tread around them. This makes walking in them easier when you aren't on the bike, and protects both the bottom of the shoe and the cleat itself when you have to put your feet down.
I've got Shimano MTB SPD pedals to match (obviously), and I got some Shimano SPD pedal adapters which allow you to ride without your SPD shoes. Although as okgo has said - in reality if you wanted this functioanlity, just buy a different pedal at the time!
I bought some Specialized BG Sport's which are a MTB shoe, as I commute on my road bike. The reason for this was that the MTB shoes tend to have a recessed cleat, with something akin to a tread around them. This makes walking in them easier when you aren't on the bike, and protects both the bottom of the shoe and the cleat itself when you have to put your feet down.
I've got Shimano MTB SPD pedals to match (obviously), and I got some Shimano SPD pedal adapters which allow you to ride without your SPD shoes. Although as okgo has said - in reality if you wanted this functioanlity, just buy a different pedal at the time!
The pedal / spd combo is a good shout, especially if you're going to use it for pub runs and things.
When it comes to shoes, I have Sidi ones, and have had them for about 7 years. When I put them on, they just felt right. It's weird, but I've never had a more comfortable pair of shoes.
They'd be s
te for anything other than cycling though, and they are very stiff plastic in most of them.
Get ones that are well ventilated, and some winter overshoes to keep warm and dry in crap weather.
When it comes to shoes, I have Sidi ones, and have had them for about 7 years. When I put them on, they just felt right. It's weird, but I've never had a more comfortable pair of shoes.
They'd be s
te for anything other than cycling though, and they are very stiff plastic in most of them.Get ones that are well ventilated, and some winter overshoes to keep warm and dry in crap weather.
Very difficult to get first ones to try them as they aren't exactly cheap.
Definitely agree on the SPD one side, flat on the other idea which instantly limits pedal choice. eBay is almost alway the cheapest way to get pedals.
As for shoes, I got mine from Aldi/Lidl the first time I tried them. Nice and cheap but haven't seen them on offer for a while. Whatever you do make sure they fit well. Badly fitting shoes are worse than not having any and will mean you'll have to spend more sooner than you thought.
Be prepared, you're almost guaranteed to have a clipless fall on your first few rides. Everyone gets the panic moment at some point and twisting your foot will go right out the window. Almost happened to me last night after years of using them! My entry to the clipless world was with a first fall at traffic lights - track stand and when I pulled off the chain had come off, no drive - bang! Second one was another track stand when I realised I had toe overlap (front of my toe overlaps the front wheel was turned to the left and when I straightened it up my toes were in the way) not done much trackstanding since unless on the mtb!
Definitely agree on the SPD one side, flat on the other idea which instantly limits pedal choice. eBay is almost alway the cheapest way to get pedals.
As for shoes, I got mine from Aldi/Lidl the first time I tried them. Nice and cheap but haven't seen them on offer for a while. Whatever you do make sure they fit well. Badly fitting shoes are worse than not having any and will mean you'll have to spend more sooner than you thought.
Be prepared, you're almost guaranteed to have a clipless fall on your first few rides. Everyone gets the panic moment at some point and twisting your foot will go right out the window. Almost happened to me last night after years of using them! My entry to the clipless world was with a first fall at traffic lights - track stand and when I pulled off the chain had come off, no drive - bang! Second one was another track stand when I realised I had toe overlap (front of my toe overlaps the front wheel was turned to the left and when I straightened it up my toes were in the way) not done much trackstanding since unless on the mtb!
I have A530's on my bike at the moment and am very happy with them, I use the SPD side 90% of the time but appreciate having the flat side for rides to friends/pub/shops/etc.
I also like the fact that they don't look like MTB pedals, which always look a little bit odd on a road bike.
For the type of riding I do, switching to "proper" road pedals would involve more disadvantages than benefits.
I also like the fact that they don't look like MTB pedals, which always look a little bit odd on a road bike.
For the type of riding I do, switching to "proper" road pedals would involve more disadvantages than benefits.
Slight thread hijack - I'm also looking for my first set of spd/shoes to make the commute a little more efficient.
I don't really want to by online (had bad experiences with getting well fitting comfortable shoes in the past). Can anybody recommend somewhere in the Northants/Cambs area that has a good range of shoes to try. My LBS only has a couple of different pairs in stock.
Cheers.
I don't really want to by online (had bad experiences with getting well fitting comfortable shoes in the past). Can anybody recommend somewhere in the Northants/Cambs area that has a good range of shoes to try. My LBS only has a couple of different pairs in stock.
Cheers.
The difference is mainly down to the shoes. SPD shoes (apart from full-on race shoes) don't normally have stiff enough soles.
The bigger platform has nothing to do with climbing, it is to do with maximising power transfer and eliminating hotspots as the pressure from the sole of the shoe is spread out over a wider area thus less susceptible in causing nerve problems in the foot.
SPD +
Easy to use
Double sided
Recessed cleats for better walking in cycling shoes
SPD -
Heavy
Small contact area so less efficient in transferring power from the shoe, plus can create hotspots as above
Road +
Lightweight
Large contact area
Road -
Single sided
Exposed cleats makes walking difficult
The bigger platform has nothing to do with climbing, it is to do with maximising power transfer and eliminating hotspots as the pressure from the sole of the shoe is spread out over a wider area thus less susceptible in causing nerve problems in the foot.
SPD +
Easy to use
Double sided
Recessed cleats for better walking in cycling shoes
SPD -
Heavy
Small contact area so less efficient in transferring power from the shoe, plus can create hotspots as above
Road +
Lightweight
Large contact area
Road -
Single sided
Exposed cleats makes walking difficult
OP for road shoes that work with SPD pedals I've got a pair of Shimano RT51 which are very good and can be found for as little as £35 in obscure sizes, otherwise about £50. Buy a size up from what you normally take though, and it's not a bad idea to try them in a shop before buying if you can, as Shimano shoes come up pretty small.
For pedals, something like Shimano A530 should do the trick.
There's also the problem with hotspots on long rides from SPD pedals due to the small contact area compared with the 3 point fixing and larger platform of road pedals.
For pedals, something like Shimano A530 should do the trick.
okgo said:
Go on then, tell me what the differences are aside from the "bigger platform so more stable for climbing" line, which as I said with decent shoes almost is not relevant.
They offer more float options, that for me is one of the only advantages.
Well there's rotational weight for starters. An SPD shoe with a sole thick enough for a recessed metal cleat is never going to be as light as a wafer thin carbon soled disco slipper with a plastic cleat. I changed from Shimano MT90 boots and M324 single sided pedals to the above shoes and M520 pedals and it no longer felt like I was trying to pedal through treacle. Switching to my road bike with Sidi shoes and Record Ti pedals and the difference in how "heavy" my feet feel goes up by another factor yet again.They offer more float options, that for me is one of the only advantages.
There's also the problem with hotspots on long rides from SPD pedals due to the small contact area compared with the 3 point fixing and larger platform of road pedals.
I used shimano m520s, they came with a clip in flat surface, so I used that for a few months to get confidence... ok, probably the better part of a year 
remove the clip in flat surface (3 min job), presto double sided ones.
As for this weight saving etc nonsense, meh. My bike is for commuting and for fun, any change in pedals weight would be far less influential than what work clothes I'd chosen to take to change into. If I was racing.. It's a hell of a lot easier, cheaper and has other benefits to lose weight off the body than the bike. I take great delight in scalping roadies on their carbon time trial bikes when I'm out with my mudguards and my pannier rack
remove the clip in flat surface (3 min job), presto double sided ones. As for this weight saving etc nonsense, meh. My bike is for commuting and for fun, any change in pedals weight would be far less influential than what work clothes I'd chosen to take to change into. If I was racing.. It's a hell of a lot easier, cheaper and has other benefits to lose weight off the body than the bike. I take great delight in scalping roadies on their carbon time trial bikes when I'm out with my mudguards and my pannier rack
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff