Change from SPD MTB to SPD SL cleats?
- Thread starter Rhysito
- Start date
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roadrash
cycle chatterer
- Location
- sitting on the edge of wigan pier
personally I don't think you will notice even a small difference in speed due to changing cleats, and to be honest I cant see why anyone would expect there to be , you may notice a difference in comfort either for the better or worse. some people can suffer hot spot on the sole of feet when using spd, but seeing as you have used them for ten years I cant see it affecting you, …... oh and happy cycling on your hols
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
+1. I've done a mere 365km in one day on SPDs, and a few tours of that mileage or more. Absolutely no problems whatsoever, and you won't be doing any tottering around at stops.
Heltor Chasca
Out-riding the Black Dog
All my long distance rides are done in SPDs.
500km+ in a day with no issue other than a desire to eat my own shoe leather.
500km+ in a day with no issue other than a desire to eat my own shoe leather.
briantrumpet
Legendary Member
- Location
- Devon & Die
Another "don't bother to change" from me. As long as you've got decently stiff SPD shoes, they're fine for as far as you are ever likely to ride. The cleats and pedals last for nearly ever, and are as cheap as chips. And yes, you can walk normally in them. Ignore the marketing... because that's all it is.
I reckon Shimano realised they'd screwed up by designing something that was both good and hardly ever wears out, so they designed something that wore out ten times more quickly, and then had to come up with a gimmick for making out that they would be better for road riding...
I reckon Shimano realised they'd screwed up by designing something that was both good and hardly ever wears out, so they designed something that wore out ten times more quickly, and then had to come up with a gimmick for making out that they would be better for road riding...
Jenkins
Legendary Member
- Location
- Felixstowe
Added to the above, unless you already have the three bolt system on another bike, you've got to find a new pair of shoes that fit and are comfortable, break them in and adjusting the cleat position until you find the position that suits.
If what you've got works for you currently, why change?
If what you've got works for you currently, why change?
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Don't bother. Simple !!
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
I have seen articles that say the extra power gain is so minimal that unless your a pro then dont bother changing , just work with whatever system you like .Some say that road shoes are stiffer but a good pair of spd shoes are plenty stiff enough for power transfer
I use spd for commuting and on a sunday i do 100km + rides as well as the occasional 100 mile ride and i have never had any issues, i do use single sided spd A600 or A520 pedals on those as they do give you a bigger platform , if you prefer double sided m530s are a good compromise .I do use m520s for commuting for ease of double sided and there cheap
I use spd for commuting and on a sunday i do 100km + rides as well as the occasional 100 mile ride and i have never had any issues, i do use single sided spd A600 or A520 pedals on those as they do give you a bigger platform , if you prefer double sided m530s are a good compromise .I do use m520s for commuting for ease of double sided and there cheap
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
thats another bonus i have 4 bikes and erm 4 pairs of shoes all using the same system which makes mix and match easy rather than having certain shoes for certain bikes .
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
I wouldn't bother either.
rogerzilla
Legendary Member
I use both. The SPD-SL pedals are a little better for riding in, being more secure and with a much larger shoe interface. They are truly awful for walking, and nowhere near as easy to clip in when starting off.
I'm comparing them to the standard SPD black cleats - I've never used the silver "sissy cleats", as MTBers call them.
I'm comparing them to the standard SPD black cleats - I've never used the silver "sissy cleats", as MTBers call them.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
To change at this late date could be problematic, if you are used to clipping in with dual sided spd's, you'll have to learn to clip in again with single sided SPD-SL
themosquitoking
Guru
- Location
- Spain
I changed from spd to spd sl just before a long ride, maybe two or three rides out beforehand, but I was suffering from foot pain in the two bolt system and needed to do something to make sure I could complete. If you don't get pain don't change.
