Road or MTB pedals and shoes for road bike beginner?

[beanzontoast]

I've heard that for beginners on a road bike (me) mtb pedals - being double-sided - are possibly worth considering compared to single-sided road pedals.

Anyone using these pedals on their road bike? What pedal/shoe combinations are you using?

And if people think road pedals/shoes are better even for a beginner, what (not too expensive please!) pedal/shoe combinations would you recommend instead?

 

[vickster]

I have Shimano M520 on my carbon bike with SPD shoes (I use Specialized Sonoma, comfy and easy to walk around in). I have SPD/flat A600 on my Genesis. I prefer the double sided SPD, no faffing at lights but as the A600 pedals were expensive, I will keep them even though I never ride in flat shoes (uncomfortable on that pedal)

SPD-SL type are very hard to walk in, especially on a hard/smooth surface but they are all similar in operation ultimately

Presume you've read the very long clipless FAQ in the beginners section

 

[Apollonius]

I am the only person in our club who rides on SL road type pedals and cleats. Most people prefer to use the mountain-bike type SPDs as they are recessed and are easier to walk on. They work in very similar ways, but I prefer the SLs as they spread the pressure wider and I think they release a bit easier. I am always the last one to release anyway! I also avoid walking at all costs!
I think there is a better range of shoes available for SLs too, but the SPD ones tend to be cheaper.

 

[helston90]

As mentioned the MTB ones have the added advantage of being able to walk in- so you need to ask yourself if this is a requirement. I commute on my road bike so have stuck with a combination allowing me to walk across the car park/ through reception and upstairs.

 

[stevey]

I wear these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-xc30-spd-mountain-bike-shoes/?sku=5360537156
Coupled with these pedals http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals/

I have found them to be more than adequate for my needs, Also have others have mentioned easier to walk in as well

 

[lesley_x]

I wear Louis Garneau MTB shoes with Shimano M424 pedals.

I like the shoes because they are easy to walk in. I use my bike for shopping etc so this is pretty important.

I like the pedals because they're double sided, you can set the tension pretty low so really easy to use, the broad platform means if you can't get clipped in you can keep cycling until you do, also you could do short journeys in flats. Not the nicest looking pedal but they suit me perfectly and when they're under your feet it doesn't matter what they look like

 

[Bryony]

I use m520 SPDs on my road bike because the shoes are so easy to walk in because of the recessed cleats and I find them really easy to clip in and unclip.

 

[ColinJ]

I have been riding Shimano M520s on both of my road bikes and also my MTB.

I do like being able to walk about safely in my SPD shoes, but I am going to put my Look Delta pedals back on my Cannondale. I have a pair of stiff-soled Sidi road shoes which are not currently being used, and the combination of those soles and the bigger Look cleat platform is slightly more comfortable than the SPD pedals and shoes.

 

[AndyWilliams]

This thread may answer some questions - http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/who-rides-in-basic-trainers.161322/

 

[Kestevan]

Personally I find that the smaller contact patch on the spd shoes I have can cause an unpleasant, tingling/burning sensation in the sole of my feetafter long rides, which I never experience with the SPD-SL

I'm more than willing to accept that this is likely to be down to the more flexible shoes rather than the super stiff Sidi SPD-SL shoes.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I went for the A530's because I wanted the option to ride in flats. I'm not sure I'd bother next time because the flat side isn't a great pedal and the more I ride the bike the more I realise it just isn't going to happen. Still getting the correct side of the pedal is easy enough and I got used to them very quickly. Also the single side has proved useful in traffic when I've not wanted to accidentally clip back in.

I use a Mavic Rush shoe which I'm happy enough with but would probably try and get something without Velcro straps next time. I'm primarily commuting and I need to be able to walk the best part of a mile (length of the site and back) between where I leave the bike and my office so the cleats had to be recessed, even then they clack away on the road a bit and I do my best to use the flattest bits of pavement. Having said that they aren't looking that bad so far. They release in both directions (and possibly straight up if you yank them hard enough in a panic) which has saved me from a couple of clipless moments which was nice.

I can't see me moving away from this style of cleat purely because they are so versatile.

 

[I like Skol]

SPD pedals on my MTB, Hybrid and road bike. My son has also just started with clipless and instantly preferred SPD pedals in comparison with Look delta pedals so has M520s on his MTB and roadbike

 

[stevey]

Personally I find that the smaller contact patch on the spd shoes I have can cause an unpleasant, tingling/burning sensation in the sole of my feetafter long rides, which I never experience with the SPD-SL

I'm more than willing to accept that this is likely to be down to the more flexible shoes rather than the super stiff Sidi SPD-SL shoes.

Mmm i think in the not to distant future i will be swapping over to SPD from SL

 

[vickster]

Think carefully if you need to walk anywhere...

 

[stevey]

Think carefully if you need to walk anywhere...

They will be used purely for weekend riding and i'll stick to SPD-SL for any other riding (commuting etc)