Spd-sl over MTB spd pedals, but why?

[Andrew_Culture]

Following advice on here I started my clipless journey with mtb spd pedals and love them, but I know the general consensus (or just my perception of comments on here) that spd-sl pedals are better for road bikes.

But why?

 

[vickster]

Maybe some answers here http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/clipless-pedals-faq.74358/

Stiffness and light? And no need to walk if riding a roadbike apparently?

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Thanks, I forgot about that thread! From the looks of it I'm in no rush to change to spd-sl, and I might well put some double sized SPDs on my MTB.

 

[HLaB]

I ride in Spd's with a stiff light shoes (spesh bg mtb sports) and pedals with a decent cage for comfort (A520s) and that AFAIC that the main benefits of spd-sls (and other road shoe/pedals) and I'm getting that with spd's and its a lot easier for walking

 

[Gez73]

I have double sided MTB spd pedals on my drop bar commuter and I think they're brilliant. I do need to walk from the bike to work and indoors too a little when I get there so recessed cleats on a mbt style shoe are ideal for me. I also use a pair of single sided pedals on my winter commuter, that's slightly trickier to find the clip but still better than not using clips at all and handy when in standing traffic and for avoiding clipless moments. Both the pedals do look a little on the large side for a road style bke but it makes no difference when my foot's on them!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I meant those pedals that are flats on one side and spd on the other.

Not sure I'd bother these days, I currently have my right pedal set nice and tight as I only unclip when putting the bike away.

 

[zizou]

I have various SPD clipless pedal set ups on different bikes - shimano DX which are ones that were originally meant for bmx but were adopted by mountain bikers, a520 which are flats on one side and clips on the other and xt ones which are just the spd mechanism on each side and no cage. I use them with different shoes from xc race ones with stiff soles to ones that are like trainers with a recessed cleat. So if going down the Shimano route the choice isn't just between SPD-SL but also the particular SPD style you want - for example if i was to ride 50 miles (above a gentle bimbling along pace) in my 'trainer' spds i would suffer from hotspots and cramping with the flexible sole, but if ive got to carry my mtb bike up some rocks on a hillside then i'd much rather do it in a pair of them than shoes with the carbon soles and little grip.

That being said I have SPD-SL on my main road bike and put up with the drawbacks (ie having to walk like a duck) even though most of the time there is probably little performance benefit over SPD and my stiff shoes, I do however feel more 'planted' when sprinting or descending however his is difficult to quantify!

 

[Zakalwe]

Top tier road pedals, Keo's or SL or whatever, are lighter than MTB pedals. Whether or not that matters to you is a different story.

 

[4F]

I have spd's with m520 pedals on both my road bikes as I like the amount of float they give. When my shoes finally give up the ghost I quite fancy some speedplay zeros.

 

[dan_bo]

I use MTB spuds on all my bikes- including the vintage track iron

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Ah, I think I have the double sided versions of the 520s, although mime are wellgo because I ask my lbs to rummage in his second hand box when I need parts

 

[sittingbull]

I started with SPD road pedals (before SPD-SL came out) and now use M520's on an MTB and a road bike.

The release tension is on the minimum and I've never unintentionally "pulled out" when climbing etc.

I've ridden a couple of centuries with SPD's in complete comfort and never heard about "hot spots" until reading about them on CC.

It's great being able to use the same shoes on any bike and I've been using the same cleats for 19 years without problems engaging or disengaging

The only advantage I can see with changing to SPD-SL is that the shoes would be lighter compared to my chunky MTB shoes and saving rotational weight would be a good thing. I may change if I think there's a significant benefit.

 

[Hacienda71]

Rule 34 init, now don't do it again

 

[Drago]

Several firms do road shoes designed to take 2 bolt SPD cleats, so the choice isn't so clear cut.

For me it was simple - I want to be able to wear any of my shoes on any of my bikes, so straight SPD it is.

 

[sittingbull]

Rule 34 init, now don't do it again

I'm guilty of bluring the rules regarding road/MTB in both directions