SPDs on a road bike

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
Cyclewala
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by Cyclewala »

For reasons outlined above, I have SPD on all bikes except the utility bike which has flats.
Godzy89
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by Godzy89 »

markjohnobrien wrote: 17 Apr 2021, 9:55am
Godzy89 wrote: 16 Apr 2021, 10:12pm Why would it cause any problems? It’s a great idea as I use MTB spd pedals on some, but not all, of my bikes. I particularly like A530 pedals with spd on one side and normal shoe use on the other with a wide platform.
Was just checking that they wouldnt cause any pro lems that i wouldnt know abou
markjohnobrien
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by markjohnobrien »

Godzy89 wrote: 17 Apr 2021, 12:16pm
markjohnobrien wrote: 17 Apr 2021, 9:55am
Godzy89 wrote: 16 Apr 2021, 10:12pm Why would it cause any problems? It’s a great idea as I use MTB spd pedals on some, but not all, of my bikes. I particularly like A530 pedals with spd on one side and normal shoe use on the other with a wide platform.
Was just checking that they wouldnt cause any pro lems that i wouldnt know abou
Happy I’ve helped.
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soapbox
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by soapbox »

SPDs on all bikes -MTB, road bike, touring bike, work bike. Same MTB shoes for everything. The double-sided entry, and the recessed cleat just makes everything much easier.
markjohnobrien
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by markjohnobrien »

soapbox wrote: 18 Apr 2021, 9:20am SPDs on all bikes -MTB, road bike, touring bike, work bike. Same MTB shoes for everything. The double-sided entry, and the recessed cleat just makes everything much easier.
Definitely: and especially much easier for walking.
Raleigh Randonneur 708 (Magura hydraulic brakes); Blue Raleigh Randonneur 708 dynamo; Pearson Compass 631 tourer; Dawes One Down 631 dynamo winter bike;Raleigh Travelogue 708 tourer dynamo; Kona Sutra; Trek 920 disc Sram Force.
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Paul Smith SRCC
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by Paul Smith SRCC »

SPDs on a road bike is a popular enough choice that some shoe manufacturers have road style shoes for them

The Bontrager Solstice has recessed cleats for SPD pedals
21723_A_1_Bontrager_Solstice_Road_Shoe.jpg
sol.jpg
Starvos Road Shoe similar style shoe, cleats not recessed
21717_A_1_Bontrager_Starvos_Road_Shoe.jpg
BontragerStarvosRoadShoe_21717_A_Alt1.jpg
There are plenty to choose from even the odd pair that have a more touring style design like the Exustar Stelvio, click for review of those plus others
Last edited by Paul Smith SRCC on 18 Apr 2021, 11:38am, edited 2 times in total.
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Audax67
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by Audax67 »

The only drawback I've noticed with SPDs is that, because all the weight is carried on a relatively small area, they can deform the sole of an insufficiently stiffened shoe. Years of using older Carnacs & SPDs left me with two middle toes on my right foot that dislocate at the drop of a hat. Maybe not keeping the same shoes past their eat-by date might help.

I still use SPDs & love them. Got Mavic shoes just now.
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fastpedaller
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by fastpedaller »

I met someone recently who was really struggling with his SPD-SL cleats, both in terms of disconnecting and then walking - not a young chap either. I suggested he could use 2-bolt fixing recessed SPD's (thinking that was the best description) and he said "but they are for mountain bikes not road bikes" and unfortunately wouldn't be told otherwise. I think he'd been brainwashed by cycling magazines or the bike shop :(
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Paul Smith SRCC
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by Paul Smith SRCC »

Audax67 wrote: 18 Apr 2021, 10:17am The only drawback I've noticed with SPDs is that, because all the weight is carried on a relatively small area, they can deform the sole of an insufficiently stiffened shoe....
That is indeed quite a common issue, especially with the trainer styles versions as they are inclined to have a more compliant softer sole, some can complain of what is often referred to as 'hot foot' at the cleat contact point. Stiffer soled shoes can help with that issue, as can more accurate footbeds, most are supplied with flatter than needed.

Many bike stores now supply a range of footbeds, normally a low, medium and a high option, each will often include what is referred to in that link as "a footrest metatarsal pad helps to reduce or eliminate hot foot". The store will usually have simple device to help illustrate which of the three is the most suitable
Trek+Archometer+G2.jpg
.
Although these are of course quite generic having one closer to what you need is often a positive, for more accuracy can you can get some custom made, Sidas and Specialized probably being the two most common versions offered by bike fit specialists.
fastpedaller wrote: 18 Apr 2021, 10:44am I met someone recently who was really struggling with his SPD-SL cleats, both in terms of disconnecting...
In terms of disconnecting often that is down to incorrect set up, I frequently see cleat angulation set to 'heel out' (the opposite of the blue back ground below) but if the rider actually needs them 'heel in' the float will often allow and accommodate that when pedalling, but that means they will need to twist to disconnect far more than is ideal. In effect if the cleats are set up 'heel out' and the float allows the rider to still achieve their required 'heel in' style, then the first part of their twisting just moves the shoe to where the cleat has been set up in the first place; they must then twist even further before the cleat disconnects.
Cleat_rotation_adjustmentwebfriendly.jpg
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Godzy89
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by Godzy89 »

Thank you Paul Smith
Interesting reading
Im using some specialized mtb shoes and they are fine for walking in
The inner sole photo insoles look very similar to the Superfeet ones that i have in my walking boots and shoes and they have made a world of difference to the comfort when walking with them being stiff and supportive
The insoles in the bike shoes feel fine but il transplant the Superfeet to what difference they make

I have just been out on my bike for the 1st time in nearly a year and after fitting the Spds i found the ride was great and the pedals/shoes were spot on

Just need to get fitter but that will come
Last edited by Godzy89 on 18 Apr 2021, 5:22pm, edited 1 time in total.
eileithyia
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by eileithyia »

Audax67 wrote: 17 Apr 2021, 9:00am Dead right. I can remember walking round a village in Provence with a bunch of chums who were in racing cleats, and me in SPDs. Watching them trying to "walk" down a cobbled street with a 30° slope was bloody funny.

♫ Walk like a man duck...
Though I never know why riders don't use cleat covers for when they are walking around, we use them all the time when in Mallorca especially in the tiled floor cafes....
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pete75
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by pete75 »

Audax67 wrote: 18 Apr 2021, 10:17am The only drawback I've noticed with SPDs is that, because all the weight is carried on a relatively small area, they can deform the sole of an insufficiently stiffened shoe.
Not with this style of pedal.


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drossall
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by drossall »

This is the general point though. SPDs and Look-type pedals represent different compromises. SPDs are designed for riding where you expect to walk a bit - pushing your MTB through difficult bits, or touring and getting off to have a look round, or whatever. Look-type pedals emphasise stiffness and power transfer, and are really only useful if you're basically not getting off (e.g. road racing). But you have the choice and can use whatever you like.
thirdcrank
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by thirdcrank »

In the early days of clipless pedals, Shimano did a single-sided "road" version of SPD. I have a pair. The lost the battle with Look(?) and brought out SPD-R which IIRC was Look pedals under another name. In the end it's what suits ypu.
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Ride-sleep-repeat
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Re: SPDs on a road bike

Post by Ride-sleep-repeat »

eileithyia wrote: 18 Apr 2021, 5:14pm Though I never know why riders don't use cleat covers for when they are walking around, we use them all the time when in Mallorca especially in the tiled floor cafes....
I've used them with my road shoes for a good few years now.Still not ideal to walk in,better than cleats,but not totally risk free :lol:
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