General Discussion Triathlon Talk » SPD vs. Road-style pedals? Rss Feed  
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2015-01-23 1:36 PM


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Subject: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?
My first pair of bike cleats are SPD style (and apparently meant for mountain bikes): http://www.greggscycles.com/product/shimano-pd-m520-pedals-43689-1....

I'm wondering if I should swap these out for a true road pedal. What difference would I notice swapping these out? I'd have to swap out the shoes, too, since the recessed-cleat shoes I have won't take any other style of cleat.

Thanks!


2015-01-23 1:38 PM
in reply to: runningmon

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Veteran
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Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?

I've used both, I currently use SPD for all my bikes.  I like it because I can use the same shoes for spin class.  I don't think there is a difference.  If you have SPD and the shoes for it I don't think it is necessary to change out shoes and pedals. 

2015-01-23 2:11 PM
in reply to: 0

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Master
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Bellevue, WA
Subject: RE: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?

SPD is old school; there are many better choices available today. 

Virtually all non-SPD cleats provide larger pedaling platforms that reduce hotspots.  Systems like Look, Look Keo, SPD-SL area easier to get into than SPD.  Speedplay provides double sided access and even easier to get into, especially Speedplay Light Action, although Speedplay cleats can gunk with mud.  SPD-SL and Look Keo can use "walkable" cleats - rubber edged cleats that work better on wet roads and don't require cleat covers like SPD and Speedplay.

I have SPD-SL on my road bike and used it for years.  I switched to Look Keo on my tri bike because Garmin Vector required it. My daughter uses Speedplay Light Action and after just three or four rides was expert in their use. I have a set of mountain bike shoes with SPD cleats I use at spin class. They're ok for that, but I wouldn't use them elsewhere.



Edited by brucemorgan 2015-01-23 2:11 PM
2015-01-23 2:56 PM
in reply to: runningmon

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Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?

There's nothing wrong with using SPDs on the road. I've gone all over the map from first generation Looks, to SPDs both on-road and off, to Speedplays, and now back to SPDs throughout my fleet (and it IS a fleet). The "hot spots" issue is largely a case of sensitivity -- I've never had a problem. Wellgo and Ritchey (along with Nashbar house brand) are a (usually) less expensive and completely compatible option to Shimano SPDs, so if adding a pedals for a second bike, that might be worth a look.

2015-01-23 4:00 PM
in reply to: briderdt


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Subject: RE: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?
This has always been my theory, and I have speedplays on one bike, and eggbeaters/candy's on my other bikes. If I am using the bike strictly as a race bike I will put on the pedals with the largest connection point that feels good to me, the speed plays. If I am using the bike for anything where I will walk more than 50 yards (bike tours and such) I will use pedals where I can have recessed cleats. It has worked great for me. So if you using your bike for more things than just racing or if you only want one pair of shoes to rotate between bikes and spin classes keep what you have. Nothing wrong with it. If you want to maximize contact area or you have issues with hot spots and the bike will always be ridden and never walked with then you can get one of the road specific versions.

2015-01-23 4:33 PM
in reply to: runningmon

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Subject: RE: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?

I have SPD pedals on my tri bike and Speedplay Zero's on my road bike.  

Both are double sided.  (I have SPD/Platform combo pedals on my mountain bike.)  

Both styles have fairly durable cleats, so I've never gotten covers.  

I like the "float" available with Speedplays.  



2015-01-23 4:34 PM
in reply to: briderdt

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Indian Hills, CO
Subject: RE: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?
Originally posted by briderdt

There's nothing wrong with using SPDs on the road. I've gone all over the map from first generation Looks, to SPDs both on-road and off, to Speedplays, and now back to SPDs throughout my fleet (and it IS a fleet).



This

If you have a stiff carbon shoe you won't notice the small cleat.
2015-01-24 10:25 PM
in reply to: runningmon


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Subject: RE: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?
Thanks all- sounds like I'm upgrading the shoes first.
2015-01-25 9:14 AM
in reply to: runningmon

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Subject: RE: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?
I've done rides up to 1200km using SPDs, and still use them today. FWIW, I've also won AG Oly Tris on a bike w/ SPDs. Use what works best for you , which may not necessarilly be what most other folks are using. It's nice not to have to swap shoes between bikes. MTB/Cyclocross shoes rock for endurance races too (not the focus here, but my $0.02).
2015-01-25 10:43 AM
in reply to: indianhillsted

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Master
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Bellevue, WA
Subject: RE: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?

Originally posted by indianhillsted
Originally posted by briderdt

There's nothing wrong with using SPDs on the road. I've gone all over the map from first generation Looks, to SPDs both on-road and off, to Speedplays, and now back to SPDs throughout my fleet (and it IS a fleet).

This If you have a stiff carbon shoe you won't notice the small cleat.

Except when trying to engage the cleat. Also the zero float of SPDs is not compatible with many people's knees.

Anyway I've said it before and I'll keep saying it: there are many better choices than old-school SPDs. Even for mountain bikes. SPDs are cheap and that's about it.

2015-01-25 5:14 PM
in reply to: #5086428

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Leicester
Subject: RE: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?
No float in SPD?
There is in all mine, maybe its in the cleat.
Look or time are good for road, but even the 'walking' cleats with rubber tips are not fun to walk in, I am less of a fan of my look pedals than my trusty spd's


2015-01-25 5:20 PM
in reply to: brucemorgan

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Subject: RE: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?

I use the 'Look" style cleats on my road bike and eggbeaters on my MTB.  For a long time I used the SPD pedals on both.  At some point, I noticed a 'slick' feel that the metal to metal contact produced with the SPD pedals.  I think this actually may have been during transition of a race wherein I spent several seconds trying to get clicked in.  Since I changed over to the Look style pedal, I like the larger contact spot and it just feels easier to me to click in ... mtcw.

2015-01-25 6:29 PM
in reply to: briderdt

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Floriduh
Subject: RE: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?
I currently have a set of XT pedals on my bike. I like the fact that they, and the cleats, are bomb proof. When I get closer to racing season I will mount up my Time iCLICs. They are lighter and easier to get into but not as bomb proof as the XT pedals. The hotspot can happen but for me only > 40 miles.
2015-01-29 12:13 PM
in reply to: brucemorgan

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DC
Subject: RE: SPD vs. Road-style pedals?
Originally posted by brucemorgan

SPD is old school; there are many better choices available today. 

Virtually all non-SPD cleats provide larger pedaling platforms that reduce hotspots.  Systems like Look, Look Keo, SPD-SL area easier to get into than SPD.  Speedplay provides double sided access and even easier to get into, especially Speedplay Light Action, although Speedplay cleats can gunk with mud.  SPD-SL and Look Keo can use "walkable" cleats - rubber edged cleats that work better on wet roads and don't require cleat covers like SPD and Speedplay.

I have SPD-SL on my road bike and used it for years.  I switched to Look Keo on my tri bike because Garmin Vector required it. My daughter uses Speedplay Light Action and after just three or four rides was expert in their use. I have a set of mountain bike shoes with SPD cleats I use at spin class. They're ok for that, but I wouldn't use them elsewhere.




I remember hearing/reading (or maybe I'm making it up) that a wider platform allows for better power transfer. Not true?
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