QUESTION: I started cycling six years ago on a mountain bike but now love road riding. However, I’ve kept my off-road shoes/pedals. Would switching to a road system improve my speed and comfort? — Merwin H.
RBR REPLIES: Walkability is the big advantage of mountain bike shoes. They have a recessed cleat that doesn’t touch the ground and cause embarrassing clip-clop noises or slips. They’re a benefit on rides or tours that have you off the bike for rest stops, store stops or sightseeing.
Many mountain bike shoes are nearly as light and stylish as road shoes. But their lugged soles typically aren’t as stiff so that walking is more natural. This slight flexibility can cause your feet to feel uncomfortable pedal pressure, particularly on rides that last several hours.
Should you switch to a road-specific system? For racing, fast group rides, training or recreational rides where you don’t expect to walk much, a road system will give you the maximum performance and comfort. But for commuting, touring or rides like centuries where you’re ambling about before, during and after, a mountain bike system is the practical choice — if your feet are comfortable on the bike.
Note that Speedplay sold even more of their cool road pedals when the company offered “walkable” road cleats. Most recreational cyclists want to walk to the rest stop table on a century ride to get nourishment. Clomping along on road cleats is hard on the cleats and hard on the user.
i would not bother unless there was money involved
how much faster will $400 worth of extra stuff make you? .1 mph?
note that you can also get non-flexy SPD shoes too, if your goal is to spend money.
maybe yoular current shoes are stiff enough?
Depending on how much walking you are going to do, cleat covers are inexpensive, don’t take up much room, and not only protect the cleats from wear but also afford much more traction on slippery surfaces like tile or marble. You will just have to be comfortable walking with your toes higher than your heels and a stiff sole..
Another advantage to MTB shoes/pedals for the regular stops/starts of urban/suburban riding is that multi-sided MTB pedals are easier for most riders to clip-in without looking. I love Egg-Beaters for that reason.
There are lots of “plenty stiff soled” MTB shoes out there, although they tend to be more $$$ and typically a bit heavier than comparable road shoes.
Speed is basically a non-factor for non-racers, although many MTB pedals do not have the same cornering ground clearance at the limit as good road pedals. (Do NOT ask me how I know that!)
I have both MTB and road shoe/pedal combos and have done multiple centuries with each. Contrary to what some bike snobs might predict, I am still out riding and my feet are still intact.
Bottom line- Feel free to use what works best for YOU.
If you are happy with your SPD cleats/pedals/shoes, use them. Its OK to use MTB pedals on a road bike. Enjoy!