SPD Pedals for Road Bicycling?

I%26#039;m a former road racer (15 years ago) looking to get back into cycling on a recreational level. I%26#039;m trying to decide on a pedal/shoe system. I used to have Time pedals so I am used to the hardcore option of cleats and walking around like a pigeon. I would do it again (probably with LOOK), except that I see that SPD%26#039;s with mountain bike shoes and recessed cleats look pretty good, pretty stable. I%26#039;d like to go ahead with this option except I%26#039;m worried that the SPD platform looks really small and I wonder if eventually I will get tired of the lessor foot support. The guys I ride with now all have road systems, but I%26#039;m all about comfort at this point.





My goals are recreational riding and maybe a doing a century one or twice a year, absolutely no racing (or even hardcore sprinting) anymore for me.

SPD Pedals for Road Bicycling?
Yeah they are fine.





I use both a recessed mtb style shoe and a normal road shoe.(both on spd cleats). If I was competing I would stay with the road cleats. There is little difference in performance. I prefer the SPD%26#039;s nowdays. Find them easier to clip into and pull out of in an emergency. The modern shoes spread the load evening out the foot support





I use the normal road shoes mostly. (The recessed walking shoes are a bit bulkier around the heal.) I don%26#039;t need to walk around much normally.





If walking around a bit or touring I go for the recessed shoe makes life so much easier.





I%26#039;ve put some 20 000 miles on the SPD%26#039;s and they are still going strong
Reply:Just a post-question note. I bought a pair of Pearl Isumi shoes (mountain) and SPD cleats and I have been very happy with them over about 3 rides and maybe 50 miles. Can%26#039;t feel any %26quot;hot spots.%26quot; Thanks again for the help on my question. Report It

Reply:Because of the small platform of SPDs, they are prone to giving uncomfortable hotspots in the foot. A stiff shoe will alleviate this problem but doesn%26#039;t always work completely for everybody. My biggest observation in my experience is that about 80-90% of the people who fall down while clipped in at a stop sign (not counting clipless newbies) were using SPDs (road and MTB versions). SPD-SL, which is similar to Look, doesn%26#039;t have that problem. SPDs are very versatile but there are issues that you should consider when deciding on a pedal.





As far as shoes, Sidis have the best fit if you have slim feet but they have some sole flex. Carnacs have bigger toe boxes and very stiff soles. My faves are DMTs, which work for wide feet and are super stiff soled, lightweight and less expensive than the other two.
Reply:I%26#039;m a very casual rider myself, and use SPDs on both a mountain and my road bike... Perhaps more telling, I use them in Spinning class - I%26#039;ve been pleased with them for all uses so far. There seems to be a wide variety of %26quot;road like%26quot; shoes that allow you to use the recessed SPD cleat; I use a pretty sneaker-like shimano shoe for all my riding - it%26#039;s served well so far.
Reply:I have found that with a stiff enough shoe, the pedal (or platform) doesn%26#039;t matter as much...





I prefer the DuraAce SPD SL (similar in design to the Time or Look pedals), but several of my friends like the basic SPD style on both their mountain bikes and road bikes...





I also like my Crank Brothers Eggbeaters on my mountain bike...


So, as long as you have a good shoe and your bike is set up correctly for you, then I say go for whatever pedal you like otherwise...
Reply:If your looking for SPD with a platform Try the Shimano PD-424. They have a resin cage around the pedal. I use them on my Bacchetta High Racer (Recumbent) and I use the Sidi MTB shoes with the recessed cleats.


The nice thing about the PD-424 is the resin cage is replaceable and removable so if you decide too, you can use just the pedal. Either way you won%26#039;t have walking problems.



familiar faces