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New shoes or new pedals?

  • 09-05-2012 11:37am
    #1
    bogmanfan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,709 ✭✭✭


    I've been using my carbon road bike for commuting and for leisure/club spins. I've been using SPD pedals and shoes on it since I got it, as I need to be able to walk a little when I get to work.
    Yesterday I picked up a second road bike, which will be my dedicated commuter, leaving the carbon bike for evening/weekend duty. The new bike came with SPD-SL pedals fitted, which I have already replaced with my SPDs. Should I mount the SPD-SL to my carbon bike and buy new shoes, or should I just buy a new set of SPD pedals for it, so I can use the same shoes for both?
    Do SPD-SL pedals have any real advantage over the SPDs?


Comments

  • #2
    g0g
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,808 ✭✭✭g0g


    bogmanfan wrote: »
    I've been using my carbon road bike for commuting and for leisure/club spins. I've been using SPD pedals and shoes on it since I got it, as I need to be able to walk a little when I get to work.
    Yesterday I picked up a second road bike, which will be my dedicated commuter, leaving the carbon bike for evening/weekend duty. The new bike came with SPD-SL pedals fitted, which I have already replaced with my SPDs. Should I mount the SPD-SL to my carbon bike and buy new shoes, or should I just buy a new set of SPD pedals for it, so I can use the same shoes for both?
    Do SPD-SL pedals have any real advantage over the SPDs?
    This might help. I recently asked similar.


  • #3
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,223 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    SPDs are the cheapest option. Entry level ones (M520) are only €20.

    I might have a spare set in a few days as I went a bit mental at the weekend and ordered three pairs.

    The advantage of buying road shoes instead (aside from the fact that they're better) is that you'll have a dry set when your MTB shoes get soaked on a commute.


  • #4
    kuro_man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,037 ✭✭✭kuro_man


    I vote for shoes, larger cleat and stiffer shoe is better for road and you can change pedals if you wish e.g. time, look etc.

    MTB (SPD) shoes are a trade-off to allow for walking


  • #5
    Eamonnator
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,561 ✭✭✭Eamonnator


    kuro_man wrote: »
    I vote for shoes, larger cleat and stiffer shoe is better for road and you can change pedals if you wish e.g. time, look etc.

    MTB (SPD) shoes are a trade-off to allow for walking

    I'm with you


  • #6
    bogmanfan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,709 ✭✭✭bogmanfan


    Having discussed this with staff in 2 different shops, I've decided the SPD-SL pedals don't offer enough of an advantage to justify the cost of new shoes/cleats.
    So, what's the story with SPDs on a road bike? Is there any benefit to going above the entry level Shimano M520 pedals? I know SPDs are mountain bike pedals, so are the benefits of the more expensive models like XT or XTR lost on the road?


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  • #7
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,223 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    bogmanfan wrote: »
    So, what's the story with SPDs on a road bike? Is there any benefit to going above the entry level Shimano M520 pedals? I know SPDs are mountain bike pedals, so are the benefits of the more expensive models like XT or XTR lost on the road?

    I did a bunch of internet research on this a couple of weeks ago and decided that at €20 a pair M520s were difficult to beat. For any pedal there are people who claim better or worse durability compared to other pedals in the same range, but I didn't discern any particular pattern.

    Haven't received the order yet so can't comment on what they're like, but being Shimano I expect them to be ugly and reliable.


  • #8
    munsterleinster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 320 ✭✭munsterleinster


    The main reason I've gone for the M520 is they come with the very same cleats you get with the more expensive models.

    I just treat the M520's as a disposible item and replace when I need either new cleats or the bearings act up.
    Lumen wrote: »
    €20 a pair M520s .

    Where you getting them for €20?
    Most places are creaping up to about €30 with the stronger sterling.


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