Road bike or Mountain bike clipless pedals?

Brian2011

Hi,

I am beginner road bike user and was thinking of upgrading to clipless pedals.

My uncle recently upgraded and he is always on about how much he loves them and the power he now has compared to normal pedals.

My sister is upgrading from mountain bike clipless pedals to road ones, and has offered to sell them to me with cleats for €30 with mountain bike clipless shoes that she bought in Aldi that are same size for me, also included for the €30. The pedal brand is Shimano and they are small pedals. They look in good condition and shoes look fine also.

Would this be a good choice or not?

furiousox

I don't think you could do better, perfect way to start off.

Brian2011

furiousox wrote: »

I don't think you could do better, perfect way to start off.

What are the main advantages / disadvantages of both?, besides mountain bike ones being easier to walk around in.

furiousox

MTB pedals are easier to clip in and out of.
Getting all that for E30 is very good value too.

magicbastarder

generally, MTB shoes are easier to walk in also. the soles would tend to be a bit more flexible, so slightly less efficient on the bike.

Eamonnator

If the pedals are like the ones below, you're on a winner.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/shimano-m520-clipless-spd-mtb-pedals/rp-prod3759

Brian2011

Eamonnator wrote: »

If the pedals are like the ones below, you're on a winner.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/shimano-m520-clipless-spd-mtb-pedals/rp-prod3759

They are kinda similar to that just all silver in colour.

Eamonnator

Brian2011 wrote: »

They are kinda similar to that but all silver.

Yeah, they come in silver and black as well. Best value SPD pedals out there, in my opinion.

gaffmaster

I still use SPDs on my Road Bike. I've to carry my bike down 6 flights of stairs before I cycle, so I'm glad of the recessed cleats.

I sometimes wish I had super light super stiff road shoes - but I love being able to pull away and clip in later.

Carawaystick

Same here
Use spd's on the road bike
Got a free pair of pedals yonks ago and aldi shoes
Got mavic shoes now
Its handy commuting to just stamp in to click in on either side of the pedal

kenmc

defo go with the mtb ones you're being offered for 30 quid - main advantage is double sidedness, so you don't have to flip the pedal to engage like road shoes. Secondary advantage is recessed cleat so you can walk around without looking like you're going to arse over tip at any second. Main disadvantage is the smaller contact area between your foot and the pedal, supposedly leading to a bit of pain over long distance (never noticed) or less power transfer. First time out you won't even notice, and will be glad of the ability to get into either side of the pedal.

not yet

Suppose to be a slight bit more power transfer with road shoes and pedals but near on impossible to walk on..

The mtb shoes are almost as good and you can walk in them handy enough, either way you wont regret either decision.