More pedals - SPDs on a road bike?

Hi All,

I currently use SPD pedals on my old mtb/commuter and am happy with clipping in/out on that having used them for 5-6yrs. I'm looking at a road bike now, though, but couldn't really afford to get myself a whole new set of shoes and pedals as well as a bike right away. I'm also a bit nervous about how wobbly I might be on a road bike, so am not even 100% sure I should go clipless straight away on it... I've been pondering the following options:

1. Go with platform pedals on the road bike until I'm used to balancing it and/or can afford new shoes and pedals,
2. Put a set of single sided SPD pedals (same as I have on my mtb) on the road bike, so I can keep my existing shoes, plus have the choice of being a coward for now but braver in future.

I'm leaning towards option 2 as my mtb shoes have a fully solid plastic sole and a fairly toe-up angle when walking, which seems to be what road shoes look like, and maybe getting a second set would be a waste???? I don't know if using SPD pedals on a road bike would be okay, though, or even if that's the right option to be looking at... What do you folks think?

Thanks, Lynne.

I use SPDs on my road bikes all the time. There's no need to use other pedals unless you like them better or if you have knee issues and want pedal-cleat system with more play. I have one pair of cycling shoes--my beloved Shimano MTB cycling shoes. My last pair lasted 10 years, and the cleats wore out (stripped, stuck, could not replace them). The shoes were still good. So I got myself another pair a few years ago. I use them for my road bikes, my errand bike, and for spinning. No mountain bike at the moment.

You might want to consider some campus pedals. They are SPD on one side and no clips on the other side. I have those on my errand bike. That way, you have a choice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tulip

I use SPDs on my road bikes all the time. There's no need to use other pedals unless you like them better or if you have knee issues and want pedal-cleat system with more play. I have one pair of cycling shoes--my beloved Shimano MTB cycling shoes.

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Me too!

I have SPDs on my road bike.

i use one sided SPD on my road bike - lots of people do - there;s no particular reason why you shouldnt - and if you are used to clipping in on SPDs you wont have a problem with the same kind of pedals on your road bike, i'm sure..

Yep, here's another one with spd's on all her bikes. Just go with what feels right for you.

Thanks for the replies everyone! From the sounds of it sticking to SPDs should be fine, which is great news as it'll probably save me £150! Now I just need to decide if I want another set of M324 pedals (like on my mtb) or A530s, which might be a bit more roadie. I love an excuse to go to the bike shop! :D

Thanks again, Lynne.

if you can afford the a530 pedals they would look great on your new road bike :-)

I don't have spds on my road bike, but I do have candies (mountain pedals) and mountain bike shoes. IMHO its a great way to go. Keep your spds!

I have spds on my road bike, and love it. I love the flexibility of single sided pedals. Sometimes I like to just put on my converese and crusie around oldschool, and they afford me that luxury while still being road bike zippy. It also means I can stay unclipped in high traffic areas, or when I'll be stopping a lot. (I've recently made the jump fropm my mtb to a road bike too!)

me too. When I was trying to decide what to get, it became a no brainer to get SPDs since both of my sons AND my husband had them on their road bikes.

and I wear SIDI Dominator MTB shoes too. I hate "road" shoes.

Thanks folks, this is my favourite thing about the TE forums... On your own you think you might be trying to do something crazy, but there are always plenty of friendly people around here who do just that thing successfully and can offer you support!

Thanks again, SPDs it is for me! :D

I have M324's on my commuter, but those A530s would look pretty spiffy on a road bike

check ebay for pedals

My cycling life improved tremendously when I switched my Road-SPD (Look-style) pedals for mountain SPDs and my road shoes for SIDI Dominators.

I don't know how to explain it, but it just felt a lot better to not have cleats sticking-out of my shoes.

Thanks folks. I really like my SPDs so went with another set - the shimano a530s. They're single sided, which I like to use as a security blanket in busy traffic! ;)

Can't wait to get them on my recently acquired road bike :D