Shoes

[Juliegoddess]

Okay, so it's only like THREE DAYS until my new bike comes in! I'm beyond excited. I went ahead and also ordered the Brooks Flyer S saddle, too.

Now, the bike I've been riding is a mountain bike...and I had MTB shoes to "go" with it. (Not that I ever really needed the cleats to trudge along trails, but that's what i had, regardless...) My question is, can I just keep those shoes for my road bike? Would that be stupid? I don't care for the non-recessed cleats on the road bike shoes I've seen, and the looks of walking around on my heels.

Of course, there are also the "walking" type shoes with the recessed cleat, which are nice. But do I need them? Can I keep my shoes? I'm transferring my old pedals to my new bike, just because I'm so used to them.

Whadya think?

[Zen]

Would that be stupid?

No.
Quite the opposite.

[ny biker]

I used mountain bike shoes with my road bike for the first year or so that I had it. No one ever pointed and laughed.

I think you should wear what's comfortable. After you ride for a while you can decide if different shoes would work better for you.

[rubywagon]

I used mountain bike shoes with my road bike for the first year or so that I had it. No one ever pointed and laughed.

I think you should wear what's comfortable. After you ride for a while you can decide if different shoes would work better for you.

Same here! They were great.

[Juliegoddess]

Thanks Ladies! That will save me some money!

[Gowest]

Keep the mountain pedals and shoes for a while. You will need to dial in your bike position and saddle first - no need to add another variable or two with new shoes and/or pedals. Once you are happy with the other things - you can change if you want - or just stay where you are. Minor changes in shoes and cleats can make a big difference - I switched from Shimano to Look cleats/pedals (same shoes) and it has taken me a month to get them just right - I had aching knees for about 3 weeks.

[Catrin]

I know several people who use SPD cleats/shoes for both road/mountain biking. There is nothing wrong with using the same for both biking styles - unless you decide that you would like to change. Of course I am speaking from my "vast" biking experience but I do see people using SPDs for both.

[missjulied]

I'm another one who uses spd on both my commuter (hybrid) and road bikes. I do have different shoes though - standard mtn bike shoes for most commuting, keen commuters for summer commuting and tooling about town, and nice sidi road shoes for long weekend rides. I have spd's on all of them, so I can use whichever shoes with whichever bikes. Works really well for me.

[BikeDutchess]

I've been road biking with mountain shoes & pedals (Frogs) for years - before I even had a mountain bike. I have no desire to switch to "real" road shoes. I like being able to walk somewhat normally for rest stops. And I love my pedals, and having the same pedal/shoe combination for both road and MTB makes switching between bikes super easy - I don't have to think about engaging/disengaging the pedals differently.

So whatever works for you!

[pumpkinpony]

I have mountain pedals on both my mtb and road bike. After about a year on the road bike, I did actually buy a pair of road shoes at the PI Outlet for $25. Now that I have the road shoes, I know what hot spots are. Never bothered me before but now I don't use the mtb shoes on the road bike unless I'm just tooling around.

[sundial]

My question is, can I just keep those shoes for my road bike?

Yes!!

Find some cool platform pedals or Frogs for your road bike and you will be all set. My road bike has accessories like a Brooks Flyer S saddle, platforms, and mtb shoes. I really do appreciate having those shoes when I am off the bike and walking into a convenience store.

[zoom-zoom]

I have SPDs and mtn shoes on my road bike and love it. I like that I'm able to walk around a bit and the transitions in a multi-sport race seem like they'd be more difficult in a road shoe with the big cleat under the ball of the foot.

[marni]

I love my shoes and keen sandals with MTB clips and ride with double sided pedals, clips on one side and a plain platform with rubber on the other side, gives me the best of both worlds in terms of being able to shift my foot around on long rides, and being able to walk into stores, eateries etc on extra long days and rides are a definite plus.

marni

[Bike Chick]

I rode with MTB pedals and shoes on my road bike for many years before going to road shoes and pedals. I still miss them at times. MTB shoes are so much easier to walk in and you don't have to worry about slipping and falling. I still change my pedals back to SPD when I'm taking my road bike on a tour where I'm on and off the bike and walking a lot during the day (ie RAGBRAI)

[tulip]

Since when have SPD's not been considered suitable for the road? The SPD system is one of many cleat systems out there, each with different attributes--there's no one "right" system for everyone.

I've used SPDs on all my bikes since 1995. Before that I had toe clips and straps, and then I got Look pedals on my road bike beginning when they first came out in 1986 or so, and that's just because SPDs hadn't yet been invented as far as I know. Back then, my mountain bike still had pedals with toe clips.

I have worn Shimano MTB shoes while road riding for many years. Just this spring I came across some SIDI road shoes at a good price at a local shop, so I bought them.