Are road clipless cycling shoes better than SPDs

I have double-sided SPDs on
I have double-sided SPDs on my audax bike and also on my fixie, and Look Keo (grey) on my road bikes.

I’d say it has very little to do with the pedals and most to do with the shoes.

I recently got some Bont A1 road shoes and the difference between them and even my Mavic Zxelliums is very noticeable, in terms of giving a wide, stable platform. Even more so over my Shimano MTB style shoes.

Simon E wrote:ilovemytinbred

Simon E wrote:

ilovemytinbred wrote:

I feel the bigger platform on the road pedal (look keo max- red cleats) gives me more comfort and/or better feel than my mtb pedals particularly on the longer rides.

I’d suggest that would be sorted by stiffer-soled MTB shoes, or Shimano A520 / A600 single-sided SPD pedals.

Stiffer soles mean either more weight or greater cost. And ilovemytinbred hit the nail on the head – the wider cleats on road shoes allow for a greater area of power transfer, which equates to lighter shoes at the same level of comfort as MTB cleats. But I prefer MTB cleats for commuting as you can still walk with them, unlike the Look style cleats which are very utilitarian but impractical for anything other than riding.

dave_atkinson wrote:There’s

dave_atkinson wrote:

There’s definitely better things to spend £130 on

I run Shimano M540 pedals on
I run Shimano M540 pedals on my mountain bike and M520s on my road bike. Saves the hassle of finding different shoes for different rides – i know that all my shoes will work.
I’ve never used road clipless, so I don’t know if I’m losing out efficiency wise, but it’s great to walk normally at cafe stops rather than mince around in road shoes.
I do run the tension a bit higher on the road bike as I’m leaping off it a lot less often. This has lead to a couple of dodgy dismounts as I’ve misjudged the effort to unclip after my commute.

I thought I would comment
I thought I would comment just because I am a massive fan of my my road pedals and much prefer them to mtb SPDs.
However I understand others are happy with their mtb pedals and am not trying to say my way is better etc. Personally i think it would be great if their was some way for you to try before you buy to see if the road ones are better for you.

I feel the bigger platform on the road pedal (look keo max- red cleats) gives me more comfort and/or better feel than my mtb pedals particularly on the longer rides. I find the float has less resistance and clipping out is a nicer action. I feel like there is a more seamless connection to the pedals although this I admit is a bit of an airy fairy description it is well worth the cash (for me) I dont know for sure if the shoes also play a part. mtb shoes are specialized, road are Sidis. Also mtb pedals are shimano 540 I think, the ones above the 520

Oh I use flat pedals to commute!

could not agree more with
could not agree more with all, especially dave, much better ways to spend your money!

I use mountain cleats on two roadbikes for training and even racing triathlons as they are easier to run on in transition, more stable putting foot down, and they also usually have rubber/other sole suitable for clipping out when weaving through traffic.

the only reason I could possibly see is aerodynamics, but even then, specialzed do a sport tourer shoe without the grippy soles but still a recessed mountain cleat for £70 and you use the same pedals.

in terms of your “designed for road” comment, I would say that road cleats were designed without taking practicalities in mind like; getting off the bike ever, walking with an unfixable puncture, walking over a section too rough for road tyres, walking off a cramp, getting of the bike quickly, weaving through traffic unclipped, or any other real world practicalities – all of which have been designed into the cleats you already have …

armchairbiker wrote:will I

”armchairbiker” wrote:

will I gain in my road cycling?

No. If you’re happy with your current setup then don’t waste your money.

Having tried some Shimano 105 pedals the only difference I could discern is less play in the cleat-pedal interface, providing a slightly more ‘locked-in’ feeling. This may be good for that 0.1% gain in power transfer when racing but I can’t see why it would matter otherwise. I found the limited float (with the yellow cleats) was inadequate and walking was unpleasant, particularly up and down steps.

For most riding you can’t beat the double-sided SPD type like Shimano M520s, particularly for commuting or stop-start riding.