Are road clipless cycling shoes better than SPDs

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.

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 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 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 ...

There's definitely better things to spend £130 on, in my opinion. i use road cleats for TTing (on the rare occasions that i TT) and track riding (because you have to) but other than that I'm on Crank Bros Candys on- and off-road, which i like for the extra float over SPDs.

"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.

I've always used MTB SPDs on my road bike, I've got some SPD SLs but I only use them when I really have to, such as when riding with Vecchiojo. On balance I don't find much difference, if anything the MTB pedals are more comfortable - certainly the shoes are + there's a wider variety of shoe types that go with MTB clipless pedals.

My fave pedals are the Shimano M324s - I originally stuck 'em on for commuting, but I like them so much I put them on whatever I'm riding now - the platform seems to give my foot plenty of support and you can really push down on them too and they are reasonably light.

BTW if you are running the classic shaped MTB SPD there isn't any real weight benefit in opting for the road version.

In the end though it comes down to personal preference - I can't be faffed with clipless pedals that are more difficult to clip in to and the shoes are harder to walk in… but don't tell Jo.

I have just recently (this month) tried road SPDs having used the MTB types for several years. I would say they offer a greater sense of being connected to the bike with better power transfer - but that might be just wishful thinking. I do find them more difficult to get the 2nd pedal clipped in when starting off - and not really practical to pedal without being properly clipped in.
Easier to walk in than I expected, but clearly not as easy as the MTB types. I am becoming quite good at adjusting my approach to junctions to avoid having to stop and/or unclip.
On balance I would say if you are confident with SPDs and can find some discounted shoes and pedals it is worth trying. I will certainly be leaving mine on the road/sportive bike.

I've used SPD's on my road bikes since the mid 90's and now use mountain pedals cause they were the lightest i could find

I have also used look and others, but dont find any difference, so stuck to the spd's, its down to person preference really rather than performance unless your going out fully clad in skinsuit and everything aero?