Road pedals or SPDs. Is there an advantage to the road versions?

Grahamd wrote:

Is it just me or is the sound of everyone clicking in on a group ride one of the most satisfying sounds?

For me, it ranks with the sound of a cork being pulled from a wine bottle (using an old-fashioned corkscrew)

I go for the worst of all

I go for the worst of all worlds with Shimano A600 pedals – single sided SPD.

The two biggest factors are 1

The two biggest factors are 1. your shoes (more specifically, their soles), and 2. your muscle memory/co-ordination.

Back in the day when solid soles were very hard to come by, the bigger platforms on road pedals made and appreciable difference to power transfer and comfort.  Now, with decent shoes, the pedal and sole unit are effectively one in terms of force distribution, so hot spots are far less of an issue.  Was less of an issue anyway in off-road as you’re generally peddaling less hard and consistently – more freewheeling, position changeing etc rather than the more consistent pressure same place and postitoin of road use, and lots of people just wore thicker soled walking boots and used platform pedals anyway.

Most of the people I know who use SPDs on their road bikes do it because they prefer the convienience of double sided entry, esp for stop-start town work, and/or they just can’t get the hang of the necessary pedal flip clip-in routine for road pedals, especially on hill starts.  That and using waterproof/warmer off-road footwear in the winter, plus SPDs are generally easier to walk with.

tugglesthegreat wrote:

Look555 wrote:

Here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdtetdf6qhk&t=10s seems the answer is no.

Cheers.  Great news I’m not missing out.  So much simpler having the same pedals on all bikes and the same cleats on all shoes.

Interesting video, which basically seems to say there isn’t much evidence one way or the other – so convenience is a powerful argument (as long as you’re comfortable). I moved away from SPD (to Time iClic) on the road because I had shoes without a massively rigid sole that meant I got hot-spots, like you, which was a literal pain – and it was cheaper to change pedals than upgrade the shoes, which I also wasn’t sure would stop it. I then moved from Time to Speedplay for fit/knee injury regions and personally find them the easiest of all the pedals i’ve tried to get into/out-of and the most comfortable, in particular the float (for me). Not tried Eggbeaters but heard similar praise for getting into / out-of. Never liked SPD-SL pedals myself although i’m probably in the vast minority in that.

Bottom line – if you’re comfy enough on SPDs then for me makes sense to stick with them on everything. If it’s just the occassional hot-spot then perhaps a shoe with a more rigid sole next time you’re in the market for it, but sounds like no need to change pedal system FWIW.

DoctorFish wrote:

DoctorFish wrote:

davel wrote:

I use the privateer r with speedplay frogs (sort of spikey spd cleats, that fit into the recess) on my CX bike, which I also use as my commuter and winter roadie. So they mainly see road commuting and (very) occasional CX and winter 50-milers. Happy with them – decent balance between road stiffness and comfort. and they’re pretty tough too. There should be some decent deals on them now.

 

I use speedplay zero on my road bike and speedplay frogs on my adventure/winter bike, and on the touring bike I had before that.  If I ever break the zero’s on my road bike I’d be tempted to replace them with the frogs.  Both great pedals and both very quick to clip in to, but easier walking with the frogs.

 

Same – I have zeros on my road and TT bikes. I’m a fan, but the cleats are a PITA, so I’d be tempted to go frogs all round too.

tugglesthegreat wrote:

tugglesthegreat wrote:

davel wrote:

I use the privateer r with speedplay frogs (sort of spikey spd cleats, that fit into the recess) on my CX bike, which I also use as my commuter and winter roadie. So they mainly see road commuting and (very) occasional CX and winter 50-milers. Happy with them – decent balance between road stiffness and comfort. and they’re pretty tough too. There should be some decent deals on them now.

Great info, thanks so much.  Sound like the ones for me as the best of all worlds and you sound like you do similar riding to me.

I’m currently using Shimano shoes, the enduro ones 46, I was using 45 when I had Sidi shoes.  Are Giro shoes quite a wide fitting?  I might just be cheeky and go into a shop and try on then buy online.  

I’m a 45 in sidi road shoes, the Shimano off-roaders I have, and the privateers. They all feel pretty spot-on, but the privateers can feel a smidge tight after a full week commuting (I often wear heftier socks for commutes though, compared to thin road socks or no socks with the Sidis).

If you’re already getting on with Shimano 46s, I think I’d go for a 46 in the privateers too.

Here you go: https://www

Here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdtetdf6qhk&t=10s seems the answer is no.