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MTB Clipless Pedals on a Road Bike?

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  • July 26, 2011 at 6:25 am #13944
    Barneyballbags

    Hi all,

    I’m currently building up my first road bike. I’m coming over from around 20 years of mountain biking, and I want to run mtb clipless pedals – more specifically Crank Bros Eggbeaters or Candys – with my current mtb shoes.

    My question is, can I simply buy some MTB Eggbeaters/Candys and fit them straight to the road bike, or do road bike cranks take a specific thread size (as BMX cranks do).

    Thanks

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Viewing 11 replies - 16 through 26 (of 26 total)
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  • July 26, 2011 at 12:16 pm #650809
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    james-o

    Chris, it was clear and based
    Chris, it was clear and based on aesthetics or otherwise, it’s still a daft comment – ie MTB SPDs look different to Speedplays in what significant way? It’s just a pedal. Use what you like on what you like.

    If you had MTB SPDs on a high-end road bike, some may say that shows you have thought about comfort or practicalities as well as what’s normal for that type of bike, that you just know what you prefer and aren’t abiding by some unwritten style / bike format rules. That kind of approach to your bkes should be encouraged.

    July 26, 2011 at 11:55 am #650807
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    Simon_MacMichael

    Always used Crank Bros pedals
    Always used Crank Bros pedals on my road bikes, first Candys (which looked fine), now the road-specific Quattros (which I don’t think they make any more).

    Only problem with the latter is that they don’t have clearance for my old MTB shoes, which is a bit of a shame for those occasions when I might want to ride somewhere and wander around in anything other than my road shoes…

    July 26, 2011 at 11:22 am #650805
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    ilovemytinbred

    This is not really a topic
    This is not really a topic worth getting hot and bothered about. If you are happy with mtb pedals good luck to you, if you have any doubts then get a test ride on some decent road pedals.

    Personally I much prefer my road pedals for proper road riding. To me they feel (much) better, the float is smoother and its a nicer platform. For commuting I cant even be bothered with SPDs. I ride quality flats.

    July 26, 2011 at 11:08 am #650803
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    KirinChris

    james-o wrote:”If someone is

    james-o wrote:
    ”If someone is going to get all the Assos-Rapha-Castelli kit, the Fizik saddle, the latest carbon fibre and then top it off with SPDs they may as well have Try Hard Wanker tattooed on their forehead.”

    A laughable statement really.. ride what works for you. If that THW rider then dropped you who’s laughing then? : )

    Glad it amused you but what’s that got to do with aesthetics ?

    I had already made the point about power and set-up and was making a point about the aesthetics. Nothing to do with how well anyone rides, or who gets dropped – I didn’t say it was.

    In words of one-syllable or less… if they get all the nice kit and best bike stuff and then use SPDs it looks shit. Clear ?

    I have SPDs on my steel audax bike for reasons of walking and comfort but I would expect to be beaten to a bloody pulp by random passers-by for crimes against aesthetics if I put them on my Noah.

    July 26, 2011 at 10:38 am #650801
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    Barneyballbags

    Thanks for all the comments,
    Thanks for all the comments,

    Looks like a set of Crank Bros Candys is on the shopping list then. I’ve always got on with CB pedals so I’m a little reluctant to change! I’m not a weight weenie either (to be honest I find all that a little sad), so I’m happy to be carrying a few extra grammes if it means I actually enjoy riding my bike more 🙂

    July 26, 2011 at 10:06 am #650799
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    dave atkinson

    I use SPDs on all my bikes
    I use SPDs on all my bikes except my TT bike. Mainly because the shoes are easier to walk in, I don’t find the size of the platform makes any difference at all to me.

    July 26, 2011 at 9:37 am #650797
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    othello

    I use SPDs on my road, cross
    I use SPDs on my road, cross and MTB and I have a set of ‘race’ style MTB shoes which I share between them. I use A520 SPD touring medials on my road bike which are surprisingly good but not that light. I have been wondering about a specific set of road pedals and shoes though.

    July 26, 2011 at 8:56 am #650795
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    james-o

    “If someone is going to get
    “If someone is going to get all the Assos-Rapha-Castelli kit, the Fizik saddle, the latest carbon fibre and then top it off with SPDs they may as well have Try Hard Wanker tattooed on their forehead.”

    A laughable statement really.. ride what works for you. If that THW rider then dropped you who’s laughing then? : )

    The OP says ‘first road bike’ – I’d say go MTB SPD here.

    For winter and city riding, MTB SPDs work well too. For power transfer and best set-up, road pedals are better.

    July 26, 2011 at 8:45 am #650793
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    KirinChris

    @Martin I would not disagree
    @Martin I would not disagree that it is possible but strongly disagree it is preferable.

    Partly because of the platform but also because the generally bigger road cleats make it easier to adjust position and angle, which can be important for some riders.

    I wouldn’t dismiss the aesthetic thing either, although it depends on the context. Lots of people spend significant time and money making their bike look ‘right’ and getting the kit and so on.
    If someone is going to get all the Assos-Rapha-Castelli kit, the Fizik saddle, the latest carbon fibre and then top it off with SPDs they may as well have Try Hard Wanker tattooed on their forehead.
    It’s like getting a Maserati and asking if it’s OK to put a nodding dog in the back window. Maybe some people can pull it off but for most it’s best not to try.

    July 26, 2011 at 8:18 am #650791
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    Martin Thomas

    I know you didn’t
    I know you didn’t specifically ask whether it was a good idea to use MTB pedals on a road bike but I’d say not only is it possible – it’s actually preferable. Apart from the (frankly rather ridiculous) aesthetic argument, the only reason I’ve ever heard for using road-specific pedals is that they provide a broader platform that’s said to be more stable. I’m not convinced. I swapped from Time Atacs (MTB) to Time RXS (road) recently and although they do feel more solid I think a lot of that is down to the new shoes I got, which are far better than my old MTB shoes. I think if you have good quality shoes you’ll struggle to notice the difference. And you’ll be able to clip in *much* more easily.

    July 26, 2011 at 6:33 am #650789
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    Aidan

    Yes, they’ll fit. I use SPDs
    Yes, they’ll fit. I use SPDs on all my bikes, road , tourer, MTB and Brompton , means I dont have to faff with different shoes

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