Defo. I have SPDs and Shimano MT3 shoes which look like a trainer but are surprisingly stiff. Saves taking spare shoes on my commute or getting to the start of a long ride like the DD. Unless your racing the weight or aero gain just ain't worth the wally walk in the pub😅
I went clipless (SPD-SL) when I bought my first road bike. I liked so much being clipped-in, so I bought a set of SPD pedals & a pair of shoes for my MTB. Then I realised that SPD is the way to go: it's nicer to be able to clip in from both sides of the pedal and you can walk in those shoes. For now I still use SPD-SL on my road bike, but after I'll upgrade to a new one, I'll go with SPD for sure.
@@Countrystock Totally agree. There is an added benefit that because of the recessed cleat, the SPD shoes/cleats don't damage floors in the house, which has been a saving grace, especially to my wife. I am totally a road cyclist, but with hi-end gravel racing shoes, who needs SPD SL (which I used for years before I saw the light)???
Logically, the time to switch would be when buying a new shoe, not a new bike. Pedals can be moved between bikes, but when buying a shoe, you are locked into the 2 bolt or 3 bolt systems (with a few dual exceptions).
For the recreational rider I would definitely recommend the SPD pedals with platform pedals on one side. Not only do they give you the option of riding in sneakers (sorry, “trainers”), but also when starting though an intersection you can power through before clipping in once safely across. Faffing around trying to clip in in the middle of a busy intersection is… not fun.
I am a triathlete and I really like SPD pedals because it allows walking or even running on short distances. While the others are struggling with their road bike shoes being already clipped on the pedals and having to run barefoot, I can just zoom past them in my SPD shoes. And getting on the bikes with the shoes already on the pedals can be really tricky, I've seen really nasty falls caused by the shoes hanging from the pedals. I love and would absolutely recommend SPDs for short course triathlon, because its more comfortable and doesn't or hardly looses any time in transition compared to road shoes.
You can also get SPD / Flat pedals, which I personally love in stop and go traffic. Sometimes I don't want to fuss w/ clipping in and out at every light or behind every car, so I can just put my foot down on the flat and get ok power. Once I've got some road ahead of me I can clip in and get focused riding.
Me too! For all the reasons you articulated, the are amazing especially in traffic or wacky off road bits, plus I can just hop on the bike with my regular shoes for a short shopping jaunt!
This is the best pedal for everyday riding and for beginners learning how to use cleats. Both myself and my father started with this before shifting to SPD SL cleats/pedals.
The hybrids are nice for having options or to not wear your bike shoes for a quick ride somewhere, but they are staggeringly heavier. On my old bike I kept the hybrid ones, but when I upgraded I just got SPD's.
I was taught pedalling at the cycling school of the Paris Jacques Anquetil velodrome 50 years ago, on track and road. We used clips with leather straps and cleats that had to be nailed to the shoes. I stopped biking in the 80s and when I returned, I discovered the clipless systems with joy gratitude. Having experience of the 3 systems (including the ancient one ;) ) and being more on the touring than racing practice, I confess a preference for the MTB system, for walking in particular, whether in town or on muddy or rocky paths. The greatest virtue I find in the road system is that the platform being longer and wider, pressure feels like it is more directly applied to the pedal and energy gets more efficiently transferred to the bike. Sorry to be long, but one thing more: I'm not nostalgic of the ancient system at all, especially as now I'm in my mid-60s and my leg joints have undergone much wear and tear. Being able to fix the cleats and pedals with a bit of lee way allows my feet to twist a bit on the bike to avoid excessive tension in the oinees and ankles, and this I am thankful for.
Fun fact. Shimano originally marketed SPD pedals as road or MTB pedals. They were trying to avoid paying licensing fees to Look. When Look's patent ran out, they rebranded SPD as mountain bike pedals.
Having tried both, my absolute favorite is SPD. I have Specialized mountain bike shoes with the SPD cleats because they’re recessed in the shoe, and the shoe itself has great grip to the ground. I can clip and unclip out of the SPD much faster. I tried the Wahoo Speedplays at one point, but I had the worst time clipping in and out of them, so those were an expensive fail for me. EDIT: I use SPDs and mountain bike shoes on a road bike, and I’ve never been more comfortable.
@@gcn I don’t! If anything it feels like a gain. My toes can spread out and aren’t so cramped, the bottoms of the shoes have a lot of grip, so when I unclip and put my foot to the ground, it’s not sliding around (and even better for walking if needed). They feel much more stable on the pedals than road shoes for me.
No matter what clip in style you choose. Don’t forget to clip out when coming to a stop. When in doubt nothing beats a good old fashion flat pedal. As always happy riding everyone.
I know this video is sponsored by Shimano, but Crankbrothers makes some awesome mtb and gravel pedals as well. Specifically, the eggbeaters still feel fast on the paved sections, but offer much more versatility when off-roading.
I think it's worth mentioning that on the mountain bike system you have "float", a little bit of movement of the shoe whilst still being clipped in. That could make it more comfortable especially if you have joint problems.
I use spd es600. Spd pedals but with road cleat sized platform, the best of both worlds. Can walk normally when off the bike which is a must when commuting!
Me too. They even come with special SPD cleats that cannot be unclipped by pulling up hard, effectively canceling out one reasons I often hear people claim why SPD-SL is better.
@@headlessmike You got it backwards, the single-direction release version (SM-SH51) came first, and the multi-direction SH56 came after as an “improvement” to the problem people crash not being able to unclip. Most Shimano pedals bundle SH51 as the default cleats.
This. If only there were more road shoes with a clean and sleek design that hold recessed SPD cleats. And no, I don’t think those Shimano adapters are an adequate solution.
One point that wasn’t mentioned was that for a beginner using clipless for the first time, the MTB system is the way to go. There are two types of Shimano cleats with the silver ones easier to clip out of than the black ones that were shown in this video.
I bought the SPD/flat pedals when I was first learning to use clipless shoes. I've stuck with them because the shoes are easier to walk in. Helpful if you ride in traffic to be able to use both sides even with clippers spd shoes. 😊
Stopped using clipless on all my bikes, MTB, road, gravel . Switched to flats. So much better than clips, power transfer surprisingly same, lots more freedom. Only took me 30 years to figure it out!
Strongly disagree... riding flats on my commute bike and spd-sl on my normal and I got to say, clip less is sooo much better, so much more comfortable not so slip on the paddle all the time and so much more secure when out of the saddle
I agree that the gravel or MTB shoes with their respective SPD Pedals are most practical. One key advantage is the use of SPD MTB system in the city, as it allows one to use both sides of the Pedals. The road shoe&pedal system to me is quite dangerous. At the traffic lights, if I failed to clip on my other side at the start, the road shoe WILL slide off the pedal if on the wrong side. Better yet, Shimano EH500 with one sided clip and flat on the other side is fantastic for city and town. Because the flat side will allow the MTB shoe to lodge into the Pedal's flat side without clipping (little known Shimano EH500 feature). That means one can unclip one side ahead to a stop, yet the MTB shoe won't slip out coming to a full stop or following start.
I’ve used both systems and it’s SPD all the way for me. One pair of shoes for my road bike and my XC bike. They’re plenty stiff enough for the road, don’t get wrecked off road and you can walk in them. What’s not to like.
Just did the transition from SPD to SPD-SL, coming from gravel/mtb i just stuck to the spd‘s on my first road bike. After a year only riding my road bike and getting a second one now I got SPD-SL pedals for both of them, and I gotta say, it just feels way better and safer and more effective with the SPD-SL. It’s probably just subjective, but I’m happy I made the transition.
I use road SPD-SL (PD-R8000) mainly, because they are much more stable, less float/play and larger surface area. But i switch to SPD (EH-500) during the Finnish winter. Ice and snow builds up in the pedals and/or cleats, and sometimes can't clip in instantly, hence the combo pedals.
@@gcn Yes i do. Canyon Endurace AL for the winter. Takes 35mm CX tyres for the snow and even studded tyres for the most slippery part of the winter. Also the city takes great care of the cycling paths through the whole winter. This is actually a quite nice video of the winter upkeep of our cycling infrastructure in Oulu, Finland. th-cam.com/video/Uhx-26GfCBU/w-d-xo.html
I started with a mountain bike and when I got into road biking it was easier to keep the SPD pedals on everything. That said, I have never felt the need to get road pedals. Thanks for your explanation, it was well done!
Cleat covers for SPD-SL/Look pedals work reasonably well to provide some traction on road bike shoes (and keep the cleats from getting dirt in them if you're not just walking on pavement/floors). Probalby not a substitute for gravel/MTB riding but good enough for the cafe run or other brief walks while on a road ride.
This is the video I have been searching for!!! I started with SPD on both road and mountain bikes for cost purposes but always wondered if I had a made a mistake. The technical side of me would love a more in depth video though maybe with motion analysis to see the performance differences ( if there are any) Pretty easy to do the same ride with same shoes and just different cleats.
I decided to go with Shimano PD-ES600 for my only gravel/road bike. They are being marketed as for commuting, but in fact are great for both road and gravel rides as they are one-sided SPD and that cuts down some weight + somewhat aerodynamic. A recreational cyclist like me would benefit from an SPD type because of their versatility.
@@philipcooper8297 Yeah there's been studies as well. If you're going flat (no pun intended) out, yes they are significant. For Joe Commuter, use whatever you're comfortable with.
I use pd-es600 pedals. They are technically a touring pedal, so look and work like a road pedal but use spd cleats. Really light and slow me to use one pair of shoes for both road and mountain.
This is one of the great aesthetic debates of cycling and seems to be peer-group driven. I’m nowhere near any decent level of cycling and ride for fun and exercise and I’ve tried both systems. However, for ease of engagement and longevity (things are bombproof!) SPD pedals for me.
For the longest time, I didn't own a road bike and had no experience of any road pedal system. Yet every time I rode on road for any longer period of time, I wondered why there is always so disturbingly much play in the system. I also tried Crankbrothers' pedals, but they weren't any better than SPDs. Then I bought a road bike and decided to also buy road pedals (which happened to be Look Keos), and new shoes as well. What a difference it made! A stiff and stable platform with no unwanted play whatsoever and very efficient power transfer, even though my shoes had nylon soles (not carbon ones)! Nowadays I would never even consider riding a road bike with anything other than road pedals anymore; there has to be a significant risk of having to walk for me to choose the MTB pedals. Still, if you're not on the road, or just touring or commuting. it is like Manon says: the MTB pedals win out.
Road cleats allow for better adjustment if you have knee or foot issues. For that reason I use them for any type of distance biking. The only time I use spd is for full on trail riding where I need to get the foot off the pedal quickly to avoid a crash or into the pedal easily due to terrain issues.
@@JonathanHairDo you mean the PD-ES600 pedals, that are marketed as Ultegra level? Availability seems quite good right now, are you sure they are OOP? Or is it a recent change and the stock is still good.
I'm using SPD on my road bike. Important things to mention: There ARE one-sided clip SPD pedals that weigh pretty much the same as SPD SL pedals. And there ARE shoes (my Giro Savix road shoes for example) that are compatible with bith systems.
Hi. I've seen a couple of comments about Giro Savix or other shoes supporting both SPD and SPD-SL. Forgive me, but I am not following - isn't it the cleat that you put on the shoe supports SPD and/or SPD-SL? I see that the Savix supports both the 2-hole (SPD) and 3-hole (SPD-SL) cleats directly, with no need for an adapter, but you still need attach one or the other cleat, is that correct? Hopefully I am missing something, as I'd like to find a way to choose either one system or the other on the fly. Thanks.
@@timauch2044 Yes, you have to attach the right cleat on the shoe. The cleats usually come with the pedals by the way (Spd pedals with spd cleats, compatible with 2 hole shoes, and spd-sl pedals with spd-sl cleats, compatible with 3 hole shoes). I think there is no adapter from Spd to Spd-Sl or the other way around. Anyways I wouldn't use an adapter. So either get the right shoe or a shoe that works with both systems (like the Savix). Did that answer your question? 🙂
@@chrisl.6158 Thanks. My goal is to use 2 different shoes interchangeably with two different bikes with different pedals; I posted that as a generic comment to this video as well. So I think you did answer the question - and my search continues. :) I actually used the adapter approach in the past and it didn't work, as I was missing a plate (it was for a Wellgo adapter) needed to make a smooth and tight connection from shoe to pedal (if that makes sense.) I rummaged around my parts bin and found that I actually had the needed plates. I added the them and tried them on my ride this morning - it worked quite well. I also found that I had a Shimano SH41 adapter and that worked even better (more stable to walk with) , so I wouldn't rule out the adapter approach, but I do agree that an SPD-SL cleat and pedal would be best for both stability and power transfer. Thanks again!
@@timauch2044 Interesting. Now I have a question: I thought those adapters have to be quite thick and would mess with my position on the bike. But is it just a thin metal plate? And yes, the SPD-SL may be a more pro solution if you ride in supertuck position etc. but for me SPD pedals are just fine on the road bike. With my torn ligaments on both feet I thought I have less mobility and therefore should first try SPDs. With the Savix shoe I could "upgrade" to SPD-SL at a later point, but actually I think I'll stick with SPD on my road bike.
I use the Crankbrothers Eggbeaters 3 for both and they are fantastic. 4 sides to clip in to and they are very light as well. The grip is good. I’m always thinking about trying the Look Keos but then again I don’t want to give up on the comfort of walking. I have stiff shoes with carbon soles btw so the power transfer is very good.
As a roadie, I use MTB SPD with road shoes. I live in the Bay area, CA so we run into stoplights quite often. Being able to clip in/off on both sides really help.
Got my first set of clipless pedals a couple of years ago for my road bike - got mountain bike kit as it's more practical for commuting, get groceries, etc.
I agree that MTB pedals are the only logical choice for the vast majority of riders and I have ridden many centuries in them, but I do find that my feet are more comfortable on very long rides with road cleats. I don't know if it's the larger platform distributing force or something else, and I would love to learn if there's any basis for this other than my experience. It would seem reasonable that a stiffer sole would help even the score, but then the shoe would be more awkward to walk in, reducing the benefits of the MTB system. You have to hand it to Shimano that they came up with an excellent system in SPD that has continued essentially unchanged for decades. They resisted the engineering foolishness that caused Look to release Keo, which offered no substantial improvement at the cost of compatibility.
Recently switched from SPD to SPD-SL because I couldn't find any MTB shoes that could comfortable fit my ultra wide feet. Because MTB shoes are reinforced at the toes to protect them from rocks, which caused numbness for me on long rides. My new shoes (Lake CX201) are pretty much a carbon sole wrapped with an elastic mesh. Finally my feet are comfortable when riding. I thought walking in them would suck, but tbh it doesn't feel too different.
7:07 Did I heat things correctly ? "but now there's lots of gravel pacific shoes" - rather the "specific". Might just be me but i have listened a few times and even the subtitles suggest "pacific"
I cycled in the late 80s early 90s was on toe clips and went to look and did use a shimano look cleat pedal and then gave up cycling for a years 2 years bought a tourer and had the Shimano SPD one side and the normal pedal I really liked them so much I got a small pair of Shimano SPD for my road bike and I think will stick with them for my road bike. Great video
I started with mountain bike peddals and kept them for road biking. I only need 1 pair of shoes and the clip in feel is the same for all my bikes. I would consider upgrading peddals to the larger platform if it improved stability
You'll get way more benefit from upgrading to stiffer shoes than to SL pedals. in stiff shoes, the difference is not perceptible. SL pedals only real benefits are marginal weight and aero gains, but if that's what you need, you're probably already using SL pedals.
My first pair of cycling shoes had the mounting holes for both, after trying both it's SPD for me. One aspect that is useful is that there is enough inherent "float" so that if you don't get the cleats set up perfectly, you have a reasonable hope that you won't end up putting undue stress on your knees, etc
Shimano once produced an SPD-style urban pedal with a unique design - it was one-sided. The primary advantage of this model was its integration of a sleek, road profile pedal with footwear that offered practical walking comfort. This combination made it an ideal choice for extended, week-long cycling events such as RAGBRAI, where riders often disembark to explore towns on foot.
Touring, single sided SPD with platform. Platform for riding from the hotel to the chippy in plimsolls. Commute, double side SPD. Road & TT, SPD-SL. Vintage rides, usually plates, clips and straps. Some bikes rubber block pedals.
I like SPD-SL for road racing due to stronger engagement, but for touring, SPD is the way to go. I'm not looking to win any sprints and being able to walk around is a major bonus.
use MTB pedals on my road bike. I had a few pairs anyway so no need to buy new ones. Also they have an amazing amount of float which is good for my knees and I can actually walk in the shoes without sliding on my arse. TIME ATAC pedals. Also means I can use my winter MTB shoes on the road bike and have dry warm feet.
I have begrudgingly moved to SPDs for some of my riding. Flats have been absolutely fine but clipless pedals have helped me manage knee pain, presumably because of the narrower stance.
Very thorough treatment of this subject. I started road cycling with metal cleats hammered onto leather soled shoes clipped into quill pedals with toeclips and Binda toestraps, including track stands at traffic lights. Skipping some steps, I road Speadplay zeros on my road bike with cafe covers in my pocket. Given that my cycling is now best described as touring speed, I find that MTB pedals and shoes works best for me on all my bikes-road, gravel, mountain. I don‘t notice any difference from a smaller contact surface with the latest Shimano XTR pedals and Sidi shoes. I felt a bit scandalous for some years but now can‘t see it any other way, for me that is.
I originally started with road bike cleats but eventually switched to MTB ones when after trying it out for a while. No performance difference for me, way more convenient. Then I got mixed pedals with a flat side for commuting and now I find myself using the flag side more often even when I have my cleated shoes on. It is just a bit more comfortable when you can occasionally switch up your foot position a bit and my times seem to stay the same either way...
Good video. Walking into the coffee shop scene - keeping it real!! After years using a road shoe / pedal system, I switched to a mtb shoe / pedal. It's really nice to be able to walk around.
The majority of what I do is road cycling even so the SPD or MTB pedals are the obvious choice for me. I do a bit of indoor cycling, commuting, touring, road and trail riding. Having the same across bikes just makes everything easier. Since the majority of my rides involve a little bit of walking having the MTB shoes just makes that part of the journey more stable and pleasant.
@gcn not really, I get all the major benefits. The possible marginal gains just aren't worth the expense and added complexity of having multiple systems,l for me.
Learned on SPDs, stayed with them. Wear very light carbon-soled S-Works XC shoes and use XTR pedals which have a platform cage. Work brilliantly together. Usually/always riding road.
Riding in coastal North Carolina, where it is often hot and very humid, SPD pedals and Shimano SD5 sandals keep my toes happy. At any temperature above 55, the shoes come off and the sandals on. The SD5 sandals are stiff enough to transfer effort onto the pedals, yet comfortable enough for walking about town. I'm cycling in sandals 9 months a year.
Been riding SPD pedals for at least 25 years, bike commuting, rec riding and thousands of miles/kilometers bike touring. They are mounted on easily walkable mountain bike shoes. Before SPDs it was toeclips with various shoes.
I use Crankbrothers Candy pedals on all of my bikes - being able to walk off the bike is much more important to me than saving a tiny bit of weight or a tiny bit of power transfer.
My first clipless is SPD, so easy to walk around, no hassle in clipping in and out. After 2 years, I use Keo pedal for roadbike and find out it's easy enough since I'm used to SPD, but have to admit it's not as practical as SPD. It's a trade betwern comfort and performance
I have only been a mountain bike rider in the past, and upgrading to clipless pedals way back when was a game changer. Now that I'm getting older and in the process of switching to road cycling I've been looking into pedal options, and I think I'm going to go with some Bont gravel shoes and stay with mountain pedals. I'm not going to be racing and will likely be making a few stops on long rides like the local gran fondo/century rides. The gravel shoes seem like the best of both worlds (easier to walk, longer lasting cleats, stiff carbon shoes, and more aero upper); while road shoes just seem like a hassle unless you're only riding from point A to point A.
You can get rubber cleat covers for road cleats which I find useful for grip even if it does point your toes a little further skyward. Not a perfect solution but a useful one. I still use MTB pedals for commuting, so where there will be a significant amount of walking and/or unclipping they are my go to. If you can only afford one type of shoe and pedal system, off-road options will be better for 99% of people.
Even the use of flat pedals vs. road pedals are more marketing than actual power gain. However, after riding bikes with flat pedals and taking 200 kms, a couple of months ago I bought a new bike and being pressured by my friends I gave spd-sl a try. After falling about half a dozen times 😁, I kind of like the felling of being cliped in. I kept the flats on my old bike wich I use to ride for work. The performance difference between the two must be the 23 years of difference between them and not the pedals.
I got KEO pedals when I bought my first 2nd hand road bike, so I got used to them. Perfectly fine, they work well and I like them. I did have some prior experience with SPDs from occasional MTB trips, and I agree they are much more comfortable in terms of clipping in/out and walking around. Now I have a new bike onto which I transferred my KEO pedals. But since the frame can be fitted with gravel bike wheels, I'm tempted to buy a set of SPDs + shoes for when I'm converting my road bike to a gravel bike...
I have been using my Crank Brothers Eggbeaters - light, 4 sided entry on my Pinarello Dogma for years…love them. With carbon soles Sidis, I don’t feel any flex when I pedal.
I've learned from my bigger size to go big with the pedals. I started with rattrap / toe clips for over a decade (yes I'm that old). After one broken collarbone I moved up to Looks that are a bear to walk on then speedplays which are great to pedal with for quieting your pedal stroke but not the greatest for us 200 lb+ riders even with Carnacs. From my early Hoo-Koo-E-Koo riding I learned that a bigger pedal platform seemed to help with foot pain. Now I've standardized on DA-SPD's with the surrounding platform. I've learned that even carbon shoes have some flex in the soles so you're better off with a larger pedal platform for all my bikes be they fixed cog, cyclocross, commuter, Xcountry 26, Xcountry 29 and one road. My '84 Fisher still has big flats and my 90 Neenan still runs lollypops.
Always used spd. Originally as i was starting out they were easier to get the hang of. Then as i upgraded my road bike realised the range had expanded so i could have the look of a road cleat pedal but with the practical elements of spd and no need for new shoes!
I use Look Keo road pedals on my road bike and Crank Bros MTB pedals on all my others. The Fizik Vento Overcurve is a nice off-road shoe that has a very slim profile sole which you can get away with using on the road, looks-wise. It's what I use on my all-road bikes with MTB pedals. Cafe stops, no problem.
@@gcn I have two sets of shoes. The Vento Overcurve only has the 2-bolt system. So, I have road shoes and off-road shoes but if I was going to go with one system I'd use the off-road pedal/shoe just for convenience of walking about and of course, the cafe stop. I'm not racing and I don't need to be super aero so it's more practical, but like Si, I tend to setup my road bikes for the road.
1st May 2024 was my first use of SPD pedals from pedals with open toeclips. The Shimano pedals came with SM-SH51 clips, but even with pedals set to the easiest release, I found it difficult to clip out! I had a couple of falls, the first practically outside my house. Then I found out about the multi-release clips SM-SH56 and they are a game changer. I have 3 pair of shoes and one, the Giant Bolt can be used with the two or three bolt systems.
Great comparison! I have used both for many decades. However I would like to add that I believe that using mountain bike pedals for randonneuring and other ultra distance road events caused my hotfoot and neuromas due to more of a "point" loading, and softer shoe soles that required surgery and significant long term issues. I feel this is especially true when feet get wet over a period of hours and nerves are less protected.
I'm in my 70s and used the old toe clips with leather straps in my teenage years and beyond. Probably ten years ago I moved to SPD pedals and now have them on my four bikes, road and gravel leg powered and road and mtb e-bikes. I swap between flats and SPD on the e-mtb, depending on the terrain I'll be riding. On the gravel bike I have SPDs but with a larger body that almost mimics flats. I ride a few times a week with a bunch of retired friends and most are on SPDs. Two or three are on the LOOK style road pedals and a few don't use cleats at all.
I first started clipless with Time Atack in the mid 90s when they were newish as a pedal. Several bikes and sets of pedals later I haven't found a reason to change. There's a good selection of models, they don't break the bank, they dont break (still use my first ever set), lots of float, good retention, easy clip in/out and excellent mud clearance. But apart from that I dont like them ! 😂😂😂
I use high end MTB pedals on my BMC road bike. Living in Boston I realized years ago that I wasn’t all that comfortable starting a ride in the city with traditional road pedals because I have to ride in traffic for a while to get to the countryside. Conversely, my commuter and gravel bike has SPD’s and ride those bikes in the city all the time. I eventually made the switch on my road bike. Nothing beats MTB pedals in heavy traffic 🤷🏻♂️.
I have a gravel bike with SPD platform pedals, flat on one side so I can use regular shoes if I want a quick spin around with the kiddos. I have a cheap road shoe to go with it.
I’ve always used SPDs on my bikes but fitted some SLs on my road bike earlier this year and love them. Clipping in always feels far more positive than the SPDs, they feel more secure and comfortable and I don’t miss the grinding of metal on metal. Only problem I’ve had is one of the cleats came loose enough to have to remove my shoe whilst clipped in, possibly due to the extra force required to unclip?
I have both in the form of my Garmin Vector 3 dual sided "watt-pedals", with a mountainbike/SPD conversion kit. Due to commuting I'm only using the mountain/SPD pedals, since grocery shopping is a total nightmare in road/SPD-SL pedals + walking in the road/SPD-SL clamps sound like you are walking in high heels. With that said, I feel and see a significant difference in performance when it comes to the 5-10 second sprints. It feels like the mountain/SPD pedals only offers 80% feeling of stability and ensurance that you won't unclip, where the SPD-SL pedals feel rock solid and it is the bending bones that set the limit (at least that is how it feels). I actually see a 500W difference in peak power, and 100-150W difference in a 10 sec sprint - and it is the road/SPD-SL pedals that wins in performance. But I am still loyaly only using my mountainbike pedal setup, because they win in all other categories than the sprint :)
On the subject of slipping in road shoes, definitely don't take the stair in them. Learned that lesson the hard way taking the pedestrian bridge over a railway line.
mountain bike clipless are 100% the way to go unless you're a serious racer. the "platform" doesn't matter much if you get a stiffer cyclocross style shoe.
After slipping and sliding like a penguin through a cafe on a slightly oily patch I ditched road bike shoes & went mountain bike pedals & shoes. Newer model gravel shoes have all the benefits of a road bike shoe, come in wider options but allow off bike ease of walking. Handy not just for cafe stops but when hill steepness defeats & need to push bike uphill are a saviour.
On my first bike with clipless pedals I had SPD on one side and a flat pedal on the other. For starting from a stop these were easier, especially once I got used to them. Though, arguably, I ruined the experience for myself because the shoes I had were not very stiff and I would get a hot spot under the ball of my foot where the cleat was. Eventually I switched to SPD-SL pedals. And I have not loved all of them. The old metal Shimano 105 ones were not great. The newer Shimano 105 and now Garmin RS200 are much better in my opinion. Also, I have gotten more used to them. All that said, when I do look at having a commuter bike again I would consider SPD pedals or just plain old baskets. For road use I like my SPD-SL pedals and I don't know that I would go back.
I'd been looking forward to this video since it was mentioned in the GCN show. I was really hoping for some data on the power differences between SPD and SPD-SL.
Thanks so much for this episode! I have been wanting to see GCN cover this topic for a long time. I was introduced to Time's Link, MX and CX series pedals at a local bike repair shop and liked them alot! Subsequently I discovered (and switched to) a series of Crank Brothers pedals. I have Mallets, Candy's, and egg-beaters -- the latter my current favorite for their simplicity, comfort and flexibility in riding style. They also look kuul!
Used road cleats for two years, grew to loath them, put MTB pedals on all my bikes and have been happy ever since. A good gravel shoe is just as good for performance as a good road shoe. Since the change I’ve never fallen on my ass or had my cleats destroyed by the road because I was forced off the bike during the ride. (I know there are road bike cleats covers - tried them and they’re a bodge.). Also, you can do a mixed road/gravel ride w/out having to worry about it one way or another with the MTB cleats. Plus, MTB cleats don’t wear out, shed mud and debris, etc. Also if you ride in winter you can get a nice MTB boot and not have to mess with those dumb road shoe covers. Additionally, I dispute that the road shoe has a better contact surface because you can get pedals like the XTR PD-M9120 with the wide platform on both side of the clip and the shoe tread will make contact with that part of the pedal surface. Plus, you can drive while wearing a gravel or mountain bike shoe. Ever driven out to where you want to ride, realized you’d forgotten your road shoes and been forced to drive back home? I will take the extra 100 grams any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
I just switched to SPD, in my case they are holding my foot even better. I couldn't find any reason why they would be any worse. Nice to heqr that this video confirms it. Also got the Shimano RX8, which hold my foot really well. For anyone not racing its probably the future
I’ve used all 3 for years but still find road specific spd’s too hard to quickly clip into when pulling out of junctions / onto roundabouts etc. combined with the walk-ability, it’s a no brainier to use mtb type for me, but I mainly commute. having said that I’ve only ever tried shimano road spd. If I did a load of road racing / club rides I’d probably go back to road specific
I have been using Shimano A600 and E600 pedals on my road bikes for years. They are one sided alloy bodied and use SPD cleats. Comfy, support like a road SPD SL pedal, but absolutely indestructible and can use touring shoes.
I use 4 different types currently. SPD on my rigid Mnt bike & gravel bike, pegged flats on my full susp Mnt bike & FAVARO KEO on my climbing road bike then Speedplays on my TT bike. I use to use Sampson pedals in 1990’s….just look them up and see how it was for the lightest pedal of that time!
Wahoo speedplays on my road bike , Time Atac pedals on my gravel bike . Really like the float of the Speedplays and the convenience , durability of the Time Atac pedals
A colleague and I both use MTB style pedals for our commutes to work, frequent stops at junctions, walking the 200 yards from the bike rack to office etc. road SPD-SL’s small advantages riding are significantly outweighed for the other pieces of the equation. There isn’t a wrong answer but there is an answer that is ‘more right’ more of the time for each person/circumstance.
When I first started cycling I got the Ultegra pedals and cleats I came to stop couldn’t unclog in time and went crashing down! Now I use Mtb double sided pedals and cleats never had a problem much easier all round as a senior cyclist.
Single side Road SPD's (ES600) on the roadbike and same shoes for both, I love the little bit play they have and they feel more comfy also with cliping in/out (one sided clipping in needs some practice and the paint is banged of the pedal during clipping in after a while), only negative is that the "white" shoes like a lot of road cyclist prefer (like the pro's) are not easy to get in a SPD version, but fancy colors like green, brown are more available in SPD version shoes.
SPD all the way on all my bikes. For MTB it's a no-brainer. For my road bikes, that allows me to use 2 different pairs: my standard MTB shoes, that i can use when I commute and need to go through the grocery store on my way back home, so i can easily walk around with them ; and a "standard" carbon lightweight road shoe, but equipped with SPD cleats, for my typical rides. The stiffness of the sole prevents really noticing the smaller platform size of the SPD pedal, really. I just set the spring to a really stiffer level on my road bike than on my MTB and my commute bike, but that's really it about the setting differences.
Which type of pedals do you use? 👇
I struggled with MTB SPDs due to the lack of adjustment. It lead to knee pain on longer rides.
The switch to road pedals allowed me to resolve this.
Speedplay, also doublesided, quite intuitive and relatively walkable
Normal, flat ones. I don't want to be tied to them and fall over at a busy intersection, with cars speeding all around me.
Shimano SPD MTB flats on the Kona XC bike and Shimano flat/SPD on the gravel bike. No complaints 😊
Flats😂
Always used SPDs on my road bike. Can actually walk in them when I need to.
Defo. I have SPDs and Shimano MT3 shoes which look like a trainer but are surprisingly stiff. Saves taking spare shoes on my commute or getting to the start of a long ride like the DD. Unless your racing the weight or aero gain just ain't worth the wally walk in the pub😅
And one doesn't trash the cleat doing so.
Same here. SPDs on my road bike.
Unless you’re a super serious racer who doesn’t care about ever getting off your bike, this is really all you need to know.
@@ChrisBeard I have same shoes, really comfy, love them. Just started to use spd pedals and have not regretted at all.:)
I went clipless (SPD-SL) when I bought my first road bike. I liked so much being clipped-in, so I bought a set of SPD pedals & a pair of shoes for my MTB.
Then I realised that SPD is the way to go: it's nicer to be able to clip in from both sides of the pedal and you can walk in those shoes.
For now I still use SPD-SL on my road bike, but after I'll upgrade to a new one, I'll go with SPD for sure.
Completely agree with you on this one, I'll be doing the same
@@Countrystock Totally agree. There is an added benefit that because of the recessed cleat, the SPD shoes/cleats don't damage floors in the house, which has been a saving grace, especially to my wife. I am totally a road cyclist, but with hi-end gravel racing shoes, who needs SPD SL (which I used for years before I saw the light)???
Logically, the time to switch would be when buying a new shoe, not a new bike. Pedals can be moved between bikes, but when buying a shoe, you are locked into the 2 bolt or 3 bolt systems (with a few dual exceptions).
For the recreational rider I would definitely recommend the SPD pedals with platform pedals on one side. Not only do they give you the option of riding in sneakers (sorry, “trainers”), but also when starting though an intersection you can power through before clipping in once safely across. Faffing around trying to clip in in the middle of a busy intersection is… not fun.
How right you are!!!
I am a triathlete and I really like SPD pedals because it allows walking or even running on short distances. While the others are struggling with their road bike shoes being already clipped on the pedals and having to run barefoot, I can just zoom past them in my SPD shoes. And getting on the bikes with the shoes already on the pedals can be really tricky, I've seen really nasty falls caused by the shoes hanging from the pedals. I love and would absolutely recommend SPDs for short course triathlon, because its more comfortable and doesn't or hardly looses any time in transition compared to road shoes.
You can also get SPD / Flat pedals, which I personally love in stop and go traffic. Sometimes I don't want to fuss w/ clipping in and out at every light or behind every car, so I can just put my foot down on the flat and get ok power. Once I've got some road ahead of me I can clip in and get focused riding.
Me too! For all the reasons you articulated, the are amazing especially in traffic or wacky off road bits, plus I can just hop on the bike with my regular shoes for a short shopping jaunt!
Another good option! We also compared clipless to flats 👉 th-cam.com/video/aVLfqjcTbnU/w-d-xo.html
I have those on my second bike. Great combination - I can go in any shoe for shorter trips, or bike shoes, as I feel it.
This is the best pedal for everyday riding and for beginners learning how to use cleats. Both myself and my father started with this before shifting to SPD SL cleats/pedals.
The hybrids are nice for having options or to not wear your bike shoes for a quick ride somewhere, but they are staggeringly heavier. On my old bike I kept the hybrid ones, but when I upgraded I just got SPD's.
SPDs for 3 decades - the only pedal similarity between my different bikes.
Shimano nailed this.
I was taught pedalling at the cycling school of the Paris Jacques Anquetil velodrome 50 years ago, on track and road. We used clips with leather straps and cleats that had to be nailed to the shoes. I stopped biking in the 80s and when I returned, I discovered the clipless systems with joy gratitude. Having experience of the 3 systems (including the ancient one ;) ) and being more on the touring than racing practice, I confess a preference for the MTB system, for walking in particular, whether in town or on muddy or rocky paths.
The greatest virtue I find in the road system is that the platform being longer and wider, pressure feels like it is more directly applied to the pedal and energy gets more efficiently transferred to the bike.
Sorry to be long, but one thing more: I'm not nostalgic of the ancient system at all, especially as now I'm in my mid-60s and my leg joints have undergone much wear and tear. Being able to fix the cleats and pedals with a bit of lee way allows my feet to twist a bit on the bike to avoid excessive tension in the oinees and ankles, and this I am thankful for.
It makes more sense if you are not racing. Most of us are recreational cyclists. Practicality dictates the MTB pedal hands down.
Fun fact. Shimano originally marketed SPD pedals as road or MTB pedals. They were trying to avoid paying licensing fees to Look. When Look's patent ran out, they rebranded SPD as mountain bike pedals.
Also they still offer "road specific" SPD pedals. Or more like one offering, Ultegra PD-ES600.
SPD / Platform in one pedal. Only ride urban/ commuting and the ability to walk in the bike shoes or to be able to use any shoes is invaluable for me.
I use magpeds Magnetic Pedals. And they are great.
That's indeed a fun fact! I laern new things every day. Thank you.
fun fact? fun fake fact. not true.
Having tried both, my absolute favorite is SPD. I have Specialized mountain bike shoes with the SPD cleats because they’re recessed in the shoe, and the shoe itself has great grip to the ground.
I can clip and unclip out of the SPD much faster. I tried the Wahoo Speedplays at one point, but I had the worst time clipping in and out of them, so those were an expensive fail for me.
EDIT: I use SPDs and mountain bike shoes on a road bike, and I’ve never been more comfortable.
I’ve got the same setup. Shimano shoes were too tight for me and MTB cleats are so much easier to use.
I totally agree!! My eggbeaters are super easy to clip and unclip.
I agree also. Tried road shoes. But never had confidence to un-clip. And the soles seem slippery
Do you feel like you're lacking anything with the MTB shoe?
@@gcn I don’t! If anything it feels like a gain. My toes can spread out and aren’t so cramped, the bottoms of the shoes have a lot of grip, so when I unclip and put my foot to the ground, it’s not sliding around (and even better for walking if needed). They feel much more stable on the pedals than road shoes for me.
No matter what clip in style you choose. Don’t forget to clip out when coming to a stop. When in doubt nothing beats a good old fashion flat pedal. As always happy riding everyone.
track stand
track stand? I usually don't need to clip out even when the rest of my group does
We've all had that dreaded unable to unclip moment! 😂
I know this video is sponsored by Shimano, but Crankbrothers makes some awesome mtb and gravel pedals as well. Specifically, the eggbeaters still feel fast on the paved sections, but offer much more versatility when off-roading.
I don't like that they don't have release adjustment.
@@The2808erik You can change the float and release angle based on what cleat you purchase.
@@ColKlim98And based on your installation orientation (whether you install one cleat on the other shoe or vice versa).
@@yonglingng5640 Yeah, definitely. They lend themselves well to customization based on shoe size, etc.
And crank brothers shoes look so much nicer, you can wear them like they are some adidas or bike shoes
I think it's worth mentioning that on the mountain bike system you have "float", a little bit of movement of the shoe whilst still being clipped in. That could make it more comfortable especially if you have joint problems.
I use spd es600. Spd pedals but with road cleat sized platform, the best of both worlds. Can walk normally when off the bike which is a must when commuting!
Me too. They even come with special SPD cleats that cannot be unclipped by pulling up hard, effectively canceling out one reasons I often hear people claim why SPD-SL is better.
@@headlessmike You got it backwards, the single-direction release version (SM-SH51) came first, and the multi-direction SH56 came after as an “improvement” to the problem people crash not being able to unclip. Most Shimano pedals bundle SH51 as the default cleats.
This. If only there were more road shoes with a clean and sleek design that hold recessed SPD cleats. And no, I don’t think those Shimano adapters are an adequate solution.
100%! I love these!
One point that wasn’t mentioned was that for a beginner using clipless for the first time, the MTB system is the way to go. There are two types of Shimano cleats with the silver ones easier to clip out of than the black ones that were shown in this video.
I bought the SPD/flat pedals when I was first learning to use clipless shoes. I've stuck with them because the shoes are easier to walk in. Helpful if you ride in traffic to be able to use both sides even with clippers spd shoes. 😊
Stopped using clipless on all my bikes, MTB, road, gravel . Switched to flats. So much better than clips, power transfer surprisingly same, lots more freedom. Only took me 30 years to figure it out!
For most riding, I'd agree, but for out of the saddle hard efforts there's absolutely a benefit to being attached to the pedal.
That's what we found was generally the case when we did a comparison a little while ago! 👉 th-cam.com/video/aVLfqjcTbnU/w-d-xo.html
Flat pedals for me as well. 850 miles tour around Scotland cycle camping, no problems
Strongly disagree... riding flats on my commute bike and spd-sl on my normal and I got to say, clip less is sooo much better, so much more comfortable not so slip on the paddle all the time and so much more secure when out of the saddle
I agree that the gravel or MTB shoes with their respective SPD Pedals are most practical. One key advantage is the use of SPD MTB system in the city, as it allows one to use both sides of the Pedals. The road shoe&pedal system to me is quite dangerous. At the traffic lights, if I failed to clip on my other side at the start, the road shoe WILL slide off the pedal if on the wrong side. Better yet, Shimano EH500 with one sided clip and flat on the other side is fantastic for city and town. Because the flat side will allow the MTB shoe to lodge into the Pedal's flat side without clipping (little known Shimano EH500 feature). That means one can unclip one side ahead to a stop, yet the MTB shoe won't slip out coming to a full stop or following start.
I’ve used both systems and it’s SPD all the way for me. One pair of shoes for my road bike and my XC bike. They’re plenty stiff enough for the road, don’t get wrecked off road and you can walk in them. What’s not to like.
Just did the transition from SPD to SPD-SL, coming from gravel/mtb i just stuck to the spd‘s on my first road bike. After a year only riding my road bike and getting a second one now I got SPD-SL pedals for both of them, and I gotta say, it just feels way better and safer and more effective with the SPD-SL. It’s probably just subjective, but I’m happy I made the transition.
I use road SPD-SL (PD-R8000) mainly, because they are much more stable, less float/play and larger surface area. But i switch to SPD (EH-500) during the Finnish winter. Ice and snow builds up in the pedals and/or cleats, and sometimes can't clip in instantly, hence the combo pedals.
Do you still ride a road bike throughout the winter?
@@gcn Yes i do. Canyon Endurace AL for the winter. Takes 35mm CX tyres for the snow and even studded tyres for the most slippery part of the winter. Also the city takes great care of the cycling paths through the whole winter.
This is actually a quite nice video of the winter upkeep of our cycling infrastructure in Oulu, Finland.
th-cam.com/video/Uhx-26GfCBU/w-d-xo.html
I started with a mountain bike and when I got into road biking it was easier to keep the SPD pedals on everything. That said, I have never felt the need to get road pedals. Thanks for your explanation, it was well done!
Cleat covers for SPD-SL/Look pedals work reasonably well to provide some traction on road bike shoes (and keep the cleats from getting dirt in them if you're not just walking on pavement/floors). Probalby not a substitute for gravel/MTB riding but good enough for the cafe run or other brief walks while on a road ride.
Just something else to carry around. Pockets already are full.
@@paulmcc2006 Cleat Covers don't take up much space in your pocket.
I use my clip covers at work when I commute with no problem (and it gives me plenty of opportunities to talk about cycling and my bike!).
Since I do 50/50 Mtb and road, spd is the obvious choice. And since I am not a racer, I prefer practicality and comfort over performance.
This is the video I have been searching for!!! I started with SPD on both road and mountain bikes for cost purposes but always wondered if I had a made a mistake.
The technical side of me would love a more in depth video though maybe with motion analysis to see the performance differences ( if there are any) Pretty easy to do the same ride with same shoes and just different cleats.
It boils down to: do you get discomfort or hot spots? If not, carry on with SPD!
I decided to go with Shimano PD-ES600 for my only gravel/road bike. They are being marketed as for commuting, but in fact are great for both road and gravel rides as they are one-sided SPD and that cuts down some weight + somewhat aerodynamic. A recreational cyclist like me would benefit from an SPD type because of their versatility.
Same here. Good coverage at the bottom of the shoe compared to other SPDs.
I use flat pedals on my road bike, and I'm not even ashamed.
Good for you. :-) my mate just did 120 miles on flats. We ribbed him bit he was fine and still make it just fine
Same
@@ChrisBeard Years ago, the GCN did a comparison video between flat pedals and clipless pedals on a road bike, the difference was negligible.
@@philipcooper8297 Yeah there's been studies as well. If you're going flat (no pun intended) out, yes they are significant. For Joe Commuter, use whatever you're comfortable with.
Once I made the transition to clipping in I find it more comfortable over longer distances. I had to endure a few embarrassing falls first though.
I use pd-es600 pedals. They are technically a touring pedal, so look and work like a road pedal but use spd cleats. Really light and slow me to use one pair of shoes for both road and mountain.
This is one of the great aesthetic debates of cycling and seems to be peer-group driven. I’m nowhere near any decent level of cycling and ride for fun and exercise and I’ve tried both systems. However, for ease of engagement and longevity (things are bombproof!) SPD pedals for me.
For the longest time, I didn't own a road bike and had no experience of any road pedal system. Yet every time I rode on road for any longer period of time, I wondered why there is always so disturbingly much play in the system. I also tried Crankbrothers' pedals, but they weren't any better than SPDs. Then I bought a road bike and decided to also buy road pedals (which happened to be Look Keos), and new shoes as well. What a difference it made! A stiff and stable platform with no unwanted play whatsoever and very efficient power transfer, even though my shoes had nylon soles (not carbon ones)! Nowadays I would never even consider riding a road bike with anything other than road pedals anymore; there has to be a significant risk of having to walk for me to choose the MTB pedals. Still, if you're not on the road, or just touring or commuting. it is like Manon says: the MTB pedals win out.
Road cleats allow for better adjustment if you have knee or foot issues. For that reason I use them for any type of distance biking. The only time I use spd is for full on trail riding where I need to get the foot off the pedal quickly to avoid a crash or into the pedal easily due to terrain issues.
Shimano makes some nice Ultegra SPD road pedals. People seem to forget that SPD is not purely intended for MTBs.
I think these are no longer in production. I have a set. But now the SPD road offering is intended for low performance bikes.
@@JonathanHairDo you mean the PD-ES600 pedals, that are marketed as Ultegra level? Availability seems quite good right now, are you sure they are OOP? Or is it a recent change and the stock is still good.
@@kekkonenprkl ahh yes, you are right. Didn't realize those were Ultegra branded. Still exist.
My pair are older and look different.
I'm using SPD on my road bike. Important things to mention: There ARE one-sided clip SPD pedals that weigh pretty much the same as SPD SL pedals. And there ARE shoes (my Giro Savix road shoes for example) that are compatible with bith systems.
Hi. I've seen a couple of comments about Giro Savix or other shoes supporting both SPD and SPD-SL. Forgive me, but I am not following - isn't it the cleat that you put on the shoe supports SPD and/or SPD-SL? I see that the Savix supports both the 2-hole (SPD) and 3-hole (SPD-SL) cleats directly, with no need for an adapter, but you still need attach one or the other cleat, is that correct? Hopefully I am missing something, as I'd like to find a way to choose either one system or the other on the fly. Thanks.
@@timauch2044 Yes, you have to attach the right cleat on the shoe. The cleats usually come with the pedals by the way (Spd pedals with spd cleats, compatible with 2 hole shoes, and spd-sl pedals with spd-sl cleats, compatible with 3 hole shoes). I think there is no adapter from Spd to Spd-Sl or the other way around. Anyways I wouldn't use an adapter. So either get the right shoe or a shoe that works with both systems (like the Savix). Did that answer your question? 🙂
@@chrisl.6158 Thanks. My goal is to use 2 different shoes interchangeably with two different bikes with different pedals; I posted that as a generic comment to this video as well. So I think you did answer the question - and my search continues. :) I actually used the adapter approach in the past and it didn't work, as I was missing a plate (it was for a Wellgo adapter) needed to make a smooth and tight connection from shoe to pedal (if that makes sense.) I rummaged around my parts bin and found that I actually had the needed plates. I added the them and tried them on my ride this morning - it worked quite well. I also found that I had a Shimano SH41 adapter and that worked even better (more stable to walk with) , so I wouldn't rule out the adapter approach, but I do agree that an SPD-SL cleat and pedal would be best for both stability and power transfer. Thanks again!
@@timauch2044 Interesting. Now I have a question: I thought those adapters have to be quite thick and would mess with my position on the bike. But is it just a thin metal plate? And yes, the SPD-SL may be a more pro solution if you ride in supertuck position etc. but for me SPD pedals are just fine on the road bike. With my torn ligaments on both feet I thought I have less mobility and therefore should first try SPDs. With the Savix shoe I could "upgrade" to SPD-SL at a later point, but actually I think I'll stick with SPD on my road bike.
Using hybrid flat/spd pedals on my hybrid bike. Love them!
I use the Crankbrothers Eggbeaters 3 for both and they are fantastic.
4 sides to clip in to and they are very light as well.
The grip is good. I’m always thinking about trying the Look Keos but then again I don’t want to give up on the comfort of walking.
I have stiff shoes with carbon soles btw so the power transfer is very good.
As a roadie, I use MTB SPD with road shoes. I live in the Bay area, CA so we run into stoplights quite often. Being able to clip in/off on both sides really help.
I ended up going with a knockoff version of speedplays for this reason right here.
Got my first set of clipless pedals a couple of years ago for my road bike - got mountain bike kit as it's more practical for commuting, get groceries, etc.
I agree that MTB pedals are the only logical choice for the vast majority of riders and I have ridden many centuries in them, but I do find that my feet are more comfortable on very long rides with road cleats. I don't know if it's the larger platform distributing force or something else, and I would love to learn if there's any basis for this other than my experience. It would seem reasonable that a stiffer sole would help even the score, but then the shoe would be more awkward to walk in, reducing the benefits of the MTB system. You have to hand it to Shimano that they came up with an excellent system in SPD that has continued essentially unchanged for decades. They resisted the engineering foolishness that caused Look to release Keo, which offered no substantial improvement at the cost of compatibility.
Recently switched from SPD to SPD-SL because I couldn't find any MTB shoes that could comfortable fit my ultra wide feet. Because MTB shoes are reinforced at the toes to protect them from rocks, which caused numbness for me on long rides. My new shoes (Lake CX201) are pretty much a carbon sole wrapped with an elastic mesh. Finally my feet are comfortable when riding. I thought walking in them would suck, but tbh it doesn't feel too different.
7:07 Did I heat things correctly ? "but now there's lots of gravel pacific shoes" - rather the "specific". Might just be me but i have listened a few times and even the subtitles suggest "pacific"
I cycled in the late 80s early 90s was on toe clips and went to look and did use a shimano look cleat pedal and then gave up cycling for a years 2 years bought a tourer and had the Shimano SPD one side and the normal pedal I really liked them so much I got a small pair of Shimano SPD for my road bike and I think will stick with them for my road bike. Great video
I started with mountain bike peddals and kept them for road biking. I only need 1 pair of shoes and the clip in feel is the same for all my bikes. I would consider upgrading peddals to the larger platform if it improved stability
You'll get way more benefit from upgrading to stiffer shoes than to SL pedals. in stiff shoes, the difference is not perceptible. SL pedals only real benefits are marginal weight and aero gains, but if that's what you need, you're probably already using SL pedals.
My first pair of cycling shoes had the mounting holes for both, after trying both it's SPD for me. One aspect that is useful is that there is enough inherent "float" so that if you don't get the cleats set up perfectly, you have a reasonable hope that you won't end up putting undue stress on your knees, etc
Shimano once produced an SPD-style urban pedal with a unique design - it was one-sided. The primary advantage of this model was its integration of a sleek, road profile pedal with footwear that offered practical walking comfort. This combination made it an ideal choice for extended, week-long cycling events such as RAGBRAI, where riders often disembark to explore towns on foot.
Es600
I have those very pedals on my touring/go everywhere bike and they are a
Touring, single sided SPD with platform. Platform for riding from the hotel to the chippy in plimsolls.
Commute, double side SPD.
Road & TT, SPD-SL.
Vintage rides, usually plates, clips and straps. Some bikes rubber block pedals.
I find Crank Brother Egg Beaters the best for MTB. Lighter than most Road pedals and triple sided clip ins.
SPDs for recreational cyclists, especially on a budget (or in a coffee shop) are definitely the way to go. The SPD/flat models have great versatility.
I like SPD-SL for road racing due to stronger engagement, but for touring, SPD is the way to go. I'm not looking to win any sprints and being able to walk around is a major bonus.
use MTB pedals on my road bike. I had a few pairs anyway so no need to buy new ones. Also they have an amazing amount of float which is good for my knees and I can actually walk in the shoes without sliding on my arse. TIME ATAC pedals. Also means I can use my winter MTB shoes on the road bike and have dry warm feet.
I have begrudgingly moved to SPDs for some of my riding. Flats have been absolutely fine but clipless pedals have helped me manage knee pain, presumably because of the narrower stance.
Very thorough treatment of this subject. I started road cycling with metal cleats hammered onto leather soled shoes clipped into quill pedals with toeclips and Binda toestraps, including track stands at traffic lights. Skipping some steps, I road Speadplay zeros on my road bike with cafe covers in my pocket. Given that my cycling is now best described as touring speed, I find that MTB pedals and shoes works best for me on all my bikes-road, gravel, mountain. I don‘t notice any difference from a smaller contact surface with the latest Shimano XTR pedals and Sidi shoes. I felt a bit scandalous for some years but now can‘t see it any other way, for me that is.
I originally started with road bike cleats but eventually switched to MTB ones when after trying it out for a while. No performance difference for me, way more convenient. Then I got mixed pedals with a flat side for commuting and now I find myself using the flag side more often even when I have my cleated shoes on. It is just a bit more comfortable when you can occasionally switch up your foot position a bit and my times seem to stay the same either way...
Good video. Walking into the coffee shop scene - keeping it real!! After years using a road shoe / pedal system, I switched to a mtb shoe / pedal. It's really nice to be able to walk around.
I use SPD-SL for 99% of my riding - I’m not hot on hike a bike, and I use the Shimano cleat protectors when I have to walk. So much better to ride in.
The majority of what I do is road cycling even so the SPD or MTB pedals are the obvious choice for me. I do a bit of indoor cycling, commuting, touring, road and trail riding. Having the same across bikes just makes everything easier. Since the majority of my rides involve a little bit of walking having the MTB shoes just makes that part of the journey more stable and pleasant.
Switching easily between bikes is great. Do you feel you're missing out by not having road specific pedals?
@gcn not really, I get all the major benefits. The possible marginal gains just aren't worth the expense and added complexity of having multiple systems,l for me.
Learned on SPDs, stayed with them. Wear very light carbon-soled S-Works XC shoes and use XTR pedals which have a platform cage. Work brilliantly together. Usually/always riding road.
Riding in coastal North Carolina, where it is often hot and very humid, SPD pedals and Shimano SD5 sandals keep my toes happy. At any temperature above 55, the shoes come off and the sandals on. The SD5 sandals are stiff enough to transfer effort onto the pedals, yet comfortable enough for walking about town. I'm cycling in sandals 9 months a year.
Been riding SPD pedals for at least 25 years, bike commuting, rec riding and thousands of miles/kilometers bike touring. They are mounted on easily walkable mountain bike shoes. Before SPDs it was toeclips with various shoes.
Manon no! Did you say "gravel Pacific"? That's not how you specify 😢
I use Crankbrothers Candy pedals on all of my bikes - being able to walk off the bike is much more important to me than saving a tiny bit of weight or a tiny bit of power transfer.
SPD for me - essentially same efficiency, and easy to wander round a cafe, around a shop, up some stairs. I don’t race, so it is a no-brainer.
My first clipless is SPD, so easy to walk around, no hassle in clipping in and out. After 2 years, I use Keo pedal for roadbike and find out it's easy enough since I'm used to SPD, but have to admit it's not as practical as SPD. It's a trade betwern comfort and performance
I‘m still using SPD-SL for like sporty rides, when commuting I simply put on some pedal adapters and e voila: you can use every sneaker you want.
I have only been a mountain bike rider in the past, and upgrading to clipless pedals way back when was a game changer.
Now that I'm getting older and in the process of switching to road cycling I've been looking into pedal options, and I think I'm going to go with some Bont gravel shoes and stay with mountain pedals. I'm not going to be racing and will likely be making a few stops on long rides like the local gran fondo/century rides. The gravel shoes seem like the best of both worlds (easier to walk, longer lasting cleats, stiff carbon shoes, and more aero upper); while road shoes just seem like a hassle unless you're only riding from point A to point A.
You can get rubber cleat covers for road cleats which I find useful for grip even if it does point your toes a little further skyward. Not a perfect solution but a useful one. I still use MTB pedals for commuting, so where there will be a significant amount of walking and/or unclipping they are my go to. If you can only afford one type of shoe and pedal system, off-road options will be better for 99% of people.
Another good option. Shows why there's no 'right' or 'wrong' choice! 👍
Thanks for this. Straight and to the point and exactly what i needed.
I don't believe the power transfer marketing line.
Any real data that big road pedals transfer more power? I doubt it
Yeah, I call BS on that one too. Everyone repeats it, nobody has ever presented evidence.
Even the use of flat pedals vs. road pedals are more marketing than actual power gain. However, after riding bikes with flat pedals and taking 200 kms, a couple of months ago I bought a new bike and being pressured by my friends I gave spd-sl a try. After falling about half a dozen times 😁, I kind of like the felling of being cliped in. I kept the flats on my old bike wich I use to ride for work. The performance difference between the two must be the 23 years of difference between them and not the pedals.
I got KEO pedals when I bought my first 2nd hand road bike, so I got used to them. Perfectly fine, they work well and I like them. I did have some prior experience with SPDs from occasional MTB trips, and I agree they are much more comfortable in terms of clipping in/out and walking around. Now I have a new bike onto which I transferred my KEO pedals. But since the frame can be fitted with gravel bike wheels, I'm tempted to buy a set of SPDs + shoes for when I'm converting my road bike to a gravel bike...
I have been using my Crank Brothers Eggbeaters - light, 4 sided entry on my Pinarello Dogma for years…love them. With carbon soles Sidis, I don’t feel any flex when I pedal.
I've learned from my bigger size to go big with the pedals. I started with rattrap / toe clips for over a decade (yes I'm that old). After one broken collarbone I moved up to Looks that are a bear to walk on then speedplays which are great to pedal with for quieting your pedal stroke but not the greatest for us 200 lb+ riders even with Carnacs. From my early Hoo-Koo-E-Koo riding I learned that a bigger pedal platform seemed to help with foot pain.
Now I've standardized on DA-SPD's with the surrounding platform. I've learned that even carbon shoes have some flex in the soles so you're better off with a larger pedal platform for all my bikes be they fixed cog, cyclocross, commuter, Xcountry 26, Xcountry 29 and one road. My '84 Fisher still has big flats and my 90 Neenan still runs lollypops.
Always used spd. Originally as i was starting out they were easier to get the hang of. Then as i upgraded my road bike realised the range had expanded so i could have the look of a road cleat pedal but with the practical elements of spd and no need for new shoes!
I use Look Keo road pedals on my road bike and Crank Bros MTB pedals on all my others. The Fizik Vento Overcurve is a nice off-road shoe that has a very slim profile sole which you can get away with using on the road, looks-wise. It's what I use on my all-road bikes with MTB pedals. Cafe stops, no problem.
Do you have two sets of the shoe or do you switch over the cleats depending on which bike you're riding?
@@gcn I have two sets of shoes. The Vento Overcurve only has the 2-bolt system. So, I have road shoes and off-road shoes but if I was going to go with one system I'd use the off-road pedal/shoe just for convenience of walking about and of course, the cafe stop. I'm not racing and I don't need to be super aero so it's more practical, but like Si, I tend to setup my road bikes for the road.
I wear mountain shoes and use mountain pedals on all my bikes. It was much easier to find mountain shoes to fit wide feet.
1st May 2024 was my first use of SPD pedals from pedals with open toeclips. The Shimano pedals came with SM-SH51 clips, but even with pedals set to the easiest release, I found it difficult to clip out! I had a couple of falls, the first practically outside my house. Then I found out about the multi-release clips SM-SH56 and they are a game changer. I have 3 pair of shoes and one, the Giant Bolt can be used with the two or three bolt systems.
Great comparison! I have used both for many decades. However I would like to add that I believe that using mountain bike pedals for randonneuring and other ultra distance road events caused my hotfoot and neuromas due to more of a "point" loading, and softer shoe soles that required surgery and significant long term issues. I feel this is especially true when feet get wet over a period of hours and nerves are less protected.
I'm in my 70s and used the old toe clips with leather straps in my teenage years and beyond. Probably ten years ago I moved to SPD pedals and now have them on my four bikes, road and gravel leg powered and road and mtb e-bikes. I swap between flats and SPD on the e-mtb, depending on the terrain I'll be riding. On the gravel bike I have SPDs but with a larger body that almost mimics flats. I ride a few times a week with a bunch of retired friends and most are on SPDs. Two or three are on the LOOK style road pedals and a few don't use cleats at all.
I first started clipless with Time Atack in the mid 90s when they were newish as a pedal. Several bikes and sets of pedals later I haven't found a reason to change. There's a good selection of models, they don't break the bank, they dont break (still use my first ever set), lots of float, good retention, easy clip in/out and excellent mud clearance. But apart from that I dont like them ! 😂😂😂
I use high end MTB pedals on my BMC road bike. Living in Boston I realized years ago that I wasn’t all that comfortable starting a ride in the city with traditional road pedals because I have to ride in traffic for a while to get to the countryside. Conversely, my commuter and gravel bike has SPD’s and ride those bikes in the city all the time. I eventually made the switch on my road bike. Nothing beats MTB pedals in heavy traffic 🤷🏻♂️.
I have a gravel bike with SPD platform pedals, flat on one side so I can use regular shoes if I want a quick spin around with the kiddos. I have a cheap road shoe to go with it.
I’ve always used SPDs on my bikes but fitted some SLs on my road bike earlier this year and love them. Clipping in always feels far more positive than the SPDs, they feel more secure and comfortable and I don’t miss the grinding of metal on metal. Only problem I’ve had is one of the cleats came loose enough to have to remove my shoe whilst clipped in, possibly due to the extra force required to unclip?
I have both in the form of my Garmin Vector 3 dual sided "watt-pedals", with a mountainbike/SPD conversion kit. Due to commuting I'm only using the mountain/SPD pedals, since grocery shopping is a total nightmare in road/SPD-SL pedals + walking in the road/SPD-SL clamps sound like you are walking in high heels.
With that said, I feel and see a significant difference in performance when it comes to the 5-10 second sprints. It feels like the mountain/SPD pedals only offers 80% feeling of stability and ensurance that you won't unclip, where the SPD-SL pedals feel rock solid and it is the bending bones that set the limit (at least that is how it feels).
I actually see a 500W difference in peak power, and 100-150W difference in a 10 sec sprint - and it is the road/SPD-SL pedals that wins in performance.
But I am still loyaly only using my mountainbike pedal setup, because they win in all other categories than the sprint :)
On the subject of slipping in road shoes, definitely don't take the stair in them.
Learned that lesson the hard way taking the pedestrian bridge over a railway line.
mountain bike clipless are 100% the way to go unless you're a serious racer. the "platform" doesn't matter much if you get a stiffer cyclocross style shoe.
After slipping and sliding like a penguin through a cafe on a slightly oily patch I ditched road bike shoes & went mountain bike pedals & shoes. Newer model gravel shoes have all the benefits of a road bike shoe, come in wider options but allow off bike ease of walking. Handy not just for cafe stops but when hill steepness defeats & need to push bike uphill are a saviour.
On my first bike with clipless pedals I had SPD on one side and a flat pedal on the other. For starting from a stop these were easier, especially once I got used to them. Though, arguably, I ruined the experience for myself because the shoes I had were not very stiff and I would get a hot spot under the ball of my foot where the cleat was.
Eventually I switched to SPD-SL pedals. And I have not loved all of them. The old metal Shimano 105 ones were not great. The newer Shimano 105 and now Garmin RS200 are much better in my opinion. Also, I have gotten more used to them.
All that said, when I do look at having a commuter bike again I would consider SPD pedals or just plain old baskets.
For road use I like my SPD-SL pedals and I don't know that I would go back.
I'd been looking forward to this video since it was mentioned in the GCN show. I was really hoping for some data on the power differences between SPD and SPD-SL.
There is none, why would there 😂
Thanks so much for this episode! I have been wanting to see GCN cover this topic for a long time.
I was introduced to Time's Link, MX and CX series pedals at a local bike repair shop and liked them alot! Subsequently I discovered (and switched to) a series of Crank Brothers pedals. I have Mallets, Candy's, and egg-beaters -- the latter my current favorite for their simplicity, comfort and flexibility in riding style. They also look kuul!
Used road cleats for two years, grew to loath them, put MTB pedals on all my bikes and have been happy ever since.
A good gravel shoe is just as good for performance as a good road shoe. Since the change I’ve never fallen on my ass or had my cleats destroyed by the road because I was forced off the bike during the ride. (I know there are road bike cleats covers - tried them and they’re a bodge.). Also, you can do a mixed road/gravel ride w/out having to worry about it one way or another with the MTB cleats. Plus, MTB cleats don’t wear out, shed mud and debris, etc. Also if you ride in winter you can get a nice MTB boot and not have to mess with those dumb road shoe covers.
Additionally, I dispute that the road shoe has a better contact surface because you can get pedals like the XTR PD-M9120 with the wide platform on both side of the clip and the shoe tread will make contact with that part of the pedal surface.
Plus, you can drive while wearing a gravel or mountain bike shoe. Ever driven out to where you want to ride, realized you’d forgotten your road shoes and been forced to drive back home?
I will take the extra 100 grams any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Perhaps you should go over to GMBN and sell your road bike in exchange for Santa Cruz Bronson instead.
I just switched to SPD, in my case they are holding my foot even better. I couldn't find any reason why they would be any worse. Nice to heqr that this video confirms it. Also got the Shimano RX8, which hold my foot really well.
For anyone not racing its probably the future
I’ve used all 3 for years but still find road specific spd’s too hard to quickly clip into when pulling out of junctions / onto roundabouts etc.
combined with the walk-ability, it’s a no brainier to use mtb type for me, but I mainly commute.
having said that I’ve only ever tried shimano road spd.
If I did a load of road racing / club rides I’d probably go back to road specific
I have been using Shimano A600 and E600 pedals on my road bikes for years. They are one sided alloy bodied and use SPD cleats. Comfy, support like a road SPD SL pedal, but absolutely indestructible and can use touring shoes.
I use 4 different types currently. SPD on my rigid Mnt bike & gravel bike, pegged flats on my full susp Mnt bike & FAVARO KEO on my climbing road bike then Speedplays on my TT bike. I use to use Sampson pedals in 1990’s….just look them up and see how it was for the lightest pedal of that time!
I started with SPD and I'll always use SPD. They're just too versatile to use anything else.
Wahoo speedplays on my road bike , Time Atac pedals on my gravel bike . Really like the float of the Speedplays and the convenience , durability of the Time Atac pedals
A colleague and I both use MTB style pedals for our commutes to work, frequent stops at junctions, walking the 200 yards from the bike rack to office etc. road SPD-SL’s small advantages riding are significantly outweighed for the other pieces of the equation. There isn’t a wrong answer but there is an answer that is ‘more right’ more of the time for each person/circumstance.
I use an adapter on the spd cleat to take road shoes
When I first started cycling I got the Ultegra pedals and cleats I came to stop couldn’t unclog in time and went crashing down! Now I use Mtb double sided pedals and cleats never had a problem much easier all round as a senior cyclist.
Gravel Pacific, the ocean you can walk across 😅
Single side Road SPD's (ES600) on the roadbike and same shoes for both, I love the little bit play they have and they feel more comfy also with cliping in/out (one sided clipping in needs some practice and the paint is banged of the pedal during clipping in after a while), only negative is that the "white" shoes like a lot of road cyclist prefer (like the pro's) are not easy to get in a SPD version, but fancy colors like green, brown are more available in SPD version shoes.
SPD all the way on all my bikes.
For MTB it's a no-brainer.
For my road bikes, that allows me to use 2 different pairs: my standard MTB shoes, that i can use when I commute and need to go through the grocery store on my way back home, so i can easily walk around with them ; and a "standard" carbon lightweight road shoe, but equipped with SPD cleats, for my typical rides. The stiffness of the sole prevents really noticing the smaller platform size of the SPD pedal, really.
I just set the spring to a really stiffer level on my road bike than on my MTB and my commute bike, but that's really it about the setting differences.
Look En-Rage with Shimano SPD sandals. Shhh…Shimano doesn’t like to talk about those. ❤