spd vs roadbike pedals

I have some spd Shimano MT32 shoes that I have used for a year. I use them
with eggbeaters 4 sided entry and I really have been happy. They seem stiff
and with my limited skills I need the 4 sided entry it just makes it easier.
Well being a road only rider would I gain anything going to a road specific
shoe. I would have to change pedals and shoes but if I could get a bit more
speed I suppose it would be worth it. Do you think the difference is that
much? The thread earlier on butt pain and going clipless has me thinking
about changing if I could gain some pedaling technique and power.

The old saying remains that if it, " ain't broke don't fix it."

On 28 July, 00:54, "Mark Cleary" wrote:
I have some spd *Shimano MT32 shoes that I have used for a year. I use them
with eggbeaters 4 sided entry and I really have been happy. They seem stiff
and with my limited skills I need the 4 sided entry it just makes it easier.
Well being a road only rider would I gain anything going to a road specific
shoe. I would have to change pedals and shoes but if I could get a bit more
speed I suppose it would be worth it. Do you think the difference is that
much? The thread earlier on butt pain and going clipless has me thinking
about changing if I could gain some pedaling technique and power.

The old saying remains that if it, " ain't *broke don't fix it."

If you are not scraping your present pedals on the corners then new
pedals wont help road riding. From what I can remember, you have to
be riding at 30mph to save 11 seconds over 25 miles for the changes
between the best and worst aerodynamic sho and pedal combination. It
might be worthwhile changing for aerodynamic reasonsif you are
contending for a national record, otherwise use what you are most
comfortable with. Using what fits and is comfortable gives you
greater advantage than anything else. A red spray can might help (red
is always faster).

On Jul 27, 6:54*pm, "Mark Cleary" wrote:
I have some spd *Shimano MT32 shoes that I have used for a year. I use them
with eggbeaters 4 sided entry and I really have been happy. They seem stiff
and with my limited skills I need the 4 sided entry it just makes it easier.
Well being a road only rider would I gain anything going to a road specific
shoe. I would have to change pedals and shoes but if I could get a bit more
speed I suppose it would be worth it. Do you think the difference is that
much? The thread earlier on butt pain and going clipless has me thinking
about changing if I could gain some pedaling technique and power.

The old saying remains that if it, " ain't *broke don't fix it."

I would never use a road specific shoe unless I was racing. I use mtb
shoes for all my roadie riding, which are nothing short of road shoes
with a little rubber on the bottom in case you need to plant or hoof
it a little, and also to recess the cleat. Not great for walks, but
fine for ambling into a store or something. I've worked half a day in
the shop in them without disaster.

You're using casual spd shoes, which are just fine. They do weigh more
usually, and it's rotating weight. There's also issues with the larger
soles and chainstay strike. Also they're often hotter than a
comparable mtb styled road shoe. But if your foot is happy and there's
no clearance issues, and no numb toes, screw it--you're golden.

Can you keep up with your riding buddies? Are your feet happy? If yes
then proceed to cycling. If no, then try a different shoe.

I do most of my riding in the same vein as Grant Peterson, Batman
bless his twee soul, which is Tevas on a pinned bmx/mtb pedal with
half the pins screwed out. Don't feel any slower for it. Cleats are
just nice when you're tired and lazy about foot position.

On Jul 27, 6:54*pm, "Mark Cleary" wrote:
I have some spd *Shimano MT32 shoes that I have used for a year. I use them
with eggbeaters 4 sided entry and I really have been happy. They seem stiff
and with my limited skills I need the 4 sided entry it just makes it easier.
Well being a road only rider would I gain anything going to a road specific
shoe. I would have to change pedals and shoes but if I could get a bit more
speed I suppose it would be worth it. Do you think the difference is that
much? The thread earlier on butt pain and going clipless has me thinking
about changing if I could gain some pedaling technique and power.

The old saying remains that if it, " ain't *broke don't fix it."

I would never use a road specific shoe unless I was racing. I use mtb
shoes for all my roadie riding, which are nothing short of road shoes
with a little rubber on the bottom in case you need to plant or hoof
it a little, and also to recess the cleat. Not great for walks, but
fine for ambling into a store or something. I've worked half a day in
the shop in them without disaster.

You're using casual spd shoes, which are just fine. They do weigh more
usually, and it's rotating weight. There's also issues with the larger
soles and chainstay strike. Also they're often hotter than a
comparable mtb styled road shoe. But if your foot is happy and there's
no clearance issues, and no numb toes, screw it--you're golden.

Can you keep up with your riding buddies? Are your feet happy? If yes
then proceed to cycling. If no, then try a different shoe.

I do most of my riding in the same vein as Grant Peterson, Batman
bless his twee soul, which is Tevas on a pinned bmx/mtb pedal with
half the pins screwed out. Don't feel any slower for it. Cleats are
just nice when you're tired and lazy about foot position.

On Jul 27, 4:54*pm, "Mark Cleary" wrote:
I have some spd *Shimano MT32 shoes that I have used for a year. I use them
with eggbeaters 4 sided entry and I really have been happy. They seem stiff
and with my limited skills I need the 4 sided entry it just makes it easier.
Well being a road only rider would I gain anything going to a road specific
shoe. I would have to change pedals and shoes but if I could get a bit more
speed I suppose it would be worth it. Do you think the difference is that
much? The thread earlier on butt pain and going clipless has me thinking
about changing if I could gain some pedaling technique and power.

The old saying remains that if it, " ain't *broke don't fix it."

I feel that my Look Keo pedals provide better foot support and a more
rigid attachment to the pedals than my SPDs -- which feel a little
sloppy. With that said, much of the sloppiness is probably due to
cleat wear and shoe fit. I imagine that a better shoe and new cleats
would really narrow the difference between the two systems. I can't
say how my road pedals compare to the Egg Beaters, since I have never
owned a pair. -- Jay Beattie.

On Jul 27, 8:57*pm, Jay Beattie wrote:
On Jul 27, 4:54*pm, "Mark Cleary" wrote:

I have some spd *Shimano MT32 shoes that I have used for a year. I use them
with eggbeaters 4 sided entry and I really have been happy. They seem stiff
and with my limited skills I need the 4 sided entry it just makes it easier.
Well being a road only rider would I gain anything going to a road specific
shoe. I would have to change pedals and shoes but if I could get a bit more
speed I suppose it would be worth it. Do you think the difference is that
much? The thread earlier on butt pain and going clipless has me thinking
about changing if I could gain some pedaling technique and power.

The old saying remains that if it, " ain't *broke don't fix it."

I feel that my Look Keo pedals provide better foot support and a more
rigid attachment to the pedals than my SPDs -- which feel a little
sloppy. *With that said, much of the sloppiness is probably due to
cleat wear and shoe fit. *I imagine that a better shoe and new cleats
would really narrow the difference between the two systems. I can't
say how my road pedals compare to the Egg Beaters, since I have never
owned a pair. -- Jay Beattie.

ages ago when I bought a complete road bike it came with look type
shimano road pedals, I went out and bought a set of carbon soled
shimano road shoes and experienced serious difficulty walking in them
off the bike- even just taking my bike in/ out of the house- I also
became aware of the mishaps reported by racers slipping during sign-in
ceremonys broken bones etc. since then I've gone to mtn bike shoes and
haven't looked back. I got a nice pair of sidi dragon 2s that have the
carbon sole yet are walkable; since you are doing solo distance rides
I think you are best staying with walkable clipless shoes, and if you
ride fast enough no one will notice anyways

On Jul 27, 5:54*pm, "Mark Cleary" wrote:

The old saying remains that if it, " ain't *broke don't fix it."

Yes indeed.

DR

On Jul 27, 6:54*pm, "Mark Cleary" wrote:
I have some spd *Shimano MT32 shoes that I have used for a year. I use them
with eggbeaters 4 sided entry and I really have been happy. They seem stiff
and with my limited skills I need the 4 sided entry it just makes it easier.
Well being a road only rider would I gain anything going to a road specific
shoe. I would have to change pedals and shoes but if I could get a bit more
speed I suppose it would be worth it. Do you think the difference is that
much? The thread earlier on butt pain and going clipless has me thinking
about changing if I could gain some pedaling technique and power.

The old saying remains that if it, " ain't *broke don't fix it."

Old sayings stay around for a reason. If I could offer a clumsy
corollary, "don't break it trying to fix it"-- IOW, if your knees and
other moving parts are happy, leave well enough alone.

Others have offered xlent comments. I would add "how's the crank rub
near the pedal eye" as once long ago while still wearing various
street shoes, I did a fair amount of damage to some old cranks. But
those were really street shoes, with soles that stuck out to varying
degrees, used in clips and straps. Probably a non-issue for you.

I was a parking lot crit racer, so I wore and still wear Sidi road
shoes, Genius model of various vintages. The Sidi buckles are great,
and those shoes fit my damaged feet well.

I use Shimano Ultegra pedals. Not the easiest to get into but
otherwise excellent IMHO, with fine release adjustability and good
hold without having to max the tension. The "pontoons" on the cleats
make brief walking for store stops and so forth a whole lot safer than
the old Look and Campy cleats I used formerly, and the cleats do not
wear from pedaling and walking to the point where you get "false
releases" as with the old Looks and Campy's.

Ultegras, like Look and Campy, do not like dirt. You're way ahead with
Eggbeaters there (from what I read), again on four-sided entry, and
probably yet another giant step for mankind for walking ease/safety.

My SPD experience with Mr. Beattie but again, I've only ridden on well-
used Spin bike SPD pedals. Not entirely a fair assessment, and there
are people who use SPD pedals and SPD *sandals*, who I have ridden
with. They love their setups; only problem is Shimano discontinued the
"best" sandals some fairly long time ago, apparently.
--D-y

Mark Cleary wrote:
I have some spd Shimano MT32 shoes that I have used for a year. I use
them with eggbeaters 4 sided entry and I really have been happy. They
seem stiff and with my limited skills I need the 4 sided entry it just
makes it easier. Well being a road only rider would I gain anything
going to a road specific shoe. I would have to change pedals and shoes
but if I could get a bit more speed I suppose it would be worth it. Do
you think the difference is that much? The thread earlier on butt pain
and going clipless has me thinking about changing if I could gain some
pedaling technique and power.

The old saying remains that if it, " ain't broke don't fix it."

All the research I've read seems to indicate that "pedaling technique"
is for naught. That seems to agree with my personal observations, too.

I experimented with single-sided "racing" pedals and found them to be
more trouble than they were worth. I prefer not having to flip pedals
around to step in, particularly on unlit roads where I felt like Helen
Keller. Worse yet, I had a mechanism fail, forcing me to ride home
one-legged. Not the end of the world, but I've had mechanisms fail a
couple of times on two-sided pedals and the redundancy was helpful.

On shoes, it's really a matter of fit, function and comfort over
everything else. A less clunky shoe than the Shimanos you wear might be
a little lighter and more streamlined, but I wouldn't expect that to
translate into any dramatic speed differences.

I'm a big fan of Sidi shoes. The better models are very expensive, but I
think the durability makes them effective as a long term investment. I
like the MTB models, even for road use, since the road specific models
don't have useful tread and are very slippery to walk around in. The
tread on the MTB models is minimal -- not an ideal touring shoe perhaps,
but ideal for me for general recreational riding on & off road.

Outside of fitness, the biggest improvement in speed probably comes from
posture on the bike. I think it's worthwhile to experiment with stems
and handlebars particularly to get the best position for aerodynamics
and ergonomics. For solo riding, the biggest bang for the buck I got by
far was aerobars. Not particularly useful in group riding, although I
found that they often allowed me to catch back up with the pack on the
flats after the skinny guys dropped me on the hills.

On Jul 28, 8:00*am, Peter Cole wrote:
Mark Cleary wrote:
I have some spd *Shimano MT32 shoes that I have used for a year. I use
them with eggbeaters 4 sided entry and I really have been happy. They
seem stiff and with my limited skills I need the 4 sided entry it just
makes it easier. Well being a road only rider would I gain anything
going to a road specific shoe. I would have to change pedals and shoes
but if I could get a bit more speed I suppose it would be worth it. Do
you think the difference is that much? The thread earlier on butt pain
and going clipless has me thinking about changing if I could gain some
pedaling technique and power.

The old saying remains that if it, " ain't *broke don't fix it."

All the research I've read seems to indicate that "pedaling technique"
is for naught. That seems to agree with my personal observations, too.

From my own experience I would have to disagree, depending on what is
meant by "technique." "Good" technique (fluidity) may help prevent or
minimize injuries or just reduce stiffness.soreness, may help increase
endurance (i.e. duration until legs are fried) and may greatly improve
one's technical abilities on dificult terrain when riding off road.
(I know, that's not being discussed here.) That said, once the pedal/
rider connection is reasonably secure and the shoes area comfortable,
there is not a lot more that can be done equipment-wise.

I experimented with single-sided "racing" pedals and found them to be
more trouble than they were worth. I prefer not having to flip pedals
around to step in, particularly on unlit roads where I felt like Helen
Keller. Worse yet, I had a mechanism fail, forcing me to ride home
one-legged. Not the end of the world, but I've had mechanisms fail a
couple of times on two-sided pedals and the redundancy was helpful.

Agreed, although I have some single sided pedals that are second
nature to get into.

On shoes, it's really a matter of fit, function and comfort over
everything else. A less clunky shoe than the Shimanos you wear might be
a little lighter and more streamlined, but I wouldn't expect that to
translate into any dramatic speed differences.

Agreed.

I'm a big fan of Sidi shoes. The better models are very expensive, but I
think the durability makes them effective as a long term investment. I
like the MTB models, even for road use, since the road specific models
don't have useful tread and are very slippery to walk around in. The
tread on the MTB models is minimal -- not an ideal touring shoe perhaps,
but ideal for me for general recreational riding on & off road.

If the shoes fits....

Outside of fitness, the biggest improvement in speed probably comes from
posture on the bike. I think it's worthwhile to experiment with stems
and handlebars particularly to get the best position for aerodynamics
and ergonomics. For solo riding, the biggest bang for the buck I got by
far was aerobars. Not particularly useful in group riding, although I
found that they often allowed me to catch back up with the pack on the
flats after the skinny guys dropped me on the hills.

To summarize - If the rider is fit and the shoes and bike fit, all
that is left is the old Merckxian maxim - "Ride lots."

DR