MTB or Road shoes / pedals for hybrid commute

[Krypton]

I'm looking to get some more expensive shoes and currently have SPD pedals (M50's I think they call them) on my Sirrus and some basic, cheap Shimano shoes - they're almost like walking shoes to look at them.

Would I be better off getting MTB shoes or Road shoes, and would I need to replace my pedals?

I've had a look around but there seems to be quite a range of different choices and I don't really understand the different pedal / cleat systems or what the main difference is between MTB and Road shoes?

 

[Kestevan]

MTB pedals are mainly SPD (though there are some other makers about). The cleat is small, triangular and fastened to the shoe with 2 bolts (thats the important difference). The cleat is designed to be recessed into the sole of the shoe, making it easier to walk.

Road pedals are SPD-SL (or Look/Time/others). The cleat is much bigger, usually plastic and stands proud of the sole. It's fastened with 3 bolts in a wide triangle arrangement. The cleats can be difficult to walk in, and wear much faster the MTB cleats.

Most shoes will only take one or the other cleat type, although there are a few that will do both. Road shoes tend to be narrow, have incredibly stiff soles and are a swine to walk in.

MTB shoes have more tread (usually) and often a more normal appearance - many would pass for trainers/hiking shoes. The soles tend to be slightly more flexible (but still stiff) and much easier to walk in. They're almost always a lot heavier though.

Theres also a small number of "touring" shoes. These often use a SPD MTB cleat which is only slightly recessed into a stiff sole. You can walk short distances OK, but the on-bike side is more pronounced.

Road pedals themselves are larger platforms, usually single sided (so you have to flip them into place before clicking in). Spd Pedals are smaller, can be single or double sided, and can be set up with a flat platform on one side to allow you to wear normal shoes.

Each system has it's advantages. The SPD is better if you need to walk anywhere, and arguably for stop/start riding such as a commute.
The SPD-SL is better for longer rides, as the larger area of the cleat and stiffer sole can prevent "hot spots". SPD-SL are also perhaps slightly more efficient at transmitting power.

Personally I use SPD "touring" shoes on the commute, and SPD winter boots when needed. They offer the best balance of stiffness, and I can walk across the office car park without looking like Bambi on ice.

For longer summer rides, SPD-SL shoes come out - more comfortable and a bit cooler.

 

[automatic_jon]

MTB shoes (to go with SPD type pedals) will be easier to walk in and give you better grip at traffic lights. Road shoes (for SPD-SL type pedals) will give you greater contact area with the pedals. I wish I'd got MTB shoes and pedals for the commute but I'm glad I got road shoes for long club rides.

It's horses for courses I reckon but the consensus on here seems to be MTB shoes for commuting.

If you change from SPD type shoes and pedals to SPD-SL shoes you'll need new pedals too.

ETA: ^^^ What he said
Although it's not impossible to walk in road shoes, no harder than walking in heels for example.

 

[Fattman]

I am fortunate enough to now have two bikes - one for the (30mile) commute, the other for carefree summer riding like wot we've been having plenty of recently

To the point: for the commute I have an old heavy pair of Pearl Izumi MTB shoes combined with the MTB-styly SPD pedals, the cheap Shimano ones like yours I guess - they have two clear advantages for me:

1 - they are double-sided entry i.e. it doesn't matter which way up the pedal is when pushing off from traffic lights (I stop!) - and you can actually get a good shove going before clipping in because of the nature of the MTB-style shoes which helps getting away from that white van/bus/taxi/school run sleep-deprived child-distracted parent.

2 - you can walk in the MTB shoes reasonably comfortably. I would baulk at even the short distance from work car park to desk in my 'road' shoes.

For the 'summer' bike I have some Shimano SPD-SL road pedals mainly cos (a) they look nice and (b) I like cursing, nearly falling off and spending ages getting the damn things the right way up when trying to clip in. But they look nice. And I find the shoes lighter and more comfortable for the long rides.


Until this summer, the spd was all I had and, frankly, it was perfect - sportives, Sunday rides, commute, all happily executed - if I had to make the choice again between SPD and SPD-SL for a single bike, it'd be SPD all the way, especially now that I've had the experience of both.

Matt

 

[buggi]

if you look at these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-m1-mtb-shoes/
compared to these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r1-road-cycling-shoe/
you will see that there is very little difference in the design, the only difference is the sole on the MTB shoe. The cleat is recessed into the sole so it doesn't wear out when walking around. But as you can see, both shoes pretty much look the same.

Personally for me, if your using your shoes for anything other than racing you need to go for the first one (the MTB shoe) as they look like road shoes but your cleats will not get worn down when you walk around on them at cafe stops and such. I've had my cleats for 4 years and they are still not worn because they are recessed in the sole. Road cleats wear out quickly when you walk on them.

when i'm wearing mine i don't feel out of place amongst friends with road shoes because without getting up close you can't really tell the difference.

Don't believe that stuff about road pedals/shoes being more comfortable than MTB shoes/pedals either just because of the surface area. These type of MTB shoes also have stiff soles and you can't feel the pedal underneath. I've ridden to paris on my SPuDs and i didn't get achy feet at all and i couldn't tell i was on a small pedal.

 

[Sittingduck]

Shimano M520 = the best 20 quid a commuter will ever spend, IMHO

 

[barongreenback]

Shimano M520 = the best 20 quid a commuter will ever spend, IMHO

Love mine. Definitely money well spent.