MTB shoes on a road bike?

[Cathryn]

I need some advice. It's time I got a backbone and started wearing clip-in shoes. I can't wear running shoes on my road bike any longer. However I don't find road shoes particularly attractive. I know that's not the important thing, I totally get that but it would be nice to spend a hundred dollars on something that I didn't find horrible.

I quite like the Sidi Giau MTB shoes.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/sidi-giau-shoe-womens

So I have a question. Is there any good reason why I can't wear these with my Trek road bike? I'm not fussed whether fancy people in bright lycra will turn their noses up at me - I'm more bothered about whether or not there's any practical reason why i can't wear these shoes/MTB shoes with road pedals? Does it make any difference to performance or comfort etc?

Thank you so much!

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

No reason at all

 

[Hitchington]

Go for it.

 

[Angry Blonde]

Last time i checked, im sure there wasnt a law on what you had to wear on a bike, i could have sworn you could wear a tutu with monkey feet and bright green hair, as long as your enjoying yourself, who cares what you ride or wear !

 

[GlasgowFinn]

Technically the road shoe is meant to provide slightly better performance. But wearing something like SPD-SL is fine until you have to walk. SPDs or similar are fine.

 

[Gatters]

I wear MTB shoes all the time on a road bike...actually they are better for walking in...sometimes you just gotta walk eh

 

[Drago]

Yep, its liable to be extremely practical.

 

[bikeman66]

I need some advice. It's time I got a backbone and started wearing clip-in shoes. I can't wear running shoes on my road bike any longer. However I don't find road shoes particularly attractive. I know that's not the important thing, I totally get that but it would be nice to spend a hundred dollars on something that I didn't find horrible.

I quite like the Sidi Giau MTB shoes.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/sidi-giau-shoe-womens

So I have a question. Is there any good reason why I can't wear these with my Trek road bike? I'm not fussed whether fancy people in bright lycra will turn their noses up at me - I'm more bothered about whether or not there's any practical reason why i can't wear these shoes/MTB shoes with road pedals? Does it make any difference to performance or comfort etc?

Thank you so much!

Cathryn,

I have Time ATAC MTB pedals on my Felt F95 road bike, purely because I had a spare pair and it seemed ridiculous to buy roadie pedals too. It also means I don't have to use separate shoes for each bike, as I also have the ATAC's on my Scott MTB.

Although I've never owned road shoes/pedals the obvious benefits of being able to walk relatively sensibly when off of the bike is worth having. Also, most road shoes seem to have plastic cleats which, I presume, are less durable than typical metal MTB ones. The cleats on most MTB shoes are recessed in to the chunky sole tread meaning they are even better protected from wear whilst walking.

A typical road shoe may well be a bit stiffer than an equivalent MTB version, but I'd be surprised if the majority of cyclists could detect the difference over an average ride. At the end of the day, if you find a combination of pedal and shoe you are happy with, go with it. What ever anyone else thinks about the look of the set-up, right or wrong, it won't make a bit of difference to your cycling enjoyment.

 

[Easytigers]

I also prefer MTB shoes. There's been a couple of times when something has gone wrong and was beyond me to fix it and the walk home would have been awful in road shoes.

 

[toeknee]

Go for it, a lot more practical, I've just bought some of these.......

 

[Gatters]

like them toeknee, how much? where from?

 

[HarryTheDog]

Commuting into London I see most roadies using SPD MTB pedals as they are so practical. I like to be different and use speedplays which are also quick to clip into as double sided, bit of a pain to walk in though.

 

[fossyant]

I wear MTB shoes all the time on a road bike...actually they are better for walking in...sometimes you just gotta walk eh

SPDs on a Herety. Frank would be turning in his grave

 

[toeknee]

Hi gatters,

They are the sidi eagle five fit shoe, wiggle have them for £122 at the moment, but I bought mine off singletrack forum, used 20 times, £55 posted,. I havnt had chance to Try them out yet, so if you are size 8 and these don't fit me, watch this space. I'm hoping they will be fine though.

 

[fossyant]

PS I commute with MTB shoes on a road bike. Walking to the office is easier