[douglas]

its not looking like I'll have the cash to get a nice roadie this year, but would it be worth the money to buy road shoes/pedals? (as far as a noticeable performance gain for quick group rides or centuries)


now, I just use my mtn shoes and use my old eggbeaters off my mtn bike

 

[LordOpie]

Primary performance gain is through comfort. If your feet are happy, you'll ride faster over a 100 miles.

So, if your feet like the mtb shoe, stay with it.

I tried many different shoes and pedals over the years and found Sidi-Ultegra to be the best combo for my feet. Ironically, the #2 set up for me was my mtb shoes. In otherwords, there are plenty of crap road shoes out there, so ya know, don't change just to change.

 

[OGRipper]

I do the same as you and just use my mtb shoes. Within a given line road soles are a bit stiffer, but I use my road bike for commuting too, which involves a fair amount of walking around at train stations and stuff so the mtb shoes are better. Unless you plan to get road-style pedals, I'd say don't bother with new shoes. An alternative is to get a really pimp set of mtb shoes for the same type of pedals, so you have a racer-boy pair for road rides and bigger mtb events/rides.

 

[jacksonpt]

I rode mtn pedals/shoes on my roadie at first. I only swapped out to roadie shoes/pedals for convenience. I got my pedals used on RM for $25 and shoes on uber clearance at my LBS for $35. If you can find a nice deal like that then go for it, other wise stick with what you've got.

 

[sanjuro]

I switched from Sidi Dominators to Genius, mostly to cut the wear/tear down on the mtn shoes. I didn't really notice a difference, although if you are a gram counter, road shoes are significantly lighter.

 

[recidivist]

Ditto on the comfort angle. I used MTB shoes exclusively for many years, but as my road mileage crept up to the century mark I did have problems with hotspots (hot/burning sensation in my forefoot). I switched to a road shoe/road pedal and it went away. That said, not being able to walk in a road shoe can be a real PITA.

 

[LordOpie]

That said, not being able to walk in a road shoe can be a real PITA.

sidi heel tab + ultegra cleat = four points of rubber contact. I can run in them and they're better on ice than my other shoes.

 

[Westy]

I like bolting in my toe cleats on my MTB shoes so I can drag them on the ground and make sparks on road rides.

 

[G-Cracker]

I bought road shoes when I went "serious" on my road rides and I still use them for the longer group rides. But when I'm commuting to work, which requires climbing a few flights of stairs, I wear my mtn shoes.

 

[splat]

I have used Road shoes with Look pedals for eons. I have tried my My bike shoes with SPD, but tend to get a hot spot .

 

[TreeSaw]

Sq-Earl and I were running a similar set-up as you and he switched over to road pedals & shoes mid-summer and loves it. They are really light weight and comfortable for his commute. He did note that they're scary when walking though He ended up getting a pair of Diadora road shoes and a set of Look pedals. I got shoes and am going to be getting pedals very soon as well.

 

[LordOpie]

keep in mind that road shoes can still work with eggbeaters.

(They use the standard SPD bolt pattern, yeah?)

 

[JRogers]

Not a huge performance gain, but that depends on your current shoe and its stiffness.

As others said, the biggest difference is in comfort- wider area means better weight distribution. I don't think it makes a huge difference.

 

[douglas]

thanks for the advice...I need new mtn shoes, so I'll skip the buying road shoes, and spend a little more on the mtn ones.

and maybe these if I find a sale
http://www.crankbrothers.com/quattro_sl.php

 

[McGRP01]

Doug I use specialized Body Geo Sport road shoes
( http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=26139 ) on sale for $40 @ the Specialized website with Crank Bros. Quattros and like them both a lot!!

 

[MMcG]

douglas - would these on sale at Sierratradingpost.com help??

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,73548_Crank-Brothers-Quattro-SL-Road-Pedals.html

 

[LordOpie]

I fully recommend that you try on any shoes before you buy. Go to your LBS and walk around the store on the balls of your feet for a good 15 minutes. Most shoes you can eliminate as an option within 30 seconds.

Also, you may find that no shoe is perfect for you... try an insert like http://www2.yoursole.com/

 

[reflux]

douglas - would these on sale at Sierratradingpost.com help??

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,73548_Crank-Brothers-Quattro-SL-Road-Pedals.html

Snap, those are still some expensive freakin pedals!

 

[recidivist]

That ain't nothin'

 

[douglas]

I fully recommend that you try on any shoes before you buy. Go to your LBS and walk around the store on the balls of your feet for a good 15 minutes. Most shoes you can eliminate as an option within 30 seconds.

Also, you may find that no shoe is perfect for you... try an insert like http://www2.yoursole.com/

I already use superfeet inserts

 

[douglas]

douglas - would these on sale at Sierratradingpost.com help??

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,73548_Crank-Brothers-Quattro-SL-Road-Pedals.html

yes, and my birthday is not that far away (hint, hint)

 

[JoeRay]

Comfort and for me a feel of security on the bike.

Road pedals are a gimme for comfort - more contact area.

But I reckon that on the road when you have a smoother environment and notce small things more, that SPDs feel small and insecure.

I know they physically aren't but it just one of those "je ne sais par" moments.

BTW, my impressions are base on the difference between 959's and DA SPD-SLs. Both shoes are carbon soled Shimano's.

 

[TreeSaw]

Doug - if you like the Quattro's check E-bay they have a bunch of them! I have my eye on a couple right now