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    Cleat Confusion

    I bought a Specialized Allez Sport second hand back in March, the owner had the flat pedals attached and gave me the clip on pedals also should I want to go out in cleats

    I am looking into buying cleats as I'm getting more into road cycling, but am a little confused as to what kind of cleats to get that would fit these pedals

    It's my understanding that these would be for cleats with recessed clips and typically for MTB?

    by Smart-Commercial2012

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    15 Comments

    1. MantraProAttitude on

      Correct… those pedals need MTB shoes (or SPD compatible) with SPD cleats. MTB shoes are much easier to walk in compared to road shoes (SPD-SL).

    2. NotSafeForWalletXJ on

      They’re Shimano SPD (not to be confused with spd-sl). The cleats work with 2 hole design shoes (3 holes won’t work without an adapter, and i do not recommend using any adapters due to added stack height).

      MTB type shoes allow you to walk more easily than road type shoes.

    3. nardixbici on

      These are called MTB pedals (they are Shimano SPD, actually) and are perfectly fine on road bikes. The advantage is that the cleats are recessed in the shoes’ soles, so you can walk around like a normally human being, while this is impossible with road-specific cleats ( Keo, SPD-SL, Look, etc.).

      (SPD= Shimano Pedaling Dynamics)

    4. giznot on

      I have those on my road bike. Like other ppl have said I prefer the mtb style shoes because they look and act normal when I’m not on the bike. I hop off quite a bit if there’s people or something tasty.

      With this pedal style you can flip it around and have a regular pedal. Sometimes I take the bike to go get something and don’t wear my shoes or if I’m huffing around in traffic that’s stop and go and don’t want to clip in.

      I have these shoes.

      https://www.pearlizumi.com/collections/mens-cycling-shoes/products/mens-canyon-spd-shoes-15192301?variant=41958655951019

    6. rybrink on

      I’d search for gravel shoes if you’re going road biking. Just make sure they have the 2-bolt sole. Gravel shoes are lighter and don’t have excessive tread on the bottom, but are still walkable when not on the bike.

    8. nopostergirl on

      I have SPDs on bikes I use for commuting or just urban cycling. If I know I’m going to be on and off the bike and walking around, SPDs are superior. For serious road cycling I use SPD-SL

    9. modest_hero on

      Those are SPD pedals. You’ll want to grab some gravel or MTB shoes, and Shimano SH51 cleats

    10. farrellart on

      When I bought my first pair of cycling shoes I had no clue about cleats and thought they would just work with all pedals. Sorry, not very helpful, but this brought back that memory 🙂

    11. JohnDStevenson on

      You’re going to need shoes with a recess in the sole and two threaded holes to mount the cleats. There’s a vast range of shoe types out there from very stiff-soled shoes for mountain bike racing, to fairly flexible kicks for more casual riding. [You can even get SPD-compatible Chelsea boots](https://road.cc/content/review/quoc-chelsea-296301)!

      You then have two options when it comes to what sort of cleats to use. Shimano makes two types.

      SM-SH51 cleats only release when you twist your foot sideways. The force needed to release is adjusted with the hex screw that’s in between your finger and thumb in the first pic.

      SM-SH56 cleats release when you twist your foot sideways and also if you pull up. This is good for clipless pedal beginners as it’s the instinctive way to take a foot off a pedal.

    12. OneMorePenguin on

      People call them MTB pedals but many roadies use these as well because they are easier to walk in. You’ll need to had SPD shoes as well.

    13. FireyT on

      I have these on my roadie. Spd cleats, don’t worry about the MTB or not debate. Ride what is right for you.

    14. Histoshooter on

      I have a pedal on my road bike that was meant for a MTB, but it works for me on my road bike, it’s got that same SPD, on one side, and flat pedal on the other, I did it on purpose, I can wear my normal everyday shoes and ride it, or if I’m training hard, I wear my “triathlon” style shoe with a SPD cleat, works AWESOME! I think just get a shoe that will take a SPD you’re good don’t worry about weather it’s a MTB shoe or a road bike shoe, get a set that you like and will use.

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