MTB vs Road Shoe efficiency

yardsale2 · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 561 Location: Vermont

Why aren't all shoes made with recessed clips like mtb shoes? It would seem that design is more efficient as the cleat is closer to the pedal. (shorter "force arm" if my biomechanics are right). The discussion came up after a riding partner fell down on some wooden stairs while wearing road shoes.
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Pinnah · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 3548 Location: Bahston

You ride faster in road shoes. Everybody knows this.

OK, seriously... I don't think there's that much difference in the thickness of the soles between types. There may be some between different models with more competition oriented shoes being thicker and hence stiffer.

There's a case to be made that the larger cleats used on road shoes (e.g. Look) preclude having lugs around it much. But to be honest, I think the lack of a sole is mostly about tradition.

Some of us are old enough to have grown riding on slotted cleats like this.

On shoes like this, the slick sole was functional, allowing the shoe toe to more easily slide into the pedal/toe strap combination more easily.

Given that toe straps (thankfully) went the way of the dodo bird, one has to wonder why road shoes haven't picked up some sort of lugs to make walking to/from the barn possible. I would have to think the primary argument against them is aesthetic at this point. Having any needless gram affixed to the bike is anathema to the "riding is racing" ideal, I think.

I use MTB shoes on my road bike combined with Speedplay frogs. I also stop in the middle of rides for ice cream, so I'm definitely a phred. I've been asked by "riding is racing" roadies why I use such slow shoes. Seriously.
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Dave "Pinnah" Mann
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"It is impossible, or not easy, to do noble acts without the proper equipment."
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hutguy · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 7110 Location: Breckenridge CO

It's not so much that MTB cleats are "recessed" it's that the material that allows for easier walking is added around the cleat. The distance between foot, cleat, and pedal is not much different. Ease in walking is not a priority for road shoes so they don't have the extra material (thus extra weight) of an MTB shoe.
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Auto-X Fil · Joined: 23 Mar 2011 Posts: 171 Location: PA and Upper Jay

Several companies use the same CF or plastic sole plates for their road and MTB lines. In this case, the performance difference in terms of stiffness is clearly nil.

Road pedals (3-bolt Look style) won't work with MTB (SPD) tread patterns. This, plus aero, plus weight, (both extremely minimal) keeps the two standards separate.

I know many non-Freds who ride MTB shoes on road bikes. I am included, and if the local Look Keo Carbon Blade crew could catch me and my MTB shoes and Egg Beaters, they might consider changing as well. Smile

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polemonium · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:15 am Post subject:

Some people get more hot-foot (pressure points) that appears to be related to the smaller MTB cleats.

yardsale2 · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 561 Location: Vermont

robrox · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:54 am Post subject:

Pinnah · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 3548 Location: Bahston

For me, the issue was a developing Morton's neuroma. Podiatrist suggested installing metatarsal pads (using Spencos) and a cortisone injection. Things were on the mend but a weekend backing trip in the Whites has kicked it off. Regardless of the set back, the metetarsal pads have helped immensely.
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Dave "Pinnah" Mann
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"It is impossible, or not easy, to do noble acts without the proper equipment."
Aristotle, <<Politics>>, 1323a-b, trans Jowett

yardsale2 · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 561 Location: Vermont

robrox · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:50 am Post subject:

deiberson · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:14 pm Post subject:

i'm wondering if being in a completely different position has anything to do with it? on my road bike and definitely a tt bike, i'm practically laying on the handlebars. my mtb is certainly more upright. even an aggressive mtb position would be considered moderate in roadie terms. not sure if it makes a difference though.
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nstelemark · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 1922 Location: Nova Scotia

Dollar Bill · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 521 Location: PRB, CO

polemonium · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:38 pm Post subject:

Highland Sport · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:22 pm Post subject:

No matter what road weinnie shoe that you get they will never be faster or cooler than these!

ok if you flat out and ya forget to deet up then road shoes might be better but not by much... Laughing