SPD or not SPD?

Question

I use SPD pedals on my road bike and uncertain about using them also on my mountain bike. I appreciate answers about pros and cons for using SPD pedals from (technically diffucult) off road mountain bikers.

Answer 1

SPD Pros:

1) can pull up on your pedal giving you more power on your pedal stroke.
2) feet are secure and no amount off water or mud will make them slip off the pedal.
3) can be used to increase your heigth when bunny hopping obstacles.
4) SPD specific shoes designed so you can walk in them, but stiffer than normal street shoes helping your feet from getting sore on longer rides. Also have more aggressive traction in them making it easier to walk in bad off road conditions (mud)

SPD Cons:

1) you will fall, no way around it normally two - three times before you remember to take your foot out of the pedal when you stop. These are not bad crashes more embarrasment than anything else. Your riding buddy takes a header on the trail and you stop so you don't hit him and fall to the side because you forgot to unclip. Having ridden them on the road you may not have to worry about this but not promising.
2) harder to pull foot out and dab if your going through rough terrain too slowly.

Platforms Pros:

1) Can dab easily or put foot down for balance if taking a fast corner downhill.
2) Downhillers and BMXers prefer platforms

Platform Cons:
1) Not SPD's

As you can see I think SPD's are the way to go with road or mountain biking. If you feel comfortable with them on the road you'll be fine offroad.

Answer 2

I see more SPD pedals being used on both mountain and road bikes than any other type of pedal. I use SPDs myself and have had no real problems with them. They seem to be the most universal pedal.

Answer 3

SPD is the way to go for MTB. You will have more choices for pedals AND you will have compatibility for both bikes. You have a good plan; follow it!!

There is no additional difficulty. The lower profile make the shoes easier to walk in and Most SPD pedals are adjustable for tension.

Answer 4

You don't need concerned about using them on your MTB. Spd's were originally made for mountain bikes, they were easily cleaned and maintained, and had a great deal of float and are easy to come out of in a quick stop.

I run the mtb style spd on my trikes and recumbents both and really like the pedals and will run nothing else and just so you know, you can check my icon to the left and see where my pedals are on my High Racer, I have to be able to get in and out of my pedals quick.

Answer 5

SPDs are the best thing you can get for a MTB. Crank brothers make the best pedals and they use SPD, that should tell you something. they are very easy to use and they have a large price range from cheap ($20) up to expensive CB eggbeater 4Ti (over $300!)

Answer 6

spd I would recommend for a mountain bike way before I would on a road bike, look pedals are typically used on road bikes and spd on mountain bikes, they are pretty clog resistant to dirt and mud

Answer 7

I think SPD are great for mtb. I've used them for around 2 and a bit years, and I feel safer riding them going downhill than on platform peddals. I think that there are different SPD for road and mtb, so use the MTB for that.

Pros:
-Better control of the bike.
-Your feet won't slip unvoluntarily.
-You don't need to walk too far for you bike when you fall.

Cons:
-It takes a few rides to get used to clip in/clip out
-you need special shoes

Answer 8

I can't offer you any more pros or cons than already listed above. BUT, I love my SPDs.

Answer 9

im down, rocked em for 2 yrs now.