MTB pedals on a road bike?

[Rickn]

Gents: I just purchased a "like-New-1997-Bianchi-Veloce"
on ebay for $380.00. Italian made, steel frame, Campy
equiped. To me, this sounded like a good deal. Please tell
me you agree.

On to my silly-question-of-the-day: I will need to buy
pedals for the bike. I already own a pair of SPD-mountain
bike shoes and I am cheap. Will I be able to mount mountain
bike pedals on this bike? Is there any reason not to? I
would like to be able to swap the pedals from my road bike
to mountain bike as necessary. (However, I am not yet sure
if the crank-threads are the same from bike-to-bike.)

Thanks, Rick

 

[Matt O'Toole]

rickn wrote:

> Gents: I just purchased a "like-New-1997-Bianchi-Veloce"
> on ebay for $380.00. Italian made, steel frame, Campy
> equiped. To me, this sounded like a good deal. Please tell
> me you agree.
>
> On to my silly-question-of-the-day: I will need to buy
> pedals for the bike. I already own a pair of SPD-mountain
> bike shoes and I am cheap. Will I be able to mount
> mountain bike pedals on this bike? Is there any reason
> not to? I would like to be able to swap the pedals from
> my road bike to mountain bike as necessary. (However, I
> am not yet sure if the crank-threads are the same from
> bike-to-bike.)

Yes, they are. Remember the left pedal is reverse-threaded,
though. Make sure you put the right pedal on the right side,
so you don't strip the threads.

MTB pedals are fine. IMO they're better because they have
clips on both sides. Single sided road pedals are
inconvenient, and usually more expensive. There's no reason
to bother with them unless you need one of the larger
platform designs. Most people don't.

I use the same MTB pedal on both my road and mountain bikes.
When I bought my road bike, I looked for another pair of my
old Shimano SPDs on eBay. I paid $20 for some NOS, in a
factory box w/ new cleats, and I couldn't be happier.

Matt O.

 

[A Muzi]

rickn wrote:

> Gents: I just purchased a "like-New-1997-Bianchi-Veloce"
> on ebay for $380.00. Italian made, steel frame, Campy
> equiped. To me, this sounded like a good deal. Please tell
> me you agree.
>
> On to my silly-question-of-the-day: I will need to buy
> pedals for the bike. I already own a pair of SPD-mountain
> bike shoes and I am cheap. Will I be able to mount
> mountain bike pedals on this bike? Is there any reason
> not to? I would like to be able to swap the pedals from
> my road bike to mountain bike as necessary. (However, I
> am not yet sure if the crank-threads are the same from
> bike-to-bike.)

Yes you can use the same type of pedal and Yes the threads
are the same (so you'd need only one pair of shoes for
both bikes.)

--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1
April, 1971

 

[Dan Daniel]

On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 00:49:16 -0400, rickn <rickn> wrote:

>Gents: I just purchased a "like-New-1997-Bianchi-Veloce"
>on ebay for $380.00. Italian made, steel frame, Campy
>equiped. To me, this sounded like a good deal. Please tell
>me you agree.
>

Without seeing the bike, hard to say for certain. But every
Veloce owner I have known has been happy with their bike.

>On to my silly-question-of-the-day: I will need to buy
>pedals for the bike. I already own a pair of SPD-mountain
>bike shoes and I am cheap. Will I be able to mount mountain
>bike pedals on this bike?

Yes.

>Is there any reason not to?

You will have some bicyclist look at you with derision.
Hopefully you can find better things to do with your time
than take these people seriously. Beyond that, no
significant reason not to do this.

>I would like to be able to swap the pedals from my road
>bike to mountain bike as necessary. (However, I am not yet
>sure if the crank-threads are the same from bike-to-bike.)
>

The threads will be the same. You will probably get tired of
swapping, though, so plan on another set of pedals in the
near future

 

[Ken]

Dan Daniel <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> You will have some bicyclist look at you with derision.
> Hopefully you can find better things to do with your time
> than take these people seriously. Beyond that, no
> significant reason not to do this.

Challenge them to race up the longest, steepest hill in your
area. If you win, they won't sneer at you any more. If you
lose, well ...

 

[Mike Jacoubowsk]

> >On to my silly-question-of-the-day: I will need to buy
> >pedals for the bike. I already own a pair of SPD-mountain
> >bike shoes and I am cheap. Will I be able to mount
> >mountain bike pedals on this bike?
>
> Yes.
>
> >Is there any reason not to?
>
> You will have some bicyclist look at you with derision.
> Hopefully you can find better things to do with your time
> than take these people seriously. Beyond that, no
> significant reason not to do this.

Oh gosh, hopefully not! It would be at least partly my
fault, as I've been part of various bicycle product meetings
at TREK where I've pushed strongly for double-sided SPD
pedals on all road bikes up to $1700 (which means all road
bikes that come with pedals, since the more-expensive models
come without any). I've noted no "derisive" resistance to
them whatsoever. People often change to a lighter-weight
"road" pedal (most often Speedplays, sometimes Looks), but
rarely is this accompanied with remarks regarding the
suitability of "mountain bike" pedals on a road bike.

A lot of very serious riders use double-sides SPDs on their
road bikes. Many simply find them more practical; if
they're doing a long ride or tour, they have an easier time
getting around when off the bike. I definitely could have
used something more practical than my lightweight Speedplay
X2 setup when I was up on the Tourmalet last July, waiting
& walking around for four hours before the Tour de France
came through. Pretty much ruined a pair of shoes in that
one outing!

(But it was worth it- check out
www.ChainReaction.com/france03racephotos.htm#tourmalet)

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Dan Daniel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 00:49:16 -0400, rickn <rickn> wrote:
>
> >Gents: I just purchased a "like-New-1997-Bianchi-Veloce"
> >on ebay for $380.00. Italian made, steel frame, Campy
> >equiped. To me, this sounded like a good deal. Please
> >tell me you agree.
> >
>
> Without seeing the bike, hard to say for certain. But
> every Veloce owner I have known has been happy with
> their bike.
>
> >On to my silly-question-of-the-day: I will need to buy
> >pedals for the bike. I already own a pair of SPD-mountain
> >bike shoes and I am cheap. Will I be able to mount
> >mountain bike pedals on this bike?
>
> Yes.
>
> >Is there any reason not to?
>
> You will have some bicyclist look at you with derision.
> Hopefully you can find better things to do with your time
> than take these people seriously. Beyond that, no
> significant reason not to do this.
>
> >I would like to be able to swap the pedals from my
> >road bike to mountain bike as necessary. (However, I
> >am not yet sure if the crank-threads are the same from
> >bike-to-bike.)
> >
>
> The threads will be the same. You will probably get tired
> of swapping, though, so plan on another set of pedals in
> the near future

 

[Mark Hickey]

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email protected]> wrote:

>A lot of very serious riders use double-sides SPDs on their
>road bikes.

The vast majority of miles I put on my road bike are with
double-sided SPDs (Ritchey, actually), for all the reasons
Mike mentioned.

Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles http://www.habcycles.com Home of
the $695 ti frame

 

[Justin Seiferth]

Others have already answered yes and several have offered up
lightness and speedplay (presumeably because of float) as
road options. I also use SPD pedals- WTB 250 "Stealth" in my
case. They are quite cheap (I haven't paid more than $50 off
ebay or on-line), light and offer adjustable float. Bebop
are another option but they are more expensive.

> I will need to buy pedals for the bike. I already own a
> pair of SPD-mountain bike shoes and I am cheap. Will I be
> able to mount mountain bike pedals on this bike? Is there
> any reason not to?

 

[Eagle Jackson]

I use mtb pedals -- Speedplay Frogs -- on all my bikes:
road, mtb, touring.

With stiff soled shoes, like Sidi Dominator 4's, I don't see
any disadvantages on the road and plenty of advantages (eg
ease of walking; also I like the float of the Frogs better
than the Speedplay
X/2's, which I used previously).

 

[Jeff Wills]

Mark Hickey <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >A lot of very serious riders use double-sides SPDs on
> >their road bikes.
>
> The vast majority of miles I put on my road bike are with
> double-sided SPDs (Ritchey, actually), for all the reasons
> Mike mentioned.
>

Ditto here. I use double-sided SPD pedals (elderly
Shimano PD-M737's
for the most part) even though most of the riding I do
is on the road.
Far more convenient than even the single-sided SPD's
I've tried.

Jeff

 

[daveornee]

Originally posted by Rickn
Gents: I just purchased a "like-New-1997-Bianchi-Veloce"
on ebay for $380.00. Italian made, steel frame, Campy
equiped. To me, this sounded like a good deal. Please tell
me you agree.

On to my silly-question-of-the-day: I will need to buy
pedals for the bike. I already own a pair of SPD-mountain
bike shoes and I am cheap. Will I be able to mount mountain
bike pedals on this bike? Is there any reason not to? I
would like to be able to swap the pedals from my road bike
to mountain bike as necessary. (However, I am not yet sure
if the crank-threads are the same from bike-to-bike.)

Thanks, Rick

Yes, but buy another pair of SPD pedals for your road bicycle.
Convenience is important, but I think that you will also find that the steel pedal threads will wear the aluminum ones on your cranks if you are busy swapping them back and forth.
If the "new" bicycle fits you and has no major flaws, it's a good deal.

 

[Mark]

Hi Rick, Congrats on the new purchase of the Bianchi. $380
Sounds great to me for a like new Bianchi Veloce. Crank
Pedal threads on the Bianchi should be 9/16"x20. I guess the
bottom line is, is to use what you like the best. I
recommend just buying another set of Pedals, and leave them
on the Bianchi. Not really a good idea to be constantly
taking them on, and off. These newer MTB Pedals are not all
that expensive.

Don't forget to coat the pedal threads with some Anti-Seize
before installing them. Any Auto Parts store, and Wally
World will carry small tubes of this stuff. Enjoy the "new"
bike, Mark

Mountain Bike Pedalrickn <rickn> wrote in message news:<MPG.1ae3e9bb5b98dfd6989682@news-
60.giganews.com>...
> Gents: I just purchased a "like-New-1997-Bianchi-Veloce"
> on ebay for $380.00. Italian made, steel frame, Campy
> equiped. To me, this sounded like a good deal. Please tell
> me you agree.
>
> On to my silly-question-of-the-day: I will need to buy
> pedals for the bike. I already own a pair of SPD-mountain
> bike shoes and I am cheap. Will I be able to mount
> mountain bike pedals on this bike? Is there any reason
> not to? I would like to be able to swap the pedals from
> my road bike to mountain bike as necessary. (However, I
> am not yet sure if the crank-threads are the same from
> bike-to-bike.)
>
> Thanks, Rick

 

[Russell Seaton]

My answer is pretty much the same as everyone else's. For
week long tours such as RAGBRAI, BAK, CNC, CANDISC, Pedal
the Peaks, I put my double sided SPD747 pedals on my
beautiful Waterford 1200 with wonderful Campagnolo Chorus.
And use my mountain bike shoes. These are all week long 500
mile rides. On loaded tours I also use the SPD747 pedals on
my touring bike. Walking around lunch stops, sag stops,
campgrounds, scenic overlooks, etc., its easiest to use SPD
style pedals and shoes.

For dedicated road rides such as brevets, one day road
rides, I put on the Time Equipe road pedals. On these rides
I am covering miles and not spending much time walking
around off the bike. Road pedals are superior for actually
pedaling. But on many rides the ease of off bike wwlking is
better to have.

rickn <rickn> wrote in message news:<MPG.1ae3e9bb5b98dfd6989682@news-
60.giganews.com>...
> Gents: I just purchased a "like-New-1997-Bianchi-Veloce"
> on ebay for $380.00. Italian made, steel frame, Campy
> equiped. To me, this sounded like a good deal. Please tell
> me you agree.
>
> On to my silly-question-of-the-day: I will need to buy
> pedals for the bike. I already own a pair of SPD-mountain
> bike shoes and I am cheap. Will I be able to mount
> mountain bike pedals on this bike? Is there any reason
> not to? I would like to be able to swap the pedals from
> my road bike to mountain bike as necessary. (However, I
> am not yet sure if the crank-threads are the same from
> bike-to-bike.)
>
> Thanks, Rick

 

[Ted Bennett]

[email protected] (Mark) wrote:

> Don't forget to coat the pedal threads with some Anti-
> Seize before installing them. Any Auto Parts store, and
> Wally World will carry small tubes of this stuff. Enjoy
> the "new" bike, Mark

There's no need for anti-seize here, as ordinary grease will
do the job just as well, is cheaper and is already wherever
bikes are worked on.

--
Ted Bennett Portland OR

 

[Dan R H]

Frogs here also on all my three road bikes and MTB. Fours
sets of pedals, one pair of shoes!

Dan Hertlein

"Eagle Jackson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I use mtb pedals -- Speedplay Frogs -- on all my bikes:
> road, mtb, touring.
>
> With stiff soled shoes, like Sidi Dominator 4's, I don't
> see any disadvantages on the road and plenty of advantages
> (eg ease of walking; also I like the float of the Frogs
> better than the Speedplay
> X/2's, which I used previously).

 

[Peter Cole]

"Russell Seaton" <[email protected]> wrote

> Road pedals are superior for actually pedaling.

How so?

 

[Eagle Jackson]

[email protected] (Russell Seaton) wrote in message
> Road pedals are superior for actually pedaling.

Or do you mean, people who use road pedals feel superior?

The issue may be shoe stiffness not pedals. FWIW, Frog II
cleats can be used on road shoes.

 

[Mark]

Ted, Grease is certainly NOT a satisfactory substitue for an
anti-seize compound. Being a mechanic by trade for 30+
years, I've seen other guys use regular grease to coat
threads on bolts, etc., and seen these same bolts snap, or
strip whatever they were threaded into further on down the
road. (Especially with dissimilar metals)

You might think grease is better than nothing, but in most
case gives absolutely no improvement vs nothing at all. Read
up on this.

Really, does it pay to cheap out for a $3 tube of Anti-
seize? As mentioned before too, constantly changing out
Pedals over, and over isn't a good idea either. Mark

Ted Bennett <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<tedbennett-
[email protected]>...
> [email protected] (Mark) wrote:
>
> > Don't forget to coat the pedal threads with some Anti-
> > Seize before installing them. Any Auto Parts store, and
> > Wally World will carry small tubes of this stuff. Enjoy
> > the "new" bike, Mark
>
> There's no need for anti-seize here, as ordinary grease
> will do the job just as well, is cheaper and is already
> wherever bikes are worked on.

 

[Jim Edgar]

[email protected] (NeauDL) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I use single-sided SPD pedals because I use the SH-71 SPD
> road cleat (with "pontoons") on road shoes, and the double-
> sided pedals (Icon brand) which I had didn't work very
> well with the road cleat. It was hard to clip in. Has
> anyone any experience using the SH-71 cleats with the new
> Shimano double-sided pedals (959, 540 or 520)?

I've used SH71's in double sided 525's and similar pedals.
Also have used the double sided cleats (the name of which
escapes me right now) in the single sided SPD road pedals.
There was no perceptible difference.

The ICON pedals probably didn't use the actual SPD cleat.

Pontoons were mostly to keep you from grinding down the
cleat edge whle walking.

-- Jim

(now happily using ATAC's for double-side pedals)

 

[Mark Hickey]

[email protected] (Mark) wrote:

>Ted, Grease is certainly NOT a satisfactory substitue for
>an anti-seize compound. Being a mechanic by trade for 30+
>years, I've seen other guys use regular grease to coat
>threads on bolts, etc., and seen these same bolts snap, or
>strip whatever they were threaded into further on down the
>road. (Especially with dissimilar metals)
>
>You might think grease is better than nothing, but in most
>case gives absolutely no improvement vs nothing at all.
>Read up on this.

Are you talking about bicycle applications, or "mechanical"?
It's been my VERY different experience that grease will be
adequate for just about anything on a bicycle (and will
certainly be better than "nothing" if only in preventing
creaking noises). I do recommend AS when installing ti or
aluminum bolts (hate to hear that *pop* and see the puff of
smoke from the galling otherwise).

>Really, does it pay to cheap out for a $3 tube of Anti-
>seize? As mentioned before too, constantly changing out
>Pedals over, and over isn't a good idea either. Mark

I make it a point to take my pedals off once every couple
years. ;-)

Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles http://www.habcycles.com Home of
the $695 ti frame