Submitted by
Holmes
a Weekend Warrior
from Berthoud, CO
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2011
Strengths: Cheap, durable, solid engagement, ease of use
Weaknesses: Weight
Bottom Line:
These are definitely a high Bang For The Buck product. I've used Candy's for awhile, and while those are good pedals the M520 is a superior product in most respects. The Candy is lighter and has a bit more float, but the M520 is far, far more durable and I personally prefer the SPD engagement / release.
Also, a previous reviewer has stated that these are throw-away pedals. That is not true - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXfrmkOTicM.
Similar Products Used: Crank Brothers Candy's (SL and standard cro-moly axle versions)
Bike Setup: Voodoo Canzo 29er, Surly Karate Monkey
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Submitted by
xc/mxracer
a Racer
from ringwood, nj, usa
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2011
Strengths: cheap
easy to install/adjust
Simple
Weaknesses: heavy but none other than that
Bottom Line:
i decide to go clipless because im starting to get into racing. i asked the guys at town cycle if the had a cheap entry level for of clipless pedals.they showed me these. i got them a few months ago and the only reason they are scratched is because i fell when i was learning them. i got used to them very quickly and now im loving them.
i would recommend these to the beginning rider or anyone new to clipless pedals.
pros or semi pro should go with the xtr model because it is lighter
Submitted by
thumper07
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Lauderdale, FL
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2011
Strengths: Super easy in. Wont slip out. Adjustable tension. Rock solid and virtually indestructible.
Weaknesses: A little on the heavy side.
Bottom Line:
I'll never use any other pedal. Sure, they may be a few grams heavier, but they will last a lifetime. I have two other sets of SPDs that have had the crapola beat out of them and are sitting in a box of spare parts and one day I'll put them back on something else that I throw together. A little money goes a real long way with these SPDs. You can spend time and money trying other brands or you can just get these and be done with it and have money and mental energy to spend on other things.
Bike Setup: Mountain cycle Fury, e-thirteen 34 tooth single, all XT, custom built Circus Monkey wheels. All mountain.
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Submitted by
oi2342001
a Cross Country Rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2011
Strengths: Easy to clip in and out
Bounces off rocks without problems
Bottom Line:
I only used these pedals for about 6 months before switching to flats so I can't say anything for how long they last but I never had any issues with them. They held up to whatever I put them through. I've hit many rocks with these pedals and it never effected how the pedal worked. I don't know how they would handle from drops since most of the riding I do is XC fast trails that don't have any drops larger than one foot. Overall I would say this is a good buy for a first clipless pedal.
Submitted by
Nubo
a Cross Country Rider
from Vallejo, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2010
Strengths: cheap, decent quality, does what you need it to do.
Weaknesses: bearings are not user-serviceable
Bottom Line:
These are throwaway pedals. They're cheap and they work well enough, until the bearings wear out. And then you throw them away because the bearings can't be removed, replaced, cleaned, regreased, or adjusted.
This won't be a drawback for most people. But if you're the type who doesn't mind a bit of maintenance, or if you are depending on your bike for something like a long tour in an undeveloped country, go for the M540 -- just a slightly more expensive and has user-serviceable bearings.
Submitted by
Gthiessen
a Racer
from Curitiba, PR, Brazil
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2010
Strengths: Easy to install. Easy to clip in and out.
Weaknesses: Way too weak.
Bottom Line:
After finally going from toeclips to clipless, 3 weeks ago, I was very excited with my SPD's. Until yesterday. I arrived at my LBS, stopped the bike and as I unclipped my right foot... the cage broke.
I have never put abuse into this pedals, never got off road, not even rain. Never had a fall or even a scratch, they're bling new.
I'm still excited about clipless but will look for something better for my next setup, dont want a pedal that breaks from unclipping.
Similar Products Used: MKS Toeclips with leather double straps.
Bike Setup: Road fixed gear bike.
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Submitted by
Uncle Six Pack
a Weekend Warrior
from Bloomsburg, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2010
Strengths: Easy to use once you get used to it, has lasted for years, as cleats wear you can increase tension
Weaknesses: Little heavier than XT or XTR
Bottom Line:
A very good way to try clipless pedals. I considered these and eggbeaters, but never actually tried eggbeaters. I put these on my bike and have rarely ever ridden with platforms since. I just bought M540s to save a few grams on my new bike, but haven't installed them yet.
Submitted by
Blue Sugar
a Cross Country Rider
from Middletown, CT USA
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2010
Strengths: Predictable in/out, good value, durable.
Weaknesses: None for the money.
Bottom Line:
I got these pedals for my singlespeed since they use the same cleat as the XTR level 770s I have on my other bike. As far as performance I can't tell the difference between the two. The XTRs are lighter, cooler looking and might hold up better in the long run, but they don't perform any better. In fact the 520s have a slightly larger profile which gives slightly better footing. After a year of heavy use and zero maintenance they're holding up just fine- no mechanical issues.
I haven't always been a fan of Shimano pedals but the new design works very well. Engagement and release are very predictable and that inspires confidence, allowing you to try more and become a better rider.
If I had one complaint I'd say that mud shedding is only good, but I rarely ride in mud so It's not a problem for me.
Similar Products Used: Shimano SPD-M 770 (XTR level), Egg Beaters
Bike Setup: Redline Monogog 29er
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Submitted by
hmorsi
a Cross Country Rider
from Cairo, Egypt
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2010
Strengths: Cheap, reliable and durable. Nice adjustability. Doesn't easily bend or break when accidentally bashed on rocks (unlike Crank Brothers pedals). Nice engagement and release. Good weight for the intended use and price point.
Got it in white. Looks cool on my bike.
Note: I tried pretty much the whole Shimano range of these pedals up to the XTR. You won't notice much difference unless you care about the few grams the higher end models lose.
Weaknesses: Weight weenies might say it's "heavy"? Not really. Unless you're one of those people who drops $300+ on the superlight eggbeaters that need a rebuild every couple of months.
Bottom Line:
Shimano makes durable and reliable products, and the PD-M520 pedal is no exception. Used Crank Brothers pedals for a while (which admittadly win in the "eye candy" department), but went back to Shimanos for durability.
Similar Products Used: Shimano PD-M540, XT, XTR, PD-M324, Crank Brothers Candy and Smarty.
Bike Setup: 2009 Marin Mount Vision 5.8. Shimano XT drivetrain. Manitou Drake 130mm fork. DT Swiss X1800 wheels. Kenda Small Block 8 tires.
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Submitted by
Ericmopar
a Weekend Warrior
from Henderson NV
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2010
Strengths: They last a long time. They release consistently.
They are cheap to buy.
Weaknesses: None really when used for XC riding.
Bottom Line:
I would like to state, that the previous problem of excessive cleat wear, mentioned in previous posts was resolved.
It turned out that my set of pedals had a little ridge of chrome/nickel below the pedal's engagement mechanism.
Once this ridge was burnished off, the cleats now wear as long as any other SPD.
I really like them. I see no reason to purchase anything more than a PD-M520 or PD-M340 pedal, because they are so good.
I've put over 8,000 miles on them and they still work great.
They are now on my second bike since purchasing them.
I just re-grease them and adjust the bearings once a year.
When I've taken them apart to service them, there has never been any contamination in them. I do live in a desert climate, so I have no idea how they perform in mud.
After having them for so long, I've upped the Chili rating.
Similar Products Used: PD-M545s. Some old "Specialized" clipless pedals.
Bike Setup: MC Fury set up as a heavy duty trail ride.
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Submitted by
MTBJong
a Weekend Warrior
from Wasatch
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2010
Strengths: Durable, cheap, easy to use, clipless!
Bottom Line:
These were the first clipless pedals I ever bought 5 years ago and the pedals are still going strong after 100s of days in the saddle. Its really simple to use, clip in , clip out, solid engagement feel. There probably are better lighter, pedals out there but these to me are the standard.
Submitted by
scout_it_out
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisville,KY
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2010
Strengths: Durable, reliable, easy to use and set up.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Great clips for beginner and more experienced riders alike. They are durable and easy to clip into. For the price I think they are the best clips on the market.
Strengths: Does their job well: keeps clets securely clipped in!!!!
Bottom Line:
These pedals preform as designed, they keep your clets secured. They are like night an day compared to my OEM pedals, which were awe full. I've actually owned 2 sets of these pedals. One set on my old Gary Fisher Big Sur and on my new ride the Specialized FSR XC Expert.... Good pedals though and very happy with my purchase.....
Similar Products Used: OEM pedals that came with bike. Not sure of brand.
Bike Setup: 2008 SPECIALIZED FSR XC EXPERT. STOCK FOR NOW......
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Submitted by
AnotherBikerGuy
a Cross Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2009
Strengths: Solid, dependable pedal. Easy to clip in and out. Adjustable tension for beginners.
Weaknesses: Heavy, can rust if left wet.
Bottom Line:
These pedals offer great performance at an affordable price. They install easily, with a standard pedal wrench or a 6mm Allen key. The adjustable tension is great, because beginners can loosen the pedals for easier entry and exit. I've only ever had these pedals become difficult to clip into in the worst mud I've ever ridden in - all other times, they performed flawlessly, even after being banged on rocks and curbs. Don't leave them wet, though - mine showed a couple spots of rust. Also, they are somewhat heavy. Still, a great pedal!
My shimano PD-M520 pedals are giving me issues. My cleats are having trouble staying clipped in. I have adjusted the tension on the spring thinking that it would help, but it has n Read More »
