The proven 970 pedal was already legendary. Now Shimano has tricked it out, and for the first time, their best MTB pedal carries the XTR label. Same basic design as before, but now saves about 2 ounces over the old design (for rotating weight, that's huge!)
Submitted by
Julie
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2011
Strengths: Reliable in and out and I'm very comforatable with the "feel" of SPD
Weaknesses: If shoes or pedal have a lot of mud they can be difficult to get out of. 2 incidents in 3 years of breaking the retention mechanism when I hit a rock
Bottom Line:
Overall these are the best pedals I have ever had. I am a lightweight rider (118) with small feet and most pedals are just too hard for me to get out of in an emergency. I use these near their lowest setting and they are PERFECT unless very mudded up (which is rare in SD but happens in places I visit ie Colorado) However I just had the second occurrence in 3 years of a mechanical failure after a minor rock strike. The prongs of the spring mechanism escape from where they are normally trapped under a small plate in the pressure adjustment mechanism, rendering that side of the pedal useless. The first time was shortly after I purchased the bike/pedals and Shimano rebuilt it for free. We'll see what happens this time. The bike shop had seen the phenomenon before but not often and it may be partly due to the low tension I run. I have a pair on my "backup" bike so can change it out while I get this one fixed/replaced...but otherwise it would be very inconvenient as bike shops don't seem to be able to do the repair.
Similar Products Used: Eggbeaters-I use them on my road bike now as I found them more difficult generally to get out of in a pinch
Speedplay Frogs-couldn't get in OR out !
Time Attack-couldn't get out without a very hard effort
Bike Setup: Ibis Mojo SL, Fox 2012 Talus 32 RLC, RP23
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
biker88
a Cross Country Rider
from toronto
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2011
Strengths: good pedal for first month
looks good
Weaknesses: after 1 month very unreliable and inconsistent
hard to clip out of
mud shedding not that great
Bottom Line:
might as well upgrade to the xtr
much better for the money
xtr will last for 6+ years
XTR!
Strengths: Best fit to the shimano cleats. Durable bearings.
Weaknesses: Relatively heavy compared to other brands.
Bottom Line:
The best choice for using shimano cleats. Recently discontinued with a lighter model. I'd get the newer one but the new one costs 2.5x and differ by less than 100gr.
Strengths: easy step in, easy release, good platform
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
these are the best pedals out there, in my opinion. they are easy in and easy out and you stay clipped in when you need to. i had some eggbeaters for a month and hated them, because i couldn't release. i don't know why i tried fixing something that wasn't broken when purchasing my new bike.
i bit the bullet and bought these pedals, and couldn't be happier and more confident that i can release when i need to without tipping over like a rookie.
Similar Products Used: CB but they have been damaged. CS is very good but i don't like to be without pedals every few months
Bike Setup: trail bike
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mr.E.D.
a Weekend Warrior
from St-Polycarpe,Qc
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2009
Strengths: strenght is Shimano
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
they are heavier but I don't need more than one pair cause of failliure.They don't need rebuilding.So the price is not that bad after all. Can't believe "Crankypants"(previous review),having problems cause of size allen key.Start reading instuctions,saves money!
Similar Products Used: similar would be all my other shimano pedals I've owned,cause my egg beaters would not last one season with out having them serviced.(had 3 pairs going to make sure I could ride).
Bike Setup: perfectly
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
ktool
a Cross Country Rider
from Oshawa, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2009
Strengths: Everything. Beat the crap out of them, kick the mud off and get going. Bought them because of the price( new in box) and can't believe I didn't do it sooner!!
Weaknesses: No such thing
Bottom Line:
If you can get these get them. I am not trashing the other pedals BUT these are superior.
Similar Products Used: Came from Crank Bros Acid 1
Bike Setup: FSRXC
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Butcher67
a Racer
from Fort Collins, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2009
Strengths: This pedal has it all. Easy to get in/out, predictable. You don't pull out when you don't want to. Very servicable. Bullit proof construction. Kind to carbon soled racing shoes.
Weaknesses: None.
Bottom Line:
These are the pedals for the hardest of hard core XC and trail riders. They are built to last. You put them on and forget about them. They are not the lightest pedal out there but from my experience you pay a price in durability for anything lighter. Mud clearing is very good with the open design but is not as good as the egg beaters/Time. The pedal to shoe interface does not groove out the sole of your shoe like Time and Egg beater.
Very high quality and well engineered. They are expensive but worth every penny and then some if you ride a lot.
Submitted by
steviecj
a Cross Country Rider
from Incline Village, NV, USA
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2009
Strengths: Excellent clip in and exit characteristics. Don't know what is different from the XT level pedal, but this pedal works so much better, especially stepping back in while riding. Snow, mud, sand, nothing seems to bother it.
Bike Setup: Intense Spider XVP, Fox fork, Shimano XTR Groupo, Sidi shoes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
crankypants
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2009
Strengths: .
Weaknesses: Spring tension bolt which on the 970's has been reduced to a 2 or 2.5mm allen key from a larger size on the 959s and other SPDs strips very easily at the tool interface once you start to tighten them up half way even when they were lubed up with penetrating oil. So if they are getting loose on you be really careful, use a HQ new allen key and soak the part.
Submitted by
iceaxe
a Cross Country Rider
from Ann Arbor, Mi USA
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2009
Strengths: Solid Construction, light weight, good mud shedding ability great retention mechanism, easy on carbon sled shoes, stable platform, and very adjustable
Weaknesses: Still not as light as the Egg beaters... can't think of anything else
Bottom Line:
These pedals are great if you like the solid engagement mechanism of previous Shimano pedals. Their performance is largely unaffected by mud-- unlike earlier shimano pedals. These pedals are also much easier on carbon soled shoes when compared with egg beaters and time pedals. Sure you can use a shoe shield with the Egg beaters, but on my shoes, there was a significant amount of play between the pedal and shoe with these installed. Over all, I prefer the more pronounced retention system to the more buttery operation of Times & Egg beaters.
Hi all, I'm a MTB beginner and have a question:
Is there any difference in mud shedding ability between the Shimano XTR PD-M970 and PD-M520 pedals?
I am currently using the Read More »
hey i was making the switch to clipless pedals.
here were my choices
1) time atac Alium
2) crank brothers candys
3) Shimano SPD XTR pd-m970
I've narrowed it down to th Read More »
