|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
YR
a Weekend Warrior
from Israel
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Go Sport (France) | | Strengths: | Easy out, platform for going around the block and for those
super-scarry downhills. Learning curve for beginers (like I am) is super-fast. Platform side once you are totaly stuffed in mud. | | Weaknesses: | Not so easy to get in. Tend to popout when bunny hopping
(even with tight setting) | | Similar Products Used: | Nashbar, Ritchy | | Bike Setup: | 2K Giant Warp DS2 | | Bottom Line: | I bought these for the following reasons:
1. An entry level SPD
2. For using the platform side when going around the block
or when carrying my 4 years old daughter.
3. Revies here were very positive.
My LBS guy told me not to get them since "you go SPD or not". He was right, I never used them on the platform side
(with the excetion of when mud did me in).
I felt very safe on them even when taking my child with me.
On the other hand having a one sided SPD meant it takes
some time to get in and I ended up always looking to see
which side I am trying to mount. I put one of the supplied
reflectors to make one side heavier so the SPD side will always face the rear of the bike - it helpd a bit but I still have problem mounting which I found had to do with the shoe tread hitting the platform when I push dow to rotate the pedal to horizontal positoin for mounting. It almost always took several retrys to get in. I recently changed to Nashbar which are great. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stampertje Wijngaarden
a Weekend Warrior
from Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Spokes, Wheaton, Illinois | | Strengths: | Flexibility - cleated one side, platform the other | | Weaknesses: | Screws come loose, loose grip on cleat | | Similar Products Used: | Look style pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is a great concept for commuter or all-round bikes: the flexibility of platforms and the performance of cleats.
Get them if you don't want to be clipped in all the time.
I only have two minor gripes with these pedals:
1) the screws holding the cleat plate to the pedal keep coming loose. I've finally locked them down with locktite and that seems to work. I lost one of the screws, but Shimano sent me replacements, no charge.
2) even with the screws bonded down, there is some engagement click when you pull on the pedals. I find this slightly uncomfortable.
Two more points: I believe I saw a "platform" somewhere that could be clipped on to any spd pedal. Anybody else heard of these? And: not only do Spokes in Wheaton rip you off, their service is crap. Avoid this place. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Weaknesses: | Ok I dont know if I did not set these up right or what but almost everytime I try to bunnie hop I clip out. I don't know if its the pedals the shoes or what. Since speed and bunnie hopping where the reasons I got the pedals its really pissing me off. If you have any advise about what I should do e-mail me at allmjm@aol.com
So far my toe clips where more reliable | | Similar Products Used: | toe clips | | Bike Setup: | GT rebound with 323 pedals | | Bottom Line: | I'm guessing I just set them up wrong but till I stop cliping out there not that great for the trail but good for road. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Downhiller
from Covina
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocket Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Easy to use, platform side | | Weaknesses: | Mud tends to stick | | Bike Setup: | FSR, Marzocchi Z4, Race Face System Stem, Azonic PDW risers, LX drivetrain, Shimano 323s, Specialized Body Geometry Saddle, Michelin Wiidgrippers. | | Bottom Line: | These were the first SPD pedals I have ever used. I scored them on a deal online and wanted to use them until I got comfortable with clipless pedals, which I figured would be about a month. I liked that they are SPD on one side and platform on the other. Well its been over a year and I'm still using them with no problems. Now using clipless pedals is second nature and I'm sticking to the 323s until they break to upgrade. They're a great starter pedal that gives you room to grow. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
g-man
a Cross-Country Rider
from w.islip, ny
Date Reviewed: August 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
stillwell | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Similar Products Used: |
545's | | Bottom Line: | I used to have 545's but found on longer cross country rides my bad knee would get uncomfortable. The 323 pedals allow me to take a break and ride in a different foot postion on the platform side. I also like to ride the platforms on scary downhils and new trails... Most of the time I stay clipped in and enjoy the flexibility the 323's give me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyron
a Weekend Warrior
from Pacifica Ca
Date Reviewed: July 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
First these are not my first spd's!!! I have them on an old Stumpjumper that has been retro-fitted for city and parenting dutys with a big basket in frnt and a Rhode Gear Limo baby seat on back. These ped's work great I dont have to put my goofy-lookin shoes to go to the park with Jr. and chillin at the beach is much better in sandells anyhow. | | Weaknesses: |
The only weakness with these ped's is you if your weak enough to make sissy excuess's | | Similar Products Used: |
I have friends who have these on their trail / woods bikes and they love em'. I have 636's on my real bike | | Bottom Line: | They rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Grabowski
a Cross-Country Rider
from Queens, NY
Date Reviewed: June 7, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Easy entry/exit
Full sized platform side | | Weaknesses: |
Difficult to use with clips and straps | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale F-600 | | Bottom Line: | I'm new to clipless and these are the first clipless pedals that I've tried, so they are difficult to rate. I bought them so that I could continue to ride with platform and/or toe clips and straps while trying out clipless. I've had no problems adjusting to these pedals. Clipless entry and exit are easy with Shimano's S cleat, and the availability of a full platform is reassuring. Using the platform side with straps and clips, however, is very difficult since the pedals are extremely hard to flip over to enter the clips. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G
a cross-country rider
from Washington
Date Reviewed: August 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These were my first clipless peddles. I bought these thinking they'd be great to learn on, considering most people seem to have had a hard time getting used to em'. Unfortunitly, I hopped on, and could ride just fine. It's been 6 months now and I STILL havent had a fall created by not clipping out or whatever.
So now I have these OK peddles that have to be flipped over all the time to get clipped in. I've also lost a screw, they squeak even after a good lubing, and get a little rusty.
But if your not nicly intune with your body, or you motor skills are just a little mushy, I would say there pretty good. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Remco Hannink
a cross-country rider
from Soest The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: June 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These are my first pair of clipless pedals, and I think they are great. On difficult courses or steep hills I can get out of the SPD's. They are great to learn how to ride clipless.... After riding a few time with the pedals, they are quit easy to get in. Just push the pedal a little bit to the fromt and slide your shoe in. Riding the normal pedalside, you have to flip the pedal, this I found a bit more difficult.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bill
a cross-country rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: June 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
these are good learner pedals if u want to use clipless. but once you reach the point that you have to be clipped in all the time these pedals suck. they are a reall pain in the ass to lock into in technical areas, i am always looking down to make sure they are on the right side to clip in, these pedals will always have the non clip side pointing up so you have to spin it with your foot to get on the right side. so if you are already a clipless pedal guy do not get pedals. but if you want to learn these are ok. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aviva
a
from USA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I am a 54 year old woman whose been a Road biker for 2 years when I got these pedels. Had road bike clipless before. These are great. Sometimes take one food out of pedel when on steep hill, getting on or getting off my bike. They give me lots of flexability. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Hyde
a weekend warrior
from Bowie, MD
Date Reviewed: May 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These pedals are a great buy. The spd/regular pedal is a great convienence for thos who like to ride trail and also go for a casual ride to the store. I have used them on several trails in MD and FL (Markham Park rules!) and have no complaints!! The price is a big bonus, usually they can be found for less then $50.00. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
micronaut
a
from earth
Date Reviewed: May 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These are the best pedals I've ever used. Their simple dual purpose design is extremely effective. It's great to have a choice between street and spd shoes. It allows you to be much more spontaneous with your bike. Since I've gotten these pedals I've been riding my bike a lot more - doing trials and screwing around in parking lots, etc. On more technical or unfamiliar terrain it's also nice to be able to use the cage. My pedals have a lot of float when I'm clipped in, which I like. They are very easy to get in and out of. Mine always hang the same way, and clipping in became second nature after only a few rides. I can clip into my 323's a lot faster and easier than my Ritchey spds. I haven't had the problem of loose or lost screws that some people have reported in their reviews. You can buy lighter pedals, but so what? I haven't noticed the weight difference and the elegance of design and the quality of the pedals far outweigh the extra grams. The price is nice too. Buy these pedals, you won't regret it. Great job Shimano! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
derek
a cross-country rider
from houston,texas
Date Reviewed: March 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The best pedals on the market. It's nice to be able to wear street shoes
when I ride in unfamilar trails. I would recommened them to any one.Ther is one little downfall to them (this is not a prefect world????)
Locktite the screws when you frist buy them or have the bike shop you buy them from do it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rohan Chaffey
a weekend warrior
from
Date Reviewed: November 29, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This came with my 95 Britsh Eagal Shodow(bloody nice bike by the way) Ran smmoth, didnt bend/break or fall apart after 2 YEARS!!!!!. I rode the bike for around 1-2 hours a day in the summer and when there was light. Oh also i never serviced them once. Just amazing. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Serl
a weekend warrior
from Chino, CA 91710
Date Reviewed: October 21, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Work great. A little rough on the shins it you bump the teeth. They are easy to get in and out of. Work great in tough technical sections where you can unclip and flip them over when things get a little iffy. It is also nice to be able to ride without having to put my SPD shoes on. Great for first time SPD users. On thing you should do is take off the screws and locktite them. A few of mine came fell out.They work better than I thought they would.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ulf Eriksson
a weekend warrior
from Lulea, SWEDEN
Date Reviewed: August 15, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
They suck !!
Either you use spd or you don't.
The quality is shitty. The chrome comes off and they start to rust.
The bearings can't take it. Get the VPs instead.
| Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Ingram
a weekend warrior
from Bath UK
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Update: Shop tells me that the feel of the bearings is normal - they are assembled very tight and I am told they will smooth out with riding and greasing - so still 5 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Ingram
a weekend warrior
from Bath, UK
Date Reviewed: July 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Excellent - first try with clipless pedals, despite the dire warnings from the salesman & Shimano literature I found these to be easier and safer than the clips they replaced. They seem to always hang vertically with the clip side facing rearwards, so its easy to clip in by pushing forwards and down. For the bear-trap side, just flip over as you would to get in your old clips. There seems to be plenty of float, very few accidental releases even on lightest tension, and clipping in is always easy unless in a very low gear. Price was great (£35 sterling, including M cleats!). Only flaw (might be my pair only) is that the bearings are not as smooth as the Marin pedals they replaced, oh and I suppose the weight too - but that's fair enough for this dual purpose pedal. I would reccomend them to any beginners looking to go clipless. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Przemys³aw Œliwiñski
a cross-country rider
from Wroc³aw POLAND
Date Reviewed: July 7, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I found them very versatile. Using a bike to go to my university I wear normal shoes and use stnadard side of pedals. When riding out of city SPD set is a really advantage. I have never thought they are so safe - really! They are useful especially at evening or night - turning on a light set doesn't affect at all! I use the M-system cleats which seems to be more comfortable to clip off than S'. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BROF
a weekend warrior
from memphis, tn
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I still like to just hop on my bike a spin around by my home so these have
come in very handy. Clipping in is at times difficult because your essentially
50% less likely to be on the cleat but this is overcome pretty quickly.
the platform is killer on downhills when your overcome by Chicken-poop syndrome!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doyle Hamilton
a weekend warrior
from Wichita, KS
Date Reviewed: May 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
These are my first pair of clipless pedals, and I'm extremely pleased with them. I use my bike for off-road, road, and short commutes to the gym and the store. The ability to just flip the pedal and ride in street shoes is great. I still have trouble occasionally clipping in, but it's getting easier. The only problem that I've experienced with these are the top two screws on the clip-in side repeatedly came loose the first two or three times I used them. But a couple of squirts of lock-tite fixed that well.
If you don't want to make the full commitment to clipless pedals, these are definitely the way to go. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Weeks
a cross-country rider
from Centerport, NY
Date Reviewed: May 26, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
These pedals are excellent! My girfriend and I use them on our Mountain Tandem, which gets mostly road/fire road use. They are a wonderful choice for tandems because you can ride the bike casually with the platform side if you don't have your bike shoes on. I've also used them on my Mountain rig once or twice, before I bought double-sided clipless pedals. I recently lent one set to friend for about a month so he could learn to ride off-road with the cleats, but have the platform side as a fall-back. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
me
a weekend warrior
from nowhere in particular
Date Reviewed: May 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
seems a bit boggo to me | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Samuel Chiu
a weekend warrior
from Penang,West Malaysia
Date Reviewed: March 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I decided to install the 323 after I learnt that with SPD, you could easily bunnyhop those small logs or obstacles on the trail. I chose it instead of other shimano's double sided SPD like the 535, 636 or the 747 because it is the cheapest Shimano SPD and also I like the bear trap cage option which means that I can cycle casually on the streets with other cleatless shoes. Now that I'm very familiar with it, I find that I can clip-in on the SPD side easily without any fuss. The float is good too with SH-55 muti-release cleats. Getting out is also not a problem at all. I'd overturned with my front wheel trapped in a ditch which was about the width of the wheel but I somehow got out of the SPD unscathed before the crash. The best part I enjoy about my 323 is the bunnyhop which I can now do. I would not go to any trail without it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guillermo Power
a weekend warrior
from New Forest, England...
Date Reviewed: February 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
These are the first clipless pedals I've ever used and I'm very pleased with them, I find getting in and out is quite easy (as long as I remember I have them on...DUH!) and they generally tend to hang the same way so you know where the SPD side will be. The only disadvange I've found is that the caged side does not provide as much grip as some other caged pedals. I've read that these pedals don't have any built in float but they feel free enough to me (as a rider with no previous clipless pedal experience) with single release cleats. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Edwards
a weekend warrior
from Shoalwater, Western Australia
Date Reviewed: November 29, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought these pedals because they were the cheapest around and they had a bear-trap style cage on one side. This means that I can use the clipped side for singletrack work and the bear-trap for tricky,trials type riding. The only downside to these pedals is their weight, but my bikes not the lightest anyway.
The multi-release cleats I use with these pedals provide lots of float and allow you to wrench you feet out if the need to in a hurry.
Darn good pedals !!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Conn
a weekend warrior
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I have recently purchased the 323's and I think they are great. They are the ideal pedal to get used to riding clipless. It's convenient to be able to ride in any type of shoes. The only disadvantage that I've found is the weight. I would recommend them to anyone. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al Gidden
a racer
from Austin,TX
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the 323's so that I could get a caged SPD pedal. I like
some slalom-type riding and like the ability to not have to clip
in.
Some complain that a single-sided platform is a problem, but I
found that if you keep the pedal spindle lubed and clean, that the
pedal will fall to the same position when you take your foot off.
With only three days of practice, I got used to this and can clip-in
at speed.
I may race with these, not sure yet. The new Shimano caged pedals
sure look big and bulky. Besides, you can only get them in red
right now.
If you want to make a transition to SPD pedals, use the 323's. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat D.
a weekend warrior
from Victoria, BC
Date Reviewed: May 29, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the 323's so I'd have both an SPD and the platform for riding
with normal shoes. While that has proved to be useful, the downside
is that I have to sometimes mess around to get clipped back in on a
tough singletrack after I wipe. Although I can ride with my shoe on
the platform side (nice once the trail has won and I'm dabbing my way
home in defeat :-), now that I know I can hop those bigger logs if
I'm clipped in, it would be nice to always hit the clip-side of the
pedal first. I'm not sure if these have float or not (I had read not)
but I've found that low tension and single-release cleats gives a nice
amount of looseness but still keeps my feet in for hard pedalling and
bunnyhopping. With multi-release cleats, I imagine I'd need to tighten
the tension on the pedals.
Basically, the flexibility is nice, but the pedals don't hang in a
predicable way so you don't know which side you'll step on when you
aren't looking.
Oh - mud, as with all SPDs I assume, makes getting out more difficult.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Garry Lee
a weekend warrior
from Cork, Ireland
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This pedal with beartrap on one side and SPD on the other is really very
handy. It means you can ride with whatever shoes you are wearing. You can
also commute on your traiing bike.
I like them so much I have them on 3 bikes.
You actually, with experience will get the right side you want without
thinking about it.
I would not recommend them for racing as you might be a bit slow in
engaging.
| | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 60.00
