Submitted by
DEK2688
a Cross Country Rider
from Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2010
Strengths: Seemingly made in space out of unobtainium, absolutely bulletproof, rebuildable to the nth degree - newer PD-M545 axles & body plates fit!
Weaknesses: Clumps up with goopey mud and schtuph, a tad weighty.
Bottom Line:
After ten years of off road use and losing a few grams of aluminum from being scraped over almost everything on the North Shore, I relegated these pedals to commuter service.
They've been commuter pedals for a little over 5 years, adding another 12K km or so on them. I did replace the driveside axle due to a fried axle cone & bearings (after 12 years), and have replaced all body plates due to wear from being clipped in/out of about three zillion times and smacked off thousands of rocks. I repacked them annually with Phil's. An absolute gem of a pedal all in all; easy to rebuild.
What other MTB component do you own that has been willfully abused but worked this well for this long? I'd bet not much if anything.
Similar Products Used: PD-M737, PD-M970, pre-SPD Deore XT I and II, Suntour beartraps - got the shin scars to boot.
Bike Setup: Ancient Kona Cinder Cone commuter special with old M950 XTR bits, fenders, rack - you get the picture...
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
SPYCHIC
a Cross Country Rider
from ALEXANDRIA VA
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2010
Strengths: Durable
Easy entry/exit
Adjustable
Light (or lighter than most standard MTB pedals today)
Small but powerful
Serviceable
Weaknesses: Small pedaling surface for un-clipped moments
Bottom Line:
Having a moment of silence for having recently experienced the last ride with these trail beasts. Went to hop over an obstacle and the left unclipped smashing my shin onto the crank. Did that a few more times down the trail and I knew it was time to say my goodbyes. They have taken logs, rocks, creek soakings, endos, and a general pounding from me the past 11 years. I looked into rebuilding and decided to just reinvest in the SPD 530 Sports, which feature one side flat and one clip in for cement trails. I am investigating which new SPD's come close to these in durability and performance (heard the 540's squeak) and have yet to know many that got this many years miles from their pedals. Loved them while they lasted! Well, actually it was only the left which failed finally - the right is still fine. Shimano, why change a good thing??
Similar Products Used: Shimano standard MTB pedals
Cruiser pedals
Classic Schwinn pedals
Bike Setup: '99 Specialized Stumpy FSR XC with Manitou up front and new Fox RPL in back, IRC Mythos XC front and rear, Specialized BG Jett with titanium rails, Shimano A530 SPD Sport pedals, Specialized Enduro XL Locking DOUBLE DENSITY grips, and all else stock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
lebikerboy
a Weekend Warrior
from North Van
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2010
Strengths: Last forever as long as you regrease the
bearing once in awhile.
Weaknesses: When totally jammed full of dirt
don't release real well.
Bottom Line:
This is my second set which were on an old Kestrel
carbon road frame which was cracked and being junked.
Bike Setup: Rocky Mountain Vertex frame with custom build.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
a4blur
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose,CA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2009
Strengths: super strong, maintenance free, even more polished when used.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Have used them on my past 3 bikes. They are still on my current ride. After 1000's of miles - NEVER rebuilt them, just tightened the bearings twice. bomb-proof Have slammed so many trees and rockscrossings you cant tell what brand they are, but they always work. I
Submitted by
Hmmmm...
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaffrica, AZ
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2009
Strengths: Strong, durable, totally 'polished' from rocks after 14 years of use. Still tight after many years of riding
Weaknesses: A little heavy (don't be a wimp, these are beefcake)
Sometimes get paked with mud or snow
Bottom Line:
BOMBER! What other piece of cycling gear is still in use everyday from 14 years ago? Umm, nothing... These pedals are on both of my bikes, they have always worked flawlessly, a little banging on the side of your pedal with your shoe usually clears them quickly on the occasion when they get packed with mud.
Similar Products Used: none, these are my first clipless pedals
Bike Setup: S-works hardtail, One-one inbred SS
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Man from Utopia
a Cross Country Rider
from South Central PA
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2007
Strengths: They work (most of the time) and they're bomb proof.
Weaknesses: Cosmic debris clogs the cleats and transfers to the pedals
Bottom Line:
I've beaten these things to an unrecognizable pulp for 12 years of hard riding and counting. They work flawlessly most of the time. Easy to clip into (except when clogged) and always easy to clip out of (never unexpectedly). That puts them #1 in my book. Back in the day when these pedals were more common I could stop on the trail and listen to the peace and quiet when off in the distance I'd hear someone else bangin their cleat on a rock to get the mud out. There may be something else marginally better in some conditions but for an all around pedal these do the job better. Other pedals can't take the abuse and unless you have a sponsor I'd just assume not pay $100 bucks or more every season or two on new pedals. I repacked the bearings on these once a few years ago although upon inspection they didn't need it Next to my vetta-15 cycleputer these are the the oldest gear I have and they still work like day one. Probably even better since they've been fine tuned over a 12 year process and they've probably had a gram or so of weight shaved off them the hard way.
Similar Products Used: Frogs, cheaper shimano's, even cheaper shimano knockoffs
Bike Setup: SC SuperLite, XT yada, yada, yada, mythos saddle, Scott ATM bars. Yeah I'm old school.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
George Cruz
a Cross Country Rider
from Lisbon, Portugal
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2004
Strengths: Durability. Ease of use. Durability. Decent all weather performance (mud, snow, sand). Durability.
Weaknesses: A little sloppy feel in the pedal - but I actually like this because it allows you to shift your riding position (including foot position) in techincal situations.
Bottom Line:
Started MBing in 1991. Bought the 747's (my first clipless pedals) in 1995. Have used them on my past 5 bikes. STILL have them on my current ride. After 1000's of miles - NEVER rebuilt them, just tightened the bearings twice. I am a 190-200 lb, aggressive, expert rider. These pedals have been soooo good to me. I have stepped out of situations woth these pedals that (looking back) were EXTREMELY dangerous. Pedals have functioned 100%, still have the original cleats. I now live in Lisbon Portugal, but rode most of my miles in Connecitcut - all year round. Pedals woekd well inall conditions, but you do have to kick them in extreme mud and snow. Not too bad, a coupla hits to the pedal/cleat will usually clear them, even while you are riding. Bought 2 sets from ebay this week, one brand new at $90 and a used set at $20. WIll outfit all my bikes with this pedal. 838's and 959's seem to have design issues/flaws, THESE DO NOT HAVE ANY. Have slammed so many trees/rocks/roots/calf deep river crossings you cant tell what brand they are, but they always work. If you can find them buy them. VERY good for heavy/agressive riders. Good first clipless pedal.
Strengths: I've had em' for 7 years and have NEVER had a problem. Work like the day I bought them and they have never been serviced.
Weaknesses: Zero weaknesses.
Bottom Line:
These were top of the line pedals in 1997. Why is it that the new shimano top of the line pedals have more problems than these ever have? I'm getting a new bike soon and I'll transfer these before getting anything new and unreliable.
Submitted by
Andrew Fatman
a Cross Country Rider
from Feldafing
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2002
Strengths: s.b.
Weaknesses: s.b.
Bottom Line:
Got a tip and put the multifunctional Shimano cleats (multiple release mode SM-SH 55 SPD Cleat Set) on my shoes. These have much less lateral float, but the annoying vertical give (s.b.) is no longer there. There is a good connection now to the pedal, comparable to the ATACs. The pedal/multifunctional cleat also has the easy getting in and, especcially getting out; in fact, it is easier to get out: you haven't to get out strictly sideways as wtih the regular cleats; as advertised, you can move your foot also a bit heavenwards, and they still let go. With the regulars, I sometimes got locked in when pulling also a bit upwards and not strictly sideways in a panic reaction. So these really are everybodies pedals/cleats. Still, the ATACs are the better choice for experienced hard riding xc riders on not too technical stuff.
Submitted by
Andrew Fatman
a Cross Country Rider
from Feldampfing
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002
Strengths: Hold out, reliable function
Weaknesses: vertical play
Bottom Line:
These are o.k., especially for SPD newcomers. What bothers me most, is their slight vertical giving which I have with all three types of shoes (SIDIs, Gearne, Shimanos). The float is o.k. (6°), even better than the float of the ATACs (15°). The ATACs keep the foot much tighter without any vertical give, which is really good when pedalling hard. But, but, but... When you really want to get out quickly, the 747 release perfectly both ways (turning in (at 12:00 o'clock crank position much easier than rotating outwards!!!) and out 6°). The ATACs release you at 15° turning out, and at 30° turning in. So you have the time for a good long prayer sometimes before you get free with the ATACs. As long as you aren't in a tight spot, the ATACs feel better, though.
Submitted by
Ernie Devo
a Cross Country Rider
from Orillia
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2002
Strengths: Durable, Easy to clean, Small base.....
Weaknesses: Hard to clip out in mud.
Bottom Line:
This is a great pedal that I have ridden for many years. Now that it has given over half a decade of service, there are still only minor problems. 1- It is hard to clip out, when (wet and) dry, and impossible to clip out when muddy. this pedal is still available on the market because it is a quality product. unlike other bike products with a week's research and then production, and then store shelf in a month, .... your bike in two months,... broken in three months, (you know the deal with flimsy bike stuff), this pedal will last a million clip-ins, and clip-outs.
Weaknesses: 400 grams a pair. A bit heavy these days
Bottom Line:
If you pedal along and never have to think about your pedals, then you know you've got a good pair. This is one of them. I've used them to tour across over 30 countries and never have they failed on me. The only annoyance is the weight - there are much lighter ones out there. But better? I doubt it.
Similar Products Used: Onza (remember those deathtraps?), Ritchey, Girvin, Time, Shimano 535's.
Bike Setup: Specialized M2, Marzocchi Atom Z2, XT/XTR, Race Face, Easton, Velomax Climax's
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rick Margolin
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara, CA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002
Strengths: Bombproof, light, easy to maintain, shed most gunk well.
Weaknesses: Kind of small platform
Bottom Line:
Great XC pedal. Overall these petals are indestructable. I'm going on to my fourth season now on these and have never had 1 problem. Haven't even done routine maintanence. They've taken some serious hits and hardly show it. They shed mud really well and, depending on your shoe, expel gunk well. Only complaint is the small platform but that is typical of all pedals in this class.
Submitted by
Graham
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2002
Bottom Line:
This is quite simply a superb pedal. I bought mine second-hand from my LBS. The pedals had been on a Yeti that had never been off-road!! The new buyer did not want them and went for a pair of flatties!!! LBS wanted US$150. I said no. A week later 'make us an offer'. Hey Presto, virtually unused 747s for $70 (inc new SH 151 cleats). In and Out smooth as silk. Fully servicable. Nuff said.
Arrrrrrrrrgh!
So I'm resigned to a total tear down (anyone know a reliable source for the internals of these things in western Canuckastan?) but before I do..................
Read More »
