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Submitted by
BikeRider
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | rsk@charter.net | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | on line | | Strengths: | Very convenient, platform on one side, clips on other | | Weaknesses: | less than one year old... clicks terribly unless adjusted. Requires special tool (TL-PD33) to adjust, which apparently costs as much as the stupid pedals. I am a bit of a fanatic so I take care of bike, tune up regularily, etc. Can not keep them in adjustment - will loosen up in couple rides after having tightened. I have free service from great bike shop but it is still a major pain to take in bike just to have the pedal fixed... twice already in less than a year. | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Kona Blast Deluxe - all factory except the pedals | | Bottom Line: | Dissappointed. I never even considered a that pedal would not last more than a year. Poor design - requires special tools. Would not purchase again. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
the_original
a Cross Country Rider
from Groningen, netherlands
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | mixed | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | futurumshop | | Strengths: | clip and platform in one, reasonable bearings, | | Weaknesses: | fills up with mud , cage rusts ( thin chrome plating ), desing does not allow thick profile on soel of shoe, small platform | | Similar Products Used: | dual/single sided spd pedals, platform | | Bike Setup: | rockmachine performance flash, mixed deore/105 drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | As with most products that are a compromise is does not excell in any field. But for multi terrain long rides they do a good job, and allow the choice between sneekers and real shoes. The weaknesses mentioned are inherent to the design, so not really a problem.
If you are competitive please use a different pedal. If you just want to enjoy long trips with different surfaces and the occasional stop for some coffee they do an excellent job. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HarrisonBn
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Dakota Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Seem durable. | | Weaknesses: | Annoying to use with cleats, bad clearance | | Similar Products Used: | regular old shimano spd | | Bike Setup: | Marin 2007 mount vision | | Bottom Line: | Do NOT use these pedals if you do any sort of technical riding. Clipping back in is so annoying, you always have to make sure the pedal is on the right side. These pedals are good for VERY mild cross country riding at best, but they are going on my commuter now that I got some pd-m545s. Those are a much better pedal for using with regular shoes or cleats. I can't tell you how many features these pedals have prevented me from riding as I am always fiddling around with them in particularly sketchy riding. The bearings seem good however, and they have taken some pretty massive hits and are relatively undamaged. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
agentwkkd
a Cross Country Rider
from Worthing, UK
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | UK | | Strengths: | Versatile, go riding in any shoes, sneakers or SPuD's, doesn't matter if you can't clip in straight away, as platform will deal with it, or if you're on tech terrain, ride flats for great 'dab-ability'. | | Weaknesses: | Weight, awkward servicing, have to remove cage, and mess around with 13mm/10mm socket wrenches, constantly swapping between the two to adjust cone and lock nut - can't snug both at same time.
Unlike if riding with SPud shoes, if your in your sneakers then you have to make sure you hit the correct side, though you soon get the idea as the pedal normally rests at the halfway point, so either flip forward or back to whatever suits as you bring your foot on pedal. | | Similar Products Used: | non in the similar one side one thing, one side the other. | | Bike Setup: | 5" travel Steel Hardtail, | | Bottom Line: | Worth it as a good alround pedal if you have only 1 'do-everything' bike though could be cheaper | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
country biker
a Cross Country Rider
from rockwall texas usa
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt road | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | performance bike | | Strengths: | they work, good seals | | Weaknesses: | NOISY!!!! the bearings suck a big cucumber. | | Similar Products Used: | tioga surefoots | | Bike Setup: | 700c panaracer pasela 37's. voodoo columbus cross frame. brooks b17 laced. mavic rims. lots of shimano. | | Bottom Line: | these pedals will get you where you want to go but are very distracting and embarrassing with all the noise they make. it only took a couple days for this to occur. took them apart and they were clean inside except for the high quality grease and tiny bearing balls. these were absolutely a waste of 60 bucks. like throwing it in the wind or burning it. i really think shimano owes me 60 bucks. the tioga surefoot pedals from lickbike cost like 20 bucks. they aren't sealed as well but if you only ride in dry conditions they'll last and last.
p.s.
i think it's stupid that this site makes you list what type of rider you are and only has four stupid options. i put cross country because i ride threw the country a lot. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
firedawg225
a Cross Country Rider
from Chievres, Belgium
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Espace | | Strengths: | -Easy of use
-Can use both normal shoes and Cleats
-Hold your feet pretty good
-Releases easily when in trouble | | Weaknesses: | Sometimes hard to find the cleat side but i can live with that. Takes alittle to get used to it but i can find the clip everytime without looking now. | | Bike Setup: | 2007 HM Moab | | Bottom Line: | I think these are great. If you want light weight buy something with less stuff. If your buying a platform and clip pedal of course it's going to weigh more then a Clip only pedal. These are great! Easy to use and great if this is your first clip in pedal. Love these for climbing feet stay palnted and i get up hill alot better now. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sickness in seattle
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Lee's Camp | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | BGcycle | | Strengths: | Great for someone new to clips. Built to take a serious pounding. Don't have to wear cycling shoes every time you want to ride | | Weaknesses: | As others have said, it always ends up clip side down. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Cindercone, deore group, stroker disc, Dart3 forks... | | Bottom Line: | Good for someone just getting into clips. Knowing what I know now, buy online, save some bucks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Boo Urns
a Cross Country Rider
from Dooblin, Irlanda
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Yur Maz Gash | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | cycleways.com | | Strengths: | The metal is nice and shiny. | | Weaknesses: | There is some silly bump on one side of the pedal, that means i can only use my flip flops on one side. drat. | | Bike Setup: | Giant SCR 3.0 with wings of golden angel dust and a hint of mint truffle. | | Bottom Line: | Its very helpful if i want to stop mowing the grass in my flip flops and go for a cycle with my secret kids (they dont know im their dad) without having to buy proper cycling shoes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John F
a
from Pittsburgh PA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Rays Mtb, Frick Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$33.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Double sided, good for sharp turns so you have somewhere to put you foot back down | | Weaknesses: | heavy, bulky but no problem for me | | Similar Products Used: | nothing too similar to these | | Bike Setup: | Gary fisher bitter, Cannondale Carve Shoes ($100, Wellgo SPD clips) | | Bottom Line: | Good for the money, dont spend more than $50 on them, but fun for a first time clipless like me. Not too great for riding with out clipless shoes, so keep your platforms | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
spiro vagenas
a
from Denmark
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$93.00 | | Purchased At: | Vittesse | | Strengths: | durable
versatile
weight
simple clean cut looks
affordable | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | PD-MX30, PD-M545 | | Bike Setup: | koga miyata tls | | Bottom Line: | My pedal of choice. The best pedal I have used when verstality is required. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
benj nazareno
a Weekend Warrior
from philippines
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | cross country | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | 3MJ Bike Shop - Davao City | | Strengths: | dual use and price. | | Weaknesses: | weight and tendency to flip to the wrong-side...platform when wearing cleats, cleats when on regular shoes. | | Similar Products Used: | not applicable...first cleats ever used. | | Bike Setup: | merida matts 900 frame, deore group set. | | Bottom Line: | this being my first time using cleats, did not have much difficulty installing and engaging the pedal. despite the extra weight, did not think of it as a major consideration since bulk of the extra poundage is on my body and not my bike!
also felt that it's dual use feature was an advantage for a multi-purpose bike (specially when running emergency errands on flip-flops!). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from New Carlisle, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Kettering Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Very nicely designed for dual purpose versatility. Straighforward installation and adjustment. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't spin very freely; this is actually a plus when engaging the SPD, but to put them on a trail only bike is suicide; personally, when on a trail I don't want to think about which side of my pedal is up or look down to verify orientation. | | Similar Products Used: | SPD's only on mountain bike. | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 80 for the trails; Trek 7.3FX for the road. | | Bottom Line: | I added these to my 7.3 and they were amazing. I do a lot of riding on (please, forgive me) paved roads around my house when I don't want / have time to pack up and head to the trails.
The M324's gave me the option of doing a quick 10-20 miler on the road using my SPD shoes or just tool around the neighborhood with the kids without having to change gear.
The bottom bottom line is these pedals are worth every penny if you want to use your bike for more than one style of riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joseph Blow
a
from Springfield, VT, USA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | If you muster all your powers of brain-foot coordination, you might hit the right side of the pedal. | | Weaknesses: | At a critical moment you will usually hit the wrong side of the pedal. | | Bike Setup: | Redline Monocog Flight 29er | | Bottom Line: | I tried using these on my single speed 29er for a few months, and now they're going on eBay. These were my first clipless pedals, and if they're meant to be clipless 'training' pedals, they may have turned me off to riding clipless forever. I don't know how many times I hit the wrong side of the pedal and it usually happened at the worst time. I weighted them with a reflector on front (platform side up) which helped somewhat, but I still always had to THINK to hit the right side of the pedal. Hitting the platform side with cleats was bad since my cleats would get caught on the outside rail of the pedal. Hitting the SPD side with street shoes was just bad all around: very uncomfortable, and VERY slippery when wet. They may be better on a geared bike, where you can gear down before starting (especially on a hill), but I definitely don't recommend them for a single speed bike where getting the bike rolling is more of an issue. I'm much, much happier now after switching to Dangerboy platform pedals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt h
a Weekend Warrior
from parlin, nj
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | modernbike.com | | Strengths: | you can go with cleats or no cleats. looks | | Weaknesses: | clip side of the pedal sets the feet position higher than the platform side. I adjusted the seat post with the clip side, if I switch to the platform side, my legs have to extend bit more. | | Similar Products Used: | cheap plastic ones that came with the bike | | Bike Setup: | factory set up Specialized Hardrock sport | | Bottom Line: | Versatile pedals. It only took me one ride to get use to the clip side. I think I will use the clip side for all but down hills. I would recommend for those who want to try the clipless pedals for the first time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
anthony
a
from mrikina, philippines
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | price, dual duty (cleats for climbing and platform for decending) | | Weaknesses: | color option...i wish this product comes in black so i dont have to bring it to the powder coat factory and have the cage painted in black | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | specialized ht stumpjumper, truvative crank, deore drive train, sun rims, maxxis minion tires, xcr fork modified for stiffness | | Bottom Line: | a cost effective product | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fred
a Weekend Warrior
from Alexandria, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$63.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikes @ Vienna | | Strengths: | No need to put on bike shoes for casual rides. Platform is comfortable and properly sized. Beautiful machining. Bearings are smooth but don't allow pedal to spin uncontrolled, making for easy entry into clipless side. | | Weaknesses: | Should have a way to protect SPD mechanism when riding on platforms (plastic insert, for example). Only comes with double-release cleats. Pricey compared to competing Forte Campus pedal. | | Similar Products Used: | Lots of clipless and platform pedals. | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Rans Fusion crank-forward bike. | | Bottom Line: | A great product that lets you keep platforms for recreational rides while giving you clipless capability for longer, more demanding rides. Using the platforms for serious off-road riding puts the SPD mechanism on the bottom where it is exposed to potential damage.
This is an ideal pedal for hybrid riders, those who don't want to commit to wearing cleated bicycling shoes for every ride, and for recreational off-road and road riders. Not likely to win favor among racers and racer-wannabes who will consider it too large and heavy (the helium-filled tire crowd).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Memphis, TN. U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Stanky Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Adjustable cleats, easy in easy out, spd or not. | | Weaknesses: | it would be nice to have cleats on both sides | | Similar Products Used: | standard department store crap | | Bike Setup: | Catamount, Marzocchi Z2, Ravx RacerX saddle and Shimano and Sram everything else | | Bottom Line: | Good beginner pedal. Great for the transition from platform or clipped to clipless. I have used this pedal for just at 2 years now and I am going to use it on another bike I am building now. I am 230 lbs. and not easy on the bike. I have had no problems at all with these pedals | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul T Hauser
a Weekend Warrior
from Saint Charles, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Bakers Tank, Breckenridge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | BlueSkyCycling | | Strengths: | SPD compatible, regular pedal on the other side for a recreational ride | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Straight SPD pedal | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Expedition | | Bottom Line: | Great idea, use it to ride when it gets technical; use it to ride around the block! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a
from Denver
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | They work extremely well at what they were designed for. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8500, bunch of bonte, bunch of xt | | Bottom Line: | Been a long time since I've ridden clipless! 20 some odd years! I still remember my first Look's when I rode my first Tour De Tucson several years back. bout '85 I think. They were outfitted with a Trek 6100?? with Shimano Ultegra...I remember the Shimano for sure cause I installed it all. Alright! enough reminiscing. OK.. I mow the grass, it's hot, I'm thirsty! Want to jump on the bike to get a cold six pack and am still wearing my lawn mowing shoes...get the picture? That's what these pedals were designend for...not training wheels!! Do have to remember I'm not clipped when I begin to power up hills..you guys know what I mean! I have no less than 6 mtb spd shoes and they all work great with these pedals as well, but these serve a very handy purpose, they're constructed very well and I have no complaints!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Lewis
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Walnut Creeek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | nashbar.com | | Strengths: | Shimano. Well made. The SPD cleats are common, migrate well and are simple to replace (if needed). The pedal is easy to use and easy to adjust. | | Weaknesses: | Suffers from Murphy’s Law. You’ll always be on the wrong side of the pedal when trying to click in. | | Similar Products Used: | Wellgo WAM-B25 Flat Pedals, Wellgo WAM-D10 Pedals, Toe-clips and other cheapos. | | Bike Setup: | Newbie intro bike: 1996 Diamondback Accent hardtail, Smoke & Dart tires, V-brakes, Manitou Axel, Shimano drivetrain, etc. Blah blah. Nothing of real interest. Just a good starter. | | Bottom Line: | When my new neighbor from Vancouver got me started riding. I had never used clipless pedals and frankly it spooked me more than the suicide toe-clips I had already become accustomed to on my dusty old Diamondback. So after upgrading many other components I purchased these clipless pedals to help my learning curve. Learning curve...1 day.
So like many other reviewers, these pedals seemed like a good beginner’s pedal. One ride later, I’d done nothing but cuss them at every takeoff. There’s nothing quite as white knuckled for a beginner as looking like Lane Meyer running the K12 with one foot clipped and the other dangling perilously as you race 30mph down 50 yards of a rocky cactus-lined descent.
Overall, a quality pedal. But for me, just not a long term use pedal.
One saving grace (I would highly recommend): this is great pedal for your trainer bike. I can click in for the aggressive workout or just hop on for a quick spin in my flip flops. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Hernandez
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodacre, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Tamarancho | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Great for those of us new to clipless. Easy to get in/out of. Platform side works great with my sneaks. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Cheapo rat cages, and BMX platform. Cleats, once upon a time. | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh hardtail. | | Bottom Line: | These pedals really have two overlapping benefits: They're a great introduction to clipless pedals and they make it easy to use your bike for more casual riding. I felt comfortable right away with these things and pop right out when I need to. Even on the first ride they improved my confidence by making me more connected to the bike. It's nice to be able to ride with my kids in my sneakers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ape Theride
a
from Athens, GA, usa
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | @ the hub bikes | | Strengths: | quality all around | | Weaknesses: | heavy, but so what; bolts holding the cages one rusted. | | Similar Products Used: | similar wellgos | | Bottom Line: | these are great for a bike that you'll use with and without bike shoes. i've used them on my commuter/tourer for the past year and a half and they get the job done. they are a little shorter than standard platform pedals, so there is less risk of pedal-strike when turning sharply. these are much much better than the cheaper similar pedals in my opinion and are well worth the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Bissett
a Weekend Warrior
from Pembroke Pines, FL USA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | thbissett@yahoo.com | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | A great 'in-between' pedal if you want to learn to use clipless pedals. I get used to the clips on the more modest trails, then use the flat side for the harder stuff. So far, it seems to be the perfect way to get used to clipless, at least for me. | | Weaknesses: | There has been a lot of discussion as to which 'side" the pedal defaults to - Flat or clipless. I have the definitive answer: It defaults to which ever side you don't want at that moment. Guaranteed! | | Similar Products Used: | First foray into clipless setups | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Gary Fisher Kai Tai w/upgraded contact points | | Bottom Line: | Even though I won't use them long-term, I feel they were worth the $$$ paid, though I do feel they're on the expensive side. A great transition from flat pedals to clipless. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a
from Grapevine, TX
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Northshore | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Gift | | Strengths: | Great for people who don't always want to clip into pedals. I use the clip side for trails I am comfortable with, standard for unfamiliar trails. I have adjust the clip very loose so that they are easy to get out of in desperate times, but not to loose that my shoes fall out. These pedals are great for what they are. | | Weaknesses: | I don't see any so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano PD-M520 (on my road bike) | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4500. Pearl Isumi Vagabond shoes. | | Bottom Line: | If you don't want to have to worry about the pedal flipping then get pedals with clips on both sides. These are obviously going to have that issue. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Olathe, KS USA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeSource | | Strengths: | Easy to use. Great for clipless and regular shoes. Strong, stable. Easy to roll over to the other side of the peddle. | | Weaknesses: | Clip side slick when wet. Hard to clip-in with muddy shoes. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh M60, pretty much stock. | | Bottom Line: | These peddles rock!!! Clip tension is adjustable. These are the way to go if you want the best of both worlds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob bobalenski
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne Australia
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | etons cutting | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$74.00 | | Purchased At: | freewheeling cycles | | Strengths: | strong and cheap great when working right. | | Weaknesses: | have a mind of thier own | | Similar Products Used: | cheap platforms | | Bike Setup: | GT avalanche 3.0 std | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line.... these pedals need to be weighted and lubed .I found by bolting a reflector to the pedal on one side(clip back or platform front),I could rock the pedal to the position req easly and with some WD40 ,works a treat . usually ride with tail light so reflectors are an add on . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ca29er
a Weekend Warrior
from Wiener City
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | www.bike-components.de | | Strengths: | Convenient for commuting in normal sneakers and for MTBing in SPDs. | | Weaknesses: | There's a 50-50 chance you'll get the correct side of the pedal when you take off from a stop. Murphy always put me on the losing half :-( | | Similar Products Used: | Crank Brothers Mallect C | | Bike Setup: | Self-built trekking/29er. With regard to pedals: Holzfeller crank | | Bottom Line: | These are great shoes to learn how to use clipless. I have fobbed them off to a colleague for that very reason. They're also good if you have a do-everything bike: ie, you commute daily wearing sneakers and you use the same bike for the hills wearing SPDs on the weekend.
There a bit heavy, but also very durable. I had one or two falls with them, and nary a problem. Tension is easily adjustable.
I always ended up with the wrong side. If I was wearing normal shoes, I would also start off with the SPD under my foot. If I was in SPD shoes, I always ended up with the flat when starting off. Maybe greasing them would have helped, but judging from the comments below, that might have been challenging.
I highly recommend these for anybody new to clipless pedals. Even if you're not new to clipless, they're decent pedals and great for everyday use. I only got rid of them because I'm migrating away from Shimano. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony Kampmann
a Cross Country Rider
from Elkton Sd USA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$69.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | easy to use, stong. Ride clipless or regular shoes | | Weaknesses: | none so for | | Bike Setup: | Diamondback, Rockshox, Sram drive train, | | Bottom Line: | easy to use strong don't have to worry about which shoes you have on. excellant value | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Colombia
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Dealer | | Strengths: | Entry Level clipless pedals, platform option too. tough material, never break | | Weaknesses: | heavy pedals, clip system not the best (as in SPD 520 or 540) | | Similar Products Used: | none yet | | Bike Setup: | gary fisher tarpon stock set up + spd 324, felt fs500 + spd 324 | | Bottom Line: | very nice to use when you are learning to use clipless, very helpfull when youre unsure and can use platform, but they hirt when they hit your shin!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike libby
a Weekend Warrior
from moline, illinois
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | Jerry and Sparkys | | Strengths: | Nice concept with the pedal on one side and clipless on the other. Reliable so far | | Weaknesses: | This is a huge one. Nobody has or can find the necessary tools to adjust and tighten the cone and locknut after you have greased the bearings. It is not the TL-PD-63 tool (too small) and it is another part number. I might have found a source, but I am told it will take 2 months to get it in. GRRR | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Commuter, slick tires, flat handlebar, mountain frame/components, Mountain Clipless pedals and shoes. | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy these pedals if you want to be able to grease them (or even have your LBS do the service, becuase they can't get the tools either). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Double sided, means you can use them with SPDs or normal shoes. | | Weaknesses: | Bearings, weight, cost | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Hardrock Sport, XT drivetrain, MX Comp Air forks. | | Bottom Line: | Bearings come loose within a few months, Shimano cant supply the cone adjustment tool in the UK so i'm left with loose bearings. The SPD side being the most heavy part will ensure the SPD side is always facing down when you want to clip in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
spiffy
a Weekend Warrior
from Clear Lake Area, TX
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | Versatile!! Price. Easy to use. | | Weaknesses: | A little loose. | | Similar Products Used: | None, first pair of clipless pedals. | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2005 Trek 4300. | | Bottom Line: | I use my bike both to trail ride on the weekends and as my primary transportation to and from work. I can't wear bike shoes to work, but I wanted to try clipless pedals and start riding harder trails. These pedals are perfect. I can ride in any shoes, and I can clip in when I need to. I've never used clipless pedals before these, yet these were easy to get used to. I tightened the clips all the way and it still feels a little loose. Range of motion is fine. Easy in and out. Great for the "all-purpose" Mt. Bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JSC
a
from Danville, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Versatile! | | Weaknesses: | They feel heavy, but that does not bother me. | | Bike Setup: | Stock Cannondale F400. | | Bottom Line: | I bought these pedals because I wanted the option to jump on the bike and ride around the house or neighborhood without gearing up with shoes every time. I also wanted to be able to clip myself in for riding on the trails in the woods. So far so good. I like them. They are perfect for my needs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DrPaul
a Weekend Warrior
from Bangkok
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Strengths: | Versatility | | Weaknesses: | Weight | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Rock Shox Duke SL | | Bottom Line: | Even though I've had full clipless since ownership of this bike for a year, I still haven't got used to the scary clipped-in feeling when sudden removal of your foot is required. Consequently, on technical trails, plunging into sand (or even worse on the unpredictable streets of Bangkok!)
These pedals give you the flexibility and confidence to know you are tooled up for all scenarios. I am sure riders above my ability would contest this, but if you have any doubts or fears of clipless, I highly recommend the versatility this pedal can offer you.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
paolo
a Cross Country Rider
from houston, tx, usa
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | rocky hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | NW Cycleries | | Strengths: | Good training tool for gaining confidence with your first clipless pedals. Taken away after few weeks and gone with a true double sided clipless pedal ..... | | Weaknesses: | The teeth on the platform really hurt when falling!
It has always the wrong side up, but also this is training ... | | Similar Products Used: | Time Alium | | Bike Setup: | XC FS with SID Team, Float RL, Hayes brakes, Mavic rims an Phyton tires .... | | Bottom Line: | Buy them, use them, pass them to an other beginner ....... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Blackwell
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | wiggle.co.uk | | Strengths: | Cheap and er, cleat one side, flat the other! | | Weaknesses: | Probably not too light | | Similar Products Used: | this is my first clipless pedal | | Bike Setup: | Kinesis Maxlight xcPro, Pace forks, XT, Hope etc | | Bottom Line: | Was trying to build a bike as a good all-rounder hardtail and couldn't decide on pedal. previous scoot had clips and straps.
These pedal are just the job - expecially when mated with an all round show like the 661 Launch mtb shoe I have. Pedal work ok as flatties for hoping about doing trials or getting some air but flip em over and clip in and away you go. Fliping them can be an pain but by the same token you can just jump on the pedal and zoon off regardless of whether you are clipped in or not. Just the job!
And cheap (£35 uk)! Have yet to see how they handle some mud and abuse. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from shelton, ct
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | Good adjustment range of release tension, Easy to get in and out. Pedal almost always hangs the same way, shoe naturally picks up the cleat side. Well made. | | Weaknesses: | It's not quite as easy to flip the pedal over to the cage side when riding offroad than I thought it would be. | | Similar Products Used: | Wellgo WPD-823 | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar (offroad), Jamis Explorer (street) | | Bottom Line: | I originally bought these to replace the Wellgo's on my Dakar, after a few entertaining failures to unclip. I put them on the street bike first to try them out, and they worked very well so I bought a set for both bikes. The come std. with the multi release cleats which I like a bit better than the Wellgo cleats, definitely easier to get out of.
I originally wanted to have the option of the plain cage side for more technical sections, but it's a little harder to flip the pedal over on the fly than I thought, but I've only ridden them offroad twice so far so I expect that will get easier. On the street they work very well, getting the right side of the pedal is a non issue. They hang with the cleat facing to the rear, so I naturally step into the cleat.
Overall I like these pedals a lot. The give you a lot more to hang on to when you're not clipped in. Ironically, I spend more time cliped in because they are easer to get out of. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom carter
a Weekend Warrior
from alameda, CA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | castle park @ joaquin miller | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | pacific bikes | | Strengths: | These pedals are far more versatile than you might think | | Weaknesses: | relatively heavy | | Similar Products Used: | ritchey, several other shimano types, Times ( a formerly trendy pedal), wellgo platforms,etc. | | Bike Setup: | modified FSR | | Bottom Line: | Having ridden several different types of clipless and platform pedals, I find myself gravitating back to these pedals and keep swapping them between my bikes. They may indeed help beginners transtion from platform to clipless, although that can be done as easily with a double-sided clipless pedal. It does take a while to get used to finding the side you want when you want it, but that gets easier with use like anything else. Where I think these pedals really shine is if you like to ride terrain that is technically challenging for your skill level. For fire roads and simple singletrack this is not an issue, but for some stuff it is. There will always be some piece of terrain (rocks, logs, walls, stairs, etc.) that is just a bit too risky at your current level that would be safer ridden unclipped. 95% of the time you can ride clipped in, but sometimes you just won't want to. The double-sided platform style clipless aren't really the ticket for this type of riding because it's hard to stay un-clipped in them when you need to be. Pure platforms aren't great because most of the time you want to be clipped in even in tough terrain. These pedals are best used with smooth soled SPD shoes like 661 Stealth or similar. Luggy soled racer style shoes blow on the platform side of the pedal. The lugs hang up on the platform teeth and you can't move your shoe placement around easily to where you want it. I have the Shimanos but Wellgo, Victor, Nashbar, and others have a similar item. Enough- I should go to sleep now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Gainesville, FL
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Reddick - The Razorback | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | American Bicycle Company | | Strengths: | Ability to use with regular shoes and clipless MTB shoes. | | Weaknesses: | Very annoying to clip in to when riding technical trails. The fact that there is only a clip on one side requires you to flip the pedal over, and even when it is on the correct side the large platform makes it hard to locate the clip. Retired them to my old bike after just one use. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano PD-M424, Shimano PD-M520 | | Bike Setup: | 04 Cannondale Jekyll 800 | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy these if you expect them to work well for you on a trail with any technicality. I would recommend the Shimano PD-M424. They are a much better trail pedal and are also dual use. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trevor Maybee
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Good for beginners.
EXCELLENT for winter riding.
Great for your spare bike that you might ride with regular shoes.
Compatiable with 747's and other high end SPD pedals. | | Weaknesses: | The top plate screws work loose. Put some locktite on them and they will be fine.
Probably not for high performance XC riding or racing, but I don't think that's what they were designed for. | | Similar Products Used: | Regular platform pedals. 747's | | Bike Setup: | My backup bike is a Raleigh Serengetti with Rockshox Quadras and XT components. | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent idea for someone who is just beginning. I love them for winter riding because if my clipless pedals get frozen up, I don't have to end the ride. It's also great to have them on my backup bike in case I want to go to the store or somewhere that I don't want to wear cycling shoes.
These pedals have lasted many years and many miles. I have probably had these for 8 years and never serviced them. I have had no problems except the top plate screws loostening but locktite fixed that problem right up.
Not as nice as my 747's but they are an excellent pedal!
4 chilis overall because of the screw problem. When I lost one of the top plate screws I had to grind down a screw to make a replacement because the LBS couldn't get parts. My 747's never had a loostening problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cliff
a Weekend Warrior
from hollywood
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | oleta state park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | bell bicycles | | Strengths: | easy in and out. platform on one side and clipless on the other. low profile | | Weaknesses: | flipping pedal to right side up | | Bike Setup: | specialized fsr | | Bottom Line: | great for those new to clipless. can clip out and be on real platforms on those technical areas. it takes some practice to be able to flip the pedal to the side that you want after clipping out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam
a Cross Country Rider
from kokomo, in usa
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | bike nashbar | | Strengths: | easy to release from clips, outer part is metal (very tough and durable). good value. flat on other side for non-spd shoes. | | Weaknesses: | would be fantastic if made from Ti to lighten them up a little. | | Bike Setup: | EPX Terrashark frame, mostly XT drivetrain, easton bar and stem and marzoochi MX Pro fork | | Bottom Line: | nice pedal for those who ride with or without spd cleats. durable | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JP
a Weekend Warrior
from Finland
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$68.00 | | Purchased At: | Aggio Bikes & Parts | | Strengths: | Easy to clip in, easy to clip out. Most importantly easy to stay in. High-quality, sturdy feeling overall: well constructed, versatile pedal. Stylished looks in utilitarian, rugged sense. | | Weaknesses: | Weight, though weight is not the primary criteria for most riders opting for M324. Make note that the platform side might be slippy using ordinary cycling shoes. | | Similar Products Used: | My first clipless pedals. Tested and demo'ed PD-M515. | | Bottom Line: | My left ankle has somewhat limited movement. Even though I'm able to get in and out of these pedals with relative ease. Felt comfortable right from the beginning. Easily the best built low-budget/mid-priced MTB pedal I've seen. Bought Vittoria Fox shoes to be used with the pedals: a good match. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pj sini
a Cross Country Rider
from nyc
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | Versatile, and durable | | Weaknesses: | clits are only on 1 side. which obstruct foot traction on same side if regular shoes are worn. Hence you feel like you are in NO MANS land... | | Similar Products Used: | I just upgraded to M646... | | Bottom Line: | very annoying when riding without clits or when you need to clip on again. You have to get the right side, and takes a few tries every now and then. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RPheezy
a Weekend Warrior
from Vallejo, CA
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | bikeworld.com | | Strengths: | Versatile and easy to clamp in and out. | | Weaknesses: | Lack of color. Platform comes in only silver | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh M80 Disc | | Bottom Line: | Perfect for those who want the best of both worlds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, WI
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$7.00 | | Purchased At: | a Bike Swap | | Strengths: | Strong, functional, easy to use, adjustable. | | Weaknesses: | Weight. Very heavy compaired to almost every other pedal out there. This makes them strong and reliable. | | Similar Products Used: | Time ATAC, Other SPD pedals | | Bottom Line: | Well built very functional pedal. I use them when using trails that are a mix of real technical stuff and open trails like fire roads. This allows me to use them without the clips on technical stuff and lets me clip in on climbs. Real tough pedals I have done 6'+ drops with them and they come back for more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Equipment Co-op | | Strengths: | Dual Duty, agressive platform | | Weaknesses: | agressive platform (OUCH my Leg hurts) | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano SPD w/plastic platform | | Bike Setup: | GT I-Drive 4.0 Rockshock Judy front end, Rockshock SID on back. Deore/LX/XT/Avid groups. Nike shoes. | | Bottom Line: | Was almost going to buy new shoes that had softer sole until I found these. Easy in and out. Great agressive platform for riding technical areas. (Except when you bail and the pedal digs into your calf) The compaints about balance (clip up) are really not that bad. I've had the pedals for a week and already know the drill. Does anyone know if I can buy a new platform cage when the time comes????? Highly recomended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Minneapolis, MN. USA
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | yellow brick road | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Penn Cycle | | Strengths: | Utilitarian, Durable, Reliable and just plain makes sense! Larger platform on the cage side than some of the others in this class and those teeth really grip my Vans (waffle sole) street shoes! | | Weaknesses: | The cage isn't black and they don't default to SPD side up (hence the 4 chili's) | | Similar Products Used: | time MTB | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4100 frame, Rockshox Duke XC, Shimano M324's, Shimano WH-575's with Michelin or Continental Slicks (city) or Cane Creek Crono WAM Ti's with Continental MTB's (offroad) | | Bottom Line: | If you're looking for versatility and reliability pick these up. The price is right and you'll essentially end up with two bikes (one for a quick trip to the store and the other for weekend adventures). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gautam Bose
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Col Francis Beatty | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | V. Good indeed -- very smooth. | | Weaknesses: | Hybrid design sometimes confusing -- have to look down to see if I've got the platform or clipless side... no biggie | | Similar Products Used: | Wellgo platforms | | Bike Setup: | TRek 6500 | | Bottom Line: | I'm glad I got these. My first try at clipless; I was attracted to the 'hybrid' platform/clipless design. It's convenient -- can use regular shoes or cleated SPD-types. Gives me some comfort on thr trail, that I can unclip and ride platform in technical spots. In fact, I tend to stay clipped in most times.
A great value, and seem v. good quality! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lance
a Weekend Warrior
from Sicklerville, NJ
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Well made product. Works equally well as a clipless or flat. | | Weaknesses: | It would be nice if the pedal was constructed to automatically default to SPD side up. | | Similar Products Used: | Old sytle toe clip pedals | | Bottom Line: | Well worth the money if you want SPD pedals and occasionally want to ride with non-clipless shoes, (or vice versa). Good value for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
næstep
a Cross Country Rider
from SF Bay Area, California
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Similar Products Used: | SPD-M535; various platforms | | Bottom Line: | I required extra utility for my "second" bike, a utility hardtail I built up for around town & rides with my wife, plus a backup bike for my fullie. Tennis shoes one day and bike shoes the next are the norm. The 324s fill that requirement pretty nicely.
The cage is agressive enough to give some bite for sneaker riding. In fact, they're easily the best platforms I've ever owned, which is important since in the past I rode platform pedals with cages, so grip was a secondary concern. These guys don't let your sneakers slip and slide when it's wet out.
The clip-in side isn't as smooth as the well-worn Shimano 535s I ride on my main bike. The 324s easy enough to toe in to, but it usually takes more than a good heel push to click in. The click in is hard — a very solid engagement — so there's no question about it whether you're in or out.
Clipping out is smooth enough. Again, there's a definite point of disengagement, but it's by no means difficult — just a twist of the heel.
Where the pedals can be improved upon is their axle bearings. Or maybe they're a little too balanced. Platform pedals I've used in the past always "hung" a certain way, due to the imbalance of the cage. I always knew where my foot engaged the pedal, and it was always the same simple "flip" of my toe to get the pedal oriented correctly so my foot could slip in to the cage.
With the 324s, no such luck. There is never one side that's consistantly facing up, so I've got to feel it out with my foot (or actually look down) to figure out if I've got the correct side for the shoes I'm wearing. This isn't actually as bad as it sounds, because with tennis shoes on, I can feel through the sole if I've got the wrong side, and with my bike shoes on, once I'm clipped in I usually stay that way for a while. But it would be nice not to have to think about it.
For what they are, they're good pedals. For a beginner, there are easier-engaging pedals that would make learning to use clipless a bit more enjoyable, but these do offer an "out" for someone not ready to fully commit. And the utility of these pedals is perfect for anyone who needs a little more flexibility in how, when and where they ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Theodore Friedman
a Weekend Warrior
from Hartford
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Route 5 to Lyme, NH | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Clips and clipless on the same pedal, who'd a thunk? The bike just got a lot more useful. Easy in and out of the clips. No clip-offs yet, must of got them set just right. | | Weaknesses: | Reflectors would be nice. They weigh in a little more than than road pedals or even some mountain pedals, but that is more than compensated by their utility. | | Similar Products Used: | First pedal with clips. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale 2001 Silk Path 400 with the big cushy Selle Royale seat, pure comfort baby. Specialized 01 Comp Mountain shoes with Shimano SH51 cleats. Water bottles, lots and lots of water bottles. | | Bottom Line: | Hybrid, shmybrid - its those pedals that really make it an all around bike. That and a pair of cycling shoes make extended rides a lot more fun, but I can flip the pedals and ride it into town in my sneakers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Yonkers, NY
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | rei | | Strengths: | Dual platform. No problems exiting when I need to.
Can also use them to ride with regular shoes for a ride
to the store. | | Weaknesses: | Trying to clip in when first starting and the platform side
is facing up. I'm getting used to the feel and can sometimes tell without looking and can flip it, but I need more practice. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bottom Line: | I use my MTB for everything so having both platforms was
important for me. If I had a dedicated MTB only for trail riding I'm not sure that I would pick these. That being
said I am VERY pleased with these pedals! Very reasonably
priced if you buy them from REI for $45 (I saw them on EBay
where some people wanted $59 as an opening bid?!) I gave
5 chilis for both value and overall because the only
weakness I can see is caused by the flexibility that I want
in the product and I can't see how they design it any
better and still keep the same functionality.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Galveston TX
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint | | Strengths: | Very durable, versatile, easy release | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | toe clips | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4300, stock except Manitou x-vert fork, kore lite stem and bar, WTB sst2k saddle, and these pedals | | Bottom Line: | Since I don't live in a very mountainous area, I do a lot of road training when I can't hit the trails. This pedal is excellent for long distance road workouts just as much as singletrack. Since I also use this bike for my commute, the regular platform pedal on one side is exactly what I need. I'd recommend this pedal to any serious rider who also has to use their bike for regular commutes or city riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stefan Hansson
a Cross Country Rider
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Cykloteket | | Strengths: | High quality and durable. Great to use both SPDs and normal shoes! | | Weaknesses: | Sometime you get the wrong side up when you try to click in (Murphy´s law) | | Similar Products Used: | Normal pedals | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Marlin 01, XT/LX components. | | Bottom Line: | These pedals are really great! It´s perfect to be able to choose if you want to use SPD shoes. It´s also great if you come to a really tricky part on the trail and want to click out of the pedals before.
It´s also perfect for that quick dash to the store when you don´t want to change to SPD shoes.
Two thums up! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Altamont, Illinois, USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Tunnel Hill, Vienna | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | These pedals appear to be very well made. They provide release-tension adjustment for the cleats. They provide someone who interested in trying SPD to do so without investing a fortune. They also provide the ride with the choice to ride without SPD shoes on the other side of the pedal. You can even add toeclips if you want. They are simple to set up and use. | | Weaknesses: | I am sure that once a person gets used to SPD they will want to be able to use both sides of the pedal to clip into. | | Similar Products Used: | Toe Clips | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale 400 | | Bottom Line: | These are great pedals. They work as advertised and provide an inexperienced rider with the option to use SPD or not. They are well-made. They are low cost. Great all around pedal for those who want to get into SPD without spending a fortune. My rating is based on what these pedals are advertised to do, not comparing them to $150 pedal. They work great at a great price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brendan
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The Fells | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Cycle Loft, Lynn MA | | Strengths: | I like the platform/clipless set up. The pedals are tough the have taken a few falls and have held up. The pedals are nice becasue I often do quick rides and I don't feel like changing shoes or changing pedals. | | Weaknesses: | My roommate keeps trying to switch his pedals for mine, his pedals suck. | | Similar Products Used: | A few other clipless types. | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Kona Caldara. LX/XT components. Marzochi Bomber shocks. All the other flares. | | Bottom Line: | The pedals are great for using if you do a bunch of short trips, or you let other people ride your bike. They can take a beating and they hold up. It is well worth it. I often have friend ask to try my ride and I don't feel like changing pedals or giving them my shoes, these pedals eliminate that problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SledgeFoot
a Cross Country Rider
from W LA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Helens Cycles Westwood | | Strengths: | - SPD on one side, usable platform on the other
- Strong build
| | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 545 and 646 | | Bottom Line: | These pedals are the ticket if you want an SPD and usable platform swithability.
I tried the more macho lookin 545 adn 646 models but the platform side on those are not as useful. The platform on those models seem to made to support wide shoe sole surfaces while being clipped in, and not for non-clipping riding.
These 324s have a more usable platform surface because your shoe can actually take up the entire platform surface.
I picked these up because I suck on technical sections and dab my foot quite often. I'll ditch these when I get better, but in the meantime the are great pedals for what I need. The SPD side has float. There are some competing pedals like this one by other companies, the name slips me, but those do not offer float, so you have to be accurate on cleat placement.
The workmanship on these pedals are durable.
The only drawback is sometimes you have to look down to get the proper side up. These can be bad, but you quickly develop the feel for each side and give it about a week of riding and you can do it no eyes.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Mackenzie
a Cross Country Rider
from Vienna
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$46.00 | | Strengths: | The fact that they offer you the choice - SPD or normal pedal. Great colour and finish. Very durable. Well made. Solid. | | Weaknesses: | None at all! | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F400 | | Bottom Line: | I use my bike for commuting and for sport. I wanted something which was flexible and high quality. I did not want the hassle of changing pedals constantly. After three months of use I would say that I made the right choice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ralph Litton
a Weekend Warrior
from Pasadena
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | San Gabriel (JPL Area) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Pasadena Cyclery | | Strengths: | Good solid clip with safe release. Tension is fully adjustable. | | Weaknesses: | None identified. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | Modified GT Agressor 2.0 | | Bottom Line: | Great design for those who want to maintain the flexibility of using a petal “clipped” or “unclipped”. That's why I purchased this product. However, once I became use to “clipping-in” that became my preference. I had to learn this with experience. With a hybrid petal, you have to fiddle to make sure you have the side you want up. Not a big deal, but a bit of a pain at times. Also, you may experience clip shoes not working well with the "non-clip" side because your foot will not sit flush, sliding on the pedal. That’s the trade, functionality for flexibility. With that being said, I feel this is a very safe quality product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Albans, WV USA
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Kanawha State Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | Currey's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | easy to clip in and out | | Similar Products Used: | 1st time clipless | | Bike Setup: | Giant Warp DS1 | | Bottom Line: | This is my 1st try at clipless, so I didn't want to go wild on the price. After hearing horror stories about being trapped and crashing, I chose these for the platform side to use on rough sections. So far, they're doing great. It took about an hour of riding around the house to get used to clipping in and out. We rode some pretty rough trails today and I had no problems. I did unclip for a couple of spots, but I stayed clipped in a lot more than I expected. Good pedals to start on, but I think I'll find that the few times I use the platform side won't offset having to look down to make sure the clip side is up to clip in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Griffin
a Cross Country Rider
from Rio Rancho, NM USA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Can use with or without clip shoes. | | Weaknesses: | Sometimes you have to look down to find the correct side to clip in. But only when looking down will cause you to collide with a tree/boulder/hiker/horse. | | Similar Products Used: | 515s, traps, bearpaws.
| | Bike Setup: | '02 Fuel 90, Monkeylite, XT-XT-XT, Panaracers. | | Bottom Line: | These are great pedals to learn clipless on but when you gain a little confidance, you will wish you had clips on both sides of the pedal because you will seldom unclip once you learn the joys of being clip'd in. I give them 4 burnin' turds 'cause if I had not seen them, I would not have tried clipless and I'd be a much poorer rider now. If you are still riding flats, you don't know what your missing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from New York, NY
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | dirtworld.com | | Strengths: | one side is clipless the other is a regular cage | | Bottom Line: | These are great for beginners and those who use their mountain bike around the city and don't want to be clipped in all the time. I haven't gotten a change to test them out on a trail, but they are great on the street and seem to hold my foot in place pretty well -- i was able to do bunny hops on the middle setting w/o it releasing. I love them. The only problem is that when you want to clip in you have to make sure that right side is up which may require you look down and take your eyes off the road...at least in the beginning. Expect to spend $60-100 on shoes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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