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Submitted by
monteverest
a Weekend Warrior
from New England
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Campmor | | Strengths: | Easy to use, low maintenance | | Weaknesses: | Weak tension springs, cleats and clipping action wears quickly unlike Time Atacs which actually get better after the break-in period. | | Similar Products Used: | Time ATAC, Cannondale stock pedals | | Bottom Line: | Bought these pedals to replace my 3 year old stock cannondale. Right pedal tension spring came unsprung after two months of XC but technical riding. Tried to return it to the Campmor but they refused, claiming I had hit something with the pedals. Suppose I did hit a rock with the pedals, that's just the nature of mountain biking. Will never buy Shimano pedals again. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jurcy
a Cross Country Rider
from Slovenia
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | everything in the forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | Easy to clip in and out, durable, only install them and forget about them, low price | | Weaknesses: | Weight if you are a gram counter | | Similar Products Used: | Road pedals, many of Shimano SPD pedals | | Bike Setup: | Ghost HTX Actium Team | | Bottom Line: | Very good pedals for the price but they are a little on a heavy side(only because of weight i will give them 4 Flamin' Chilis | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bktrailrider
a Cross Country Rider
from phoenix
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | south mtn trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | OEM | | Strengths: | Price | | Weaknesses: | They break! | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic, Shimano PD-M515, Ritchey | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper personalized for my taste | | Bottom Line: | I may be rough on pedals especially riding the rocky trails around Phoenix, I tend to bang the underside of pedals on rocks. Every time this occured with these pedals the retaining cleat, on the bottom of the pedal, would get knocked out of place so that clipping in on that side was impossible. I was initially able to repair it, by dissasembling the pedal and putting the retaining clip back in the proper position. After breaking approx. six time the pedals finally were beyond repair. I've riden shimano M515's for many years and considered them bullet proof, unfortunately the updated design of the M520's will not tolerate any abuse. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AustinBiker
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Walnut Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Cheap, effective pedal | | Weaknesses: | Wish I could adjust the side to side tensioning (there are about 10 degrees of play in the pedal to either side- non-adjustable) | | Bottom Line: | I owned the original mtb SPD pedals, and a couple models in between then and now. After 10 years, not much has changed, but they do shed mud better and are somewhat lighter. Generally I don't think about my pedals, which to me means they're doing their job.
The lateral movement is my only complaint, I may find a different pedal without this characteristic- it's all about preference though. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mcmcderm
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Palos Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Clips out exactly when I need them to
stays in when powering up hills | | Weaknesses: | weight? although I'm not a weight weenie at all so that doesn't bother me in the least
| | Similar Products Used: | ascent clipless | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 70 BB7 Disk | | Bottom Line: | Great pedals bottom line. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fernando_mc5
a Cross Country Rider
from Goiânia-GO Brazil
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Laboratório | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Ciclo Vício | | Strengths: | Great Durability, good price!!Awesome Pedals!! | | Weaknesses: | Nothing!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano m-515 | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper 2008 XTR, XT and XO | | Bottom Line: | Good Pedals for money!!Very durable too.If you want something cheap and durable this is it!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Myke67
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Good value, solid construction, adjustable release tension is nice to have. | | Weaknesses: | heavy if you're a gram counter. | | Similar Products Used: | none. first clipless I've used. | | Bike Setup: | Giant Rincon | | Bottom Line: | First clipless pedal I've ever used, and after practicing entry and exit for all of 30 seconds, I was off and rolling. Easy in, easy out, even during quick clip outs the motions felt natural, without popping out when I didn't want them too. Keep in mind this is with the single release cleats, a mechanic at the LBS told me that multi release caused most of the trouble people were having unclipping at the wrong time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pill
a Weekend Warrior
from eastern europe
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | forest trails | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bikeshop | | Strengths: | Nice price, shimano replacement parts are well spread across the world. | | Weaknesses: | -heavy
-leg can easily pop up when you need not to..
-sprockets became very loose | | Bike Setup: | Giant XtC | | Bottom Line: | This is a great pedal to start. Has a spring tension adjust, easy clips in and pop out while the softest spring position. No problems while you ride softly, just for fun.
Not a great device for an experienced rider/racer. The main problem i've faced - that they pop out when you NEED THEM MOST! For example - while 40kmph bunnyhopping on a 10-20cm road curb. This actually a problem of all shimano clipless. One more thing that the leg can be detached while a strong sprint - when you push+pull the pedals and pull the handlebar too. I hurt my knee very hard once. The boot detached and the knee hit the brake lever bolt. As a workaround - you can set the hardest spring - but you can brake your shoes if the spring would be too strong.
Construction: The sprockets became loose after a year of XC riding. Now, the resin cushion can be easily taken out. So i'm afraid what is happening now with the spockets inside :)
Happy trails to all of you! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XCrider
a Cross Country Rider
from soCal
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | It's a Shimano, Easy in, Easy out, durable | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't read minds | | Bottom Line: | Great pedals, durable and increases pedaling efficiency. My next clipless pedals will be SPD also! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T Habecker
a Weekend Warrior
from Indiana
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$23.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Like the fact that the pedal is dual sided. Spring is easy to adjust. For me easy to clip in and out of I like the fact that you can purchase two types of cleats. One lets you move the foot to the outside or inside (Shimano SH51 SPD) (which I have) the other (Shimano SH56 Multi)lets you move the foot inside, outside, or lift your heel.
Just from the looks of the pedal the mechanics look easy to service if you had to. Although I am not a mechanic so I would take my in to the LBS. Easy to clean after rides | | Weaknesses: | I really do not have any thing to compare to- this is my first set of clipless. I see maybe the weight? 380 gram from what I am told. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | 04 SJ Elite basically stock | | Bottom Line: | First set of clipless I love the fact that I am connected to the bike. If you are comfortable on your bike with bunny hops and tearing up the trail this is an easy upgrade and should be your first choice. I have saved my shins more than once while clipped in to these. I have a few crashes because I panic after I was committed to the jump or drop and tried to bail out and could not get out in time. However at some time during the crash my feet did come out of the pedals. All you need to focus on is your line while riding no worries about feet coming off the pedals.
Trails I mainly ride are single track with ups and downs- the ups are where you really notice the diff being able to pull up on the pedal. I would say my efficiency has increased by 30% easy.
I have had no problems getting in and out the pedals at all expect during panic mode which by the way were slow speed.
I am giving 4 Chilis because I have nothing to compare too. But for price and reliability with Shimano you can not go wrong.
I got a great deal on the pedals and shoes off eBay for around $52. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blu Falcon
a Weekend Warrior
from College Park
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Adjustable, Dual Sided Entry, Extremely Durable, Good Platform, Increases Pedaling Efficiency, Reliable Entry/Exit | | Weaknesses: | Weight (if that matters to you) | | Similar Products Used: | Bear Traps | | Bike Setup: | "The Bloody Bahstud" | | Bottom Line: | I'm hooked on these pedals (literally). They're easy to clip in and out of once you've made the proper adjustments. Yeah, they're a little weighty, but these pedals are rock solid, durable and will take a severe butt whuppin'. Sure they may not be the most cutting edge or sexy set of pedals on the market today, but in this case it's function over form. The price is right and I see absolutely no need to shell out more money for more expensive versions since these pedals are more than sufficient more mountain biking, commuting or just cruising around town. Anyone who wants to get into the wonderful world of clipless pedals should consider these first. Just be careful at first, and remember you're clipped in before you try to dismount. lol
Do yourself a favor and cop these pedals when they're on sale for the ultimate deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blu Falcon
a Weekend Warrior
from College Park
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Adjustable, Dual Sided Entry, Extremely Durable, Good Platform, Increases Pedaling Efficiency, Reliable Entry/Exit | | Weaknesses: | Weight (if that matters to you) | | Similar Products Used: | Bear Traps | | Bike Setup: | "The Bloody Bahstud" | | Bottom Line: | I'm hooked on these pedals (literally). They're easy to clip in and out of once you've made the proper adjustments. Yeah, they're a little weighty, but these pedals are rock solid, durable and will take a severe butt whuppin'. Sure they may not be the most cutting edge or sexy set of pedals on the market today, but in this case it's function over form. The price is right and I see absolutely no need to shell out more money for more expensive versions since these pedals are more than sufficient more mountain biking, commuting or just cruising around town. Anyone who wants to get into the wonderful world of clipless pedals should consider these first. Just be careful at first, and remember you're clipped in before you try to dismount. lol
Do yourself a favor and cop these pedals when they're on sale for the ultimate deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blu Falcon
a Weekend Warrior
from College Park
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Adjustable, Dual Sided Entry, Extremely Durable, Good Platform, Increases Pedaling Efficiency, Reliable Entry/Exit | | Weaknesses: | Weight (if that matters to you) | | Similar Products Used: | Bear Traps | | Bike Setup: | "The Bloody Bahstud" | | Bottom Line: | I'm hooked on these pedals (literally). They're easy to clip in and out of once you've made the proper adjustments. Yeah, they're a little weighty, but these pedals are rock solid, durable and will take a severe butt whuppin'. Sure they may not be the most cutting edge or sexy set of pedals on the market today, but in this case it's function over form. The price is right and I see absolutely no need to shell out more money for more expensive versions since these pedals are more than sufficient more mountain biking, commuting or just cruising around town. Anyone who wants to get into the wonderful world of clipless pedals should consider these first. Just be careful at first, and remember you're clipped in before you try to dismount. lol
Do yourself a favor and cop these pedals when they're on sale for the ultimate deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leonardo Horovitz
a Cross Country Rider
from Montevideo, Uruguay
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Pocitos (Montevideo) | | Strengths: | Works flawlessly. Always. Reliable and comfortable. Didn't have any problem to get used to them. | | Weaknesses: | They don't work as well when they get muddy. | | Similar Products Used: | Regular pedals | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6500 2006 | | Bottom Line: | I'd buy them again if I had to. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XC Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Takes a beating, Easy to clip in/out, low profile | | Weaknesses: | Could be lighter | | Bike Setup: | K2 hardtail | | Bottom Line: | This is my first clipless pedal and was recommended to me at a LBS. I was initially looking for the EggBeaters, but the guy at the LBS was pretty confident in the SPD system. It was on sale, so I decided 'why not'. Even from the start, the pedals were easy to get into and out of. I do wish the pedals were a little lighter, but for the price, I can't be complaining too much. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JC
a Weekend Warrior
from Salida
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm on | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Don't Know How I Got These... | | Strengths: | Feel and perform just like my 959's, 747, etc., | | Weaknesses: | Make me second guess my bike snob ways... you will tire of them before they wear out. | | Similar Products Used: | 959, 747, 647, Time, Crank Bros. | | Bike Setup: | These are currently on my new Gary Fisher 29er HiFi Pro | | Bottom Line: | The new ride didn't come with pedals - I had these, brand new, in the parts bin but thought since they weren't top shelf, I was too cool to ride them.... then I came to my senses. Glad I did. They perform exactly like my 959's with a very slight weight penalty of approx one ounce per pedal.
Shimano engineering, manufacturing and QC is top notch. Their XT and even LX grouppo's are every bit as good as XTR was just a couple of years ago.
Based on price vs performance, I would buy these again - before XTR - in a heartbeat.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shmoo S
a Weekend Warrior
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Don't have one yet | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | closeoutbikestuff.com | | Strengths: | Great for beginners, easy to clip in, easy to clip out. | | Weaknesses: | None yet, I've only done 2 rides. Came unclipped in the middle of a corner, but I believe I just need to adjust them. | | Similar Products Used: | NA | | Bike Setup: | '08 Big Sur | | Bottom Line: | After reading many posts on mtbr, this was hands down the best choice for a beginner to go clipless. Gotta thank this forum for helping me out with the decision. Not nearly as scary to learn as some put it. Although I did fall like a dodo once this past weekend.
My rating will be very unfair as they aren't even broken in yet. I'll come back at the end of the summer with another review, perhaps. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a
from Nahsua, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Cheapness | | Weaknesses: | attorney mandated reflectors | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 52X (From 1999-2000) | | Bike Setup: | Tomac Snyper | | Bottom Line: | With the exception of my awful Shimano road pedals I have had good luck with Shimano, so I purchased a pair of 520's since they seemed just like my old ones and were rather inexpensive.
Since the bike shop didn't have any in stock they took a pair off of a bike in the store leaving me to remove the Reflector units. I didn't see this as a problem as I have taken these devices off before with no problems.
I must admit that I am not a patient individual, but after looking through the shimano tech documents, using channel locks, a Hammer, and chisel, I decided to donate these pedals with the reflector units attached to my local landfill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
anthony
a Cross Country Rider
from sioux falls, south dakota
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | two wheeler dealer | | Strengths: | smooth bearing operation, compact body, looks nice | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | crank bros candy c | | Bike Setup: | karate monkey, yada yada yada | | Bottom Line: | these guys blow those sh!tty candy c's out of the lake and are half the price.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Weekend Warrior
from acworth, ga
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$44.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | great for the price, easy to get mud out... | | Weaknesses: | took a while to learn how hard to press to get cleats to clip in. probably just rider issue since I was used to LOOK for road. | | Similar Products Used: | SPD | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher X-Caliber 29er | | Bottom Line: | Great SPD for the price, great for first timers going away from the flats. For the price if they bust don't try to fix, just go buy another. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TheConstantMechanic
a Cross Country Rider
from Wroclaw, Poland
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | Cheap! And engage well in mud. | | Weaknesses: | Not reliable sealing. Plastic body-to-shaft fastener, need Shimano special tool to overhaul, the fastener can break if serviced with, for instance, pliers. | | Similar Products Used: | Misc SPD pedals. | | Bike Setup: | Does not matter | | Bottom Line: | Decent product for the price, it's better to pay some more for M540, though... Better sealing, a bit less weight and possibility to overhaul with standard wrench instead of a special tool. That's why I gave 3 Flamin' Chilis for Value.
But if you don't want to spend that extra $15 for M540, go for those! A good start with clipless. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Henderson Nv.
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Bootleg | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | They are reliable. | | Weaknesses: | For some reason I'm getting fast cleat wear with these pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Old style SPDs. | | Bottom |
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$ 50.00
