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Submitted by
mdewitt71
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Riley, KS
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere the Army send me | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Strengths: | Build very strong with the metal cage. Easy in and out with the SPDs.
Platform is perfect size to ride without SPDs on shoes and stil maintain your feel on the pedals during rough rides. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh M60 with upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | Great pedal for the $$$.
Not the lightest but, takes alot of abuse and large enough platform to ride with street shoes. I have been really impressed with these pedals for over 5 years and have not had one issue with them what so ever.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Elvin Aquino
a Cross Country Rider
from Quezon City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Maarat | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Heavy duty; bomb proof (banged these on rocks a number of times and they're still okay); consistent clip-in and clip-out, if you've been using these for some time, clipping-in and clipping-out becomes almost second nature; virtually maintenance-free; wide cage is a plus if you don't wan't to clip in. | | Weaknesses: | Weight; Cage spring of my right pedal broke on the first year; SPD logo on the cap assembly disappeared on both pedals within the first year | | Similar Products Used: | VP-101 Clipless SPD compatible; Shimano PD-M520 | | Bike Setup: | KHS XC-604, Manitou Front (Minute 2:00) and Rear Suspension (Swinger 3); 2008 XT groupset; Thomson stem and seatpost; Race Face Next XC low rise bars; Mavic Wheels with Maxxis tires; Chris King Headset; WTB Rocket V Race saddle | | Bottom Line: | This is the only remaining component from my original bike which I built in 2003. It actually looked out of place when I upgraded to an FS frame in 2006 and upgraded my group set to 08 XTs last December 2007 because the pedals were already old. So what? They were still working fine. My only woe is that the cage spring on the right pedal broke within the first year of ownership, thus, the pop-up binding mechanism wasn't working anymore. But lo and behold, I can still clip in properly even if the binding mechanism doesn't pop out anymore, which actually led me not to bother claiming warranty on it. This also led me to believe that the pop-up feature is something “good to have” but not really necessary. I have taken these things to sandy rides, muddy rides, river crossings, wet and rainy rides; plus I wash my bike after each of these rides; and it held up perfectly well against the elements and moisture. I opened these up back in 2006 to clean the internals and re-grease the bearings, but I haven’t had any major problems with it. Unfortunately during the ride last weekend, the right pedal was grinding quite consistently, but I was still able to finish the ride with no problems. I opened it up again yesterday only to bring some of the bearings on the right pedal already broke and the bearing race’s lip already cracked. Oh well, all good things must come to an end I guess, these things served me well for the past 5 years! =) Now I need to replace my pedals now and I’m going to get the same pair again (unless I get a better deal on the XT pedals which is significantly lighter). If you are a weight weenie racer, these are not for you. But if you are an avid mountain bike rider who doesn’t mind the additional 200+ grams weight and you are looking for good quality pedals that’ll last you a long, long time, get yourself a pair. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Kyrgyzstan
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | consistent engagement, platform eliminates pressure points under foot, bomb-proof | | Weaknesses: | a bit heavy | | Similar Products Used: | flats, Wellgo | | Bike Setup: | Trek Liquid | | Bottom Line: | I've been totally impressed with the ease, comfort and reliability of these pedals. Positive click, tight fit, easy exit, and comfortable. The platform really helps if you are standing a lot.
Definitely one of Shimano's better products. I love these pedals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Juan Raffalano
a Weekend Warrior
from Jkt
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Everything about XC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Shops near Home | | Strengths: | Good Platform (Large) | | Weaknesses: | No Complaining | | Bike Setup: | Da Bomb XC | | Bottom Line: | I used it for XC, no problem about the weight....the Problem only i Got is why Shimano make this pedal so Great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
spiro vagenas
a
from Denmark
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | good solid allround design
looks
durable | | Weaknesses: | Heavy | | Similar Products Used: | PD-M324 Which in my opinion is a much better pedal. | | Bike Setup: | koga miyata tls | | Bottom Line: | Although these pedals are built to last I simply find them to heavy. Rather go for the PD-M324 | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Hill
a Cross Country Rider
from Simi Valley CA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | The pedals are adjustable so you can set them for how loose or tight you want them. You can get out of them fast. | | Weaknesses: | A little bit of dirt will be stuck in them from now and then but is solved by a wash. | | Similar Products Used: | crank bros. candy | | Bike Setup: | Motobecane 500ht and raliegh xt 3500 | | Bottom Line: | I use these on both my bikes and have been able to get out of them when I really need to, to get the bike away from me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
progressing all-mt, xc...dh rider
a Cross Country Rider
from sd, ca
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | dixon lake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | easy to clip in/out...cage for added stability in rougher sections/dh | | Weaknesses: | little on heavy side | | Similar Products Used: | m-520's | | Bike Setup: | gt i drive 5, revelation fork, x.9/x.0 shifters/derailleur, raceface stem, monkeybar | | Bottom Line: | cage adds stability during rough sections and great for dh due to added stability...you never think about them when riding which in my book is just the way it should be! very reliable, not a single problem in 6 months while putting about 150+ mi. a mo. on them on all kinds of terrains. a little heavy but well worth the extra weight...due to added weight, not for the weight weenie flat xc rider, definitely if youre into looong technical rides | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Maynard, MA USA
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | EMS | | Strengths: | Well built, straight forward easy to use. Does what I wanted it to do. | | Weaknesses: | Havn't found any yet except price. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | Raliegh SC200 (2002) | | Bottom Line: | I wanted a pedal that would improve my pedal control and prevent slipage during riding. Currently have about 250 miles on these pedals and find them easy to get used to. Very big improvement over the OEM pedals that they replaced. I have also found that they do work well with street shoes when a short ride is needed. Normally I ride with Diadora Chili shoes with Shimano SH56 cleats. Cost is a little high but you usually get what you pay for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trengot
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Very easy to use, it finds the cleats with no effort at all. strong, durable and can cope with anything. | | Weaknesses: | a bit on the heavy side but it makes hardly any difference | | Similar Products Used: | no other SPD's | | Bike Setup: | Specialized hardrock. Formula B4 Pro's, SRAM X-7, M545's | | Bottom Line: | A very good pair of pedals. These were the best first SPD's i've tried so i can't compare then but they are so much better than flats for XC that i can't see how i managed before. they really hold on to your feet while riding but let go as soon as you twist your foot.
A must for any XC rider who doesn't mind if their bike is 250g heavier than with other SPD's | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, CO 80401
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | Strong, nice platform for support, easy engagement. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, end piece on one pedal has come off several times on two different sets. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano 647 | | Bike Setup: | Bullit | | Bottom Line: | Great pedal when it works but doesn't last very long. There is a screw in part along axle that is not reverse threaded so it eventually falls out on the trail and you are left with a wobbly pedal. I've gotten the replacement part from shimano several times for two sets of pedals and within a month or two it is missing again. Now I have the 647 model and haven't had a problem in over a year. Not for the xc rider that is worried about weight. I ride up everything that I come down and I highly suggest the 647 for anyone that comes down technical trails hard and fast. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn Shiakun
a Weekend Warrior
from Buffalo
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | on line | | Strengths: | Gives you a platform when you can't find the clip. Very durable. | | Weaknesses: | Weight, a bit slippery if not clipped in. | | Similar Products Used: | various spd's | | Bike Setup: | Canondale Killer-V hardtail, xt adn sram x-9's, marzocchi marathon, Dave Thomas wheelset. Just put them on a new santa cruz superlight too. | | Bottom Line: | My riding partners and I use this pedal exlusively. We ride pure northeastern xc, don't race, and feel much more secure having a platform in technical conditions for when your foot is out and you suddenly have to climb, having just rolled a log, etc. Between us thats 5 bikes all with this pedal. We'd love to find a lighter one with the same durablity and function, but there isn't one. Anyone riding tricky single track NOT using the Shimano multi release cleat ought to grab a set for $20. They hold you when you pedal, the let you go with almost any kind of yank. Great combo with the 545's. 4 and 4 on the ratings, dedicting a little for price and weight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Dizzy's Cycle | | Strengths: | Clipless with a solid platform ( and double sided too ). When you need to dab in a panic you have something to getback onto quickly, and then getting clipped back in follows seamlessly. | | Weaknesses: | Right pedal: cage outside edge bushing/nut and pop up spring disappeared. In doing research to find the part, I find out this is rather common. It seems that it is not reverse thread, so if it comes loose, it'll be gone. The upside is was easy to get the part, it cost just a coupla bucks, easy to replace, and with locktite, no further problems. | | Similar Products Used: | Clipless without cages: Shimano 747 ( fantastic ), Wellgo ( crap ). | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Enduro | | Bottom Line: | I ride in muddy conditions 8 months of the year, and have no issues that others refer to as poor perf in mud. As you jam the pedal into a log to climb up and over it, on the underside of the pedal, the front toe clip part of the clip gets jammed with wood , and even with this jammed with cedar, they clip in, and release reliably. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a Downhiller
from california
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | Has a cage, holds your foot in when in the rocks | | Weaknesses: | These SUCK in the mud, they just don't release. The cage came loose and they wear out fast. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano without cage, flats | | Bike Setup: | Specialized SJ Pro HT | | Bottom Line: | These are OK, but super heavy and hard to release in the mud. They don't seem to be too reliable. I would go for cageless pedals, as you can't ride on them without SPD shoes anyway. I guess for DH you need the platform, but not for XC. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
stain
a
from texas
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | i have had these pedals for 2 years with no problems ... keep em clean and keep lubed and they'll keep clipped in | | Weaknesses: | none, unless the occassional unclip when bunnyhopping with bad form is considered a weakness | | Similar Products Used: | ritchey spd and shimano 959 | | Bike Setup: | '01 rocky mountain slayer, '04 marzocchi z1 drop off 1, 4 piston xt hydros, x.9 shifters/derailleur, raceface diabolus cranks and headset | | Bottom Line: | i have no complaints | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton, Alberta
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Cambodia Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | MEC | | Strengths: | They work, constant release, platform is a definate plus | | Weaknesses: | end cap blew out and had to dissasemble pedal to re-attach | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager RE-1, Tioga clipless | | Bottom Line: | Use these pedals with bontrager RE-1 cleats and they become excellent in mud. They have been solid performers for the entire time I have owned them and only one thing has gone wrong, the cage retaining "bolt"(?) came loose and nearly fell out. I had to dissasemble the axle of the pedal to reattach and so far it has held together. (makes me wonder how it came off though...) Theyre pretty solid pedals for anyone who loves to hit the technical trails with lots of downhill on them. Weight weenies look elsewhere. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Moeller
a Weekend Warrior
from Denmark
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Grene Sande at Billund, DK | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | G&S in Bonn, Germany | | Strengths: | Easy to step in, can be used well even if not clicked in, easy to adjust, look cool... | | Weaknesses: | None as I know. | | Similar Products Used: | My first SPD pedal... now I wonder how I could ever ride without... | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6000 with added Rock Shox front suspender. Great bike, it has never let me down... | | Bottom Line: | This is the first time I bought an SPD pedal... and I am amazed. It is so good. I also bought some Specialized MTB shoes, they are great too.
Last weekend I took them out to the test in the most difficult area I know - and both performed great.
If you are looking for SPD pedals and shoes, to improve your riding, these are really good in my opinion.
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Submitted by
Feri Tivadar
a Cross Country Rider
from Slovenia
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | around my hometown | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | www.... | | Strengths: | good grip, I like the cage | | Weaknesses: | I don't know yet | | Similar Products Used: | flats, shimano pdm324 | | Bike Setup: | Focus Black Forrest, XT/LX, SR Axon | | Bottom Line: | It's my first spd pedal and I like it. I tried it in mud and in snow and there weren't any problems. I took the idea to buy them here on this forum. They are better and stronger as my pdm324 on my second bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James T.
a Racer
from Portland OR
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | stability, takes the pain out of spds by giving you more support. | | Weaknesses: | heavy, plastic parts | | Similar Products Used: | shimano 535, wellgo (737 knockoffs) spd | | Bike Setup: | several.
| | Bottom Line: | Great starter pedal for bmx, dh or just general agressive riding.
Platform gives better support than regular spds, so it doesn't feel like the pedal is drilling into the ball of your foot.
Is been maitenece free for me for over 3 years. And I'm no small guy.
Knock off points for high price, plastic parts and unsealed bearings. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
julio
a Cross Country Rider
from temecula, Ca
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Easiest pedal i've used. The pedal is double sided and spring loaded it pops up above the cage. As soon as you put your foot on it the pedal finds your cleat. It's just that easy. The aluminum cage is great for if you have to go through something unclipped or if you have to get going from a stand still on a up hill. Wail clipped in it gives your foot some side to side play, giving your knees some flexability wail pedaling. Tuff set of pedals they take a good beating. Two thumbs up!! | | Weaknesses: | if you're one of those people that like to count grams then you may have a problem with this pedal. Their almost twice the weight of other pedals. Sitting at 567grams, but remember this difference is only half a pound. Can you feel the diffrence of half a pound on your bike. I can't. | | Similar Products Used: | wellgo wam-m3 titanium mountain pedals, wellgo mg-8 road pedals, shimano m540 mountain pedals, wellgo wam-r1 road pedals | | Bike Setup: | haro extreme x1 freeride bike, shimano XT components all around, hayes disc brake, 8" rotor front, carbon bars, carbon seat post, carbon bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | These aren't expensive pedals, but they aren't cheap either. It's a good pair of pedals for your money. Just like any other set of pedals remember to have the cleats on your shoes a tight as possible. If those cleats start moving around you'll find yourself in a world of hurt don't matter what set of pedals you are on. Keep those cleats tight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Esteban Garate
a Cross Country Rider
from Santiago, Chile
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Strengths: | The have a plattform for none clip shoes... | | Weaknesses: | Lot of parts, the cage has a lot of movement... | | Bottom Line: | I bought these pedals thinking about riding in the city with normal shoes and then buy the Clip Shoes, but one day I noticed that the pedal had a pieces missing, in the external part, I didn't use it for more than 3 weeks and that happened, I went to some shops but actually there are no replacing for that so the only think I can do now is to use the pedals without the cage. Anyway they are very heavy, the cage will reduce at most 100g, though I still can't remove the cage from the complete pedal :( | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tall Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Anaheim Hills, CA
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Wier Canyon Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Orange Cycle | | Strengths: | Durability. Platform cage allows you to ride unclipped in difficult terrain with better control. | | Weaknesses: | They're a little stiff out of the box. Adjustments are a little tricky. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano M747s - clipless, no cage. | | Bike Setup: | Diamond Back ChroMo Hard tail, Manitou EFC, Spinergy Wheels with Panaracer Fire XC Pro, XT Drive Train, Cranks, and V-brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Previously rode with Shimano M747s. The M747s are tough to use when you need to unclip to get through the really technical stuff. The M545s look like the same pedal in a platform cage. The platform allows you to unclip in those technical situations and have better control of the bike while riding faster and with more confidence. I've found them to deliver everything that I expected - I'm very satisfied with them so far...
You should definitely buy these pedals if you love using clipless pedals but ride on technical terrain where you don't always want to be clipped in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tall Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Anaheim Hills, CA
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Wier Canyon Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Orange Cycle | | Strengths: | Durability. Platform cage allows you to ride unclipped in difficult terrain with better control. | | Weaknesses: | They're a little stiff out of the box. Adjustments are a little tricky. | | Similar Products Used: | Shmimano M747s - clipless, no cage. | | Bike Setup: | Diamond Back ChroMo Hard tail, Manitou EFC, Spinergy Wheels with Panaracer Fire XC Pro, XT Drive Train, Cranks, and V-brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Previously rode with Shimano M747s. The M747s are tough to use when you need to unclip to get through the really technical stuff. The M545s look like the same pedal in a platform cage. The platform allows you to unclip in those technical situations and have better control of the bike while riding faster and with more confidence. I've found them to deliver everything that I expected - I'm very satisfied with them so far...
You should definitely buy these pedals if you love using clipless pedals but ride on technical terrain where you don't always want to be clipped in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 90.00
