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Submitted by
Rotmilky
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Alamos, NM, USA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Online bike store | | Strengths: | Good solid platform to put your foot on even when not clipped in | | Weaknesses: | Tends to pack up mud or snow making it almost impossible to clip in during wet sloppy conditions...but that's a problem with all the Shimano clipless. | | Similar Products Used: | Most of the shimano flavors | | Bike Setup: | Niner RIP9 | | Bottom Line: | If you ride rocky, technical trails, it's nice to have a big platform to rest your foot on until you get clipped in. During technical climbs or descents, it might take me 5-10 seconds to get my foot clipped in with a bike bouncing and bucking under me. Much nicer to have my foot on that big platform during that time instead of a tiny clip.
Value: 4 Chilis--loses one star because of price
Overall: 5 Chilis--I can't imagine not using these. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lowflier03
a Cross Country Rider
from Yokohama, Japan
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Fujimi | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Marsh | | Strengths: | Easy to clip in, solid construction, sheds mud. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore SPD. | | Bike Setup: | Mission 1 with a mix of XT and XTR. | | Bottom Line: | These pedals are great for freeriding. I do a good mix of climbing and downhill and these are perfect. Very easy to clip in when needed, but they also function well as a platform when you dont want to be clipped. Very fast unclip when you need it with no hang-ups. I have had no problems at all with mud building up or affecting the operation of the pedals. If you want great SPD's with the benefit of a platform these are the way to go! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Downhiller
from Los Alamitos, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | A Line | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Jax | | Strengths: | SPD design works the best, Cleat can adjust outward away from the crank, which is awsome for large feet. Real easy to get out. They work well for jumping too. Strong | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | crankbrothers mallet and time atac pedals, various flat pedals too | | Bike Setup: | Iron Horse Sunday World Cup | | Bottom Line: | this to me is the best pedal for DH/Freeride use. It really does perform well right out of the box. No need to adjust the tention because you wont accidently come unclipped, its rare. Even when your jumping big gaps and huge drops these things hold. Get these pedals, they are top quality and you see a lot of the pros running them. Also if you want the ultimate setup get the SH-MP66L shoes with them. If you want to see them perform check out my videos on YouTube: www.youtube.com/bikemuscle
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Submitted by
Kent Brooks
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Creek, Roswell GA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$69.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | These are my first clipless pedals, and I already cant imagine riding without them. They are very simple to adjust with an allen wrench. I started out in the lowest tension setting and got tighter two clicks at a time to find the correct setting for me, which was just about in the middle. They are easy to clip-in, and a breeze to clip-out with a little practice. Pedals also work well with non-spd shoes for short hops. I also recommend the Shimano PD-M41G SPD shoes. This shoe is perfect for clipping into the 647, like they were made for each other. They feel great, have good tread design, and are totally comfortable right out of the box. Found mine at Nashbar for $79.00. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | None. Looked at Crank Brothers but decided Shimano was the way to go. Compared Shimano 324, 424, and 500s, but when I found the 647s for $69.00 at JensonUSA, I went for the best for about the same price. | | Bike Setup: | 08 Trek 6000, Rock Shox, SRAM X5, Lots of Bontrager, pretty much stock for now except WTB Rocket V saddle | | Bottom Line: | I am hooked on clipless. MTBR member MikeT said it best. If you are on your pedals more than your off, GO CLIPLESS.
I cant imagine not having them after only 2 weeks of riding. Even on a casual trip down the paved greenway, I have more control, more power, and it takes less effort than before. On the trail, the additional power and control has me going where I couldn't go before.
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Submitted by
greg sanders
a Weekend Warrior
from san diego
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | rei | | Strengths: | these are my first clipless pedals and they are easy to use and great, they are easy to maintain and although a little heave they are defiantly worth the weight | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bottom Line: | these are great and i would recommend them to anyone, they arn't to expensive and they make the riding experience so mush more enjoyable | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
downhill junkie
a Downhiller
from australia
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | Clip in and out mech...easy to service... good ajustment and love it how you can just ride the bike pretty hard without them even clipped in...when i mono i un clip so if i go to far i don't have bike land on top of me haha had them clipped in when i did that once but thankfully unclipped in the air haha...neo | | Weaknesses: | none...people say its too heavy and the plastic cage is weak...haha well let me tell you i have these on my specialized bighit and i have came off and smashed the pedals so hard on rocks, trees and they don't even care maybe some scratchers but there not made of tungesten and titanium now are they? they are an awesome pedal...and best of all made in Japan | | Similar Products Used: | none can compare | | Bike Setup: | specialized big hit. Manitou 6-way,marzocchi dj2,pg990, single tracks,xt derailleurs, truvativ hussefeller cranks and stem, Hayse HFX 9 dh, black spire big ring protector, and more...heavy bike go momentum | | Bottom Line: | awesome pedals...recomend to any fr/dh/xc or bmx riders who want some good clips | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al C
a Weekend Warrior
from Alhambra
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Aliso wood cyn | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Blue sky | | Strengths: | stable, SPD, easy in or out, Shimano quality | | Weaknesses: | Weight, the cage scratch your leg a bit. | | Similar Products Used: | 959,520, smarty, Atac, Acid 1 | | Bike Setup: | Ibis mojo carbon, Maverick Duc32 and speedball R, Marta SL, I9 wheels, XTR cranks and F-der, X.O shifter and R-der, ODI, and so on. | | Bottom Line: |
I like this pedal a lot it so easy to get in and out, never done muddy stuffs so I can't tell you much about that. but it's a confident building pedal especially coming down nasty stuff.
The plastic cage does get banged up a bit and when that happen it sometime scratch you leg when pushing or walking the bike. Highly recommend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Xavier
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando, FL., USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | anyting tech and durt/fast | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | Nice platform when you loose the clip on the trail. It gives you the confidence to go for it when on very tech roots or rocks. Nice look and not that heavy. | | Weaknesses: | They scratch up a bit being plastic composit cage, but they still look good. Nothing a bit of light sanding or orbital buff can't cure. | | Similar Products Used: | other shimanos w/ cage | | Bike Setup: | FSR Stumpy comp w/ lots of carbon | | Bottom Line: | Great looking and effective pedal/clip w/ cage that gives you the extra edge when goig on techy stuff. It helps in all directions to conquer the most drewling sections on a free ride run.
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Submitted by
Fabiano T
a Downhiller
from burlingame
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Whittemore Gulch Trail and Harkins Ridge Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | beyond bikes at Sea Otter Classic.cash no taxes. | | Strengths: | Easy to clip in and easy to clip out . | | Weaknesses: | Plastic body. | | Similar Products Used: | this is the first. | | Bike Setup: | cannondale | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding Bmx since 1986 and riding MTB for the past two years with DX platforms but lately was not easy to go up hill with platforms ,so I decided to give a try and i liked very much because of the positive clip in and clip out engagement .I'm not going to lie I was afraid to get hurt especially because I had a major knee surgery ,but so far I'm doing good with these pedals.
Just to remember to keep the pedals clean and to adjust the spring tension (decrease). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JF
a Weekend Warrior
from Winnipeg
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Great pedal, light, smooth, strong | | Weaknesses: | creaks a bit | | Bottom Line: | My favorite pedal ever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Willem Boom
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend, Oregon USA
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Flagline Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY | | Strengths: | Very stable. Adjustable! Excellent quality vs. my previous pedals. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. A little concerned about the potential for breaking the plastic housing. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Pedals, Crank Brothers | | Bike Setup: | Novara Frame, XT Components (all 2007), Sette Carbon Seatpost, RiserBar, Thomson Elite Stem, WTB Tires / Rims | | Bottom Line: | Great product. Would highly recommend! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Franc Diaz
a Weekend Warrior
from Barcelona (CAT)
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Bottom Line: | I usually use 959's but after a day downhilling in the slopes, I felt a big pressure in my feet due to the small contact surface of the 959's.
Now I feel better using the 647's. Bigger contact surface and the same confidence clipping my feet on them.
Plastic cage is not a problem for me, whenever I'll break it, I'll will replace it. I prefer plastic cage againts metal cage ( that should hurt !! )
If you are looking for the best Shimano's clipless+platform pedal, I think this is the best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Condro
a Downhiller
from NorCal
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Raw Dawg | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | New cage is much stronger than the previous, last pretty long, solid cleat engagement so you know when you're in and out. | | Weaknesses: | limited float, platform doesn't work too well when you're uncliped. Cages do break if hit hard. Still not the best in muddy conditions. | | Similar Products Used: | Time, Crank bros. | | Bike Setup: | 661 and shimano shoes. | | Bottom Line: | If you were raised on the spd you will enjoy these. They are the best revision to date from shimano. But I believe there are better options out there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | they're strong and nice bearings and nice positive clip in engagement | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | shimano 520, 540, DX, candy, mallet | | Bike Setup: | Yeti 575 | | Bottom Line: | my favorite pedals. i use these all the time now. they are so easy to get in and out of and take an absolute pounding. they look cool too. bearings are as smooth as the day I got them - just like my DX. noice | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clay
a Weekend Warrior
from Cypress
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Hershey Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | gift | | Strengths: | Easy to dial in. If you can't get clipped in right away it is a stable pedal to ride it out with. | | Weaknesses: | None found yet | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Gemini 900: Sherman fork, fox Vanila rc,diablos bar and stem, blue groove tires on Sun double tracks, hayes hydrolics, Truvativ fire-x w/raceface bash guard,xt rear derailer and marzocchi saddle. | | Bottom Line: | These are my first pedals since my switch from platforms. It was an easy transition due to how easy these pedals are to use. They are also easy on you when you make a mistake. Solid quality! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Giancarlo Pelosi
a Weekend Warrior
from Miramar, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Markham Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Bell's Bikes | | Strengths: | Good lookin pedal. Nice platform for big feet. Clips in and out easy. Good feel for riding uphill. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Crank Brothers Eggbeaters and Wellgo pedals. | | Bike Setup: | Giant Trance 1, XTR, XT, Race Face, WTB, ODI, Kenda, Mavic, FOX, Chris King, and SRAM. | | Bottom Line: | Great pedal. Get it if you like a platform pedal with control. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james p
a Downhiller
from southern cali
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | mount pinos | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | blue sky cycling | | Strengths: | good looking, simple, super easy to clip out when needed. no dumb fallovers in the driveway. | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | crank bros. mallet m, mallet c | | Bike Setup: | kona stinky supreme | | Bottom Line: | awesome pedal for your money. definitley the best pedal out there.i got scared of clips after using the crank bros mallet m, because i couldnt clip out to save a fall. now that i have these pedals i love them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Weekend Warrior
from Newcastle, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Glenrock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Store (On-line) | | Strengths: | Easy to clip in and out of.
Tough, has copped many smashings againest rocks, trees, etc and only have a few scratches to show for it.
Cage provides a good platform when clipped out for technical sections. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, but they are designed for BMX/Freeride. | | Similar Products Used: | First Clipless pedal ever used. | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Giant Alias with Alligator wavy rotors and Shimano SPD-M647 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Great value for money pedal. Made my "conversion" to clipless very easy. Easy to adjust and very few accidental clip outs. Don't even think about buying these if your a weight weenie! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
euhii
a
from asia
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | second hand from my friend | | Strengths: | strong enough,easy clip in and out,versatile use,compatible with all shoes,
acceptable weight,comfortable platform,cool looking... | | Weaknesses: | plastic cages went out when meeting rock!!
they look new only at the beginning of first ride,but i don't mention it. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano 323,520 | | Bike Setup: | nrs 2004,reba sl u-turn version,sun ringle disk jockey wheelset,xtr 961 FD, xtr 952 RD, truvativ stylo crankset,sram 9.0 cassettes,deore m555 hydraulic disk brake... | | Bottom Line: | these pedals cost me only $15 from my friend for they are second hand! really great deal!! they work awesome since i got them.
before these 647s,i used 520s.520s have a smaller compact surface and they are uncomfortable for long ride!! but with 647s ,there is no problem. 647s use the same spd system
like 540s,and work great in mud(unlike my older 323s, they suck and sneak!!)
plastic cages might be a weakness in rocky conditions,but after several crashes on rock,i find the plastic cages are strong enough,though they get a scared surface easily.
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Submitted by
Brian Brooks
a
from Andrews AFB, MD
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Any where there is dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$68.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Nice soild platform. Soild clip in and out | | Weaknesses: | Mudd shedding could be beter. | | Similar Products Used: | CODA Clipless | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F600 | | Bottom Line: | These are some fantasic pedals. Good for use with or with out cleats, though with out cleats you feel the bindings a little bit with normal shoes. All in all, if you are looking for a soild clipless system that you can still use normal shoes for work commuting they don't get much better than this. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BIG T
a Weekend Warrior
from Houstone, Tx.
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere there is dirt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Nice wide platform for maximum stability on the trails. | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano SPD-M520 | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Trek 4300 | | Bottom Line: | I have a very wide foot and noticed that the 520's just weren't enough support on those long rides. I saw these and thought why didn't I just buy these in the first place! Don't wast your time with plastic SPD adapters when you want to ride to the corner store. Buy these and use whatever freakin shoe you got on! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
B Call
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City Utah USA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim Moab | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Fisher Cyclery | | Strengths: | Easy to clip in and out. Shed mud well. All the good stuff everyone else has already talked about. They are great for beginers if you adjust them all the way out. But great for experts too. there is a stopper on the adjusting screw so if you like it really easy to come in and out the screw wont shake out on accident. Great pedal. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. No more complaining about the extremly tough light weight platform. If anyone ever breaks one I'll pay you ten bucks. | | Similar Products Used: | Everything | | Bike Setup: | Rocky mountain Pipeline | | Bottom Line: | This is the best all around pedal out there. Light strong smooth in and out. Just a rad pedal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from santa cruz mountains, CA.
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Braille | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | some LBS | | Strengths: | mechanism- totally adjustable and easy to clip in/out in a split second reflex. plastic platform. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | flat pedals & old school cage w/straps | | Bike Setup: | heckler all mtn setup | | Bottom Line: | first SPD tried. these made adapting a cinch. I still have them set pretty light and they still never pop out on rough, fast descents, and I can clip out effortlessly. alot of people gripe a bit about the plastic platform, but I like cause they slide alot better if I do hit them on rocks, etc., and they seem pretty tough. however, they don't grip regular shoes worth a damn, but you can't really expect them to with the mechanism sticking up in the middle. they're ok for a casual pedal from here to there, or messing around with the kids if you dont have time to put on some flats. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a
from Stanford, CA
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Can be used with or without spd shoes, easy clip in/out, adjustable spring, decent float | | Weaknesses: | they are quite heavy and the cage is *plastic* | | Similar Products Used: | all sorts of platforms and cages, eggbe |
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$ 130.00
