Submitted by
rmeurer
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver Date Reviewed: July 18, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Mustang
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At:
rei
Strengths:
cage can stabilize your shoe
Weaknesses:
Cage does not allow for casual riding without cleated shoes. In fact is a little misleading considering the format of the pedal. History says stay away from this product.
Similar Products Used:
m324
Bike Setup:
ancient GT hardtail
Bottom Line:
Plan A was a Nike shoes and Shimano M424. After reading reviews I found this to be a big mistake. Major problems with both products; multiple accounts of the product falling apart. The M424 is clipless pedals on both sides and the cage design does not ease use without cleated shoes. I was confused why they designed with cage like that and read from other reviews the cage comes apart ...BAD NEWS. I have been riding with clips for 10 years, so I just need a pedal with side for cleatless shoes. All figured out with the help of mtbr.com and Really Expensive inc. Ended up with MT31 shoe and M324 pedal.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John D
a Weekend Warrior
from Crestone, CO USA Date Reviewed: May 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Local Secret
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
LBS Kristi Mtn Sports Alamosa, CO
Strengths:
I see the reviews on these pedals are mixed. I think they have got a bad rap, but if anything changes I will re-review them. So far these pedals have been a great value for the money. I like the fact that they have platforms and SPD inserts on both sides and you don;t have to fumble around to flip the SPD side up like some pedals. The cage seems pretty bomber to me and can be replaced if it does get broken.
Weaknesses:
None so far, some people say it is heavy but I'm not as concerned about weight as some people are.
Similar Products Used:
Basic SPDs and platforms
Bike Setup:
2004 Marin Bolinas Ridge Hardtail.
Bottom Line:
Great Value for the pedal you get. So far so good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia Date Reviewed: March 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Lysterfield competition trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
VicMTB
Strengths:
very little
Weaknesses:
cage, end cap tension design.
Similar Products Used:
m5-20
Bike Setup:
xc hardtail
Bottom Line:
this is a follow up to my review two below. The end cap has come off a total off 4 times-2 each pedal. Shocking design with a tiny screw holding the tension on the pedal. Not worth the money. buy m5-20's for the same price. i use these for xc riding and the cage is still fine. BAD DESIGN-try to avoid.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Abstrakt
a Downhiller
from So Cal Date Reviewed: January 13, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Strengths:
Cheap
Weaknesses:
Cheap
Similar Products Used:
First set of clips used
Bike Setup:
07 Glory
Bottom Line:
I've read about the cage being weak on these pedals and its true. Banged it up against a rock and left cage broke in half. I'm sure these will be ok for XC riding although they are a tad bit heavy, but look elsewhere for aggressive riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, australia Date Reviewed: November 20, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Lysterfiedl competition Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Vicmtb
Strengths:
Adjustable tension, fairly light
Weaknesses:
plastic cage, end cap
Similar Products Used:
shimano spd-m520
Bike Setup:
xc-hardtail
Bottom Line:
Do NOT buy these! iv'e used mine for 1 month, 3 weeks and the end cap shot out as i was CASUALLY riding home from sport and i lost the spring. The other end cap looks like its about to fall off as well. This is not a weight related issue as i only weigh around 60-65 kilo's-the pedals should be able to take much more than this. (end cap is the cap with the shimano spd symbol on it) the pedal now has no spring load and will hopefully be replaced with shimano spd m-520 pedals. do not buy these if you wish to use them for a long period of time. cant even handle xc and urban riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from UK Date Reviewed: October 10, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
Cheap. Can be used with street shoes.
Weaknesses:
Grim. Inconsistent clipping-out led to 3 falls on one ride. Don't think its me, I've XT and DX on two other bikes - no issue.
Similar Products Used:
M647 - great M770 - great
Bike Setup:
Old Specialized Stumpy M2
Bottom Line:
They're cheap for a reason. If you can't afford better than these, stay with toe-clips !
Very good to who is initiating "clipping". It where my first pedals and it were very good to learn. I even hit a rock more a less at 30kmh and it just break the resin in one point, but it continues joining.
Weaknesses:
With mud/sand it became a little difficult to clip-off, and I always use it in the minimum tension.
Just gave 4 in price, because they aren't expensive at all, for such a good pedal in my opinion.
Finally I give 5 in Overall because I've made 800kms (500 miles) with them, I've hitten some rocks severall times with them, and they continue just fine. The weight isn't very much for an entry level, and for me they really deserve the 5 for someone who is initiating the clipping habbit. Just not recommend for someone who have train doing it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Corey
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City, MO Date Reviewed: July 29, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Not sure, maybe good to learn in? They did work OK for me commuting and road riding normal.
Weaknesses:
I had on weakest tension and they were very hard to clip out when caked with mud.
I was trying to roll a stoppie and endoed over the bars on the street. I walked off gracefully but the pedal cage broke off the axle on the outside.
Similar Products Used:
My first clipless, I bought some Time Atac Alium to try instead, haven't installed yet.
Bike Setup:
2006 Gary Fisher Tassajara with BB7 discs, mostly aggressive XC riding.
Bottom Line:
These would probably be alright for someone starting out clipless who isn't going to abuse them or ride in any mud/snow.
It ended up I didn't really like the platforms on there because pedaling with normal shoes you have the pressure point from the clip mechanism for one and the traction sucked on top of that.
I decided I will just swap over pedals if I want to ride more freestyle(ish).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
simon howes
a Cross Country Rider
from england Date Reviewed: July 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
broadribbs leamington spa
Strengths:
lightweight
Weaknesses:
the first time i went out on the bike, i knocked a tree stump and the plastic(!) resin cage came off the pedal.the spring does not work now for the pop up clips because the plastic is damaged.very poor quality cage and seems very daft to make the pedal plastic.it just can't stand up to anything. also you try to get hold of the so called repacement cages they advertise on the box....impossible. next time stick with a metal petal, not a cheap piece of plastic.
Bike Setup:
mongoose
Bottom Line:
very poor quality the plastic cage on the pedal is kids stuff. lasted only a week!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: July 1, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
wooly hat shop
Strengths:
Cheap to buy, easy to clip in and out, easy to use without clipless shoes (going to the shops etc)
Weaknesses:
Bearings are weak. Plus, they're advertised as cartridge bearings - check out the exploded view diagrams on Shimano site - shows loose ball bearings on ALL their pedals.
Similar Products Used:
Several shimano SPDs, Eggbeaters etc.
Bike Setup:
Yeti 575 with Magura Laurin 130
Bottom Line:
The bearings started making 'clunking' noises after about 3 rides. I switched to my old DX SPDs which are still running smooth after 15 years! I need an easy clip in pedal with a cage and Shimano compatible cleats (all my other bikes have Shimano SPD pedals) with a long life bearing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Austin Barnard
a
from St Clair Shores MI USA Date Reviewed: April 24, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$59.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
It's actually pretty light and is easy to unclip out of. These pedals also have adjustable tension.
Weaknesses:
Like some have pointed out below, the spring came out of the side. I bought these pedals in the fall and have mostly ridden on cemenet. On my second time out to the trails this year it broke.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano m520
Bike Setup:
Stock Trek 4500
Bottom Line:
Please do not buy this pedal I am an urban/xc rider and it couldn't stand up to my riding !!!!!!!!!!!!!
It seems that this is a problem with this pedal !!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chas
a Weekend Warrior
from Nth. Brabant The Netherlands Date Reviewed: March 13, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$45.00
Strengths:
Stable and comfortable without cleats.
Weaknesses:
Plastic frame is weak. This model had an aluminium frame until 2002. If you hit a stump or rock with the pedal thhe spring can fly out. That happened in the first week I had them and was promptly replaced under warranty. Can clog up a bit in the mud.
Similar Products Used:
This model with aluminium frame and Shimano PD-M515
Bike Setup:
Giant ATX860 Hardtail with Manitou Axel Comp fork, Shimano LX/XT gears and Avid Juicy 5 Disc brakes
Bottom Line:
Good allround pedals. You can use them with or without cleats. Excellent if you are learnig to use cleats. Gives you the option of clicking in the cleats or riding loose.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Frank
a Weekend Warrior
from Hunt Valley, MD, USA Date Reviewed: January 24, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Alpine, CA
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Lutherville Bike Shop
Strengths:
light for caged SPD
Weaknesses:
tension too tight even when loosened. REALLY POORLY DESIGNED END CAP/SPRING HOLDER!!!
Similar Products Used:
Time ATAC, Shimano M636
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Heckler
Bottom Line:
I dunno what they were thinking with this end cap design! My right pedal vomitted out the end cap and the contents inside, chewed up the splined cap thing, rendering it useless! only reason I still had the cap was because I was on my winter trainer, otherwise it would've been lost on the trail.
Time to look for a good replacement set!!
Don't buy! They're not worth the hassle!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Yonkers, NY Date Reviewed: September 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Sprain Ridge Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
nashbar
Strengths:
great to know that this pedal is multipurpose, great price
Weaknesses:
pop out feature hurts
Similar Products Used:
Shimano M515 for past 10 years
Bike Setup:
Trek 4900 - stock
Bottom Line:
this is a great bang for the buck multipurpose SPD. I rarely ride w/o my clipped shoes but sometimes I do, and it's great to have that option..but the main reason I got it was b/c I do a lot of XC riding that requires me to clip out often and jump in my clips where I won't have much time before I have to clip out - this is the best compromise. yes it's a bit flimsy w/ the plastic cage, my biggest complaint is that the pop out actually interferes with the middle of my foot - it hurts a bit. it's like you have to fight against it while it's trying to pop up and gets annoying after time. that's all - but price vs value - not a bad trade off here.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Dayton, MN, USA Date Reviewed: June 24, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim, UT
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Nashbar.com
Strengths:
Good all around design at an afordable price
Weaknesses:
Plastic cage wears after a lot of use
Similar Products Used:
Shimano M-520, 505
Bike Setup:
Ibex Apogee LX
Bottom Line:
These were my first pair of clipless pedals I got over 3 years ago and I still love them. I've used them on road and for mountain biking. I like the cage when I'm mountian biking for when I can't clip in right away. The platform was also nice on my college bike I used for some commuting without special shoes. On the downside the outer attachment of the plasic cage is a bit worn after years of use. But they are still holding together after lots of miles and a few hard ones in Moab. The cage also makes it a bit harder to clip in but at the same time it is easier to align your shoe with the cage on the pedal.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellevue, WA, USA Date Reviewed: June 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
Montlake Kirkland
Strengths:
Good Looks Platform/Clip (so you don't have to use silly shoes for short rides :P) No accidental clip-outs [yet] Easy clip in. Oodles of grease.
Weaknesses:
Plastic/Resin platform. Tension screw placement.
Similar Products Used:
None, first clipless.
Bike Setup:
K2 Attack '06, Marzocchi Z1 FR III Fork
Bottom Line:
Good for beginners. This and the Shimano MA80s was a good deal (less then $150) and easy to pick up. First day and I can clip out easily, no falls yet. It's strong enough to hold me in when I'm popping the back tire up over obstacles at a low angle.
These are good learning pedals, but I'll probobly be getting some eggbeaters after some more practice with these.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendale, CA Date Reviewed: February 2, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Gabrieleno
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$59.00
Purchased At:
Montrose Bike Shop
Strengths:
Easy to clip in and out of, cheap, great for beginners, cage performs well
Weaknesses:
Does not clear mud well, tension adjusters could be better placed, cage does not provide nearly enough traction
Similar Products Used:
N/A
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
I am surprised to find so many people giving these pedals bad reviews. I go riding 1-2 times a week on moderately difficult trails and I have not had any problems with these pedals as far as the cage breaking. In my opinion, they hold up well under stress and, for the price, they are great pedals. They are very easy to clip in and out of. The biggest problem I have is that it does not clear mud well at all, and you often have to kick your feet against the frame of the bike to get the mud off. Also, they could have made the tension adjustment a bit easier to access.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chico Llanes
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston Date Reviewed: October 3, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Bottom of the food chain pedals
Weaknesses:
poor construction very little use
Similar Products Used:
just about any MTB pedal best get Egg Beaters or Time
Bike Setup:
MotoBacane 600ht, Alivio Disc Brakes, Deore all around...
Bottom Line:
After taking a few stumps and trees, the end caps fall apart and the plastic cage is useless. the Plastic is pretty strong, but if you plan on taking your ride on some serious trails, look into Egg Beater or Time pedals.
These would be good for a daily commuter who doesn't want to slap on your cleated shoes. They are nice if you just want some sandles to take a ride to the store.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Terence
a Downhiller
from Sydney, NSW, Australia Date Reviewed: May 7, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Strengths:
Its great! I'm smashed mine quite a bit and its been fine, at first i was a bit dubious about the plastic cage. But it is surprisingly strong. Cleat mechanism works perfectly, the red indicator thing tells you how much preload there is on the springs and its spot on.
Weaknesses:
Some premature wearing (from smashing it) out of the cage but they are replaceable so meh. Also, its mud shedding isn't the best.
Similar Products Used:
545's
Bottom Line:
Its perfect for the price, if you had the extra $50 bucks you could get the 545's with the metal cage.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jean-Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Switzerland Date Reviewed: December 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
jura mountain
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
migros
Strengths:
Price,platform cage,relative low weight for this kind of pedals.
Weaknesses:
Not to good with mud
Similar Products Used:
Time Z control, Shimano 324
Bike Setup:
XT, Magura Louise; MX comp ETA, X-fusion 02, CONTINENTAL VERTICAL
Bottom Line:
Personnally, I really like those pedals. In technical spot you can always clip out and sill have a good grip on your pedal. I own too some Times Z control twice the price but still rather like the Shimano 424. After 20 months of use they are ready to be replaced and I think I will buy the same one
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patrick Walsh
a Cross Country Rider
from Leander Texas Date Reviewed: November 5, 2004
Favorite Trail:
The Nut!
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Cheap
Weaknesses:
Plastic Cage
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Specialized RockHopper
Bottom Line:
I have used these peddals for 6months and I love em. I must be lucky. I got em and then loosend them up and I was able to clip and un-clip no problem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Carl
a Weekend Warrior
from North Arlington,NJ, 07031 Date Reviewed: October 20, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Asaph Road Tioga State Forest
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
jenson usa
Strengths:
Cheap for new riders. That's it!!!
Weaknesses:
Looks cheap, feels cheap, and is cheap!!! The plastic cage is very fragile.
Similar Products Used:
None, first clipless pedal.
Bike Setup:
Cannodal F400
Bottom Line:
If you want to spend 30 bucks on a pedal to learn how to clip in and out then it is worth it. These pedals are very cheap and you get what you pay for. Other than that it was an introduction for me to the sport of mountain biking and how pedals might be the most important component of riding. I busted my pedals during some real strenuous single track. I am now the proud user of Time ATAC Z control pedal, which I will be reviewing in due time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bay Area Rider
a Weekend Warrior
from Alameda, CA Date Reviewed: September 14, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
everything but the plastic cage
Weaknesses:
Weak Cage and end cap locking system
Similar Products Used:
First clipless pedal
Bike Setup:
Marin Steel Hardtail.
Bottom Line:
Right end cap fell off and caused the whole cage to bend off the spindle. used for less then a month, fell over twice (cuz i forgot i was secured to the pedals when stopped)and im a light rider. Will go to LBS and price replacement parts while i shop for som
$ 45.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating: