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Shimano M530 or M647 for AM Use?

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hhuffman

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I am torn between these two pedals for true AM use. In the past I have used traditional spd's for XC, and platforms for DH, but now I intend to mix it up and spend more time mixing the two styles in my weekend jaunts.

I really like the confidence that the platforms give when starting in uneven terrain, but don't know if I need all of the weight and gnarl of the M647. Do you have experience enough with the M530 to say that it has enough platform to give me confidence riding for short spells in gnarly terrain while I fight to clip in, or should I go with the 647's?

Thanks,
Heath
 
#3 ·
hhuffman said:
I am torn between these two pedals for true AM use. In the past I have used traditional spd's for XC, and platforms for DH, but now I intend to mix it up and spend more time mixing the two styles in my weekend jaunts.

I really like the confidence that the platforms give when starting in uneven terrain, but don't know if I need all of the weight and gnarl of the M647. Do you have experience enough with the M530 to say that it has enough platform to give me confidence riding for short spells in gnarly terrain while I fight to clip in, or should I go with the 647's?

Thanks,
Heath
Click to expand...
There's no easy way to this. M530 would be a disaster for AM use unless you can somehow stick a pin on the platform side. M647 is an awesome platform clipless but it's not a platform pedal. You don't want to unclip in the rough section because 1) it's not grippy enough with SPD shoes, and 2) there's a great possibility that you'd clip back in without knowing, then you'd be really screwed.

If you ride the trail that has bad sections that you are not 100% yet, take your flats. When you are 100% on that trail you can switch to CL. I switch to platform for experimental purpose, now I'm 70/30 on the platform.:thumbsup:
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Diegobustillos said:
go for mallets
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Thanks Diego. I have run with the traditional CB's (Candy's?) for a long time, and the ease of use is awesome. However, in the NE where I ride, everytime my pedal sits a rock it unclips and I just can't have that. Rocky sections are the worst spots to lose clip and it happens nearly everytime.

Do the Mallet's suffer the same problem? Also the Mallet's are a lot heavier and more for DH, right?
 
#9 ·
Of course he's talking about the new M530 SLX pedals... check the title

What you call the old 530's are in fact A530, not M530 and are indeed touring pedals
 
#10 ·
FWIW I have both. Only have a few rides on the M530, but they have been great. $100 cheaper than the XTR versions and certainly lighter than the 647. Cheaper than the 647 too.
 
#11 ·
robncircus said:
FWIW I have both. Only have a few rides on the M530, but they have been great. $100 cheaper than the XTR versions and certainly lighter than the 647. Cheaper than the 647 too.
Click to expand...
I just bought the M530s last week, ~$50 at lbs, two rides so far. Have used CB eggb and candy since 2005. The cleats wear out every year, and release gets tough when they are near EOL.

So far very happy with 530s, ez to engage and disengage, Haven't tried mud yet.

dave
 
#12 ·
hhuffman said:
Thanks Diego. I have run with the traditional CB's (Candy's?) for a long time, and the ease of use is awesome. However, in the NE where I ride, everytime my pedal sits a rock it unclips and I just can't have that. Rocky sections are the worst spots to lose clip and it happens nearly everytime.

Do the Mallet's suffer the same problem? Also the Mallet's are a lot heavier and more for DH, right?
Click to expand...
Yeah a lot of DHers run their setup, but it just offers a nice wide platform base for extra stability. I wouldn't worry about weight or the downhill use aspect of it, fact is, it is still clipless and can be used across the board. Here in MI where my buddy is used to downhill he struggles with climbs and the flat land, he got the Mallets and was able to reap the benefits of both aspects.
 
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#13 ·
robncircus said:
FWIW I have both. Only have a few rides on the M530, but they have been great. $100 cheaper than the XTR versions and certainly lighter than the 647. Cheaper than the 647 too.
Click to expand...
robncircus, how do you find the platform support with both? I'm currently running the 647s but have been looking at switching to the m530s. From the looks at least, to me the 647s would have more side support, which was what I noticed most when I changed from regular SPDs.
 
#15 ·
madstace said:
robncircus, how do you find the platform support with both? I'm currently running the 647s but have been looking at switching to the m530s. From the looks at least, to me the 647s would have more side support, which was what I noticed most when I changed from regular SPDs.
Click to expand...
This is tough to answer. The 647s have a wonderful entry/release mechanism as mentioned, and a large cage. My shoes have full-carbon soles, so I really don't notice the actual comtact points. My reason to get the 647s originally was because I was new, and wante to be able to unclip and have some platform in dicey areas. I soon learned though that i never actually do that - being clipped in jsut forces me to commit.

The 530s certainly have a smaller platform. Again due to my shoes being full carbon, I don't really notice it. However, visual inspection indicates at least to me the 530s seem to have more mud clearance IMO. However, here in So Cal it's dry and dusty so I really haven't tested that aspect. I will say I raced the 647s in a muddy XC race a few weeks ago and they did great - even after walking through the mud itself.

One benefit for both - climbing. In the event I need to stop mid-climb here, I can just get my foot int he general pedal area and get up to speed then clip in. A buddy rides 540s, and has some issues at times because the pedal body itself is smaller.

Overall I'd say the platform benefit is negligible if people are riding with hard soled shoes. With a softer shoe, it may be more noticable. There was a nice write-up done in the XTR Trail thread that shoes the actual contact points ont he XTR version of the 530s. Very helpful.

Good luck :thumbsup:
 
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