Choosing a pedal

[Holdsworth]

This is my dilemma, I have recently bought a Revolution Country Traveller new from EBC. I plan to use it (once my panniers arrive) as my main commuting bike and leave the old roadie for weekend and leisure. I also want to use what the bike was intended for in the first place and go touring on it sometime this summer.

I have gotten used to using clipless pedals on the road bike, m520's, and I want to starting using SPD's on the new one as well. I really like the security on being clipped in that regular flat pedals don't give me. I have had a look at the a520 pedals with the large platform surrounding the mechanism but noticed they were only 1-sided, not a problem for touring but might a pain to use for everyday commuting and going to town and such.

So I'd like to know whether or not the regular m520's with their double sidedness and lack of surrounding platform would be any good for long distance riding with an MTB (Lidl) shoe? I don't want to do anything that would knacker my feet up in some way.

 

[rich p]

I've happily and pain-freely used M520s for all my tours.

 

[srw]

Two pedals are usually better a single pedal, but I've happily crossed France on a Crank Bros Candy pair very much like the M520s

 

[jay clock]

I have the M324 which is the perfect all round pedal for using SPD or regular shoes. Nice serrated grip for when using regular shoes.

I also have M520 on a couple of bikes. No problems at all doing rides of up to 200k (with Specialized MTB sport shoes) or touring with SPD sandals

In addition I have A530 which appears to be a "lite" version of the M324. ie one side platform and one side SPD. The platform side is much less serrated than the M324 and can lead to foot slippage if using hard soled mtb shoes. However they do weigh a lot less than the 324.

Sum up - all will be great, but a platform option is good if you are ever likely to be in non cleated shoes

 

[jay clock]

just had another look at the A520. seems to be an M520 with a surround. I cannot really see the point and certainly have never had comfort problems on long tours/rides with M520. Have now got Look Keo cleats for the road bike and a for all the guff about "power transfer" doesn't seem vastly different.

 

[Danny]

I got a pair of A520s for my touring bike after going through the same dilemma as you. It took me a few weeks to get used to the single side mechanism, but now I clip myself in totally automatically without having to think about it.

I've had no problem with the pedals at all, and like to think that the large platform does give me some extra support. However I seem to remember reading similar threads where some have argued that when you are clipped in the sole of your shoe does not really press down on the platform so it is of no real benefit. Whether that's true or not I'd happily get the same pedals again.

Having said that if you are using your bike for everyday commuting and trips into town you might want to consider a Shimano M234 which has a completely flat side so you can use them with ordinary shoes.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I started of with the single sided a520's as I thought that they would be more comfortable because of the added support the surround provided and I went to the double sided ones, I prefer the double sided ones less of a pain trying to clip in at the lights or on hils and no difference at all in comfort.

 

[Holdsworth]

I think that I may just go with what I have already and get a pair of m520's. At the moment I can't really see myself not using SPD's at all, even for trips to town. And if the small platform isn't really much of an issue I can't see any problem arising once I have the cleat adjusted properly. I can't see any advantage for touring pedals if all they can offer is a large platform that may or may not help distribute the load of my foot.

 

[yashicamat]

I use the M324 on my tourer too - perfect IMO as the SPD side is there when I want it, but if I am pottering about a city I'm visiting (stopping a lot and wearing casual shoes), I can just use the flat side. As mentioned above, the flat side of the pedal is very good quality too and grips with most shoes really well.