Looking for thoughts on road bike + SPD pedels

[Mushroomgodmat]

So I have some of these on my commuter road bike

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-unboxed-pedals/

Sometime next week in going to buy a nice shinny carbon roadbike and Iv been looking at pedels ideally I'd like to stick with the same type of pedels (don't want to buy new shoes) so I'm looking at other types of SPDs...

I know that most road bike users have SPD SLs. I'm assuming that those SPDSLs are popular because of the larger areas pace for the shoe to sit..

Can anyone confirm if these would offer a similar advantage/usefulness for long rides?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-xtr-pd-m985-trail-pedals/

 

[PpPete]

I have the A600 pedals on my best road bike, which look the business, have nice wide platform, and are very light, but TBH with a sufficiently stiff shoe** I can't tell the difference from the M520.
I have concluded this "bigger platform for better power transfer" thing is a load of marketing bolleaux.

** Doesnt have to be an expensive shoe either... the Lidl ones do just fine on either pedal.

 

[cyberknight]

So I have some of these on my commuter road bike

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-unboxed-pedals/

Sometime next week in going to buy a nice shinny carbon roadbike and Iv been looking at pedels ideally I'd like to stick with the same type of pedels (don't want to buy new shoes) so I'm looking at other types of SPDs...

I know that most road bike users have SPD SLs. I'm assuming that those SPDSLs are popular because of the larger areas pace for the shoe to sit..

Can anyone confirm if these would offer a similar advantage/usefulness for long rides?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-xtr-pd-m985-trail-pedals/

Nowt wrong with either pedal, i have done many mile on m520s including club runs although the trail pedals offer a bigger contact patch and could alliviate hot foot syndrome if you suffer with it.
I recently changed to single sided spds on the weekender , i got them off a member here and although light and offering a good contact area .
Not what i have but similar and a bit cheaper...
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/ro...base&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=Googlebase

 

[cyberknight]

I have the A600 pedals on my best road bike, which look the business, have nice wide platform, and are very light, but TBH with a sufficiently stiff shoe** I can't tell the difference from the M520.
I have concluded this "bigger platform for better power transfer" thing is a load of marketing bolleaux.

** Doesnt have to be an expensive shoe either... the Lidl ones do just fine on either pedal.

Yeah thats what i have, and i found the lidl shoes did sterling work, i use aldi ones currently and they are good enough .

 

[Piemaster]

I've got SPD on the carbon roadbike. (They may even be the ones in your first link, not sure though) I put spd on the bike for the same reason, so I didn't have to buy more shoes.
Power transfer is from the sole of the shoe to the pedal in the area of the cleat, so the platform bit wouldn't help you. So stiff soles are what counts. High end shoes will be carbon soles for stiffness and weight.

There will now probably be someone come along and tell you that it;s a rule that a roadbike must have spd-sl pedals/shoes. I'd be tempted to buy another set of the M520, they're cheap enough (if you get on with them) ignore them and just get on the bike and ride it.
You can always upgrade later.

 

[HovR]

I use the Shimano PD-M530's on my road bike, which are the same style (but a few models down) from the one you have linked. I've found them very comfortable, and have had no issues with "hot spots".

They're also very affordable at £25 (from an eBay seller).

 

[mcshroom]

I'd not recommend A520s, they never seem to come up the right way and the spindle scratches easily. I currently have M520s on my road bike and they have been fine for as far as I've gone so far (230km)