Pedal wear

[BurningLegs]

I was investigating a clicking sound today which turned out to be a stone trapped in my shoe between the cleat and outside edge, but noticed this wear on both pedals.

Hopefully you can see in the photos, but the front as ridden (left in the photo above) is wearing on both sides. These pedals are double sided, and it’s happening on both sides of each pedal.

Now, I assume this is normal and why the pedals are adjustable? At this point I assume I should just tighten the pedals up so the cleats are tight again? This seems like quite a bit of wear for a set of pedals that are only a couple of years old - how much is too much? Just when the pedal doesn’t hold the cleat in anymore??

 

[I like Skol]

Can't say I have noticed this on my SPD pedals and I do have a couple of pairs of the M520s as well as some of the XT version. I assume you are referring to the little notches being cut into the fixed clip?
What cleats are you using, standard genuine Shimano SH51 cleats?

 

[Spiderweb]

I assume you are referring to the two areas where the black paint has worn away?
This wear is completely normal, mine are exactly the same. The pedals will last many more years so don’t worry about it.
Wear is always more visible on the black SPD’s, not as much on the silver unpainted model.

 

[BurningLegs]

I assume you are referring to the little notches being cut into the fixed clip?
What cleats are you using, standard genuine Shimano SH51 cleats?

Yes - not concerned about the paint rubbing off, but surprised at the notches. They’re quite profound!

I’m using genuine cleats, and no sign of wear on them. They’re the multi-release ones.

If you use the same pedal/cleat combo then perhaps this indicates something wrong with my setup. Maybe cleats in the wrong position or incorrect tightness on the pedals? I have the pedals set pretty loose...

 

[Threevok]

The notches were there to start with and help with unclipping

Have a look at a new one

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

 

[confusedcyclist]

My M520s are going strong many years since I bought them, the cleats too. They seems to last an order of magnitude longer than SPD-SLs. In fact, they have outlasted my shoes!

 

[fossyant]

There is no wear on them pedals, just a bit of missing paint. I've never worn out any pedals, never mind bomb proof SPD's. I've worn out the left cleat on my commuting shoes a few times (over 7 years).

 

[Drago]

I wouldn't sweat it. 520s are robust beyond all logic. In 18 years I've only had one pair get a bit sloppy, and a strip, clean, relube and reassemble cured that. When the bomb drops the safest place is under a pile of 520s.

 

[si_c]

SPD cleats last a long time even if doing significant mileage. A greater problem is getting them off your shoes as they fall apart - I've got two sets of cleats which are attached to shoes that I can't get off as the bolts have ground down and I can't turn an allen bolt in them.

Not worn out a pair of pedals yet either.