Shimano M520 SPD pedal

[l4dva]

Hi guys,

Appologies if this has been asked on here before, was woundering what you guys thort of this pedal, can get a new set delivered from ebay for about £22, I went into Evans today and they recomended this one to me over the more expensive ones....due to this having the ablity to allow your foot to float a little left to right. What you guys think of these, they will be my first set of pedals like this other than the standard flat ones on my bike.

I ride a cross bike by the way.

Thanks!

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I was under the impression that all SPD cleats allowed a little float.

 

[ACS]

I have 3 sets of m520's, hybrid, 531c and now Tricross. Work very well easy to set up. Excellent entry point in to the world of clip-less pedals you can always upgrade later if you wish, at £22 it’s a bit of a gift really. Got a pair of SPD shoes from Aldi (<£20) for commuting and a lighter pair as best.

 

[punkypossum]

I got them on both of my bikes, my first clipless pedals and I'm really happy with them - easy to use and (when I bought them) they were actually cheaper than most flats!

 

[l4dva]

Lol that was fast. I think ill order a set then!

Do I need any special tools to fit them?? or will a set of allen keys do the job?

 

[ACS]

Lol that was fast. I think ill order a set then!

Do I need any special tools to fit them?? or will a set of allen keys do the job?

Pedal spanner if you want to be a perfectionist, I hand tighten pedals then give them a quarter turn to tighten with an adjustable. Drop of grease on the thread beforehand and job done. However, make sure you set your shoe cleats correctly to prevent niggles in the knee area. 4mm allen key is handy for the cleat adjustment.

 

[HJ]

Also remember that right pedal is right-hand thread, but the left pedal is LEFT-HAND (reverse) thread - thus, when you go to loosen the left pedal, pretend that you are tightening it.

 

[l4dva]

Thanks!! Just done another google search and found them even cheaper, it just gets better!

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=720&categoryId=81

Now I need a pair of shoes!

 

[ACS]

Try Aldi or Lidl for a low cost pair, when you decide that clipless is for you then invest insome thing a bit more 'Gucci'.

I purchased a pair of Specialized Sport Road Shoes today at our LBS. Better fit than the Shimano pair at a similar cost.

If you do not want to go down the Aldi/Lidl route these have shoes are considered excellent value.

 

[scook94]

These are the pedals that came with my bike but I got the LBS to change them for flats until I got used to the bike and felt more comfortable about going clipless. From what I've read on the web they are very well thought of. I've ordered a pair of SPD compatible shoes and will be putting them back on my bike when the shoes arrive!

 

[l4dva]

Try Aldi or Lidl for a low cost pair, when you decide that clipless is for you then invest insome thing a bit more 'Gucci'.

I purchased a pair of Specialized Sport Road Shoes today at our LBS. Better fit than the Shimano pair at a similar cost.

If you do not want to go down the Aldi/Lidl route these have shoes are considered excellent value.

I did see the lidl ones a few a weeks ago, don't think I would buy them though felt very heavy. The Dhb ones look aright, im guessing with those ones I won't be able to walk around in them, I may look at the mountain bike ones

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_M1_Cycling_Shoes/5360033176/

Not going to rush into buying the shoes though, I want something half decent that fits well etc etc but i don't particularly want to spend a small fortune on them either. Saying that I do like Dhb stuff, I have some of there tops and am really impressed with them

 

[ACS]

When you are 3 stone overweight, as I am, the weight of shoes is not an important factor

My initial pair came from Aldi and I bought them in Sep 08 because I could walk in them (hills are merciless feckers) but I am getting fitter (always a moot point), lighter (slowly) and stronger so there is less walking hence the upgrade.

 

[l4dva]

I could do with loosing a few pounds too, to be honest lol. I have to walk around a bit (at my distination that is lol) on my commutes so i'd deff need the ability to walk in them. Once Ive got used to it, I can always invest in a pair of road shoes for the weekend!

 

[Joe24]

I have M520s. Wish i paid extra for SPD-SL now though, so i had 2 sets of these pedals, my intention to get some more walkable shoes has never come true. But the SPD's are what i use in the winter.
They arent bad, not as secure are SPD-SL i dont think. Not as easy to walk in if you just put the metal cleat on the bottom of a road shoe. They can put lovely dents in wooden floors though, which is nice. The cleats i thought wore down faster the SPD-SL cleats, due to the fact its metal and you dont have the plastic bits like you do on SPD-SL to walk on and wear down.
But, SPD is SPD. M520s dont have any more float then the other ones. Its just that the other ones are lighter and slightly better. The float is the same. Its the cleat that gives the float really(and some of the pedal, depending on how big the gap is) and you can buy cleats that have no float in, and cleats with different degrees of float in.
So basicly, if you want SPD then any one is about the same, just one set will be lighter and aimed in the next groupset to the other.

 

[e-rider]

you can get these on-line delivered for £15 - try merlincycles.

great pedals for the money - not sure about the new rrp of £40 though!

you can even service the bearings if need be in a few years.

I've been cycling for 20 years and I happily use them, so don't worry if they're your first pair of clipless pedals - the more expensive ones are just lighter.