I am looking to get my new Triban 3 new single-sided SPD pedals (so I can use them easily without specialized shoes too) (also, yes, I prefer to get SPDs rather than SPD-SLs), initially was looking at Shimano A530 and A520, but then decided it would be nice to have a little bit more under the foot even in normal shoes, so then T780 and PDM324 came into picture, with the latter being on top of the list now. Any opinions on them? Or other recommendations?
Single-sided SPD
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Piemaster
Guru
- Location
- UK City of Culture
A530 on one of the bikes. SPD side works fine, but I do find the flat metal side a bit slippery when it's wet and wearing a smoother soled office wear type shoe.
mrandmrspoves
Middle aged bald git.
- Location
- Narfuk
Shimano M324's are a single sided SPD.
I have them on my old Falcon as I wanted to be able to nip into town without my tap dancing shoes on....but it feels really weird riding without them and having to spin them to the non spd side is a bit irritating.
An alternative approach is to go the Shimano M545 route - big platforms that allow you to use them without SPD shoes. Some might say they're fugly (and not the lightest) but I put a pair on my MTB and got on with them really well - so now have them on my Dalesman too.
I have them on my old Falcon as I wanted to be able to nip into town without my tap dancing shoes on....but it feels really weird riding without them and having to spin them to the non spd side is a bit irritating.
An alternative approach is to go the Shimano M545 route - big platforms that allow you to use them without SPD shoes. Some might say they're fugly (and not the lightest) but I put a pair on my MTB and got on with them really well - so now have them on my Dalesman too.
Sparrow
Regular
- Location
- Warrington....ish
Hello. I have a Scott Hybrid and am looking at changing from toe-clips to some 'one sided' pedals. The Shimano M324 Combinations are top of my list too so I would be interested if anyone has any experience of this product.
Thanks!
Zakalwe
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Barnsbury, London
The face up side is always the wrong one for whichever shoe you're wearing.
mrandmrspoves
Middle aged bald git.
- Location
- Narfuk
Yup seems so!
Oh. I've read somewhere that they are meant to be built in such a way that the clip side should always be on the top - from what you're saying apparently it doesn't quite work like that...
Diggs
Veteran
- Location
- Billericay, Essex
I picked up the A530 for under GBP 30 reduced in Decathlon. I wanted the flexibility too but if I'm honest, if I'm heading out and I have to put shoes on anyway, they may as well be the SPDs. The one thing I did notice is it gives me so much more flexibility in heavy traffic as with recessed cleats I can use the flat side rather than clipping in and out all the time
mrandmrspoves
Middle aged bald git.
- Location
- Narfuk
No I wouldn't say it does. It isn't too much hassle tipping them over to the correct side - but once you are used to riding clipped in, it feels extremely strange riding unclipped.
Diggs
Veteran
- Location
- Billericay, Essex
Zakalwe
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Barnsbury, London
It's not the end of the world, either a toe flip a la Keo style road cleats (provided you look down to see where they are) or, preferably, assume it'll clip in but if not just pedal half a revolution then take your foot off and it'll be the right way when it's at the bottom.
Also, I guess this is going to be the case for more or less all single-sided pedals, isn't it?
M324 still on top. Had a look at M545 (thanks mrandmrspoves!), but didn't quite like them as much...
Zakalwe
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Barnsbury, London
SPD-SL or Keo single side cleats tend to be heavier at the back where the spring is so they fall nose up consistently. With a bit of practice you can toe in without thinking about it. SPD tend to be evenly weighted front and back - not an issue if its double sided.
RedRider
Pulling through
- Location
- Location Embrocation
Been using them seven or eight months.They're good and shiny. Mostly I wear cycing shoes and the spd side generally faces up for clipping in and that's good. One criticism of my pair at least is they don't tighten enough to be ideal so I've pulled my feet off the pedal once or twice going up hills in a ridiculous gear. For me it's not a big deal having to flip them with a toe when wearing trainers or whatever and they're pretty grippy. They're a good compromise if you're using one bike for everything. A good pedal. I've not tried other single sided to compare but I'd recommend them.Hello. I have a Scott Hybrid and am looking at changing from toe-clips to some 'one sided' pedals. The Shimano M324 Combinations are top of my list too so I would be interested if anyone has any experience of this product.
Thanks!
mrandmrspoves
Middle aged bald git.
- Location
- Narfuk
Well if you're determined that you want single sided SPD's - I would say the M324 is the way to go. They're relatively light, easily serviced, look stylish enough and are cheap. I am perfectly happy with them on my Falcon as this is used predominantly for trips into town. I would be less happy with them if I only had one bicycle - but they;re a good compromise as walking with SPD shoes is like walking in tap dancing shoes.
