Shimano A520 SPD Touring Pedals

Advantages: quality, use, price
Disadvantages: None

...Previously, I had a pair Of Ritchey WCS Ti spd pedals (i paid £60 on ebay, but the retail at £140!!). These were next to useless - the bearings failed within 12 months. They looked good and weighed not a lot, but didn't work very well, at all :O( I begrudgingly purchased the XTR spd's for £56.99 from wiggle, as I didn't want to go the "shimano" route again. First impressions of quality were superb, especially for under £60!!! The smoothness of the bearings is silk like. fitting is just like any other pedal. Adjusting the tension springs was also the same as any other spd, although I didn't have to do them as tight as previoud spd's I'd owned. Clicking in and out of the pedal gave a satisfying quality click. In riding i've done so far, they perhaps clogged more than i'd have liked, but the riding was very very extreme. After 2... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Control, power transfer, efficiency etc
Disadvantages: You might fall off once or twice....

...If you're riding XC there is no other option, you should be riding clipless! Clipless pedals (so called because they do not require a toe clip & strap)improve bike control, power transfer, efficiency of pedal stroke (your foot is closer to center of spindle) & allow those that have trouble lifting the bike at the rear to cheat! Mainly used for XC not trials, downhill or duel, some platform types exist like the shimano m646's that can be good for all disciplines! There are two main players in the mtb emporium; these are Shimano who make the spd (shimano pedal dynamics) & Time who make the Atac. But I've seen loads of other makes I hear you cry - sure the list is endless, VP, Ritchey, Wellgo etc etc but at the end of the day they are all shimano copies & are usually adequate but not as good as the real thing! They are generally... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Perfect for sporting or casual use.
Disadvantages: None

...My guess is that 75% of the world's cyclists have never really paid much attention to their pedals. So long as they spin round, push the crankset in the right direction, and give you somewhere to rest your feet, they are of little interest. Remember your first bike? Maybe you do, but you could probably not tell me what the pedals were made of, what weight they were, how much they cost, what cleat system they used, or how easy they were to service.!! However, as bikes have become more complicated, and folk have more money to spend on personalizing them, the pedals have attracted more attention. Here is a good example - the Shimano A530 SPD's. 1 The Manufacturer. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Shimano are one of life's fascinating mixtures. I had been aware of the firm's fishing products for quite a long time. They have pioneered new technology... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful