Which pedal?

[sanuk]

I'm going to get serious and fit my bike with pedals with cleats before I hit some serious hills this summer.  Shimano have two combination types which allow for use with or without cleated shoes, the M324 and the A530.  Up till now I've always cycled in sandals and will be looking for a sandal type of cleated cycling shoe.  I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's used either of these two pedal types recently.  Although in many ways the two types look similar, I'm favouring the M324 as they seem best for long tours.

[TimTyler]

I've tried the A520's (hated those), the M424's (yuck), and the M520's (they're my backup), but since I first put the A530's on the bike, I haven't taken them off. Love the A530's.

I almost always ride with Shimano's MT31 shoes and cleats, and the SPD side of the pedal is "up" by default so clicking-in is easy. The platform side performs well and doesn't feel lumpy with standard shoes.

Consequently, REI has Keen bike sandals on sale now http://www.rei.com/product/765247

[whittierider]

"Serious" and "sandals," mentioned together?  Hmmm...  I think you'll have to choose just one of those.

I won't ride unattached even for short rides though.  It's too easy to wipe out all the training you've done to pull the pedal all the way around the circle, and fall back into bad habits.

[sanuk]

How about serious sandals?  Even if the temps are not exactly tropical where I'm heading, in the rain I'd rather have wet feet than wet feet in wet socks and shoes.  Cold might be a different matter, but hey, it's summer! 

[tonupgilly]

Have you thought about "CRANK brothers" pedals?  They are the eggbeater type.  They are excellent for clearing mud, which means you can always get your feet in even in the muddiest conditions (no clogging).  They come in a range of pedal sizes.  You can have just the "eggbeater" mechanism, which is the bit that attaches, or you can have a range of platform sizes around the eggbeater, with studs of whatever length (they are variable)you want on the platforms.  This means you can choose your pedal size.  The big advantage of them is that you can choose whether or not to be clipped in on varying terrain, using them just as platforms, or clip in to be attached.  The eggbeaters do not interfere when using them clipless.  The cleats are recessed, so you can walk in them and also use them flat when not clipped in.  They're brilliant and I wouldn't use anything else now.  I have much experience of pedals having spent many years with both Look and SPD type pedals.  If I was road racing again I wouldn't use them, but for touring, especially off-road, I can highly recommend them.   This is their web-site  www.crankbrothers.com

Hope you find something you like.

[Tourista829]

Tim, I got a pair of A520's by mistake for my girlfriends bike. Like you, she hated them. But I didn't want to send them back to England. I gave her my pedals Shimano 770 series and she loved them. I inherited the A520 and actually I am ok with the A520 and the one sided cleats. I don't have to wear my bike shoes, to go shopping or to eat. What do you like better about the A530's?

Addressing the original post from Sanuk, I like cleats that have good float, I can walk in, and now in my later years I like a pedal where I can wear my sandals to ride in and my flip flops to go explore, dinner, or grocery shopping. So if Tim likes the A530's I second it. (because I just completed a 225 mile 3 day and the A520 were fine for me) Some people like double sided pedals to start from a stop with a loaded bike. I am ok with a single sided pedals. Make sure you get a 30 day return and I might get them from Bike Nashbar who has a good price.

My ex had the Shimano M424 I did not like it as a serious pedal. It is kind of like a training pedal for someone who does most of their riding on the non cleated side. I would think that if you want a pedal to start with, it is safer to go with one that is two sided. It would be nice if they could have a slight recess, of the cleats which would make it a true multi purpose pedal.   

[TimTyler]

What do you like better about the A530's?

I had problems getting in and out of the cleat side (suppose it could have been fixed by adjusting) and riding with standard shoes on the platform side was really uncomfortable.

[eskpe11]

I just got the 530's and have used them only twice but they work well.  I don't have experience with the others to compare but I'm pleased with these -- they are light but sturdy and have the option of cleat or platform if that is what you're after.

[Tourista829]

Tim, she had  the same problem too. She had trouble getting in and out of them and she didn't like the one sided pedal. When the bike was loaded, it was harder for her to find the cleat, when she started from a stop. I did not have this problem and I don't mind the cleat on one side. Go figure, thanks for your response and I am glad you are enjoying the newer version A530.

[gregg]

I've got several thousand miles on a pair of 324's and I love them. Great touring, around town, and commuting pedal. Both sides of the pedal work great. The non-cleat side is excellent as you can ride in any kind of shoes, the teeth do an nice job of gripping your sole, and the platform is big enough to give good support. This is nice when you've taken off your cycling shoes at the end of the touring day, and just want to jump on the bike and do some errands.  The cleated side is great too as you get support not only from the cleat, but also from the teeth of the pedal on that side.

[Galloper]

I use the 530s on both my touring and commuter bikes.   They're excellent pedals and one set with several thousand miles use is still going strong.   I like the fact that you can use them with ordinary shoes if needed, they work very well with ordinary trainers.

Ribble Cycles have, I think, the best prices.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/pp/road-track-bike/Pedals-Road/PEDA

[johnsondasw]

Have you thought about "CRANK brothers" pedals?  They are the eggbeater type.  They are excellent for clearing mud, which means you can always get your feet in even in the muddiest conditions (no clogging).  They come in a range of pedal sizes.  You can have just the "eggbeater" mechanism  They're brilliant and I wouldn't use anything else now.  I have much experience of pedals having spent many years with both Look and SPD type pedals.  If I was road racing again I wouldn't use them, but for touring, especially off-road, I can highly recommend them.   This is their web-site  www.crankbrothers.com

Totally agree.  I've been using them exclusively (albeit without the platforms) for all my road riding for 7 years.  I like the recessed cleats, and when with a group we had to walk throught mud for awhile, I was the only one to hop back on and ride.  Everyone else had to take off shoes and work the mud out.

[aggie]

I had the 324's but found I didn't really need them.  I ride with either Keen cycling sandals or a mountain bike type of shoe.  The cleat is recessed so it is still easy to walk around.  I found the these were the only shoes I needed on a tour so I switched to M540's.  They are about 1 lb lighter than the 324's. 

[TimTyler]

I just did a comparison of the M770, M540, and M970 on Shimano's web site http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/pedals/mountain/product.-code-PD-M770.-type-.html and the specs seems to be nearly identical. Well, the M925's are 25 grams lighter than the other two.

[tonupgilly]

Have you thought about "CRANK brothers" pedals?  They are the eggbeater type.  They are excellent for clearing mud, which means you can always get your feet in even in the muddiest conditions (no clogging).  They come in a range of pedal sizes.  You can have just the "eggbeater" mechanism  They're brilliant and I wouldn't use anything else now.  I have much experience of pedals having spent many years with both Look and SPD type pedals.  If I was road racing again I wouldn't use them, but for touring, especially off-road, I can highly recommend them.   This is their web-site  www.crankbrothers.com

Totally agree.  I've been using them exclusively (albeit without the platforms) for all my road riding for 7 years.  I like the recessed cleats, and when with a group we had to walk throught mud for awhile, I was the only one to hop back on and ride.  Everyone else had to take off shoes and work the mud out.

Glad someone else agrees with me.  They are definitely the most versatile pedal I have ever used.  I'm suprised no-one else has mentioned them, especially as they are in the USA.  I'm in the UK, but they have a very good name here.