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Submitted by
fernando_mc5
a Cross Country Rider
from Goiânia-GO Brazil
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Laboratório | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Ciclo Vício | | Strengths: | Great Durability, good price!!Awesome Pedals!! | | Weaknesses: | Nothing!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano m-515 | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper 2008 XTR, XT and XO | | Bottom Line: | Good Pedals for money!!Very durable too.If you want something cheap and durable this is it!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Myke67
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Good value, solid construction, adjustable release tension is nice to have. | | Weaknesses: | heavy if you're a gram counter. | | Similar Products Used: | none. first clipless I've used. | | Bike Setup: | Giant Rincon | | Bottom Line: | First clipless pedal I've ever used, and after practicing entry and exit for all of 30 seconds, I was off and rolling. Easy in, easy out, even during quick clip outs the motions felt natural, without popping out when I didn't want them too. Keep in mind this is with the single release cleats, a mechanic at the LBS told me that multi release caused most of the trouble people were having unclipping at the wrong time. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pill
a Weekend Warrior
from eastern europe
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | forest trails | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bikeshop | | Strengths: | Nice price, shimano replacement parts are well spread across the world. | | Weaknesses: | -heavy
-leg can easily pop up when you need not to..
-sprockets became very loose | | Bike Setup: | Giant XtC | | Bottom Line: | This is a great pedal to start. Has a spring tension adjust, easy clips in and pop out while the softest spring position. No problems while you ride softly, just for fun.
Not a great device for an experienced rider/racer. The main problem i've faced - that they pop out when you NEED THEM MOST! For example - while 40kmph bunnyhopping on a 10-20cm road curb. This actually a problem of all shimano clipless. One more thing that the leg can be detached while a strong sprint - when you push+pull the pedals and pull the handlebar too. I hurt my knee very hard once. The boot detached and the knee hit the brake lever bolt. As a workaround - you can set the hardest spring - but you can brake your shoes if the spring would be too strong.
Construction: The sprockets became loose after a year of XC riding. Now, the resin cushion can be easily taken out. So i'm afraid what is happening now with the spockets inside :)
Happy trails to all of you! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XCrider
a Cross Country Rider
from soCal
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | It's a Shimano, Easy in, Easy out, durable | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't read minds | | Bottom Line: | Great pedals, durable and increases pedaling efficiency. My next clipless pedals will be SPD also! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T Habecker
a Weekend Warrior
from Indiana
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$23.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Like the fact that the pedal is dual sided. Spring is easy to adjust. For me easy to clip in and out of I like the fact that you can purchase two types of cleats. One lets you move the foot to the outside or inside (Shimano SH51 SPD) (which I have) the other (Shimano SH56 Multi)lets you move the foot inside, outside, or lift your heel.
Just from the looks of the pedal the mechanics look easy to service if you had to. Although I am not a mechanic so I would take my in to the LBS. Easy to clean after rides | | Weaknesses: | I really do not have any thing to compare to- this is my first set of clipless. I see maybe the weight? 380 gram from what I am told. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | 04 SJ Elite basically stock | | Bottom Line: | First set of clipless I love the fact that I am connected to the bike. If you are comfortable on your bike with bunny hops and tearing up the trail this is an easy upgrade and should be your first choice. I have saved my shins more than once while clipped in to these. I have a few crashes because I panic after I was committed to the jump or drop and tried to bail out and could not get out in time. However at some time during the crash my feet did come out of the pedals. All you need to focus on is your line while riding no worries about feet coming off the pedals.
Trails I mainly ride are single track with ups and downs- the ups are where you really notice the diff being able to pull up on the pedal. I would say my efficiency has increased by 30% easy.
I have had no problems getting in and out the pedals at all expect during panic mode which by the way were slow speed.
I am giving 4 Chilis because I have nothing to compare too. But for price and reliability with Shimano you can not go wrong.
I got a great deal on the pedals and shoes off eBay for around $52. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blu Falcon
a Weekend Warrior
from College Park
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Adjustable, Dual Sided Entry, Extremely Durable, Good Platform, Increases Pedaling Efficiency, Reliable Entry/Exit | | Weaknesses: | Weight (if that matters to you) | | Similar Products Used: | Bear Traps | | Bike Setup: | "The Bloody Bahstud" | | Bottom Line: | I'm hooked on these pedals (literally). They're easy to clip in and out of once you've made the proper adjustments. Yeah, they're a little weighty, but these pedals are rock solid, durable and will take a severe butt whuppin'. Sure they may not be the most cutting edge or sexy set of pedals on the market today, but in this case it's function over form. The price is right and I see absolutely no need to shell out more money for more expensive versions since these pedals are more than sufficient more mountain biking, commuting or just cruising around town. Anyone who wants to get into the wonderful world of clipless pedals should consider these first. Just be careful at first, and remember you're clipped in before you try to dismount. lol
Do yourself a favor and cop these pedals when they're on sale for the ultimate deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blu Falcon
a Weekend Warrior
from College Park
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Adjustable, Dual Sided Entry, Extremely Durable, Good Platform, Increases Pedaling Efficiency, Reliable Entry/Exit | | Weaknesses: | Weight (if that matters to you) | | Similar Products Used: | Bear Traps | | Bike Setup: | "The Bloody Bahstud" | | Bottom Line: | I'm hooked on these pedals (literally). They're easy to clip in and out of once you've made the proper adjustments. Yeah, they're a little weighty, but these pedals are rock solid, durable and will take a severe butt whuppin'. Sure they may not be the most cutting edge or sexy set of pedals on the market today, but in this case it's function over form. The price is right and I see absolutely no need to shell out more money for more expensive versions since these pedals are more than sufficient more mountain biking, commuting or just cruising around town. Anyone who wants to get into the wonderful world of clipless pedals should consider these first. Just be careful at first, and remember you're clipped in before you try to dismount. lol
Do yourself a favor and cop these pedals when they're on sale for the ultimate deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blu Falcon
a Weekend Warrior
from College Park
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Adjustable, Dual Sided Entry, Extremely Durable, Good Platform, Increases Pedaling Efficiency, Reliable Entry/Exit | | Weaknesses: | Weight (if that matters to you) | | Similar Products Used: | Bear Traps | | Bike Setup: | "The Bloody Bahstud" | | Bottom Line: | I'm hooked on these pedals (literally). They're easy to clip in and out of once you've made the proper adjustments. Yeah, they're a little weighty, but these pedals are rock solid, durable and will take a severe butt whuppin'. Sure they may not be the most cutting edge or sexy set of pedals on the market today, but in this case it's function over form. The price is right and I see absolutely no need to shell out more money for more expensive versions since these pedals are more than sufficient more mountain biking, commuting or just cruising around town. Anyone who wants to get into the wonderful world of clipless pedals should consider these first. Just be careful at first, and remember you're clipped in before you try to dismount. lol
Do yourself a favor and cop these pedals when they're on sale for the ultimate deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leonardo Horovitz
a Cross Country Rider
from Montevideo, Uruguay
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Pocitos (Montevideo) | | Strengths: | Works flawlessly. Always. Reliable and comfortable. Didn't have any problem to get used to them. | | Weaknesses: | They don't work as well when they get muddy. | | Similar Products Used: | Regular pedals | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6500 2006 | | Bottom Line: | I'd buy them again if I had to. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XC Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Takes a beating, Easy to clip in/out, low profile | | Weaknesses: | Could be lighter | | Bike Setup: | K2 hardtail | | Bottom Line: | This is my first clipless pedal and was recommended to me at a LBS. I was initially looking for the EggBeaters, but the guy at the LBS was pretty confident in the SPD system. It was on sale, so I decided 'why not'. Even from the start, the pedals were easy to get into and out of. I do wish the pedals were a little lighter, but for the price, I can't be complaining too much. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JC
a Weekend Warrior
from Salida
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm on | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Don't Know How I Got These... | | Strengths: | Feel and perform just like my 959's, 747, etc., | | Weaknesses: | Make me second guess my bike snob ways... you will tire of them before they wear out. | | Similar Products Used: | 959, 747, 647, Time, Crank Bros. | | Bike Setup: | These are currently on my new Gary Fisher 29er HiFi Pro | | Bottom Line: | The new ride didn't come with pedals - I had these, brand new, in the parts bin but thought since they weren't top shelf, I was too cool to ride them.... then I came to my senses. Glad I did. They perform exactly like my 959's with a very slight weight penalty of approx one ounce per pedal.
Shimano engineering, manufacturing and QC is top notch. Their XT and even LX grouppo's are every bit as good as XTR was just a couple of years ago.
Based on price vs performance, I would buy these again - before XTR - in a heartbeat.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shmoo S
a Weekend Warrior
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Don't have one yet | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | closeoutbikestuff.com | | Strengths: | Great for beginners, easy to clip in, easy to clip out. | | Weaknesses: | None yet, I've only done 2 rides. Came unclipped in the middle of a corner, but I believe I just need to adjust them. | | Similar Products Used: | NA | | Bike Setup: | '08 Big Sur | | Bottom Line: | After reading many posts on mtbr, this was hands down the best choice for a beginner to go clipless. Gotta thank this forum for helping me out with the decision. Not nearly as scary to learn as some put it. Although I did fall like a dodo once this past weekend.
My rating will be very unfair as they aren't even broken in yet. I'll come back at the end of the summer with another review, perhaps. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a
from Nahsua, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Cheapness | | Weaknesses: | attorney mandated reflectors | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 52X (From 1999-2000) | | Bike Setup: | Tomac Snyper | | Bottom Line: | With the exception of my awful Shimano road pedals I have had good luck with Shimano, so I purchased a pair of 520's since they seemed just like my old ones and were rather inexpensive.
Since the bike shop didn't have any in stock they took a pair off of a bike in the store leaving me to remove the Reflector units. I didn't see this as a problem as I have taken these devices off before with no problems.
I must admit that I am not a patient individual, but after looking through the shimano tech documents, using channel locks, a Hammer, and chisel, I decided to donate these pedals with the reflector units attached to my local landfill. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
anthony
a Cross Country Rider
from sioux falls, south dakota
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | two wheeler dealer | | Strengths: | smooth bearing operation, compact body, looks nice | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | crank bros candy c | | Bike Setup: | karate monkey, yada yada yada | | Bottom Line: | these guys blow those sh!tty candy c's out of the lake and are half the price.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Weekend Warrior
from acworth, ga
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$44.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | great for the price, easy to get mud out... | | Weaknesses: | took a while to learn how hard to press to get cleats to clip in. probably just rider issue since I was used to LOOK for road. | | Similar Products Used: | SPD | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher X-Caliber 29er | | Bottom Line: | Great SPD for the price, great for first timers going away from the flats. For the price if they bust don't try to fix, just go buy another. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TheConstantMechanic
a Cross Country Rider
from Wroclaw, Poland
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | Cheap! And engage well in mud. | | Weaknesses: | Not reliable sealing. Plastic body-to-shaft fastener, need Shimano special tool to overhaul, the fastener can break if serviced with, for instance, pliers. | | Similar Products Used: | Misc SPD pedals. | | Bike Setup: | Does not matter | | Bottom Line: | Decent product for the price, it's better to pay some more for M540, though... Better sealing, a bit less weight and possibility to overhaul with standard wrench instead of a special tool. That's why I gave 3 Flamin' Chilis for Value.
But if you don't want to spend that extra $15 for M540, go for those! A good start with clipless. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Henderson Nv.
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Bootleg | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | They are reliable. | | Weaknesses: | For some reason I'm getting fast cleat wear with these pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Old style SPDs. | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up review to a previous one.
These pedals are good, but I have discovered since my first review, that the cleats are wearing very fast with the 520s for some reason.
This is why I was complaining about the pedals releasing too easily, in my previous review.
I've always used the same cleats for the life of the pedal with the original SPD design, with no problems. Now I'm getting excessive cleat wear.
I don't know if it's a problem with the cleats, or the pedal design.
Other than that they have been ok.
It is however, annoying and expensive, to have to replace the cleats every 3-4 months.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from MI
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Potowatami | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | I forget where | | Strengths: | Solid and reliable. | | Weaknesses: | Not as light as some out there. Not as much float. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Kula Deluxe, KHS Pilot 3.0 (roadie) | | Bottom Line: | I first started out with clip-ins when I got my Kula. The pedals that came stock on that bike were the Shimano 505's. They weren't a bad pedal for me. Eventually, being an OEM spec part the bearings failed so I just replaced them with the 520's. The 520's were even better. When I got my roadie I also got another set of these. I'm even on the same cleats I had from '03 and I put in 200 to 250 miles a week. Clearly I don't stress pedals very much but that doesn't take away from the fact that they're still going strong, still spinning smoothly, and still just plain good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Fort Collins, CO/Holmdel, NJ
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Beaver Meadows, CO/Hartshorne Woods, NJ | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Lees Cyclery Old Town | | Strengths: | Strong, Durable, Reliable, Easy to clip in/out,
Can Handle Almost Anything-Even Rocks! | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | 1st Clipless Pedal | | Bike Setup: | Trek Liquid 10 | | Bottom Line: | These pedals I bought about 2 1/2 years ago and I just recently broke the one side of my right pedal! I race for Colorado State University Cycling Team and the Shimanos have held up to everything I’ve thrown at it. Rocks/Boulders, mud, sand, water, grass, and everytime I was able to clip in and out when I need to. My pedals have taken a ridiculous amount of beating and I am quite surprised that they survived as long as they have. I'm still racing with the pedals until I can find the 540 or the new 770's for cheap. Point is, these were my first clipless pedals and they are definitely worth it if your looking for an pedal to begin with, or even as a pedal to race with (unless your weight conscious). I can’t wait to see how long the 540/770's will last! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Fairborn, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Easy to get in and out of, durable | | Weaknesses: | Heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Wellgo RC-713 | | Bike Setup: | Motobecane Vent Noir | | Bottom Line: | These pedals have been great. They are strong and I'm getting to the point where I can just stomp my foot down and clip in without looking (still learning that though). They look good and they are also easy to get out of, I haven't had any problems slipping. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilmington VT
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Kingdom Trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 50.00 | | Strengths: | Price. | | Weaknesses: | Durability, ease of use. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4300, Manitou Trace fork, | | Bottom Line: | I bought these pedals online after two shops didn't have the platforms that I had originally wanted. The first week or so, I loved them... but soon after, I began to have issues unclipping, even with the tension set at the least amount. This has led to two spills, one of which has bruised some ribs.
One pedal has already busted as well; the two tension threads that are held in place by the bolt have broken off. So on that pedal, only one side will let you clip in. Both pedals have begun to show spots of rust, even though they are less than a month old. I'm going to contact Shimano and see if they will send a replacement pair... but judging by how poorly they've done to this point, I'm wondering if I shouldn't just get something else instead.
While I've decided I love riding clipless, I can't give my seal of approval to this pair. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerald
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Jones Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Durability, reliability, performance, fit, and adjustability. | | Weaknesses: | Could be a little lighter in weight. | | Similar Products Used: | Platform pedals. | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Raleigh Ram 2.0 thats fully modded... | | Bottom Line: | These are my first clipless pedals and they have been great. They are a lot looser now than they were when I first bought them. I have not readjusted them since I like to be able to get out in a hurry. My foot has come loose on a couple of ocassions when I ram into something, but I guess thats a good thing...don't want to break my foot or anything...
Overall, its been a great product for me. Highly recommend it. And way better than platform pedals and turn your shins into burger meat.
After two years of use they are still going strong!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from Niagara Falls
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Adjustable tension - great for learning and tuning
Cheap
Fine in mud
pretty durable
cleats last a long time
i whacked them off rocks with no functional damage | | Weaknesses: | heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Xpedo Mountain Force
Wellgo double sided pedals | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS, Deore Cranks | | Bottom Line: | This was my first set of clipless pedals an i am happy with my purchase. easy to get in and out of. I replaced them after around 2 years. The bearings developed quite a bit of play, and hence started making noise.
i replaced them with Xpedo Mountain Force pedals. They are considerably lighter, and every bit as smooth. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric W.
a Weekend Warrior
from Henderson Nv.
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Bootleg Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Take a pretty good beating on rocks.
Good for XC. | | Weaknesses: | The pedals started releasing the cleats to easily a few weeks ago, so I started tightening the adjusment screws.
This helped at first, but now they are as tight as they can go and I'm still popping out on jumps, rock gardens ect. They are now hard to pop into because the tension is so high, but they still release at the most in opertune times way to easily. I have cleaned and lube them, which ironicaly made the release problem worse.
Desert rocks get stuck in the mechanism, this never happened at all with the old SPDs.
They made them better in the mud, but worse in the dry, it's almost funny. | | Similar Products Used: | Old style SPDs. ( never had a problem with any of the old style ones ). | | Bottom Line: | I don't think these are for anyone that rides All Mountain bikes. They work fine for XC spinning, but not getting aggressive. I've never had a problem using Shimano's old style SPDs in the same enviroment and riding style.
This pedal in based on the troublesome 858s from a few years ago, but it releases unexpectedly instead of locking you in unexpectedly like the 858s.
The redesign has the opposite problem ironically.
Use only for true XC riding!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Eriks | | Strengths: | Price, durability, ease of use. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, bad in mud. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper Disc | | Bottom Line: | These were my first clipless pedals and I loved them. They survived my many crashes and have a lot of different settings for looseness/tightness. They are kind of heavy, but these are beginner pedals. If you are just getting into mountain biking and want to ride clipless I highly recommend these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 50.00
