Shimano Clipless SPD

[bmcelligott]

Yes, Its time to go clipless.
Since I'll be on the road for a while I think its the perfect time to try and get used to clipless pedals.
I'm going to get one of these just wondering what you guys find best?
Thanks,
Brian


EDIT - Ok you can delete this, forgot the M520's anyway :)

[paddyobrien]

http://www.madmtb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4510

[Phil]

Hi Brian,

Have a look through this recent thread
http://www.madmtb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4510

shimano 520's offer great value and are pretty sturdy, shoes...really comes down to personal choice but the specialized bg shoes are pretty popular....infact that set up and a set of troy lee design xc gloves seem to be pretty standard issue.

[Phil]

Damn your quick fingers O'Brien.

[bmcelligott]

Thanks Phil, ill probably go with ones that have a cage though as i'm a wimp! :)

[diamondG]

no need to get the ones with the cage unless you're DH'ing Brian
if you get the cage, the only ones any good (they all get clogged with mud) are the 647s
and they're too expensive for something you'll regret buying

my vote's for 520s too

[paddyobrien]

i use the 324's (clipless and flat pedal combo) for my commuting/touring/getting drunk on bike. They're great for that as you can use normal shoes or SPD shoes, but they would be lethal offroad as there is zero grip on the flat pedal side. Seriously, you'd die*

Paddy

*well ok, you may not die but you'll quite likely have a crotch / crossbar moment which is nearly as bad

[DaveS]

From your list, the only ones worth considering are the 647s as all the others will clog very easily. I have a set of 424s that are a working but a bit damaged and you can use them to build up confidence and then get the 520/540s...

[erykkartman]

Hi,

I just bought M520 and Shimano shoes, they work well for me. This is my first set of SPDs and i did know what i should expect, i found them really nice, there is no problems with clipping in and out, and foot position seems to be ok after initial set up, you have small movement there when you are clipped in so you can always move foot a bit and i had the same feeling about cage but it looks like they are ok and cage would be just additional weight.
I wouldnt spent any more money on pedals, probaly could get better shoes but this is different story.
Go for 520s.

[bmcelligott]

Wow, great lads thanks, food for thought. I suppose the only reason I was thinking of ones with a cage was if I didn't want to clip in for technical bits but that kind of defeats the purpose I guess. Ya maybe the 520's as I have a good opportunity to get used to them on the flat over the next month or so.

[peterb]

520,s in silver look part. Taken smacks from rocks,shins and ankles and work full o mud. Get them!

[feed]

The caged ones have a few advantages (I use caged and uncaged)

> Easier to do a few turns of the cranks without being clipped in if you don't get clipped in straight off when trying to get going again on a steep climb.

> If you're doing a steep descent and unclip due to pedal-rock strike etc it's easier to ride out the section unclipped with caged pedals.

> If you're doing drops or jumps the landing impact is spread a bit wider over the sole of your foot with caged pedals which also feed through to give better ankle support !

> Unplanned unclipping seems to occur less frequently with caged pedals, possibly due to the extra sole contact reducing unplanned sideways twists.

> There's feck all weight difference, unless you're racing on a weight weenie xc bike I wouldn't let the miniscule weight difference sway my decision.

Advantages of uncaged are

> Lighter
> Better mud clearance
> Look more 'racer', it's all about the look you know !!!

[bmcelligott]

Thanks feed, thats very informative, besides from looks you have now swung me back towards the caged. Which Caged do you use?

[feed]

Thanks feed, thats very informative, besides from looks you have now swung me back towards the caged. Which Caged do you use?

Hi, M647 are what I use.