Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Goodbye SPD-SL, Hello ...

Hi all,

I need to consult your experience once more.

I've used Shimano SPD-SL pedals, with road shoes.
I did the Brevet 300, and the Brevet 400 with them.
I also use them on regular rides.
I don't change pedals, and use the same pedals when commuting, or running errands,
with running shoes, etc.

I'm now convinced that having road shoes with SPD-SL cleats can be a bit cumbersome in randonnees,
and having recessed cleats has many benefits.

Following an advice here, I tried the Lake CX120 shoes, but the SPD-SL cleat still protrudes, and I'm afraid it's not that comfortable.

So now I'm looking for a pedal that has recessed cleats, AND can be ridden with regular shoes (or even sandals.)

The one that attracts my attention is the Shimano A520.
It is a single sided (so other side promises to be comfortable with non riding shoes) SPD pedals, which means many shoes can be used.
Its other side doesn't look flat.

I'd like know from people who has the A520, if it's any good?
It looks like it's not one of Shimano's high end pedals, but that might mean it weighs more than a feather...
(Currently I have the Shimano R540, which are Shimano's entry level road pedals, and they work very well, so I my hunch is that the A520 will be trusty.)

Can one ride the A520 with running shoes? My commute isn't long, less than 10km.


Are there any other pedals you can recommend?
Someone recommeded the CrankBrothers Smarty or Mallet, but the mechanism protrudes, and it doesn't seem it would be comfortable with running shoes.

Tal.

- i use Crank Bros Smartys and Candys...

- but for max flexibility, perhaps this will work:

Power Grips (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=108&subcategory=1181&brand=&sku=1269&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat:%20Platform%20Pedals)

I use the Shimano A520 pedal system with Sidi Mtn shoes. I've had no discomfort with this combo, even on a 600k brevet ridden last month, I highly recommend them.

The A520 is a fine pedal. I use a pair on my Urban Assault Bike. That said, I rarely ride them with regular shoes and if i have to replace them, I'll put regular SPD pedals on instead.

I've been a big fan of the Crank Brother pedals, Eggs, Candies and Mallets. Recently, on longer rides, I've had hot spot problems with one foot. I switched one ride over to clips and straps, bought a nice set of Adidas and have been very happy with them.

Still like the benefit of cleated shoes, but for longer rides (>50 miles) I'm using clips and straps now.

Shimano A520.
It is a single sided (so other side promises to be comfortable with non riding shoes) SPD pedals, which means many shoes can be used.
Its other side doesn't look flat.

I'd like know from people who has the A520, if it's any good?
It looks like it's not one of Shimano's high end pedals, but that might mean it weighs more than a feather...

Can one ride the A520 with running shoes? My commute isn't long, less than 10km.


Thank you all for your comments, I'd like to give back to the community.

I got the Shimano A520, and used them twice already on my commute (about 4.20 Km each way) with running shoes.

The SPD side is like a regular SPD pedal, the cage is below the SPD thing, so it can't be used.
The other side of the pedal isn't flat at all.
It has a ridge where the bearing is, which isn't convenient at all.

I ended riding the SPD side.
I guess I'll look for some SPD shoes that look ok for work.
I don't want to carry 2 pairs of shoes.

I already did a ~ 155 Km ride with the new pedal and shoes (Lake MX165,) and they were ok.
I guess I'll need more time.
Our Brevet Series starts in early February, so I should be ok.

Tal.

Hi all,

...................
Can one ride the A520 with running shoes? My commute isn't long, less than 10km.


Are there any other pedals you can recommend?
....................................
Tal.


Take a look at the Shimano PD M324. It is made to use with either type of shoe.

PD M324 (http://parts.spicercycles.com/page.cfm?PageID=37&action=details&sku=PD6432)

I use the Time ATAC Control Z pedals. Excellent pedals and great if you want to use a variety of footwear. Shimano sandal and these pedals is a nice combo.

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/400/50_2022.jpg

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=16362

I also use eggbeaters for a very lightweight pedal, but they are not made as well as the time offerings and I have to rebuild mine about once a year. OTOH they are super light and worth that bit of bother to me. I should note that my eggbeaters are the original version from 4 or 5 years ago.

Take a look at the Shimano PD M324. It is made to use with either type of shoe.

I know this pedal.
It's downsides (for me) are:
It's too wide (killer con)
and it's a bit heavier than the A520 (not that big a deal on a bike heavier than 13 Kg, before water and luggage.)

Tal.

the M324 is the only pedal available that will do what you want it to. i don't really understand what you mean by "it's too wide."

the other thing you could try is pick up a set of standard double-sided SPDs (like the M520) as well as a set of winwood decksters (http://www.dirtragmag.com/web/article.php?ID=613), and a spare set of SPD cleats. that way, you can have a lightweight, double-sided clipless pedal for your brevets, and when you want to just spin around town to do errands, you can pop the decksters in and off you go. the one downside to the decksters, is that even with the pedal tension dialed all the way up, the cleat and the platform will float a bit.

edit: the plastic platforms that they mention in the dirtrag article ARE NOT DESIGNED TO BE RIDDEN ASIDE FROM A QUICK TEST RIDE. THEY WILL BREAK AND YOU WILL GET HURT. that, and they really only come on complete bikes that have SPD pedals on them already.

the M324 is the only pedal available that will do what you want it to. i don't really understand what you mean by "it's too wide." .

How can I explain this?
The A520 is long in parallel to the bike, and the M324 is long perpendicular to the bike.
That makes my bike too wide.
Among other things, it interferes with getting my bike in the car, e.g. when driving to/from a ride.


the other thing you could try is pick up a set of standard double-sided SPDs (like the M520) as well as a set of winwood decksters (http://www.dirtragmag.com/web/article.php?ID=613), and a spare set of SPD cleats.

This looks very interesting, I'll look into it.

Tal.

How can I explain this?
The A520 is long in parallel to the bike, and the M324 is long perpendicular to the bike.
That makes my bike too wide.
Among other things, it interferes with getting my bike in the car, e.g. when driving to/from a ride.

wellll.....that's kind of the only thing available that would fit what you said you're looking for. any clipless pedal that isn't designed to have a platform is going to be uncomfortable without clipless shoes, and any pedal that is designed to have a good platform for street shoes is going to be wider than a normal clipless pedal. have you ever considered getting an inexpensive trunk rack for your car?.... or just using your clipless shoes all the time? several companies make shoes that are more "civilian" looking and feeling. you could even get some of the specialized BG footbeds or another high quality sports shoe footbed to put in your shoes. they are definitely super comfortable, in fact, i wear my clipless shoes all day at work without any trouble and i'm pretty much standing for 8 hours a day.

have you ever considered ... using your clipless shoes all the time?

This is the direction I'm heading now.

Having 2 SPD compatible shoes is more versatile.
Even if one gets wet - I still have the other shoes for next day's ride.

P.S. Another possiblity is the MKS removable pedals, but I'm not sure about that.

Tal.

a set of winwood decksters (http://www.dirtragmag.com/web/article.php?ID=613), and a spare set of SPD cleats.

I finally got my hands on the Winwood Decksters, and I'd like to say that I love them!

They're a bit heavy, but I hope it means they're not fragile.
Because they're so heavy, they're always on the bottom, so I have to remember that, and flip them when I start riding.
But it's not really a problem, as I only use them for short commutes.

Tal.