Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bike Pedals

I need new pedals for my road bike.I have toe clips and straps but haven't ridden this bike in 20 years.I'm thinking about the Shamano PD-M-540 pedal so I can use a Mountain bike shoe for walking up hills any pedal suggestions for a old fat guy trying to ride a sport bike again.I do have MT-43 shoes. Thanks

Nothing wrong with those pedals or the choice of SPD.

If you want to ride with normal shoes on occasion there are also single side SPD pedals from Shimano, e.g. PD-A520, A530, PD-A600 etc.

I've got the M520s (step down from the M540) on several bikes and they work great.

+1 on the M520s. Just a touch heavier in the spindle than the M540. Might be better for us big guys (but I really don't know for sure). Can use a hex or 15mm wrench for taking on and off.

I've got the M520s (step down from the M540) on several bikes and they work great.

Ditto. I love being able to walk/drive in the shoes I ride in; makes things MUCH simpler.

I had Look pedals; they worked fine but walking in the cleats is a pain... and can be a real slip/fall hazard on polished concrete or wet surfaces.

So I bought the M-520's and Shimano shoes and love them.

I also bought the "multi-release" cleats which allow a bit more "float" and may help me recover from a "tombay" incident (i.e. falling over before you get your shoes uncleated...)

-Tom in SoCal

I've got the A530 with multi-release cleats and am very happy. These work great with my mtb shoes.

Thanks for the input

If your knees need some float, have a look at Time ATAC pedals.

I have a pair of black shimano R670's that I am looking to get rid of if you are interested. $60, I'll cover shipping costs.

Nothing wrong with those pedals or the choice of SPD.

If you want to ride with normal shoes on occasion there are also single side SPD pedals from Shimano, e.g. PD-A520, A530, PD-A600 etc.

I agree with most of what Seve says, but I've got A-520s on my bike, and have had them for years, and I wouldn't recommend using them with tennis shoes. They're one-sided, and it looks like this should work fine, but, in practice, they aren't flat enough, and the spots they press into under your feet will get sore before long. They're still great pedals, though - I love mine!

I use the regular SPD's as well, and prefer the off road shoes that appear a bit more like road shoes, but with enough tread to keep me from duck walking. Nice thing about this style interface is that it is plentiful and you can usually find pedals and shoes at a sweet price. I just picked up a pair of Shimano AM50's (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1058268_-1___) for $35 yesterday from a Craigslist ad. Brand spanking new. I don't think the seller ever rode with them. Probably just tried them on and didn't care for them.

I've got some older Shimano road pedals on the road bikes and dual sided platform/SPD's on the others.

I agree with most of what Seve says, but I've got A-520s on my bike, and have had them for years, and I wouldn't recommend using them with tennis shoes. They're one-sided, and it looks like this should work fine, but, in practice, they aren't flat enough, and the spots they press into under your feet will get sore before long. They're still great pedals, though - I love mine!

One thing I've wondered about the A-series spds (and especially the 520 and 600, but also the 530) is does the flat bottom act as a larger platform for your foot (more like a road pedal), or is it too low below the clip to have that effect? For what it's worth, I like the M520's that I have now (but rarely go on rides more than 20-30 miles) and should have a set of the ProblemSolvers Decksters coming in a few days so I can put those on one side and ride with regular shoes the few times I want to do that.

I need new pedals for my road bike.I have toe clips and straps but haven't ridden this bike in 20 years.I'm thinking about the Shamano PD-M-540 pedal so I can use a Mountain bike shoe for walking up hills any pedal suggestions for a old fat guy trying to ride a sport bike again.I do have MT-43 shoes. Thanks

The PD-M520 are slightly cheaper and they are installed with a traditional pedal wrench (or 15mm box wrench). The PD-M540 are installed with an allen wrench (8mm) from the back of the crank. I find the PD-M540's mounting method to be cumbersome. It looks really nice but put them on and taking them off is a pain.

One thing I've wondered about the A-series spds (and especially the 520 and 600, but also the 530) is does the flat bottom act as a larger platform for your foot (more like a road pedal), or is it too low below the clip to have that effect? For what it's worth, I like the M520's that I have now (but rarely go on rides more than 20-30 miles) and should have a set of the ProblemSolvers Decksters coming in a few days so I can put those on one side and ride with regular shoes the few times I want to do that.

I think it's like a platform. It's hard to say, because I switched to very very stiff soled shoes a long time ago. But, when I wore the more flexy ones, my feet got slightly less sore in A-520s than in m-520s. I've got a set of one on one bike, and the others on the other bike. A while ago, I saw a pair of lightly-used CF shoes on Craigslist for $45, and jumped on them ... now it's pretty difficult to tell what's underfoot.

Another pedal to consider is the Shimano PD-M530. It's the "trail" version of the PD-M520: the same basic pedal, but with a larger cage that may offer more support. Personally, I don't have any problems with the M520 so I probably wouldn't bother with the M530. I'm not convinced there's much to be gained by upgrading from the M520 to the M540. My M520s have been rock solid...

I have that pedal on my mountain bike and the A600 on my road bike. Both are great pedals
I've tried the crank Brothers Egg Beaters and didn't care for them. Your mileage may vary

I've tried the crank Brothers Egg Beaters and didn't care for them. Your mileage may vary

I have the Crank Bro's Mallets, love those things, and will go on every bike i will ever own from now on.

i did have a two sided shimano on my mountain bike in 1999 cant remember the number but similar to the 530's i liked them too.

You guys and gals are the best! I got a pair of 530's for my ride and I can't wait to try them out. I bought some Mountain bike shoes with good stiff soles and some cleats.This is the first bike shoe I have ever had you can walk in.I like the look of the pedals they are fairly wide and if I have any slippage on the non cleat side I will cut some checkered diamonds in them.I do not think it will be a problem though as the shoe has a nice rubber tread (Mt-43)I have a long path ahead of me and I'm looking forward to the next nice day for my first ride on my old classic.I will take some pictures of her and post them here and maybe one of me if the lens is wide enough.I hope all of you have fair weather and the wind at your back.