Commuting - Shimano A530 pedals - Hard to clip in and out???

I just switched from Crank Brother Eggbeater pedals to Shimano A530 pedals. In all of the reviews and forum mentions of these pedals, it says the pedals are easy to get in and out of if set to the easiest setting (where is seems a lot of folks set them and leave them). My experience is clipping into and out of the Crank Brothers is way easier then the A530's. I even readjusted the setting to see if I was on the easiest setting, and I was. It seems clipping in and out is way hard. I have the single release (black) cleats.

Anyone else have experience going from the Eggbeaters to the A530's? Are they harder to clip in and out?

I've read the multiple release cleats (non-black) are easier to clip and unclip. Any experience with the multiple release cleats?

Thanks, John

I use the silver A530's and they are pretty easy to get in and out of.

No experience with eggbeaters or the black pedals, though.

Hi - I own a set of the black PD-A530's. They are my first set of pedals that require a cleat. I installed them a couple of months ago with the fancy Park wrench that I also bought, slipped on my new shoes, snapped myself in, rode down the block and promptly fell over with my bike still attached to me and my shoes. Damn near broke my wrist and shoulder. Luckily, I only hurt my pride. I learned my lesson about turning my heels outward and it hasn't happened since.

Since they are the only ones I have ever used, I have no basis for comparison. I use mine with a pair of Specialized Tahoe shoes. I love these pedals. I snap in each commute without even thinking about it. Better yet, I can take the bike for a quick ride with my tennis shoes by using the platform side.

I am sure that you read the instructions, but perhaps turn that screw to ensure that it is in the middle setting. And, remember to always turn your heel out, since that is the only way out of the cleat.

Stick with it. You'll get it.

Good luck!!

I just switched from Crank Brother Eggbeater pedals to Shimano A530 pedals. In all of the reviews and forum mentions of these pedals, it says the pedals are easy to get in and out of if set to the easiest setting (where is seems a lot of folks set them and leave them). My experience is clipping into and out of the Crank Brothers is way easier then the A530's. I even readjusted the setting to see if I was on the easiest setting, and I was. It seems clipping in and out is way hard. I have the single release (black) cleats.

I'm curious to why you're making the switch? I thought I was going to go with the A530's, but recently a guy at the LBS showed me the Crank Bros pedals and couldn't stop raving about them... plus all the reviews seem to be pretty positive.

I haven't made a final decision yet so any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

IMO, the dual platform of the 530's are great. No need for me (or anyone else) to put on shoes with cleats on each time my bike is ridden.

The ease of release of any pedal is directly proportional to the tension of the retaining spring on the pedal. Out of the box, the spring is usually set on the tight side.

Make sure the sole of the shoe does not interfere with the pedal release, some trimming might be needed.

Thanks for the responses.

I checked the tension of the A530's a couple of times and it is on the easiest setting. I even tried a little WD-40. Bought them on line so I'm embarrassed to go ask the LBS about them.

I'm just trying to figure out if clipping into and out of the Eggbeater is easier then the A530s. I'm used to clipping in and out, that's not the problem, it just seems that it is really hard to clip in and out of the A530s. Maybe it's just me???

I liked the Eggbeater, as I've had them for about 10 years (2 sets). I decided to switch for 2 reasons, I occasionally like to ride without cleats (which you can do with Eggbeaters, just not fun) and the maintenance needs. When riding a lot, I have to grease them every 2 weeks and then they ooze, so I have to clean them for a day or so after greasing. Grease sometimes gets on the bike shoes, then grease gets on the carpet, then John is in trouble :twitchy:.

Thanks again.

-- John

Oh, one other thing.

I have silver pedals with black cleats. It says the black cleats are only single release, you have to swing your heel out. There are some other color cleats that are multiple release, heel in, heel up, heel out, will release you. I thought I read somewhere that the other color cleats may be easier to release the the black cleats, anyone experience that?

Thanks, John

I've got a set of A530s and I've used Crank Bros pedals in the past. I also have a set Ultegra road pedals.

As someone else mentioned, I'd check to see if the tread on the shoes is interfering with the release. You might also try slightly changing the orientation of the cleat on the shoes.

Multi-release cleats do release somewhat easier in my opinion.

As far as CrankBros vs SPD, I personally wasn't a CrankBros fan. They MAY have clipped in and out easier, I really don't remember. What I do remember is that the clipping action seemed a little sloppy. With the SPDs, there's usually a pretty audible "click" when you clip in, and that didn't always seem to be the case with the CrankBros. I sometimes couldn't tell whether I was clipped in or not.

I've tried several different clipless pedals and a few different pairs of shoes. The clipping action is different for each combination and can take some getting used to when moving from one to the other. Give it a week or two and I'll bet you'll be clipping in and out with no trouble.

Oh, one other thing.

I have silver pedals with black cleats. It says the black cleats are only single release, you have to swing your heel out.

Turn your ankle, click and you are out.


Give it a week or two and I'll bet you'll be clipping in and out with no trouble.

Agreed. Took me a few days to get comfortable with them.

John: I've never used eggbeaters or other Crank Bros styles, so I cannot speak to the differences, and I've never ridden the A530, but I have ridden several styles of SPD pedal. But, I have used both the single release and the multi-release cleats. I also ride with Look pedals, so I can compare the effort involved in those.

I prefer single release cleats. I did not find the motion of the multi-release to be that much easier, and I never felt as stable, which was not positive for me. Specifically, I did not find that the extra directions of out felt any more natural. Heel out seems pretty 'right' to me, and did right out of the box. If the Crank Bros action is different, this might be one issue? I know other folks who rave about the multi-release cleats, though, so obviously individual taste may be a factor. I should mention that I almost always ride with the pedals at the low end of the tension spectrum, and all my pedals were used, and well broken in before I ever started riding them. Maybe you just need to wait for the springs to ease, but I don't know if that's the case.

For reference, I've used three different Shimano SPD pedals, as well as a couple of A520 knock offs (bontrager and ritchie). I would echo what someone else said about making sure you don't have any interference with the shoe - I don't think it is common, but I know with my first pair of shoes and one of the pairs of pedals, I had to make sure there was no interference, which involved shifting things slightly. I definitely find my SPD pedals harder to clip in and out of than my Looks - the action on the looks is so much smoother (however, the actual act of clipping in, in terms of making sure the pedal is right side up and my foot is aligned? not so easy). If the Crank Bros are more like the looks, then I'd guess you may be feeling like it is too tough. It takes a little bit for me to re-calibrate my ankles when I switch.

I've had several variations of SPD pedals, and these are no different in terms of getting in and out. I now run A530s on two bikes.
In my experience, it's sometimes necessary to jump on the bike and go without changing into cleats.

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack but since you posted about the dual purpose of the pedals I have to ask...Does the platform side of the pedal provide enough grip? The ridges look pretty weak and I suspect my shoes would slide right off.

for above , depends on your shoes.. you might add grip tape, (hardware store, for stair treads)
to increase traction on the smooth surfaces..

To OP , did you back off the release tension adjustment?, can't do that with eggbeaters
or Time ATAC, but you can with Shimano's scheme [Welgo, others, copy that too]

My A530s can be set loose enough that it's hard to NOT unclip...like scary loose. I realized this because A530s were my first clipless pedals and I set them fairly loose when I first got them, but never tightened them as I got used to using them. But when I bought a second bike, I had the LBS install a set of A530s to match the set on the bike I already had...this set of pedals was tensioned much higher and I was amazed at how much more secure they felt....but since I had only used clipless pedals with loose tension prior to that, I didn't realize what I was missing.

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack but since you posted about the dual purpose of the pedals I have to ask...Does the platform side of the pedal provide enough grip? The ridges look pretty weak and I suspect my shoes would slide right off.

I use the A530, and I find there are times that the ridges are a little too easy to slip off of, but that's when the weather is really sloppy. Most of the time it's not a problem. However, if Shimano were to create a "toothier" version (and I needed a new set of pedals) I'd pick those over the original A530's any day of the year. I wouldn't replace the pedals I have only for a better grip, I'd have to have an honest need for replacement.

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack but since you posted about the dual purpose of the pedals I have to ask...Does the platform side of the pedal provide enough grip? The ridges look pretty weak and I suspect my shoes would slide right off.

For dry conditions, they work just fine. I've had to pump my single-speed pretty hard while wearing a pair of Asics running shoes and I have never had a problem. If my feet get wet and I am not clipped-in (a rare occasion), I just take it easy. Since this is my commuter, I am clipped-in 90% of the time and rain is not an issue for my pedals. If I am riding on the platform side for a pleasure ride or with my kids, the weather is good.

Shimano does make a pair of dual-platform mountain bike pedals that are more toothy, but I didn't like the look and it was more than I needed.

Just installed a set- they came with the release set at full resistance- take the time to read the manual to learn how to reduce the amount of force required to engage and release from the pedals. Look at the images to see what the adjustment nut looks like at full and minimum tension.

You'll need a quality 3mm Allen bit to adjust it. A lot of force was required to rotate the adjustment screw. At first I thought it was bottomed, but looking at the manual revealed that it was set almost at full tension.

I think the non-clip side of the pedals works best with a cross training type of "rubber" soled shoe.