dja1

So I've been cycling for almost 2 months on a fairly nice hybrid bike now... Already thinking about my next bike which will be a dedicated road bike.

I've just got a jersey and some shorts, and I've decided to man up after being apprehensive for so long and get some pedals that I can lock into as I don't feel I am getting the most out of my bike with flat metal pedals, feet slipping off, smashing my shins into them etc... I'm told that if I go clipless, pedaling and cycling in general will become a lot more efficient, I'll be able to maintain speed easier, climb easier, less fatigue/tiredness/aches because I can pull up as well as push on my pedals and I'm locked into one position firmly... Right?

Anyway, I'm looking at Shimano M530, decent choice for a first clipless pedal? They are described as mountain pedals, but I have read about both types and many roadies seem to prefer mtb SPD's opposed to road pedals... My budget does not allow a great deal, thoughts?

mcmoose

That's the first pair of clipless pedals I bought. Dependable and (relatively) inexpensive. Not the lightest in the world, but, well, see previous sentence. They will come with SH51 cleats (heels out), but you can buy some SH56 cleats (multi-direction release) if you prefer.

Don't forget to set the tension to the lowest setting when you're starting out.... and do so for ALL FOUR tension screws.

Good luck!

1nterceptor

Should be decent pedals. A lot of people are happy with SPD's.
They're so popular that a lot of companies duplicated/copied
Shimano's design. I was using M520 SPD for a couple of years
on a roadbike:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFyX...IoDLA&index=50

achoo

Identify your shoes first and make sure they work with the M530. I'd bet there are some shoes out there that won't work well with the added body that the M530 has, and you'll be able/have to get M505s or M520s.

A10K

I "upgraded" to M530 pedals from a pair of 520 type pedals for my commuter bike. I frankly can't tell the advantage of the extra platform body whether I'm clipped in or in street shoes. With street shoes I'm still high-centered on the pedal, contacting slick metal and not the textured outer part. My recessed-cleat SPD shoes don't seem to gain any additional stability from the platform. The pedals still work well as SPD pedals, though. But if you're looking for a pedal you can use with either clipless shoes or regular shoes I'd suggest getting double-sided/half clip type. Or go all-in for the 520 type, that's how I learned.

dja1

ALDI (UK) have some good deals on cycling gear from this Thursday, I will probably pick some shoes up there for 19.99GBP. Their products are good value and tend to be good quality.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuy...-25-september/

Hornplayer

I'm currently using M530s on my hybrid. Don't really have much experience with them in street shoes but they should be OK for shorter rides. The cage body actually tapers down from the insert point, so if you want a pedal that let's you clip in on both sides but has some body around it for occasional street shoe use you might also want to look at the M424.

modelmartin

I just use SPDs. There are some road shoes that recess the cleats so that walking is easier. You don't need to use a mountain shoe - unless you want to.

Be prepared to fall over a few times starting out. It happens to best of us.

eastbay71

I really like the Product Shimano PD-A530 but they can run between $40 and $50 depending on where you get them. Chain Reaction Cycles usually has a good deal on them if you don't mind waiting for them to come from the UK. Their shipping is very reasonable too. If they are too much for your budget you can go with the Wellgo style of dual sided commuter pedal Wellgo M17C MTN Clipless Pedals | Wellgo

The M530 isn't really designed for riding unclipped

Wanderer

I have a set of Shimano PDM324, on my Specialized Crosstrail, and really love them. I just bought of set of the PDA530 to see how they compare on my Specialized Sirrus Comp..

The 324s really are the best of both worlds, as the platform side really grip like a normal platform pedal, while the clipless side function just as they are supposed to..... I'm hoping the 530s will be just as functional both ways.

I tried a set of the Wellgo pedals similar to the 324s, and they just didn't work as smoothly, and had a nasty creak in them.

Nice thing about Shimano pedals is that they are greasable and rebuildable.