Are Shimano A520 pedals better than regular SPD for road riding ?
09-14-09, 08:37 AM
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JoeWolcottCT
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Are Shimano A520 pedals better than regular SPD for road riding ?
Hi All,
I have been running Eggbeaters on my road bike for awhile but would like to try something that maybe gives me a larger contact area between pedal & shoe. I don't use regular 3 hole road pedals because I can't get my cleats as far back on my shoe as I can with 2 hole cleat/pedals. I shattered my heel in an auto accident and have a strap & screws but my calf is weak and I need a rearward cleat position to be comfortable.
I have checked out the Shimano A520s as well as regular Shimano XT SPD pedals and wanted to get some feedback on folks who run these on their road bikes ?? BTW I am using Diadora mtb shoes which are this years model....(I forget the name but they're pretty nice & stiff)
Thanks,
J.
I have been running Eggbeaters on my road bike for awhile but would like to try something that maybe gives me a larger contact area between pedal & shoe. I don't use regular 3 hole road pedals because I can't get my cleats as far back on my shoe as I can with 2 hole cleat/pedals. I shattered my heel in an auto accident and have a strap & screws but my calf is weak and I need a rearward cleat position to be comfortable.
I have checked out the Shimano A520s as well as regular Shimano XT SPD pedals and wanted to get some feedback on folks who run these on their road bikes ?? BTW I am using Diadora mtb shoes which are this years model....(I forget the name but they're pretty nice & stiff)
Thanks,
J.
09-14-09, 08:52 AM
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Hi All,
I have been running Eggbeaters on my road bike for awhile but would like to try something that maybe gives me a larger contact area between pedal & shoe. I don't use regular 3 hole road pedals because I can't get my cleats as far back on my shoe as I can with 2 hole cleat/pedals. I shattered my heel in an auto accident and have a strap & screws but my calf is weak and I need a rearward cleat position to be comfortable.
I have checked out the Shimano A520s as well as regular Shimano XT SPD pedals and wanted to get some feedback on folks who run these on their road bikes ?? BTW I am using Diadora mtb shoes which are this years model....(I forget the name but they're pretty nice & stiff)
Thanks,
J.
I have been running Eggbeaters on my road bike for awhile but would like to try something that maybe gives me a larger contact area between pedal & shoe. I don't use regular 3 hole road pedals because I can't get my cleats as far back on my shoe as I can with 2 hole cleat/pedals. I shattered my heel in an auto accident and have a strap & screws but my calf is weak and I need a rearward cleat position to be comfortable.
I have checked out the Shimano A520s as well as regular Shimano XT SPD pedals and wanted to get some feedback on folks who run these on their road bikes ?? BTW I am using Diadora mtb shoes which are this years model....(I forget the name but they're pretty nice & stiff)
Thanks,
J.
They were originally on my road bike.
They are now on an older bike I rarely use, and regular 520's are on the most-used bike.
The A520 is completely unpredictable in what position it will be when you need to clip in.
The annoyance of having to look down while you rotate it around with your toe,
just isn't worth the hassle versus a double-sided pedal where you can always clip in w/o looking at it.
Edited to add:
I also have the XT SPD's on a third bike.
I am not convinced they are worth the extra cost over the regular 520's.
09-14-09, 08:57 AM
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JoeWolcottCT
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I have a pair of A520's.
They were originally on my road bike.
They are now on an older bike I rarely use, and regular 520's are on the most-used bike.
The A520 is completely unpredictable in what position it will be when you need to clip in.
The annoyance of having to look down while you rotate it around with your toe,
just isn't worth the hassle versus a double-sided pedal where you can always clip in w/o looking at it.
Edited to add:
I also have the XT SPD's on a third bike.
I am not convinced they are worth the extra cost over the regular 520's.
They were originally on my road bike.
They are now on an older bike I rarely use, and regular 520's are on the most-used bike.
The A520 is completely unpredictable in what position it will be when you need to clip in.
The annoyance of having to look down while you rotate it around with your toe,
just isn't worth the hassle versus a double-sided pedal where you can always clip in w/o looking at it.
Edited to add:
I also have the XT SPD's on a third bike.
I am not convinced they are worth the extra cost over the regular 520's.
I have read that complaint about the A520s before.....
I was going to order 540's from PBK but they had 770 (XT) on sale for a few buck more so I sprung for them.....
Your thoughts on 520 & 770's in general ?
09-14-09, 09:08 AM
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I can't tell the difference. (regular 520 vs XT).
I have one on the road bike and the other on the touring bike.
I originally put XT's on the touring bike just because most of the drivetrain was already XT.
After seeing many reports of people in the touring forum praising the 520, I bought a pair for a second bike.
I've considered opening up both sometime to see what internal difference there is.
I have one on the road bike and the other on the touring bike.
I originally put XT's on the touring bike just because most of the drivetrain was already XT.
After seeing many reports of people in the touring forum praising the 520, I bought a pair for a second bike.
I've considered opening up both sometime to see what internal difference there is.
09-14-09, 10:20 PM
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I have a pair of A520's.
They were originally on my road bike.
They are now on an older bike I rarely use, and regular 520's are on the most-used bike.
The A520 is completely unpredictable in what position it will be when you need to clip in.
The annoyance of having to look down while you rotate it around with your toe,
just isn't worth the hassle versus a double-sided pedal where you can always clip in w/o looking at it.
Edited to add:
I also have the XT SPD's on a third bike.
I am not convinced they are worth the extra cost over the regular 520's.
They were originally on my road bike.
They are now on an older bike I rarely use, and regular 520's are on the most-used bike.
The A520 is completely unpredictable in what position it will be when you need to clip in.
The annoyance of having to look down while you rotate it around with your toe,
just isn't worth the hassle versus a double-sided pedal where you can always clip in w/o looking at it.
Edited to add:
I also have the XT SPD's on a third bike.
I am not convinced they are worth the extra cost over the regular 520's.
As for the A520s and the M520s. I have two sets of both. The M520s are nice since they are double sided, but I rarely miss that with the A520s. Every once and a while, I will step on the wrong side, but I can feel the difference and easily correct the problem. I never have to look at the pedal. But, I do find them a bit more comfortable, especially on longer rides.
I will probably get the A520s the next time I need pedals.
