Originally Posted by William Karsten
I’ve been riding with SPD MTB pedals for the better part of two years now and am pretty happy with them. I ride the pd M520… So in building the Thylacine
http://www.thylacinecycles.com/galle...WK_PartBuild03 , all I have left are pedals (and chain, and two other bits). The thought was to get a step up on my current pedals, as they have been pretty problem free: perhaps the PD540 a bit stronger, stiffer and with closed bearings
But, the thought came that perhaps people have better pedals out there or have had SPD and have gone to something else. I WILL NOT go straps, and I need a cleat I can wear with a MTB shoe because I have to be able to walk normally (changing shoes: not really an option for my work). Aesthetical limitations do not really apply, so long as they are not stupid.
Any suggestions?
If you can live with a less snappy retention (ie. your foot moves around in the pedals a bit, has more float and releases easier) you might want to try beaters or Time. I hated them, so I'd say stick with SPD.
The 540 doesn't really have different bearings. They may be better sealed, but they are NOT cartridge. The real difference seems to be limited to the axle shape (540 is slimmer with no 15 mm flats, takes a 7 or 8 mm -don't remember- allen wrench in its rear end instead), which makes it a touch lighter.
Soooo, if you want something more bling than 520, maybe go Ritchey. The Pro V4 looks very cool and is very light, too.