Originally Posted by LóFarkas

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.