I use Shimano SPD A530 and Nashbar Soho pedals. I like to be able to go clipless.

No love for speedplay? Where else can you get pink pedals?

Umberto Dei 01 by iabisdb, on Flickr

Now there is a bike that would get the old CR list all tied up in knots.

What are the benefits of these over M520/M540 and A530/A600 pedals? Step up in quality of bearings?

M520s are what I've been using, just because they're so damned easy and cheap. I recently added a set of A600s for my main road bike, not that I can notice the decreased weight and increased aerodynamics! I want to try the A530s just because I like the silver/aluminum look on one of the vintage bikes where I care more about looks.

In my basement.

Shimano 105 SPD-SL and I'll be selling them soon.

First of all, I like 540s. I ride them on my commuter atm.

I had a pair of 520s blow up on me 23 miles into the BWCA on a fire road though. Bent the axle and it snapped.

Ended up walking the bike half the way back before a neighbor picked me up on his four wheeler.

Haven't tried the others since then, other than the 540s.

I prefer the clip in mechanism on the 8000 and 9000 if I'm in gravel. They shed mud quite well.

Otherwise the platforms on the other two give the a little more surface area between the clip and shoe.

On my Yeti, they both feel super secure in the rocks, sand and on singletrack. Plus no hot spots.

Thanks! My wife started with 520s because they were on a used Gary Fisher she bought (used as a commuter, not a mountain bike). A year later I got the same, since they'd worked great for her, and were dirt cheap. Then she ended up putting them on her road bike. They've been fine, but if we get into real off-road riding I was already planning on going to 540s on those bikes. I'm gradually shifting the road bikes to A600 and A530, simply because I like the looks, which is worth the slightly decreased utility of only being one sided.

I also have been using the higher end SPD's --- (XT and XTR level) for some time, --- I have cheaper SPD's, but the float and cleat engagement just feels better on the more expensive ones

Cons: They don't look very nice on a slick road bike, -- so I have procured a set of Dura Ace SPD's (7410 I think?) - they take the same cleat and shoe and are the same mechanism as the mtb pedals, but are single sided and have sleek looks that blend in nicely , even when used with Campy everywhere else

The 540 is a nice, heavy duty commuting pedal.

I'd have to imagine they'd work well off road as well.

I also have this, when I prefer to sacrifice comfort for style:

I'm a big fan of the Shimano M324 pedal and have them on five of my bikes. I can clip in when I want to - which is most of the time - or jump on and ride, regardless of whether or not I'm wearing cycling specific shoes. I used to like Speedplay pedals. They worked well on my "speed" bikes, but frankly my riding is a lot more leisurely than it once was and I like being able to get off the bike and walk around.

I'm still using them

I really like 1st generation Crank Brothers Candy pedals for the ease of clip in/out while still being very secure, and have them on both my bikes with several backup sets. My wife likes her Ritchey Logic Comps, and we have a backup pair of those, also.

For the same reasons I am moving to all Eggbeaters.

Speedplay

My favorite pedals are the Shimano pd6402 pedals, easy to get in and out. They last forever.
I also use SPD, but do not like the float for longer distances.

I was a Time Criterium pedal guy for many years, but then I switched to SPDs for their walkability. I use Shimano A520s on most of my road bikes now. I like their elegant simplicity (I polish off the large logo), and the ease of getting in and out of them. For bikes that I might occasionally want to ride with street shoes, I use these:





They're Wellgo C002S pedals, available in silver or black. I like them better than the equivalent Shimano offering because they're lighter, have a lower sole to spindle distance, and produce a lower Q-factor.

+1
Have the same on an 80's Trek touring and the Wellgo version on a 1980 tandem. I realize clipless essentially came later but this style pedal has an acceptable platform look and simply work with perfection. Often found for $15 - $20 pair, no complaints.