R540 SPD-SL Pedals
09-09-10, 07:41 PM
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R540 SPD-SL Pedals
1) Can you use the back side of R540 SPD-SL's as platforms?
2) Are the R540 pedals weighted so that one side is always up?
3) Is it really that much harder for a newbie to use one-sided clipless pedals vs. two-sided alternatives like M520 SPDs?
2) Are the R540 pedals weighted so that one side is always up?
3) Is it really that much harder for a newbie to use one-sided clipless pedals vs. two-sided alternatives like M520 SPDs?
09-09-10, 08:00 PM
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Yes, you can use them as platforms, and yes the back heel side is weighted down as the front is balanced up. I feel the SPD-SL are one of the easiest pedals to clip in and out of.
09-09-10, 08:02 PM
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1) No, you could try, but no.
2) My experience is that it tilts so that it engages right side up.
3) No
2) My experience is that it tilts so that it engages right side up.
3) No
09-09-10, 08:02 PM
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I literally just got this set of pedals in the mail today (the R540s). I haven't even installed them, waiting for my new bike 
But from what I can tell by holding them I think the "clip" part is weighted so they will hang down like most spd-sl pedals that I've seen. About using them as a platform pedal, I don't why you couldn't, but I don't know if you should. I can't imagine it would hurt them, but who knows. (I actually used my SPD M520 pedals as platforms today, lol... that was not fun.)
But from what I can tell by holding them I think the "clip" part is weighted so they will hang down like most spd-sl pedals that I've seen. About using them as a platform pedal, I don't why you couldn't, but I don't know if you should. I can't imagine it would hurt them, but who knows. (I actually used my SPD M520 pedals as platforms today, lol... that was not fun.)
09-09-10, 09:08 PM
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I didn't read the manual that came with them. But they have a ton of grease on them... I don't know if you're supposed to keep that up, or what. :-\
09-09-10, 09:10 PM
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I have these pedals hanging off my bike. They can't be used as platforms, and are one sided. They are usually loop end up / clip end down, but not always. They are ready to use out of the box. Shimano uses very generous lubrication, so expect some grease leakage and wipe that stuff off.
09-09-10, 10:02 PM
#8
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I have the same pedals, and NO, you CANNOT use them as platforms. There's a clip on one side, and they are weighted with the back-end (clipped one) down. I would never try to use them on the platforms.
