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R540 SPD-SL Pedals

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R540 SPD-SL Pedals

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Old 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?
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Old 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.
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Old 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
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Old 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.)
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Old 09-09-10, 08:35 PM
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4) Do these pedals require any maintenance (lubrication, etc.)?
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Old 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. :-\
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Old 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.
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Old 09-09-10, 10:02 PM
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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.
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