abdul10000

Yea that's a really convenient feature, but it seems this comes with a draw back over the other two Shimano SPD pedals made for Road bikes. The A530's spd side doesn't have the support cage around the cartridge which offers more support and comfort. As others pointed out, this is no issue if the shoes you are wearing have stiff soles, but if you plan to use Shimano's less stiff touring shoes I suspect this might be a problem.

Could you please share with me the type of shoes you use and how long you ride? I am very interested in the A530 concept and would love to have it work for me over the A520.


A530: The SPD cartridge is sticking out on it's own with no support cage around just like other normal MTB SPD pedals


A520: There is a cage around the SPD cartridge which provides support. I suspect this is especially important when using Shimano's touring shoes


Makes you wonder why Shimano couldn't just make a pedal that offers both features!! I really dont think weight would have be an issue.

abdul10000

Thanks for your feedback. What type of MTB shoes you use?

I once had a chance to try biking shoes. They were Bontrager RL MTB I could not walk in them comfortably. The soles were very stiff and that was fine, but the treads were made of hard plastic which did not make sense to me. Since the treads would never effect sole stiffness I wonder why Bontrager did not put rubber treads. It would have made walking so much easier. Do all other MTB shoes come with hard plastic treads?

spectastic

I don't actually use mtb shoes. but a lot of shoes have rubber traction. You can usually tell by the picture. I highly recommend you trying out several brands first before ordering them online. I used to have serious hotspot issues because the shoes wouldn't fit right.

timmbo

I just pick up a new pair of Shimano road shoes, fortunately 6pm had my size and at a 55% discount. If anyone is looking for a nice pair of carbon sole shoes, check these out: https://www.6pm.com/shimano-sh-r170-black I was originally going to get the Shimano R107's, as my LBS had them for $120, but these are a nicer shoe at an even better price. They fit really well, nice space in the tow box.

idc

I prefer to be able to walk in all situations, and not be too limited in shoe choice so I have 2-bolt (Crank Bros) on all my cycling shoes and bikes. I've never found this to be an issue in terms of acceleration or efficiency. I usually clip in faster than most road riders I've seen on shop rides. The vast majority of serious road riders will use road specific systems though: SPD-SL, Look, Speedplay, etc. YMMV.

In terms of shoes, you can get stiff and light MTB shoes or road shoes. Road shoes will generally end up lighter and the most expensive to run. Commuter shoes or more entry level MTB shoes do tend to be heavier and less stiff.

I'm not a fan of dual sided pedals. Too annoying to use. I have a few pairs of casual shoes with two-bolt cleats (DZR Shoes and Chrome both make better looking ones than Shimano, Pearl Izumi, etc.). But even a casual bike shoe will have a stiffer sole than a gym shoe.



It's not really a big deal - if you're just buying your first pair of shoes you won't have much of a reference point for your own experience. Any clipless pedal is better than none.

nuke_diver

I ended up with SPD-SL a few months ago when I got my first pair of clip in shoes but it was primarily because I had a lot of trouble finding shoes in my size (I have wide feet) and so I went with the one (reasonably priced I did not want to spend over $150 for shoes and pedals because I did not know if I would like them) that fit the best. Fit was a primary concern, you don't want to be having issues 1/2 through a long ride. I got Shimano R078 and am finding them very comfortable riding

dangerd

I wear the pearl izumi x alp seek:
https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-iZUMi-Me.../dp/B0041HX8ZC
I have not had a problem, but usually don't ride more than 40 miles. The shoes are comfortable which is why I bought them. Softer sole but still helps to pull the pedals.

Cyclelogikal

Definitely a different feel. More of a lateral movement with better range to me.

Cyclelogikal

Here is the Expresso 8 I have now and love them!

zymphad

That's awesome. I'm looking at speedplay MTB solution now, looks like ingenious and easy design. Other clip in seem stupid in comparison after watchin vids on how speedplay works.

abdul10000

For people who used the A520 before, I have one question. I understand that the A520 is single sided, but is it possible to pedal it with regular shoes? If for example I get on my bike with regular running shoes can I pedal the A520 normally with no trouble? I would like to know if this can be done specifically using the A520, as I am leaning against the A530.

mercator

I suppose you could ride on A520s with regular shoes but you wouldn't want to do it very often. If that's your plan, go with the A530.

abdul10000

An update, I just received the Shimano Sh-CT45 Touring shoes and the Shimano Road SPD pedals and they are really an awesome combination. The shoes are stiff compared to running shoes but not so stiff as to make walking difficult like the mountain shoes line. They look really nice and can blend nicely with casual clothing. One thing I didn't like about them is that the stiff soles make sounds with every step much like the sound coming from dress shoes with stiff wooden heels that make knocking noise. With the SH-CT45 the sound is of hard plastic hitting the ground. Another thing I didn't like is that this type of shoe is a bit wider than normal. I can feel my foot is not supported on the sides. Not much of a problem for a strictly forward moving activity like pedaling but I still would like to see a solution for this, especially that I feel a little play on the upstroke.

The pedals look very nice too and are easy to use. Getting hooked in takes a little to get used to. Getting hooking out on the other hand is effortless, but never happens by accident even on lowest tension setting. The pedal as described has a nice size frame around the hook to spread the load. This is especially useful with the SH-CT45 not so stiff soles. I have ridden with the new shoes/pedals for 40 minutes and never noticed any hotspots.

One thing I was concerned about with those pedals is not being able to pedal when I am unhooked. It's actually very easy to pedal unhooked on low speeds, hence I can slow down for pedestrians and unhook just to be on the safe side and keep pedaling normally at 15kmh. The only thing remaining is to test the pedals with regular shoes to see how my feet will fare, but otherwise awesome combo especially when used with the SM-SH56 cleats.

Now I only have to start to practicing with them because making full use of the cleat system to improve pedaling stroke is not so intuitive, it takes practice.

Dudelsack 

I think this is exactly right. I've used this combination for years.

I've recently switched to SPD-SLs. The jury is still out as to whether it was worth it or not.

kc0bbq

You aren't going to end up with as much support as with single purpose shoes. That's the price for a bit more walking comfort, but they shouldn't be loose feeling. Maybe some new insoles would help?

At least the noise isn't as bad as my Bontrager RL shoes with the big cleats for Speedplay Light Action pedals. It's like wearing tap dancing shoes. On ice, if I don't have cleat covers on. Not generally walking too much in those shoes, though.

At some point you probably won't even think about clipping out early for pedestrians or anything. You start to do it unconsciously. I ride my mountain bike in some areas with highly polished sand, and you can go from having traction to buried up to the derailleurs in an instant. I end up on my feet before I even realize I'm falling over. It used to lead to some really strange falls. A fatbike would be nice to have for those rides...

kcollier5

To answer this AND the OP: I used SPD SL's for about a year, started to develop some pain in my knees and so I switched to Speedplay pedals after much research. What I've found is that most people that move to Speedplay stay there. They make a lot of sense in a lot of ways, look them up and watch the videos. They clip in on both sides, they are easy to clip in and out (although there is a small wearing in period where it may be difficult to clip out and you may fall on a group ride at a stop and drop a chain while falling and generally make yourself feel like a complete idiot/newbie - not saying that happened to me, just well, it could have possibly happened) and made all of my knee pain go away. They do have some free float which I like. A lot.

Also, on the advice of someone on here, I bought Keep On Kovers (keeponkovers.com) and they stay on my shoes which prevents damage to the cleat and provides extra traction when off the bike. HIGHLY recommend them for any Speedplay user out there. I bought the Z's which are supposedly more durable? I'm not sure, but I'm sure they are awesome.

abdul10000

Do you recommend any? Shimano makes insoles specifically for this type of shoe (CT/UT INSOLE, last in the page), but it's expensive and advertized for making shoes 1 size smaller. I dont know but it doesn't seem like I need to go from 47 to 46, more like I need to fell the width.

cosmicwheelie

Thanks for the response, I appreciate it. Seems like Speedplay is the way to go

kreeess

YEP! was in the same dilema as you with my knees, swapped out to speedplay Zeros and never looked back! for me though never really had a break in period, it was all smooth sailing for me since day one... if anything you just get used to the clipping in and out more... or more like stepping in and clipping out

kc0bbq

Sorry to not have more information... It's one of those things like finding the right saddle. Some insoles are heat moldable, that might be a way to go.

inspclouseau

So in shed my diapers last night and bought myself speed plays and road shoes (sh-r107ll).

First time in clipless and went on a quick 12 miles ride. Still trying to get used to clipping in, but clipping out really wasn't a problem.

I can't say they were more efficient but I was still getting used to them.