I’ve been riding with SPD MTB pedals for the better part of two years now and am pretty happy with them. I ride the pd M520… So in building the Thylacine https://www.thylacinecycles.com/galle...WK_PartBuild03 , all I have left are pedals (and chain, and two other bits). The thought was to get a step up on my current pedals, as they have been pretty problem free: perhaps the PD540 a bit stronger, stiffer and with closed bearings

But, the thought came that perhaps people have better pedals out there or have had SPD and have gone to something else. I WILL NOT go straps, and I need a cleat I can wear with a MTB shoe because I have to be able to walk normally (changing shoes: not really an option for my work). Aesthetical limitations do not really apply, so long as they are not stupid.

Any suggestions?

beaters ftw. I think thats the only other option.

or time ATACs....i've used both time's and SPDs, and the time's have taken longer to wear out.

love my egg beaters, but can't imagine a place of work where changing shoes is out of the question...

Why not crank bros quattro sl eggbeaters? A more roadish pedal, with a larger platform (fewer hotspots and better power transfer), that (with some trimming) can still be used with a mtn or roadshoe.

Time ATACs are sweet.

in the $50 range, the atac alium is clearly superior to the eggbeater c in terms of durability
the more expensive eggbeater sl and the atac xs both enjoy popularity.

atacs are preferred by some, including myself, because of the positive click engagement, the bearing quality, the adjustable release tension on higher end models, the resistance at the end of the float, the cleat durability, and the larger platform, which is reputed to be more comfortable on longer rides.

Speaking of which... weren't you going to mail me your old pair?

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.

I have the 520s on one bike and then got another bike. Was thinking about getting ATACs based on the recommendations here, but decided that I didn't want to buy two pairs of pedals so got a pair of the 540. They are a bit lighter than the 520 and look a bit better, but they are essentially the same. I think one advantage of the 540 is that bearing overhaul doesn't require a special tool.

time cleats don't last anywhere near as long as spd cleats.

if your happy with spd's i would say stick with them! times work a little better but i went back to spd's for commuting cause them brass cleats on the times are too soft and wear down to quick.

now i use times on weekends for mountainbiking but for the day to day i am back to the good old spd.

Look at the Xpedo's Mountain Force. Spd knock off's with better prices and good customer service. I run the Mag/Stainless and am pretty happy with them.

Forté Campus Pedal

Shimano M545. Double sided w/ a large enough cage that you can ride w/ regular shoes. Might look out of place on your Thylacine though.

Are you sure that's a step up from the big S 520? I'd say it's a dozen steps down...

Time again here. I used spd for 7-8 years before going Time and I couldn't go back. The durability is un-beatable. I doubly recommend them for fixed, spds have popped out on me many times, from brand new to extremely worn, Times never do that, not until you've run the cleat way, way down, and that'd be your fault when it happens then eh? Secure hold FTW

bebops are greatness. I mostly SS road, but they were originally a mountain pedal. tons of float, so maybe not for everyone.

Are the Ritchey or the Pro V4 SPD compatable?

The Pro V4 is Ritchey. Ritcheys are SPD-style pedals, but I am not entirely sure that they will work problem-free with Shimano cleats. They sure look the same. They are SPD-shoe compatible, of course.

275 grams, about the same as Eggbeater C's instead of 415 for the 520

If you have no serious beef with SPD and you're comfortable riding fixed with them I see no shame in going with what you know.

I run SPDs on my bikes because I can get them cheap. Lots of old higher end models that are heavy and look a little beat still have perfect bearings. If I could track down a few more pairs of 737s I would be very happy. I have pulled a foot out skidding a few times but I keep the release tension pretty loose and I'm not much of a skidder anyway.

spd = bomb proof reliability .

ritcheys work with shimano cleats (but do come with slightly different cleats that will also work in shimano pedals). so, although they are not exactly the same they will work together.

I just have the bottom-of the line shimano spd's on the loosest setting. I've not had any trouble with popping out when I don't want to, skidding, trackstanding, etc. I'm not an overly aggressive rider, and I can't bunnyhop, skip, or do any of those crazy things, but I'm loving the good ol' cheap stuff.

p.s. I'm commuting on this beast and don't care about weight or looks, so that might be a factor. To each his own.

From what I understand, the V4 series of Ritchey Pedals requires the Ritchey cleat. The cleat is scalloped, allowing it to reach the retention mechanism that has been lowered with respect to the spindle. A normal SPD cleat likely wouldn't clear the raised center portion of the pedal body over the spindle. Hooray for lower stack height!

I've used shimano, times, and crank bros is my latest in the mtb world. Out of the 3 times and crank bros (eggbeaters) are my favorites. I like eggbeaters because of the weight, the design, the smoothness they are real nice. The one thing times do that i like is when u goto unclip it tightens up so u don't accidentally unclip. I never have issues such as this when riding fixed on the road so the eggbeaters work great.

Just my opinions but i am switching fully to eggbeaters for my mountain use and fixed use.