Shimano RO76 shoes with Shimano PD-A520 pedals

kev.brennan

Hi there,

I've got a Boardman Road Comp that I have fitted with Shimano PD-A520 pedals, I put these on as my other hybrid bike has SPD pedals on as well, that way I could use my shoes for both bikes.
I have just bought a pair of Shimano RO76 shoes as it said that they were SPD compatible and a hell of a lot lighter than my other shoes, the only thing is I am now completely confused as to which cleats I should be using. The pedals recommend SM-SH51 cleats but the shoes recommend SM-SH70/SH71 ones.
I can't find anywhere which ones to use, has anyone got the same pedal/shoe combo or any advice?

Cheers

alfablue

For the PD-A520 pedals you need the SH51 cleats as they are mtb style SPD pedals. SH70 are SPD-SL road pedal cleats.

kev.brennan

Cheers for the reply.

Still confused though, it states quite clearly in the manual that came with my RO76 shoes that for SPD pedals you should use the SH 70/71cleats.

For SPD-SL it says to use the SH10/11.

Thanks

alfablue

Well I'm confused too. I defer to what Shimano say - they should know, however your pedals def need SH51 cleats, however the SH70 have pontoons (extra bits at the side) which may be necessary as you have a flat soled road shoe, so maybe there are issues using cleats without them. Shimano should know really, and if you don't do what they say...

sicknote

If I am right ( think I am as I was pointed to else myself and have some )
these are what you want
The winged bits have rubber on them to keep the cleat off the floor when you walk in them.
Hope thats clear

kev.brennan

Cheers for the replies,

I already have the SH51 cleats and have fitted them to my RO76 shoes, they don't feel quite right when clipped in to the pedals and are dangerous to walk in. I think I will get the SH70's as well and hope that they fit.

I'm doing the London to Brighton on Sunday and so will have to get a move on to get some in time.

Thanks

John.T

The SH51 and SH71 cleats are the same. The difference is the pontoons with the SH71.
I think the difference between the 50/70 cleats and the 51/71 is the way they release. The 50/70 are 'Multi release' which I think means they will come out by twisting in any direction. The 51/71 are the more common ones and only release by twisting sideways.

wiffachip

not wishing to complicate matters, but I would go for SH56's, much easier to get on with than 51's, or should that be get off with

and 530's rather than 520's

remember when all you had to worry about was your trouser clips ? small boys in the park

John.T

Sorry. The 50/70 ones are standard release with no float. The multi release ones are SH56. You need the 71s. Your shoes will be unstable on the pedal without the pontoons and walking will be murder.

Chris James

kev.brennan wrote:

I have just bought a pair of Shimano RO76 shoes as it said that they were SPD compatible and a hell of a lot lighter than my other shoes, the only thing is I am now completely confused as to which cleats I should be using. The pedals recommend SM-SH51 cleats but the shoes recommend SM-SH70/SH71 ones.

I had the exact same issue with my winter boots (RW01) using A520.

The correct cleat for attaching to road shoes when using SPDs is SH70/71. This is because they have the side pontoons, which allow you to walk with the cleat on the bottom of the shoe (basically they mimic the recess on an SPD shoe).

The bad news is that the pontoons foul on the raised surround that A520s have, but do not exist on other SPD pedals.

I got round this by fitting an old pair of A515 pedals on the bike for winter, although you may be able to attack the pontoon with a stanley knife to get enough clearance.

So, in summary you can use SH51s but you won't be able to walk easily (and they will feel very skatey clipping in).

SH71s work well, but you would really need new pedals.