Are Shimano A530 pedals suitable for XC?

nastybishop

I'm new to mtb racing (xc), but not new to clipless riding (i use spds in my road race bike). I think that a good solution is the shimano A530 , because they combine SPD mechanism on one side and a platform pedal body on the other, so you can ride on the platform body when facing a downhill.

Yet, because i am novice in XC, i would like the advice of those who know better. Is A530 suitable for this use or should i prefer a more mainstream choice (such as XT pedals)?

Thank you in advance

http://cycle.shimano-eu.com/publish/con ... ntain.html

nicklouse

pedals like that are a pain in the butt. you will have zero grip on the flat side.

go either flat or full SPD. dual sided are for shopping/touring bikes.

njee20

The A530 doesn't have a platform on the other side, it's designed as a singlesided touring pedal, a road pedal to work with MTB cleats.

If you really must have a platform on one side the PD-M324 is a better bet, but as nick says they're a real pain, they tend to hang SPD side down, so you'll be kicking them over to clip in, which isn't great off road.

Be brave, go for a proper pedal, you won't go wrong with some M520s or anything. I feel more comfortable clipped in while descending!

nicklouse

njee20
did you look at the link?





still not an XC pedal though.

njee20

My bad, was thinking of the A520, which really doesn't have a platform. Everything else stands!

Omar Little

i have those on my commuter bike and they are ok for that, but the platform side doesnt have much grip and you're feet will quite easily slip off if they are wet / muddy.

the shimano dx pedals (m647 i think) will probably suit your needs better. the cage that surrounds the spd mechanism is pretty grippy and ok for riding with when not clipped in (although that will also be dependent on shoe choice and what the sole of the shoe is like)

nastybishop

To be honest, i am afraid of being clipped in while descending! That is why i searching for a hybrid pedal (a combination of platform and spd)...

What about Crank Brothers Mallet C? (despite of being very expensive).

Anonymous

if you're nervous abotu being clipped in, why not race on flats until you're comfortable with your skills?

nicklouse

nastybishop wrote:

To be honest, i am afraid of being clipped in while descending! That is why i searching for a hybrid pedal (a combination of platform and spd)...

What about Crank Brothers Mallet C? (despite of being very expensive).

sorry MTFU it is just as easy to use either.

yes i use both flats and SPDs and i also made the big error in getting dual sided pedals.

they are CRAP you never get the side you want when you want it. you spend more time pissing about getting the pedal the correct way up that you stop and fall.

i have unclipped while a few meters in the air to eject the bike as it all went tits up.

I have used DX spds with the "platform" and there is Fall grip when unclipped IE I would not ride them unclipped you will just lose a pedal, infact i would say there was a better feel with a double sided spd jammed against the mid sole of the shoe.

If you are XC racing then there is only one option double sided spds.

Crank Brothers Mallet C again limited grip when not clipped in. and that is not the idea, it is to give some limited support to the shoe while clipped in.

nastybishop

And my final choice is......Deore XT! ....at 52 euros.

I decided to do it the "right" way, that is to learn descending-ascending (whatever the terrain) clipped in as thousands of mtb bikers do.

will see....