First Clipless - Shimano 520 or 530

gingernash

Hi, am looking to get first set of clipless pedals for my road bike.

Have narrowed down to two sets in my price range but unsure about which to go for:

- A520 are MTB SPDs and are double sided (only 20 quid from Wiggle)

- A530 are single side SPDs but with flat so easier if not clipping in (34 quid from CRC)

I ride around in London mainly.

Gut feel is to go for the A530 as that means I can rest my foot on pedal until get some momentum and then clip.

Thanks!!!

tenori

hey... which did you go for in the end, and what's the verdict? I'm facing a similar choice now and trying to decide!

(would welcome others thoughts on this too - as the original poster didn't seem to get any replies?)

Thanks

meanredspider

I used 520s from the start. I thought about the single-sided jobs but decided against these - it takes a couple of rides to get used to them but it's actually harder (in my experience) to clip in once you're underway (you need some resistance one way or another). I've since migrated (graduated?) to Keo Look pedals because my new road bike came with them and I like them more.

edindevon

I think you're getting a bit mixed up.

When you say 'A520 are MTB SPDs and are double sided (only 20 quid from Wiggle) ', I think you must be referring to M520 pedals.

The A520 pedals are touring pedals and look very similar to the A530 pedals. They're both on sale at Ribble, with the A530s at £30 and the A520s a little cheaper if you top your spend up over £35 to qualify for the 20% discount.

I have the A530s on my best bike and they're fine. I have M520s on my second bike and they're fine as well. Really you can't go wrong either way. One other option is to get some platforms and use them with the M520s. This would work out at around £27 in total:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/mtb-cages-3885152/

Edindevon