Dual sided pedal advice

roundthebend

I have 2 bikes, 1 which is almost exclusively a fair weather commuter bike (Muddy Fox Milano Hybrid) and another which is an MTB (Specialized Rockhopper) for poor weather commuting and some more adventurous off road riding.

Both currently have flat pedals but I'd like to try SPD, yet because I use the bikes casually I don't want to be forced to wear SPD shoes everytime I ride.

So I'm looking for advice and experiences of these specific pedals, shortlisted by price and some research carried out online.

• Shimano M530
• Shimano A530
• Shimano M424
• Shimano M324
• B-Twin Dual Function

Many Thanks

deptfordmarmoset

I asked my daughter for a pair of Shimano PD-520s for my b'day earlier this year. When I opened them, I initially thought she'd got the wrong ones because they seemed to be one-sided. Maybe the company she ordered them from didn't have the standard 2-sided 520s so sent 520s with a small platform (with reflectors, whoopee, actually legal!!!) attached. It clips into one side of the pedal and they work quite well as a hybrid - ok for pub shoes though probably too narrow for lengthy journeys and ok for SPDs.

You can buy them separately. Shimano SM-PD22

team47b

I recently bought M530's for my ridgeback hybrid as I use a single wheel trailer and find negotiating traffic/sheep/pedestrians is easier unclipped.

These pedals have quite a large platform and take a bit of getting used to, reasonable grip though. The bearings don't spin freely which is a good feature as it means you don't have to flick the pedals over, as when you unclip one foot at a time the other pedal rotates automatically to the platform side and the same going back to clipping in. (I've just re-read that and I hope it makes sense!)

bought mine at Ribble half list price.

veronese68

I've got a pair of M424s on my commuter thinking they'd be good if I pop out to get some lunch. They're not, they are dreadful with normal shoes as there is a big lump of clip mechanism that sticks up.
I've got M324s on my mountain bike and they are much better. They tend to always hang in the same position so you flick them forwards to clip in and backwards to ride on flat. Good for riding with the kids in flat shoes. I think the M530 would be similar, but I've never used them myself.

roundthebend

Sounds like the M530's are winning so far.

Kieran_Burns

I got the A530s and they're not bad - big flat surface on one side but the grip ain't great. Don't inspire confidence but they're fine for small hops

Pufftmw

A530s - I have them on my Ghost roadie, mainly because it came without pedals & I had these from a previous bike. Intend to change them to A600s at some point (which are also single-sided I think).

I am able to clip in every time, no problem. As previously mentioned, they naturally hang in the "ready to clip" position. This has a downside if you're not riding with clips as you have to either toe under the pedal or heel back in order to use them as flats. However, I'm mainly using with SPDs so the times I do encounter this, I live with it. As also said, the non-clip platform is nice & wide so supports normal shoes/trainers very well. A good buy for around £20 or so.

London_Falcon

Just to chuck something else into the mix I have just got my first set of pedals with cleats

I was recommended the Crank Brothers pedals by a mate at work. The Mallets might be a good option:-


I went for the Candies as I'll be clipped in most of the time, so don't need the bigger platform.




Really easy to get into and out of. The "Eggbeater" piece in the middle gives you 4 entry points and you can clip in on either side.

EKE_38BPM

I use M324s and I like them. Easy to clip into and a good grippy platform. The down side is that when the bearings eventually go you need a special tool to rebuild them and the tool costs about the same as a new pair of pedals.

I think when mine eventually need rebuilding I would buy the tool as I'm thinking of buying another set of M324s for another bikes so they would eventually pay for themselves.

NGale

deptfordmarmoset wrote:

I asked my daughter for a pair of Shimano PD-520s for my b'day earlier this year. When I opened them, I initially thought she'd got the wrong ones because they seemed to be one-sided. Maybe the company she ordered them from didn't have the standard 2-sided 520s so sent 520s with a small platform (with reflectors, whoopee, actually legal!!!) attached. It clips into one side of the pedal and they work quite well as a hybrid - ok for pub shoes though probably too narrow for lengthy journeys and ok for SPDs.

You can buy them separately. Shimano SM-PD22

I have a set of those on my trek. Ideal to be honest, if I need to pop to the shops I don't need to worry about putting cycle shoes on, but for the longer rides I have the SPDs which do the just fine for what I need them for.

iPete

PM if you decide on A530s, I've a set collecting dust but they are without cleats..

notsoblue

I've got a pair of M324's on my Hybrid. Used to use SPD's, but now only ever use normal shoes on this bike and it works fine. Would buy again, AA+

lostboysaint

notsoblue wrote:

I've got a pair of M324's on my Hybrid. Used to use SPD's, but now only ever use normal shoes on this bike and it works fine. Would buy again, AA+

I used these for a long time, clipped in most of the time for serious riding and the flat side for shop/beach trips in skate shoes or flip flops and I thought they were great. As I rode more seriously off-road and didn't always manage to get back into the clip side after "foot-off" moments I realised that the flat side is useless for serious off-road stuff as those spikes just aren't sharp enough.

I now run Crank Brothers Mallets on both bikes (older 1s on the hardtail, new 2s on the susser) and find the combination of platform, pins, clips perfect for off-road and the mechanism small enough that I can ride them as flats with my flip-flops or skate shoes on. I would recommend them.

yocto

I have a set of these on the bike, though they are pricey
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -pr77-8827

on the road cleat side I have a cleat attached and tightened the release so that it doesn’t fall out. It’s pretty grippy for a hack! Spd on one side (most of my riding), platform on the other (nipping to the shops etc) and road pedal for when I feel fast Though this is not often :oops:
This is the best photo I have of them


Otherwise (without having ever tried any on the list) the A530 would get my vote (they just look nicer!).

roundthebend

So, those SM-PD22 things are for use with regular SPD pedals (clips on both sides)?
Not a bad idea.

The Mallets are nice, but can someone tell me if the springy bits move out the way when you wear flat shoes? The pictures here suggest that they'd get in the way - http://urbanvelo.org/crank-brothers-mallet-2-pedals/

lostboysaint

roundthebend wrote:

So, those SM-PD22 things are for use with regular SPD pedals (clips on both sides)?
Not a bad idea.

The Mallets are nice, but can someone tell me if the springy bits move out the way when you wear flat shoes? The pictures here suggest that they'd get in the way - http://urbanvelo.org/crank-brothers-mallet-2-pedals/

I did above. You know they are there but it's not even remotely uncomfortable, even in flip-flops (my footwear of choice throughout the year).

Monkeypump

roundthebend wrote:

So, those SM-PD22 things are for use with regular SPD pedals (clips on both sides)?
Not a bad idea.

The Mallets are nice, but can someone tell me if the springy bits move out the way when you wear flat shoes? The pictures here suggest that they'd get in the way - http://urbanvelo.org/crank-brothers-mallet-2-pedals/

I wouldn't use the Mallets with flat shoes. The sprung part will 'squash' out of the way to a certain degree, but I think you'd still feel it unless you had very stiff soles. Not ideal, I suspect.

beverick

I have a pair of these on the MTB:

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/1 ... n=pid18567

I have M324's on hybrid and road bike - for now.

The T780's are pretty much ideal as you get XT build quality (ie an aluminium frame not plastic) and smoothness and, for the dark night commutes, you don't kick off the the 'built in' reflectors. They make the M324's look and feel positively agricultural and, with a smooth pedal bed you don't damage in the sole of your shoe if you ride clipless.

The only slight problem I've found is that, ironically, unlike other double sided pedals they don't have a "natural bias" which presents the SPD clip uppermost. It can take a couple of 'toe-clip flicks' to get the pedal the correct way up to clip in. It can add an element of excitement to quick getaways or standing-start sprints from junctions etc.....

Bob