Opinions Sought: Shimano SPD touring pedal

[Lesli]

I read with interest in VBQ the review of the new Shimano touring spd
pedal--the PD A520. I'm wondering if others have tried and liked this
pedal and have any additional comments on its performance, build
quality, comfort, etc, as opposed to conventional spd pedals?? I
recently switched over to spds but I am concerned about the small
pedal/shoe contact point for longer/hotter rides.

Also, is this pedal difficult to come by?

Thanks to VBQ for calling attention to this new pedal. I'm keenly
interested in pedal/shoe choices for long distance cycling. Hoping
that the upcoming PBP equipment survey will be addressing this
subject.

Lesli Larson
Eugene, OR

[Michael Poplawski]

Shortly before PBP 2007, my old SPD-style Ritchey Road Logic pedals
wore out and I replaced them with the A520s. The large frame appeared
to be a good idea, but the pedals weren't particularly interesting to
me, otherwise. However, I learned that the platform did not contact my
shoes, which have a slight curve in the forefoot--the only contact
point was still the cleat to the pedal, with gaps between shoe and
platform fore and aft of the cleat.

I need to replace my shoes (a pair of Diadora Chilis from 2002)--does
anyone here use the A520s with their shoe actually being in firm
contact with the pedal platform? I would be interesting in knowing
what shoes will do this (or is the old Chili an anomaly?). Otherwise
the platform is completely wasted.

--
Michael Poplawski
Ancien 2003
British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club

[RUSA2691]

I use Shimano PD-M324s.
They have the clip-in on one side and a "normal" ridged surface on the
other. They're heavy--about 250 g each vs.150g for the ones you
mention--but it's nice to be able to ride to the store in sneakers.
Also, riding through town, in between traffic and parked cars, I
appreciate having my right foot on the "flip side" so I can stop short
without having to unclip.
For "brevet-only" riding the PD A520s look like they'd be comfortable--
and who needs the extra weight.

As for shoes, I'm a Shimano sandal convert--even for winter.

[leo desforges]

I ride the 520's on my brevet bike and my fixed gear.  I wear specialized BG comp mountain bike shoes in size 49.  I really like this set up and have had no problems with it at all.  I find that the larger platform actually does offer increased support for my feet as the lugs on the MTB shoes are quite aggressive.  They are not as supportive as my SPD-SL  road racing shoes, but this is to be expected.  The pedals are light, durable so far, relatively cheap and i think they look very nice.  These are the best SPD style pedals I have used.

-Leo

> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 09:37:28 -0800
> Subject: [Randon] Re: Opinions Sought: Shimano SPD touring pedal
> From: pskr...@yahoo.com
> To: ran...@googlegroups.com

[Tom Marchand]

I use SPD pedals on my touring bike and have never had a hot foot issue.

-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Lesli <lesli....@gmail.com>
>
>
> I read with interest in VBQ the review of the new Shimano touring spd
> pedal--the PD A520. I'm wondering if others have tried and liked this
> pedal and have any additional comments on its performance, build
> quality, comfort, etc, as opposed to conventional spd pedals?? I
> recently switched over to spds but I am concerned about the small
> pedal/shoe contact point for longer/hotter rides.
>
> Also, is this pedal difficult to come by?
>
> Thanks to VBQ for calling attention to this new pedal. I'm keenly
> interested in pedal/shoe choices for long distance cycling. Hoping
> that the upcoming PBP equipment survey will be addressing this
> subject.
>

> Lesli Larson
> Eugene, OR
> >

[Peter Leiss]

Hi Leslie

I bought a pair while out on a hundred mile ride. My Wellgo Road
pedal (RC 715) similar to the old Shimano SPD road pedal fell apart.

I stopped at Bike store and bought the A520 and have used it ever
since. I find that it provides good support with my Off road shoes or
regular Road shoes.

They seem to be sturdy and I have had no foot discomfort to speak of
even during the National 24 hour last summer (357 miles).

My personal opinion I like them.

[Bill Gobie]

The stiffness of your shoes plays into whether you will feel the
cleat. I used to use Sidi Dominators and never felt the cleats (on
Time ATAC pedals). I switched to Sidi Dragon 2 shoes because they
have replaceable treads. These shoes turn out to be more flexible
than Dominators, and I am now feeling the cleats. My pedals are
pretty worn where the shoes make contact, so today I bought some new
pedals to see whether better tread/pedal contact will relieve
pressure on the cleats. I really hope to make the Dragons work
because their rubber treads give much better traction when standing
and walking. If the new ATACs don't help I may give the A520s a try
-- my thanks too to VBQ for reviewing these pedals.

On Nov 28, 2007, at 9:18 AM, Lesli wrote:
> Also, is this pedal difficult to come by?
>

REI has them.

Bill Gobie

[Simon Watt]

I use Lake 230 MTB shoes. The parallel blocks of rubber inside the tread and adjacent to the cleat firmly rest on the A520 pedal frame. Sufficiently for me to be concerned about restricted float. They seem to be as good a support pedal in SPD as is available. My previous BBB dual purpose platform and SPD combination pedal also provided the same flat frame either side of the cleat to similarly support the shoe.

Cheers, Simon

----- Original Message ----
From: Michael Poplawski <michael....@gmail.com>
To: randon <ran...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, 29 November, 2007 4:37:00 AM
Subject: [Randon] Re: Opinions Sought: Shimano SPD touring pedal

On Nov 28, 2007 9:18 AM, Lesli <lesli....@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I read with interest in VBQ the review of the new Shimano touring spd
> pedal--the PD A520.  I'm wondering if others have tried and liked this
> pedal and have any additional comments on its performance, build
> quality, comfort, etc, as opposed to conventional spd pedals??  I
> recently switched over to spds but I am concerned about the small
> pedal/shoe contact point for longer/hotter rides.
>

> Also, is this pedal difficult to come by?
>

> Thanks to VBQ for calling attention to this new pedal.  I'm keenly
> interested in pedal/shoe choices for long distance cycling.  Hoping
> that the upcoming PBP equipment survey will be addressing this
> subject.

Shortly before PBP 2007, my old SPD-style Ritchey Road Logic pedals
wore out and I replaced them with the A520s. The large frame appeared
to be a good idea, but the pedals weren't particularly interesting to
me, otherwise. However, I learned that the platform did not contact my
shoes, which have a slight curve in the forefoot--the only contact
point was still the cleat to the pedal, with gaps between shoe and
platform fore and aft of the cleat.

I need to replace my shoes (a pair of Diadora Chilis from 2002)--does
anyone here use the A520s with their shoe actually being in firm
contact with the pedal platform? I would be interesting in knowing
what shoes will do this (or is the old Chili an anomaly?). Otherwise
the platform is completely wasted.

--
Michael Poplawski
Ancien 2003
British Columbia Randonneurs Cycling Club

---

Make the switch to the world's best email. Get the new Yahoo!7 Mail now.

[Ethan]

Hasn't the A520 been around a while?

I have a pair sitting at home that I think I bought early this year.

I guess "new" is a relative term.

Still waiting on my VBQ.

 

Ethan

http://bikebuilding.blogspot.com
 

[Lesli]

New to me--by way of the VBQ review. When looking for spd pedals--
these just didn't turn up most likely because they're sort of a hybrid
of the typical "mountain" or "road" retail pedal categories.

LL

On Nov 28, 4:24 pm, Ethan <elabow...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hasn't the A520 been around a while?
> I have a pair sitting at home that I think I bought early this year.
> I guess "new" is a relative term.
> Still waiting on my VBQ.
>

> Ethanhttp://bikebuilding.blogspot.com

>
> On 11/28/07, Simon Watt <us_...@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
>
>
>
> > I use Lake 230 MTB shoes. The parallel blocks of rubber inside the tread
> > and adjacent to the cleat firmly rest on the A520 pedal frame. Sufficiently
> > for me to be concerned about restricted float. They seem to be as good a
> > support pedal in SPD as is available. My previous BBB dual purpose platform
> > and SPD combination pedal also provided the same flat frame either side of
> > the cleat to similarly support the shoe.
>
> > Cheers, Simon
>
> > ----- Original Message ----
> > From: Michael Poplawski <michael.poplaw...@gmail.com>
> > To: randon <ran...@googlegroups.com>
> > Sent: Thursday, 29 November, 2007 4:37:00 AM
> > Subject: [Randon] Re: Opinions Sought: Shimano SPD touring pedal
>

> > ------------------------------
> > Make the switch to the world's best email. Get the new Yahoo!7 Mail now<http://au.rd.yahoo.com/mail/taglines/gmail/mail/spankey/*http://au.ya...>.

[Robert Magyar]

I've been using the Shimano PD-545's and Lake Mountain shoes (with Superfeet inserts).
 
Hot feet issues are gone, the 545's are also great while commuting, the Mt style shoes allows for walking in gravel if needed.
 
Bob
 




 

---

> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 09:18:55 -0800
> Subject: [Randon] Opinions Sought: Shimano SPD touring pedal
> From: lesli....@gmail.com
> To: ran...@googlegroups.com

[Lloyd]

I have the A520 on my road bike. I've been using them for over a year,
nearly 9000 miles, and love them. I'm putting them on my new bike too.
I like the support, the price, the weight, and they are easy to come
by, well, sometimes they're not on the shelf, but you'll have them in
5-days from Shimano.

I also use the M324 on my mountain bike. A little heavy, but also good
platform support. And when my kids come home and want to ride the bike
in sneakers, they just turn the peddle over and go.

LL