Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

Hi there. I've been looking at Shimano A520 and M520 pedals. I'm pretty new at road cycling so I'm not too good at technical stuff. Would anyone be able to point out the difference between these 2 pedals apart from the fact that one's got a wider platform than the other?

Which one would suit my needs better? I'm looking to get clipless pedals for weekend rides. I'm not into competitions or anything. Just pure good weekend rides with mates, up hills or flats.

Hopefully can get some suggestions. Cheers

The A520 is single sided. The M520 pedal is double sided. I've owned both and I personally don't see any particular advantage in the A520 over the M520.

Regards.

As you've pointed out the A520 has a slightly larger platform, that said the cleat size is still the same. The A520 also give you the "racer" look whilst allowing you to use mountain bike shoes. I was also tossing up between the two and decided on the M520s as it has two sides you don't need to even think about clipping in and I think they were cheaper too.

Would agree that the A520 doesn't give enough advantage over the double-sided M520s. For ease of clipping in, double sided is much better.

Another consideration if you think you'll be riding with normal shoes is the A530, which is the new version of the A520 with a proper platform pedal on the non-SPD side

The PD A520 looks better on a road bike than the M series pedals. It could almost be mistaken for some Ultegra pedals at a quick glance. That's about it.

Actually - the PD A530 looks pretty good, and I like the look of that unobtrusive platform on back. There are times when near pedestrians/dogs/lights, I like to keep unclipped and the platform on the reverse side of the pedal looks like it would be perfect.

I'd go for that.

I agree that the A520 looks pretty smart compared to the M520 but I can forgo that slight bit of vanity for the massive gain in convenience.

As for platform + SPD, I thought that the mixed thing would be good for commuting as well and had the M324 pedals for a while. What I discovered, however, was that I would always be hesitant of clipping in, choosing instead for the "safety" of the platform. As such, I never became very good at quickly clipping in (or out) while commuting in traffic.

When I finally just bit the bullet and got double sided pedals for commuting it was a bit scary for the first few days but it passed. Being forced to clip in and out meant that I very quickly become competent at it.

Cheers.

Get with the TimeZ. Double-sided and a cage to use with non-cleated shoes.

il padrone wrote:Get with the TimeZ. Double-sided and a cage to use with non-cleated shoes.

those are quite heavy though ... if you're worried about that sort of thing

so really either of pedals would be suitable for a road bike even though the Shimano M-520 was designed for mountain bikes??

Yes.

I use the M520 pedal on my road bike. I don't race and I much prefer the convenience of being able to walk in MTB shoes.

Regards.

itsaghostcar wrote:

il padrone wrote:Get with the TimeZ. Double-sided and a cage to use with non-cleated shoes.

those are quite heavy though ... if you're worried about that sort of thing

Well yes. 110grams heavier than the M520. Worth it for the better connection, lack of cleat wear/slop and simplicity. If that weight's a real problem, maybe get the M424. 425g versus 415g for the M520. Also has a plastic cage that enables use without clipping in, but it is double-sided for ease of use.

il padrone wrote:Get with the TimeZ. Double-sided and a cage to use with non-cleated shoes.

Man, that is one uuuhhhgly mother!

Is the spring tension adjustable?

asianexpat: I have M520s on both my commuter and my offroader. I know a couple here will disagree, but I'm not at all fan of single-sided pedals.

I started out with them and ditched them pretty quickly. Having to look down and flip your pedal over is a distraction you can do without. Depending on the pedal, the cleat side is usually heavier often ends up facing the road.

Maybe ugly but very comfortable to ride

asianexpat said he only wanted it for weekend rides with friends, depends whether he rates comfort or cool highest I guess

Spring tension on the Time pedals is not adjustable. Simple system that works very well. I've been very happy with them. Actually with my old SPDs I rarely varied the spring tension anyhow.

hey guys. thanks a lot for your replies and suggestions. really appreciate it. more for comfort than anything. so i guess i'll stick with getting a shimano M 520. keep u guys updated abt the progress.

heyz guys. any of u out there wanting to sell any second hand pedals of the shimano M520 or A520 type or knoe of anyone who wants to sell, do let me knoe. PM me will be fine. I got played out by some guy who was going to sell his. I'm based in Adelaide.