Shimano M520 pedal assessment: Solid, reliable, and sensible worth

Shimano’s in depth SPD clipless pedal vary covers seemingly each facet of on and off-road bicycle driving; XC, downhill, cyclocross, touring, gravel – you identify it. With such a dizzying vary of alternative, the place do you even begin? 

Happily, even the most affordable, easiest possibility within the vary, the M520 double-sided possibility that retails for £44.99/$50.00 (however fairly often much less), shares a lot of the design of the dearer fashions just like the Shimano XTR M9100 that I additionally reviewed just lately.

What does £44.99 get you? Just a few months of late-winter driving within the muck, grime and normal mess of the UK ought to reveal all, however the quick model is that these fortunately sit because the ‘finest worth’ possibility in our information prime the perfect gravel bike pedals.

Design and Aesthetics 

In the field, together with the pedals, are a pair of strong cast metal cleats, 4 strong M4 socket-head bolts and a short instruction guide. You in all probability don’t even want the latter; the preliminary set-up is intuitive and simplistic. There actually isn’t that a lot to the M520 pedals – a strong chromoly metal axle, metal clipping-in mechanism, and an total very ‘open’ design. The M2.5 hex bolts to regulate pedal stress are clearly labelled and normal throughout the vary, as are the drive facet and non-drive facet (proper and left) pedals with their completely different thread instructions.

The Shimano M520 pedals have some refined design variations to their dearer cousins just like the XTR and Deore choices. The axle is a tad wider with hefty spanner flats for added tightening (or loosening, let’s be actual) leverage. The pedal internals might be accessed for servicing by way of a plastic lockring relatively than a hex nut, which wants a specialised instrument to take away. 

Further confusion is added by the hex sockets on the axle ends, additionally for tightening/loosening, however they’re solely an M5 versus the standard, bigger M8 and arguably vulnerable to rounding out. I suppose that is the place the spanner flats turn out to be useful…

In all, the dearer pedals are extra cohesively designed and simpler to service at house, however cheaper merchandise typically include compromises. 

For what it’s value, Shimano claims a weight of 380 grams per pair, and my house scales measured them at 381 grams. In comparability, the top-of-the-line XTR M9100 pedals weigh 312 grams (measured).

Performance 

Along with their design, the Shimano M520 pedals share their attribute clipping-in motion throughout the SPD vary. It’s very mechanical, tactile and audible, which feels actually reassuring. This in flip interprets to a constructive pedalling motion and a really satisfying click-clack-clunk sound each time you cease and begin. Along with the stress adjustment these even have an adjustable ‘float’ – i.e., the diploma of ankle flip allowed earlier than the clipping motion engages. Because of the metallic cleats and pedal our bodies, it’s very straightforward to really feel the bounds of the motion and unclip with confidence. Clipping in is feasible with a easy downward stamp.

On the roads and in an city setting, this constructive motion makes for straightforward stops and begins. I’ve by no means skilled the dreaded stationery sideways topple resulting from not having the ability to unclip. Even in an emergency cease, I might simply get one foot out with only a refined twist of the ankle. There are eight turns of stress adjustment which must accommodate most preferences of ankle-twisting.

I rode these pedals on trails and gravelly tracks, throughout which I discovered that clipping out and in to place a foot down, negotiate a difficult part or get off was additionally comparatively straightforward. As its most cost-effective possibility, the M520s are fairly minimal in design which leads to fairly a small pedal physique, noticeable underfoot if driving bumpy trails or lengthy sections involving repetitive pedalling. For a ‘caged’ design that gives extra assist and luxury, the M530 mannequin prices £10 extra. Having ridden each designs for years, I do desire the latter and the extra mass of the cage is barely noticeable.

Shimano claims that the SPD pedal design is ‘mud-shedding’ and that is largely true. However, I’d argue the time period ought to be ‘mud-withstanding.’ Even when utterly mud-clogged with the thick Warwickshire clay, a agency kick dislodges sufficient in an effort to journey on, however a superb hosing is normally wanted to get the worst out. I discover that snow or mud lodged across the cleats is extra problematic – particularly if the cleats are recessed into the only. If you might be perpetually getting clogged then the Crankbrothers Candy vary could also be a greater possibility for you. 

Despite the Shimano M520 being tougher to service than their dearer cousins, you may get away with quite a lot of neglect. The sealed bearings appear to withstand water ingress very properly and I’ve run older pairs for years with out servicing. The solely actual put on is to the metallic kick-plates at both finish of every pedal, and the clipping-in stress which grows weaker over time because the spring will get fatigued. That aside, the M520s are as near fit-and-forget as might be.

Value

A pioneering design naturally has shut imitators. As such, Nukeproof, Boardman, Decathlon’s Triban, Sonder and DMR all make a model within the M520 silhouette which are suitable with Shimano SPD cleats. 

Even Shimano’s closest followers within the street pedal market, Look, does the identical with its X-Track pedals. In this value vary, Crankbrothers are one of many few outliers, utilizing brass cleats and a really completely different light-weight physique for its Candy pedals. There’s little or no to decide on between these choices when it comes to value, with every providing a refined variation of the theme.

Having not used the Boardman/Triban/Sonder variations I can not converse to their sturdiness, so if that is your concern then I counsel sticking to Shimano. 

Verdict 

With all this alternative, it’s straightforward to neglect that the M520 stays so easy, environment friendly, virtually mundane however so dependable. There’s no anodised metallic, light-weight elements or flashiness in sight, however they only work. If unsure, get a pair and easily journey away.

Much because the XTR pedals have grow to be the gold normal for efficiency, the M520 is commonly imitated, and for excellent motive. While they might lack the actually prime finish efficiency, they’ll carry on going for years and years.