Shimano M520 pedals v A520 pedals

I've been using the M520s, described as MTB pedals, on my fixed-gear and road bikes.
I like SPDs, they're easy to use. The M520s are cheap and work. Great. But those A520s - described as a touring pedals, do look rather elegant. They also weigh a tad less and seem to have the clips on one side only. Anyone have experience of the A520s?

Thanks!

Yes, I have been using a variety of single-sided pedals recently: Campag pro-fit, old Dura Ace spd, A515, M520 and A520. The A520 is nice on a bike with a freesheel but I'd say the slight weight saving is more than cancelled out, if you're riding fixed, by the faff of clipping into moving pedals. With the M520s you just step on whatever side is there and it'll engage OK 99% of the time, but with the A520s you're running the risk of trying to accelerate away with one cleat skating around on the "wrong" side of the pedal.

I bought a pair of A520's on the advice of a friend. They worked very well for a while.
However, the bearings collapsed in about a month. I don't think they are up to the extra stresses created by ss riding.
They do look nice though.

Toodle pip

only single sided arent they? why faff around flipping the pedal round to find the right side when you are trying to get away in traffic?

love the M520s personally...

I have single sided cheapo shimano pedals and have just replaced them with double sided for convenience.

fyi: i use single sided road pedals (spd sls) and have very rarely found them a faff to clip in. i.e. maybe once a month one pedal does a single rotation before clipping in... not the end of the world.

I used M520's for 3 years and found them bullet proof. The workhorse

Thanks, guys. It seems if you are going to clip/unclip a lot on a journey M520s are the way to go. Just thought A520s might be a decent choice for racing/touring where you rarely unclip.

Do you want to give some A520s a whirl? You're welcome to borrow mine for a bit - if you like them, I'll not want much for them; if you don't like them, I'll have them back.

Thanks, guys. It seems if you are going to clip/unclip a lot on a journey M520s are the way to go.

Unclip? Is that for when you can't trackstand, right?

a520.....used them for a long time (years) but m520 better pedal.....1 bike a520/5 bike m520

I use the A520. When you are unclipped the weight on the bottom of the pedal makes it hang the right way to clip in as the pedal rises as you take off. (If you get what I mean.) As with all things in life keep it lubricated so it hangs right.

Used A520 (and some Wellgo equivalents) for years. Requested A520s on new bike but got M520s instead. After two years of using them you couldn't pay me to go back to single-sided.

And the M540s are better (they must be since they cost more).

Been using m520s fixed for 2 years, pedals have taken a few hard grinds, but still performing well.

I've got M520s on two different bikes - one MTB and one SS and can't think of any reason why I would ever use anything else. For the price its a no-brainer!

I like my M520 pedals, but I have nothing to compare them to... the cleats don't last long but I walk on them a lot.

Salty winter weather = corrosion though

Got the M540's on my Boardman Urban Pro (shhhh) and they fucking rock, solid as anything mate.

Never gone single sided, however i doubt i will. love being able to stamp down and clip in regardless.

I am lusting after Speedplay zeros mind you, they look ace

Salty winter weather = corrosion though
[IMG]

Still, at £12 a pair new from eBay, when they wear out you can just chuck them.

I swear by my M520s, don't see the point in anything more expensive and like having double sided too - have never really got on with single sided.

Still, at £12 a pair new from eBay, when they wear out you can just chuck them.

I swear by my M520s, don't see the point in anything more expensive and like having double sided too - have never really got on with single sided.

That's the thing - they're quite inexpensive compared to the alternatives and if they're maybe not engineered to be as durable or they break it doesn't really matter.

But, like I say, I don't really have anything to compare them to so maybe they're total crap and I just don't know.

Also, £12 from ebay? I got screwed :)

I weave a necromantic spell and resurrect this thread.

Are the A520s better for longer rides than the M520s? Does the wider platform provide better support?

Providing you have shoes with a reasonably stiff sole, then no. Double sided SPDs are easier to clip into on a fixie.