Worth upgrading low cost MTB pedals?

I have been using shimano M520 MTB pedals for commuting for a few years and whilst I would like to stick with MTB shoes I was wondering if I am missing out on anything by sticking with these low end pedals?

The XT M770’s seem to be quite a bit more expensive and I note that other manufactures also do more costly alternatives to my old M520’s, what do you get for the extra money?

You mainly save weight. So unless you go for a different system, its not worth the extra money for commuting alone TBH.

Personally I like stainless steel bits on my commuting pedals, for longevity. Which pushes me to slightly higher end versions of the pedals I have commuted in.

If you need to buy a new pair of shoes then reconsider. I much prefer the stiffness of road shoes even on a commute. Pedals can be had pretty cheaply anyways. I ride some old, perfectly fine dura ace ones I got for 30 quid.

Mine are going quite rusty where the chrome has come off, so apart from cosmetics, they do the job.

With regard to swaping over to road pedals I can understand that the bigger platform might be a good thing and I thought about changing to the speedplay system, (for the float) but when I saw the cleat I could see me doing a bit of skating at the lights.

Mine are going quite rusty where the chrome has come off, so apart from cosmetics, they do the job.

With regard to swaping over to road pedals I can understand that the bigger platform might be a good thing and I thought about changing to the speedplay system, (for the float) but when I saw the cleat I could see me doing a bit of skating at the lights.

I commute in BeBops (similar system to Speedplay). double sided like a SPD, free float like speedplays, and a nice big platform.

The cleats stick out though, but you get used to that (unless you need to walk far).

there are always café covers...

I have been using shimano M520 MTB pedals for commuting for a few years and whilst I would like to stick with MTB shoes I was wondering if I am missing out on anything by sticking with these low end pedals?

The XT M770’s seem to be quite a bit more expensive and I note that other manufactures also do more costly alternatives to my old M520’s, what do you get for the extra money?

I could send you my Time Atac XS's for Gbp 40 incl postage; you'd have to get some Time cleats then. PM me if you're interested.

m520's are fine, if you have the cash upgrade.

is the float significantly better on a higher spec shimano spd like the xt ones? I find that the m520's float a bit grindy and not very floaty

I've got xtr's on my road bike and put some M520's on the commuter as they were only £13 new off eBay and the old DX SPD's were finally dying (15 years+). I have to say purely holding them I could not tell the difference in weight (disappointing as the xtr's were c.£80). As for float the M520's seem to have a lot compared to the xtr's or the old DX's.

I used a few 520s over the years. They are good, durable, cheap. I never saw a reason to use a higher spec. SPDs.