Mountain bike pedals

[ExV8]

Having bought a cheapish bike I am looking at updating the pedals to use cleats. Multi use but I would probably only use shoes with cleats going forward.

What do other MTB riders use?

[Crippo]

PDM520 is all you need, cheapest and best.
End of thread

[lufbramatt]

Crippo said:

PDM520 is all you need, cheapest and best.
End of thread

This. Although the m530 are good too if you want a bit more stability or have shoes with more flexible soles.

Edited by lufbramatt on Friday 11th May 05:54

[TheInternet]

ExV8 said:

I would probably only use shoes with cleats going forward.

For this I'd get some which are SPD on one side, flat on the other,eg. Shimano A530.

[ExV8]

Thanks for the recommendations. I did wonder whether these types of pedals were used on MTBs, so very helpful confirmation.

[syko89]

I ride flats but people I ride with rate Crank Brother Mallets. Big platform and really easy to clip in and out of when you need to.

[dhutch]

I'm a flats man. Something wide and thin, nukeproof or something mid-spec, combined with a pair of 5:10 Sam Hills.

Not cleats, but a world apart from stock pedals and cheap trainers!


Daniel

[alfaman]

I started with flat one side SPD on the other

Now just use spd both side ... just keep them slack enough ( think mine are 580s )-

Very happy with what I have

[yellowjack]

I've got Shimano M520 (or maybe M540?) on my MTB, and some M530 on my "retro gravel bike".

I use them with expensive Northwave boots in winter, and cheap-as-chips Decathlon/B-Twin shoes in drier weather. Never once regretted using cleated pedals after swapping from the cheap'n'nasty 'bear trap' pedals often found on new bikes. Lots of people I ride with prefer flat pedals though, so a lot of it is down to personal preference.

[Mr E]

540s for cleats.
Old school V8’s for flats

[breamster]

syko89 said:

I ride flats but people I ride with rate Crank Brother Mallets. Big platform and really easy to clip in and out of when you need to.

+1.

I I've been using crank brothers for years. I did try SPD's but couldn't get on with them and they clog up with mud to easily. Crank brothers gets my vote.

[HoHoHo]

I've got M424's on my Stumpjumper to offer a bit more stability and M540's or similar for my hardtail.

Personally I prefer the 540's and may change the pedals on my Stumpjumper shortly.

Either way, clipless is the way to go

[SwissJonese]

DMR V8 here on both my hard tail and full suspension. Use them with FiveTen shoes, amazing grip.

[raceboy]

I think these are called Shimano DX M647, pretty much the 'go to' pedal in 'clipped in' BMX Racing, not my cup of tea, I'm flats all the way (except on the Roadie) so currently 'for sale'

[benny.c]

I have those, great pedals if a little heavy. I ride clipped in most of the time but for nipping down the shops they are fine with normal shoes.

[SAS Tom]

I use Funn Mamba’s. SPD on one side flat on the other. The flat side is actually decent too.

[ExV8]

Lots of choices.

I think I will probably end up with the Shimano PDM 530 although the 520 is not far out either.

Need now to think of some decent shoes.

[yellowjack]

ExV8 said:

Need now to think of some decent shoes.

Don't discount the "budget" sector for shoes. I ended up with some pretty basic MTB shoes fastened with three velcro straps. They were from Decathlon, and weren't very expensive at all. They do the job just fine in drier weather, but are not much fun in the wet (water gets in through the vents in the uppers). In winter I wear Northwave winter boots. A few years old now, but were half price (£75 instead of £150). I think they're a fair bit more now (at RRP at least).

I bought these... https://www.decathlon.co.uk/500-mountain-bike-cycl... ...but paid significantly less than the £49.99 listed.

More choices here...
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-755613-cycling-shoes...

[dantournay]

Another vote for Crank Brothers, I use Eggbeater 2 pedals. I bought them for cyclocross as you can clip in on 4 sides and they don't get clogged with mud.
Not the cheapest thing out there though

[opieoilman]

I've never had clip in pedals before and managed to get a set of Crank Brothers Mallets the other day (Mallet 1s I think, plastic body). I'm struggling with them, I'm finding it very hard to get them to release and have fallen off a couple of times as I can't get my feet out (plus a couple of other times where I have kept riding to stay upright as I couldn't get my feet out). Those pedals are now being sold as it ruined the rides for me as I had no confidence in getting my feet out when necessary. I had a knee op as a kid and that could be part of the reason.

I'm now not 100% sure on what to do. Years ago I used to ride with foot straps and was fine with them, but since they disappeared into history, I've used flats. Generally, clip in pedals seem to be liked, but disappointed so far. I've now seen that the Shimano ones are adjustable, but can you make the release really easy? I also saw the Shimano ClickR pedals, which seem like a good option, but I have not heard of them before. Any views on them?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-mt50-cl...