Shimano R540 SPD-SL

Price Paid:  $55.00 at Ebay

Bike Setup:
Specialized Allez Double '07. 105 Shimano brake calipers.

Summary:
This is my first pair of road pedals. Since I was using my bike with clip less pedals and straps, difference is huge. Better feeling of your effort results (pedaling), better feeling on how the bike roads the way, how it is behaving on your command.

So far they are 500 km with this pair of pedals, and at the begging was scary trying to get use to clip in and out from them, especially in the middle of the traffic, but pretty soon you get used to it. The only issue is that I am used to stop my bike with the right foot on the floor, then the right cleat is getting scuffed so my right shoe.

Today I put on booties because of the weather (8 Celsius degrees and windy) and everything went fine!

I am happy with this pair. If I have to change them, probably I would upgrade to a higher level, but so far, no.

Strengths:
Reliable, strong, stiffness

Weaknesses:
Heavy (330 gr.) but I don't care (I am not Lance Armstrong).

Price Paid:  $50.00 at Cyclerama

Favorite Ride:
Smooth roads.

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR Alliance T-Mobile 2008.

Summary:
I have mixed feelings about the R540s. Solid bearings and wide platforms make for assuring pedals to stamp down on. Also, they are cheap and I think the cleat design with the yellow grips is good.

But the bearings could be too solid; they have a high viscous friction, so the pedals don't return to their freely hanging position quickly enough, which makes it hard to locate the front of the pedals with the cleats. Also, after only 4 months or so, I found I had to press down harder and wiggle my feet around to engage properly, and I'm sure my cleat are not worn. Clipping out requires quite a lot of effort, even at the lowest tension, which might be disconcerting for novices.

Also, SPD-SL's are heavy, which I understand is due to their solid build. However, as I'm neither heavy nor strong, I found the lighter Look Keo Sprints (lighter than Dura-Ace!) more than adequate. They have a very clean engagement (something the R540's began to lack after 4 months) and a lower minimum cleat tension. However, they also have a little bit of play in the bearings and the cleat grips could be better designed as they make it difficult to engage. Float is adequate for both pedals.

Strengths:
Cheap, Solidly built bearings, stable platform, excellent cleats.

Weaknesses:
Heavy, difficult to locate front of pedal with cleat, became hard to clip into after just 4 months, high tension for a beginner pedal.

Similar Products Used:
Look Keo Sprints (only 1 month).

Price Paid:  $55.00 at Castro Valley Cycles

Favorite Ride:
Specialized Tarmac S-Works-Campagnolo record

Bike Setup:
Specialized Allez Double, shimano R540 pedals

Summary:
When I bought these, I was just looking for a reliable, good performing pedal with OK float. I got just that. My pedals have been put through a bit of a beating but cleaning them up now and then seems to work well. The bearings are said to be crap but I disagree, there almost as smooth as my hubs. The foot platform allows for solid transfer but I have had trouble unclipping from my left pedal which can be scary. The pedals seem to handle well on less than average Australian roads but walking on them with cleats on tends to scuff up the cleats something chronic. Overall these are good value pedals and are quite durable, I really don't care about their allegedly heavy weight, They work well and that's the main thing.

Strengths:
Look pretty good, solid platform, OK float, handle well in the wet, easy to maintain, solid interface

Weaknesses:
cleats seem to be wearing out a bit already, I don't know what they should look like but they seem a bit scuffed.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $75.00 at Contes in Ghent (Nor

Bike Setup:
New Ultegra drivetrain on a '94 Trek 1100

Summary:
Great pedals. Really stiff and a good platform to stomp on. Just switched from the M-520s(had them on road and MTB with the same shoes) and there is no comparison. They aren't the lightest but I'd bet their the strongest in the spd r line... Beside how much value is there in spending another $150 to same 100 grams when most of us could lose 10 lbs.

Strengths:
Wide platform. Stiff and a good connection. I feel attached to my bike now. Strong and I'm relatively sure they'll be longevitous.

Weaknesses:
On the heavy side but I know my 200lb. booty won't snap them when I'm pushin hard. Heard the clips will wear out quickly. Better than the shaft snapping like the bad rumor of the Look pedals...

Similar Products Used:
M-520's

Price Paid:  $50.00 at eBay

Bike Setup:
Fuji Roubaix Pro, Gossamer compact on dura ace bb, DA rear, WCS stem/Bar

Summary:
Solid performing pedals for the money. I have used these for over 2 years with not one accidental release. The springs are strong, after all this time im not even to halfway on the tensioner. Bearings are still nice and smooth, solid power transfer. The only downside is that they arent the lightest pedals ever. Cleats have lasted 2 years and still going strong.

Strengths:
Smooth bearings, wide platform, very relaible

Weaknesses:
Slightly heay

Similar Products Used:
Look Keo Carbon
Shimano M520
Shimano M959 XTR

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