Shimano SPD-M520

Price Paid:  $35.00 at Goodales

Favorite Ride:
NH Seacoast loop (47 miles)

Bike Setup:
Allez Elite, all stock

Summary:
I have a set of these on my stuppjumper, and when I bought a road bike, being a fiscally conservative (read cheap) New Englander, I put another set on so I would not need to buy a second pair of shoes. I'm a big rider (230+, give or take a sniffin') and I have never had any problems at all. Clipping in and out is effortless, especially when I compare myself to my hard-core roadie friends struggling to get clipped into their high end pedals. I'm not a gram-counter, so I don't consider weight to be an issue.

Strengths:
quick in and out of pedals with no effort. Easy adjustment.

Weaknesses:
small surface area prevents sneaking in a quick jaunt without putting on cycling shoes.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $10.00 at Andrew from Bike Rou

Favorite Ride:
King's Mountain Road loop

Bike Setup:
Specialized Roubaix, 105 drivetrain and shifters, Ultegra brakes, FSA Gossamer 2-piece cranks.

Summary:
This is the first clipless pedals I've ever used. I've used clip-ons since I started road riding. It took me literally 10 minutes to learn how to clip in and clip out. They're cheap and pretty easy to use.
Got it in a deal($10)from the mechanic at the LBS,since he switched to Crank Bros. Candy pedals

Strengths:
Learning curve is fairly easy. And clips out pretty fast on a slow speed near fall.

Weaknesses:
Kinda hard to clip in sometimes. Also theres a very annoying 'click-clack' or grinding noise the cleats make whenever you walk, but thats understandable.

Similar Products Used:
clip-ons

Price Paid:  $22.00 at ross cycle

Bike Setup:
classic cromoly
ultegra

Summary:
at first i was looking for a cleat pedal since i was really having a hard time disengaging from my r540 road pedal. someone suggested to use a atb spd and recommended these pedals. it has actually a dual sided engagement mechanism but the one i bought has a plastic platform on the other side. was already hesitant to use clipless system! but when it was installed and i tested wow its as easy as 123. GREAT PEDAL

Strengths:
easy in easy out
great pedal for beginners!

Weaknesses:
maybe weight.
if it were just the same as the r540 @ 330grms

Similar Products Used:
shimano r540 road pedal

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Trek Bike San Diego

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere in San Diego County

Bike Setup:
Trek 2100 with Shimano 105 all over.

Summary:
This is my first set of clipless pedals I have experienced so I have nothing to compare it with. The only thing I can about that is I have seen many different types of clip pedals and it's just a matter of preference. I have been riding for 7 months and the pedals thus far appears to be holding up. I have heard complaints that these pedals are not solid and tend to fall apart. I must be lucky because I ride very hard and the pedals are performing very well.

I had my LBS make all my adjustments and they even taught me how to ride in the shoes and pedal effectively. With some extra pointers from some highly experience roadies I became a very proficient at clicking in and out of these pedals. Actually I can click in on first try effortlessly. In group rides during a stop I am able to click in my pedals and be way ahead of the group and up to pacing speed while they are still searching for their pedals. I don't know if it is the particular pedal or just foot-to-pedal coordination.

I use a MTB cleat shoes on my road bike. I like the way they look and feel. Also I can walk around normal without anyone noticing that I have bike shoes on.

I will not rate it a perfect 5 since I haven't tried other pedals.

Strengths:
Double sided clips makes it very easy to clip in the pedal. Cheap price in comparison to other pedals. Soft click sound when pedal engages shoe.

Weaknesses:
Small surface area may not be ideal for individuals with wide feet. Hot spots will occur if your shoes straps are loose.
Can't balance in place as easy at a dead stop due to small surface area.

Similar Products Used:
None yet