Shimano PD-A520 SPD Pedal

by Shimano

Product Description

If you're looking for a lightweight, single-entry pedal that'll work with your SPD and recessed SPD shoes, grab Shimano's PD-A520 SPD Road Bike Pedal. Adjust the entry and release tension settings on the SPD Road Bike Pedal to change release resistance.

Product Features

• Material: [Spindle] Chromoly
• Cleat Type: SPD
• Float: None
• Entry / Release: Adjustable
• Weight:
• Recommended Use: Road cycling
• Manufacturer Warranty: 2 Years

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B006ZJB5WC
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Overall OK, August 6, 2009

By 

Sandeep Pathak "sj" (somewhere down the road) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shimano PD-A520 SPD Pedal (Sports)

I had never used cleats before so I started off with this. From the look and reviews, it looked good and I bought it. I have been using it for past couple of months. I usually ride 40-60miles every weekend (MTB) and another 20-30miles during the week and have been biking overall for a long time (couple of thousands of miles till now)

Prior to buying these pedals, cycling was more of a 'push work', which these pedals eased like any other SPDs. Here are some points though

Pros
1. Getting in and out of them is easy, no grouses about them. I fell only once with them when biking in mud, as the cleats in the shoes were surrounded with mud and these SPDs just got stuck, won't let the shoe get out. But I think that is a obvious thing #I was told that everybody falls atleast once when they move to cleats for cycling!#
2. They hold on tight. Nice power transfer.
3. Apparently light weight.

Cons
1. The opposite side flat cannot be used for non-cleated riding. The middle cylindrical part is too bulging to make the rear side usable. So, essentialy, it can be used only from one side. That is really bad if you want to just hop in your normal shoes, or worst, if you are in your cleated shoes and still want to use the normal pedal #like I prefer when going on tricky mountain terrains where tendency to fall is high, so you'd better want to ride the bike without the cleats#
2. The upper side is heavy and always rotates downwards. So, when taking off, it is difficult to rotate the pedal to get it in correct position, takes some time. Looks a small grouse, but in the long run is often irritating.

Overall, if given a choice, I'd rather not go for these pedals again, but instead go for something like PD-M324, which is just a few bucks more and rids off the cons mentioned above.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pedals for the rest of us, July 12, 2008

By 

Far More Music - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shimano PD-A520 SPD Pedal (Sports)

Interested in actually walking with road bike shoes? You'll need these pedals - the absolute best of the bunch - really good bearings, easy in and out - large platform for your SPD mountain shoes (I use'm for road - so I can walk on a floor...)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great peddle, August 12, 2010

By 

Iride Therefore Iam "Still Greek to Me" (Southern CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shimano PD-A520 SPD Pedal (Sports)

I've used SpeedPlay peddles for years. Yes they are great, but like a lot of "road" peddles, you have to wear road shoes...and go clomping around when you walk in em. And pray you don't breakdown miles from home and have to walk home in them. Plus the cost is about 4 times the sale price of these @$50 peddles. I've also used the two sided PD520s and the more expensive PD770s...Save your money and get these if you want a "road" look to your peddle and more aero. However with the twosided 520s you do get twice the peddle to wear out...
Also you will be able to get a good set of cheap vs. expensive shoes, perhaps the Shimano M086. I've been using these shoes and peddles for over a year now a like them a lot. Yes most all of these "cheap" peddles in this series that I've tried eventually end up developing some "clicking" and/or squeeeeeking @ times. But @ 1/4 the cost... if this noise bothers you get a new pair...Save your expensive shoes and peddles for you races and impressing people.

2115|R3AC7O9KRGC1EZ;2115|R2CJFW4HDGV8TY;2115|RXAPQALUT439C;