Clipless Cage Match: Shimano M540 Vs. M520 - Bike Forums

Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting > Clipless Cage Match: Shimano M540 vs. M520 Username Remember Me? Password By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and to the use of cookies as described therein. Register Forgot Password? Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search Vendor Directory Notices Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work. Search Forums Show Threads Show Posts Advanced Search Find All Liked Posts Go to Page... Clipless Cage Match: Shimano M540 vs. M520 Reply Subscribe Thread Tools Search this Thread 07-13-06 | 11:19 AM #1 Bklyn Thread Starter Ex-Lion Tamer Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,152 Likes: 0 From: Brooklyn, N.Y. Bikes: 1982 Lotus Legend (steel-frame touring bike); 1982 Fuji S10S (converted to a singlespeed: 46x16); Specialized Crossroads hybrid (the child taxi). Clipless Cage Match: Shimano M540 vs. M520 [Two men enter, one man leaves.] All the recent debate has inspired me to go clipless. (That and Nashbar's current 20%-off sale.) I'm tempted by the eggbeaters, but 1) it's a much higher pricepoint, and 2) they look too delicate for someone as casually clumsy as I am. So it's down to these two. This is the description of the M540: This pedal from Shimano is designed with a mud shedding, open binding for easier cleat engagement and release. Cro-Moly axle with 8mm Allen wrench mount. Sealed bearings. Grey/silver. 350g. $75 at Nashbar. This is the description of the M520: A very affordable, lightweight design with an easy step in cleat retention system. Adjustable spring tension top and bottom. Cro-Moly axle with sealed bearings. Black and silver. 376g. $39 at Nashbar. Apart from $35 and 26 grams, what is the difference? Reply 0 0 Bklyn View Public Profile Find More Posts by Bklyn View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 11:48 AM #2 lyledriver Electrical Hazard Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 974 Likes: 0 From: Manhattan / Vancouver Bikes: a bunch. The colour as well. I've got the M540s. They're actually my second set, as the first set had a defective bearing. Don't let the product literature fool you, it says 'sealed cartridge axle' for the 540s, but that just means its looseball, with a dust seal. Reply 0 0 lyledriver View Public Profile Find More Posts by lyledriver View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 11:53 AM #3 flipped4bikes ROM 6:23 Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,713 Likes: 0 From: Coastal Maine Bikes: Specialized Tricross Comp, Lemond Tourmalet, Bridgestone MB-5 Don't know. Don't care. What I do know is that my M520s work fine. Reply 0 0 flipped4bikes View Public Profile Find More Posts by flipped4bikes View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 12:25 PM #4 DataJunkie Senior Member Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 14,277 Likes: 3 Only $60 https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true They are by no means fragile. Mine have taken a ton of abuse. Reply 0 0 DataJunkie View Public Profile Find More Posts by DataJunkie View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 01:00 PM #5 cyccommute Mad bike riding scientist Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 28,882 Likes: 5,858 From: Denver, CO Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones I've use the 520's since they came out. I have 5 or 6 different sets on mountain bikes and road bikes and they stand up to everything even hard core mountain biking. I haven't had one fail yet but then I've only ever broken one pedal anyway The major difference, aside from finish, is that the 540's can't be put on with a regular wrench but have to be put on with an 8mm allen wrench. That, by itself, is enough to put me off from using them. Every tried to take off a pedal using an 8mm allen on the back side of the pedal? It ain't pretty! __________________ Stuart Black Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part) Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest. Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River! Reply 0 0 cyccommute View Public Profile Find More Posts by cyccommute View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 01:09 PM #6 LóFarkas LF for the accentdeprived Joined: May 2005 Posts: 3,549 Likes: 0 From: Budapest, Hungary Quote: Originally Posted by Bklyn Apart from $35 and 26 grams, what is the difference? Not much. You can see how the 540 can't be mounted with a 15mm pedal wrenc cuz it has a different axle. An allen crank puller works, though. Some say that the 540 has a mechanism like the XTR, not like the cheaper 520... I'm not seeing a difference btw 520 and 540. I'd get the 520. I'm sure the bearings/mechanism/materials are marginally better on the 540, but it's not worth $36 more, I think. Reply 0 0 LóFarkas View Public Profile Find More Posts by LóFarkas View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 02:10 PM #7 bsyptak Luggite Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,906 Likes: 0 I bought these not too long ago and they are really nice. Made by Wellgo, 295g. True SPD compatibility (98A cleat), which is a requirement because I've got diff SPD pedals on diff bikes. Excellent looking, sleek pedal. https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...egory_ID=5240# Reply 0 0 bsyptak View Public Profile Find More Posts by bsyptak View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 02:43 PM #8 nitroRoo Senior Member Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 151 Likes: 0 From: Charlotte, NC Bikes: Gary Fisher Cake 3dlx, GT Force I've had the 520s on my mtb for about 8 months. They've stood up to plenty of off road abuse and work fine. I'm still on platforms for my commuter though... Reply 0 0 nitroRoo View Public Profile Find More Posts by nitroRoo View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 02:52 PM #9 barba Senior Member Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,083 Likes: 0 The 540s are a little lighter and the bearings are nicer. They feel great when you give them a spin and they just go and go. In practice, I doubt you will feel the difference. The binding mechanism is the same. The 520s (and likely the 540s) scuff fairly easily. The Eggbeaters are anything but delicate. They are very solid pedals. Reply 0 0 barba View Public Profile Find More Posts by barba View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 03:17 PM #10 superted Senior Member Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 256 Likes: 0 I've got the 540s and they are great, the bearings are of a higher quality than the 520s but as has been said, i think its unlikely that you'll notice the difference. Reply 0 0 superted View Public Profile Find More Posts by superted View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 03:45 PM #11 loki_1 Cyclic Lurker Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 20 Likes: 0 I ride the A520 on my commuter. spd cleat with a patform. very comfortable. $55 on ebay. I run the M540 on my mtn bike. Never had a problem removing them with an allen wrench. Reply 0 0 loki_1 View Public Profile Find More Posts by loki_1 View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 03:54 PM #12 CHenry Senior Member Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 912 Likes: 1 From: Mid-Atlantic Bikes: A bunch I have a set of each. Both are nice. Both work fine. The advantage of the M520s is that they free up $60 to buy something else. Reply 0 0 CHenry View Public Profile Find More Posts by CHenry View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 03:55 PM #13 sauerwald Senior Member Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,840 Likes: 0 From: San Jose, CA Bikes: Bianchi San Remo - set up as a utility bike, Peter Mooney Road bike, Peter Mooney commute bike,Dahon Folder,Schwinn Paramount Tandem I have the 540s on one of my bikes, and they are the best set of the pedals that I have - although that is not saying much. I have M424s on one bike, and because of the platform, they do not work with my new PI Vapor shoes - although they do work with the older PI Vapors. Reply 0 0 sauerwald View Public Profile Find More Posts by sauerwald View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 04:50 PM #14 Bklyn Thread Starter Ex-Lion Tamer Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,152 Likes: 0 From: Brooklyn, N.Y. Bikes: 1982 Lotus Legend (steel-frame touring bike); 1982 Fuji S10S (converted to a singlespeed: 46x16); Specialized Crossroads hybrid (the child taxi). Thanks for your help. If only I took this much care in all my life decisions.... Here's a can of worms: good shoes? How about those Adidas sneaker-looking things? Reply 0 0 Bklyn View Public Profile Find More Posts by Bklyn View iTrader Profile 07-13-06 | 06:51 PM #15 CastIron Sensible shoes. Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 8,798 Likes: 0 From: St. Paul,MN Bikes: A few. Quote: Originally Posted by flipped4bikes Don't know. Don't care. What I do know is that my M520s work fine. Ditto. Use 'em on my 'cross bike. Cheap, effective, reliable. __________________ Mike Quote: Originally Posted by cedricbosch It looks silly when you have quotes from other forum members in your signature. Nobody on this forum is that funny. Quote: Originally Posted by cedricbosch Why am I in your signature. Reply 0 0 CastIron View Public Profile Find More Posts by CastIron View iTrader Profile 09-28-16 | 09:17 AM #16 eider.oliveira Newbie Joined: Sep 2016 Posts: 1 Likes: 0 M520 lasts less The M520 I bought for $28 at amazon started do 'click' after less than 2 months of use. M540 seems sturdier. Reply 0 0 eider.oliveira View Public Profile Find More Posts by eider.oliveira View iTrader Profile 09-28-16 | 09:44 AM #17 noglider aka Tom Reingold Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 43,443 Likes: 5,494 From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem Quote: Originally Posted by eider.oliveira The M520 I bought for $28 at amazon started do 'click' after less than 2 months of use. M540 seems sturdier. I suggest you return them if they are still under warranty. Or have a mechanic check them to see if you've left something loose. You should know that you have revived a ten-year-old thread. That seems OK, since both pedals appear still to be in production by my googling. __________________ Tom Reingold, [email protected] New York City and High Falls, NY Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog “When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks. Reply 0 0 noglider View Public Profile Visit noglider's homepage! Find More Posts by noglider View iTrader Profile 09-28-16 | 11:33 AM #18 Mr IGH afraid of whales Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 4,306 Likes: 6 From: Front Range, CO There's no real difference, go for the 520s and spend the left over cash on beer. Reply 0 0 Mr IGH View Public Profile Find More Posts by Mr IGH View iTrader Profile 01-02-20 | 10:14 AM #19 Zurichman2 Senior Member Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 363 Likes: 6 I know this is a 2006 thread but I have a ? on the Shimano pedals. I had a set of PD-M540 put on my gravel bike 2 years ago. Probably less than a 1000 miles on them with no hard core mt. biking on them. The one has a bind in it already and guessing the bearing is gone in it. My LBS would probably charge me $40 - $50 to replace the bearing. Not worth it. Curious if the new PD-M9100 is just that much better of a pedal for over $100. I see I would only be saving about an ounce of weight. Would these pedals be under warranty? Thanks Zman Reply 0 0 Zurichman2 View Public Profile Find More Posts by Zurichman2 View iTrader Profile 06-20-21 | 11:07 AM #20 Jack Kessler Junior Member Joined: Aug 2016 Posts: 9 Likes: 1 540 vs 520 Explained First one has to recognize that L and R pedals have opposite threads, not just on Shimano, but on all pedals. This was invented by Orville Wright to keep pedals from unscrewing themselves by precession. Second, recognize that crank arms are soft alloy while pedal shafts are hard steel. Which means that, with a little extra force, easily available with a wrench, one can strip the hell out of the crank arm threads with the 520's by turning them the wrong direction. On the 540's, without a place for a wrench, the only way to turn a pedal is with an Allen wrench from the back. Which allows too little leverage to easily strip the crank arm threads. Which means the 520's can easily strip crank arm threads and the 540's really cannot (unless one has Mighty Joe Young gorilla hands). 520's and 540's are almost identical except for a few grams and the risk of stripping the crank arm threads and stranding oneself deep in the boondocks. A moment's carelessness, or a green bike shop mech being clueless, can really ruin your day with the 520's, not with the 540's. Last edited by Jack Kessler; 06-20-21 at 11:21 AM. Reply 0 0 Jack Kessler View Public Profile Find More Posts by Jack Kessler View iTrader Profile 06-21-21 | 09:37 AM #21 DorkDisk Senior Member Joined: May 2013 Posts: 2,313 Likes: 1,184 From: Kips Bay, NY Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning M520 uses the older spindle with the plastic sleeve that requires a special tool and can click due to the plastic wearing. M540 uses the newer spindle that is serviceable with an adjustable wrench. used to be included, now costs $3 Reply 0 0 DorkDisk View Public Profile Find More Posts by DorkDisk View iTrader Profile 06-28-21 | 04:57 PM #22 Leisesturm Senior Member Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,855 Likes: 1,223 Quote: Originally Posted by Jack Kessler First one has to recognize that L and R pedals have opposite threads, not just on Shimano, but on all pedals. This was invented by Orville Wright to keep pedals from unscrewing themselves by precession. Second, recognize that crank arms are soft alloy while pedal shafts are hard steel. Which means that, with a little extra force, easily available with a wrench, one can strip the hell out of the crank arm threads with the 520's by turning them the wrong direction. On the 540's, without a place for a wrench, the only way to turn a pedal is with an Allen wrench from the back. Which allows too little leverage to easily strip the crank arm threads. Which means the 520's can easily strip crank arm threads and the 540's really cannot (unless one has Mighty Joe Young gorilla hands). 520's and 540's are almost identical except for a few grams and the risk of stripping the crank arm threads and stranding oneself deep in the boondocks. A moment's carelessness, or a green bike shop mech being clueless, can really ruin your day with the 520's, not with the 540's. I have a honking big 15mm pedal wrench by Park Tools and even if I jumped on it from 3' height I would not destroy the crank-arm threads! There are a lot of threads engaged when the pedal axle is properly seated and unless the pedal is badly crossthreaded, the combination of lots of fine threads and hard alloys means ordinary human efforts will not be enough to strip threads. Be at peace. Cheap out on the 520's in good conscience. I've never felt the need to justify them in any way. That being said, I have a pair of Crank Bros. Eggbeater pedals that use an 8mm Allen wrench for installation. I would not be as dismissive as you are about the strength of 8mm Allen wrenches. Why do so many high end pedal models use them? A final pro tip before I go: It is not necessary (as many seem to believe) to tighten pedals with Magilla Gorilla level forces. Hand tight is more than good enough because pedals are designed to be self tightening in use! When I am working on a project bike and auditioning components, I will often install the pedals just finger tight and go for a test ride. This makes for easy swapping in the field while I try different things out. FWIW. Reply 0 0 Leisesturm View Public Profile Find More Posts by Leisesturm View iTrader Profile Reply Subscribe Back to Subforum Commuting View Next Unread Do you all have a spare wheelset ? Posting Rules You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts BB code is On Smilies are On [IMG] code is On HTML code is OffTrackbacks are Off Pingbacks are Off Refbacks are Off Forum Rules Thread Tools Show Printable Version Search this Thread Advanced Search Thread Tools Show Printable Version Email this Page Advanced Search Reply Closed Thread Share

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