Reddit reviews Shimano PD-A530 SPD Dual Platform Bike Pedal,Silver
We found 9 Reddit comments about Shimano PD-A530 SPD Dual Platform Bike Pedal,Silver. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Shimano pedaling dynamics - spd performs whether you're on or off the bike; makes pedaling more efficient with a wide variety of shoe and pedal styles; and the recess cleat makes walking more comfortableInnovative - by eliminating toe-clips and integrating the pedal and outsole into a single; unified power transfer system; shimano changed the industryIncredible performance - spd not only boosting power to the pedal; but also the rider's control over increasingly adventurous styles of ridingBetter control - you can pedal with greater efficiency; stability and comfort with the spd systemSuperior mud-shedding design - an open binding design allows mud and debris to be flushed out when the rider steps in
To put it simply... clipless pedals are... awesome. I have them on my road, time trial, mountain, and commuter bikes.
If you want something that can be used with both street shoes and with a cleat, then double-sided pedals will work. I recommend the Shimano PD-A530 (http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A530-Sport-Dual-sided-Pedal/dp/B0014UG3WE), you can probably find them for $50-$75 depending on where you shop.
Then you can get some shoes that use an SPD cleat. If you are going to be commuting as well, then it is handy to get shoes that have a rubber sole around the cleat. This allows you to walk in the shoes normally, without the cleat touching the ground. This means you won't walk "clop clop clop" down the hallway at work, and can nip into the market to grocery shop on your bike will still wearing the cleated shoes. I have some "Lake" brand mountain bike shoes, and they were less than $100, and have lasted me years.
There are a lot of other cleat/pedal systems: spd, shimano, look, egg beaters, speedplay. All of have their strengths/weaknesses.
For your first set of clipless pedals, SPD is probably the way to go: cheap, works fairly well, easy to find double sided pedals, shoes are easy to walk in.
Installation is as easy as putting a new set of pedals on a bike. You'll need a wrench, or an allen wrench to do that, it's not too hard. Read up on how to do it properly: using the pedal as leverage, and which way turn to tighten. Then you attach the cleat to the shoe. It's pretty easy, but spend a bit of time making sure you get the cleat into a comfortable position for your pedal stroke.
Few things. I think that most of the people here pointed out the biggies - rules, regulations, legal necessity stuff, maps, etc. I'm still newish to the city and just got a bike a few months ago. What really really helped me was joining some cycling groups. People are typically very friendly and they know their bike stuff and can help you if you have a flat, etc.
I first joined bicycling groups on www.meetup.com. The only one I've ever rode with was Social Cycling NYC though, really great folks. I also joined the 5 Borough Bike Club (5BBC); I've only been on one ride so far but, again, great people.
There are lots of rides to participate in too. The first Friday of every month, Time's up does a Moonlight Central Park ride. Really cool, I did the last one. There is also one of these for Prospect Park and I hear that one is nice too. Time's up also does a ride called Critical Mass, but I haven't personally went, just heard about it. These are free rides. Some (all? I don't know) of the 5BBC rides are free but there is a yearly membership ($20 and if you join in October, I think, you essentially are buying the 2013 membership and have the rest of 2012 free). However, I'm not sure how much free time you'll have to gallivant around!
Joining an organization like 5BBC or Transportation Alternatives also gets you discounts at bike shops as an FYI. Each organization has a list of participating shops.
Anytime I've ridden in Brooklyn, I've really enjoyed it. There are many more bike lanes than up my way in Queens. Take advantage of that and explore! A ride to Rockaway beach is nice too.
Some gear you might be interested in that I thought was helpful:
26 in one multi tool
On frame pump
Also, I don't know what sort of pedals you have or prefer. However IF you decide to get clips or clipless pedals, some of the bike folks I've met told me a few things. (I have clipless pedals btw) If you've never had clips/clipless pedals, get a pedal that has the the cleat thing on one side and a pedal platform on the other. This way, you don't have to be clipped in if you don't want to be.
I got these.
Also, for the shoes that go with said pedal: I was told for predominantly city riding that you can wear out the cleat on the bottom of the shoe faster if you have the treadless road bike shoe. Also, if you do any walking on hard surfaces with this shoe I guess it wears out quicker. If you buy a mountain bike shoe it has a perimeter of tread that goes around the sole. Keeps the cleat more protected from grinding on the pavement. It will still grind on certain types of ground or flooring though.
Since I already have Amazon open:
This Versus this
I have Pearl Izumi shoes and I really like them.
I'm looking to replace the flat pedals on my road bike with some clipless pedals, but since I mainly ride a short distance to school and don't want to change shoes I am looking at the Shimano A530 pedals which have SPD clips on one side and are flat on the other. Does anybody have experience with these and can tell me how well they work?
I also need shoes. I'm a pretty casual biker so I don't want to spend a lot on shoes since I don't really care about weight or stiffness. I found a pretty good deal on some Shimano RP5 shoes and am wondering if those would be a good choice. Also would I need to buy the pieces that attach to the shoes separately or are they included?
Shimano PD-A530 Sport Dual-sided Pedal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014UG3WE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oxuSzbKEWYM84
Shimano 2016 Men's Performance Race Road Cycling Shoes - SH-RP5 (White - 47.0) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZWBCKOG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_owuSzbFW9B4S3
I personally like my shimano pedals. I can use them with or without my bike shoes.
If you want a combo pedal may I recommend the A530 instead, it's more comfortable for regular riding.
Personally I've never found it made any difference to cue myself to "pull" the pedal, I just like clipless for the real plantedness and security.
I have the A-530 in silver as well, OP if you want lime green you could probably get those and have them repainted
I think these shimanos are legit as fuck. Cheap too.
The Shimano A530 pedals are similar in price and function.
I wouldn't particularly recommend the Performance bike pedals, especially since they aren't that much less expensive than the Shimano ones. They are not made by the same company and are copies that are made slightly worse in just about every way.
you stll have those "mickey mouse" pedals. those are only temp pedals for customers to test ride. get the shimano dual pedals: http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A530-Sport-Dual-sided-Pedal/dp/B0014UG3WE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343332103&sr=8-1&keywords=dual+pedals