Shimano M520 Review
Cons: Minimal platform, only come in black
Manufacturer: Shimano
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Shimano M520 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $50 List | $135 List $135.00 at Amazon | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $105 List $99.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Decently lightweight, lightest adjsutable tension pedal we've tested, CHEAP | Lightweight, adjustable, low profile, inexpensive, available in many colors | Substantial platform underfoot, legendary durability, solid value | Capable, versatile, inexpensive, easy to use and adjustable | Good traction on the flat side, adjustable release tension, great value |
| Cons | Minimal platform, only come in black | Heavier cleats, float isn't as smooth as Shimano | Oversized locknut can interfere with proper fit and float feel | Slightly heavy, bulky for some uses, painted platform | Not as much platform support as we prefer on the clipless side |
| Bottom Line | The lowest cost clipless model tested that's also among the lightest | Thinner, lighter, and less expensive than the XTR Trail with more usable platform and more adjustability | The capable all-mountain pedal renowned for its durability and solid performance ratchets up the performance specs | An adjustable, full-featured pedal offering stability and ease of use at a reasonable price point | Great dual purpose pedal, offers good performance on either side and great value |
| Rating Categories | Shimano M520 | HT Components T1 | Shimano PD-M8120 XT... | Shimano ME700 | Xpedo Ambix |
| Ease Of Exit (25%) | |||||
| Ease Of Entry (20%) | |||||
| Adjustability (20%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Platform (10%) | |||||
| Mud Shedding Ability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Shimano M520 | HT Components T1 | Shimano PD-M8120 XT... | Shimano ME700 | Xpedo Ambix |
| Weight per Pair (grams) | 374g | 372g | 430g | 482g | 384g |
| Weight of Cleats and Bolts (grams) | 50g | 62g | 51g | 50g | 52g |
| Cleat Type | SPD Mountain | HT X1 or HT X1F | SPD mountain | SPD mountain | XPEDO XPC (6° Float) |
| Style | no cage | mini-cage | mini-cage | mini-cage | clip/flat |
| Platform Dimensions (lxw) | 42 x 61 mm | 68mm x 83.5mm | 100 x 71 mm | 100 x 74mm | 102 x 84 mm |
| profile height | 22mm | 16.8mm | 18mm | 19mm | 19mm |
| Q-Factor | 55 mm | 56mm | 55mm | 55mm | 56 mm |
| Total Width from Crank Arm | 80 mm | 90mm | 92mm | 93mm | 100mm |
| Entry | 2-sided | 2-sided | 2-sided | 2-sided | 1-sided |
| Adjustable Tension | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Traction Pins | 0 | 4 grub pins | 0 | 0 | 8 grub pins |
| Bearings | Dual Angular Contact | EVO+ | dual angular contact, metal retainer | dual angular contact, plastic retainer | 3 Sealed Cartridge |
| Cage Material | n/a | extruded/CNC machined aluminum | anodized and machined aluminum | painted aluminum | Aluminum |
| Pedal Wrench Type | 8mm allen | 8mm allen | 8mm allen | 6mm allen or 15mm open end | 8mm allen |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Shimano M520 is an incredibly versatile, durable, and inexpensive clipless pedal. Our testers have owned pairs of these for multiple years and have used them on all styles of bikes, from road bikes to commuter bikes to hardtail cross-country bikes, to six-inch enduro bikes. This is the pedal to buy if you are on a budget.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Entry
This pedal is pretty dang easy to get into. The cleat seats into the mechanism with a satisfying, audible click. The Shimano M530 is essentially the same as this pedal but with the addition of a mini-cage around the clip-in mechanism. That small platform makes that model of pedal just slightly easier to get into than this pedal without a cage, which requires slightly better aim.
Ease of Exit
There is no cage to hang up on, so we think getting out of this pedal is quite clean and easy. It is comparable to other Shimano pedals in their disengagement which is confirmed with an audible click. It is much easier than some other styles of pedals, like those made by Time or Crankbrothers, that require much more twist before you hit the release point.
Adjustability
The tension on the M520 is adjustable using a 3mm Allen wrench, just like on all Shimano mountain pedals. This makes it so someone new to clipless pedals can have very soft tension for easy entry and exit, while a seasoned cyclist can crank up the tension to his or her liking.
Weight
The M520 are relatively lightweight, but not as light as you would think for such a small pedal, weighing 374 grams per pair. These are comparable to the Crankbrothers Eggbeater 2 which also don't have any cage or platform, but the Eggbeaters weigh just 278 grams. If you are interested in going as light as possible, we suggest those pedals over the M520.
Platform
There is no cage or platform on this simple pedal, however, when compared to the Eggbeater 2 there is twice as much surface area to stand on. If you want a little bit of a cage to help you clip in faster, we suggest the M530, which is the same great pedal with slightly more surface area.
Mud Shedding Ability
The mud shedding ability of the M520 is as good as it could be for an SPD pedal. Crankbrothers and Time pedals do have an advantage over SPD style pedals because of the more open design of the retention spring.
Durability
There is no cage around the clip-in mechanism to protect the pedal itself, but our testers have owned pairs of these affordable pedals for years and they never seem to die. For just $45 it would be hard not to get your money's worth out of these burly pedals.
Value
This is the least expensive pedal we've tested. Consider the versatility and durability of this pedal, and we think it is the best deal out there for a mountain clipless pedal. It retails for just $45, but you can find them for even less using our price finder tool. Additionally, the use of a common cleat means you are likely to already have a pair of shoes with these SPD cleats, so getting this pedal for your second bike is the most economical way to go.
Conclusion
The M520 is a quality clipless pedal at an unbeatable price. It is a supremely versatile and durable pedal with a very low entry cost and it will last for years.
Recommended Pairing
This pedal works best with a hard-soled, cross-country oriented shoe like the Giro Privateer R or Sidi Dominator. It can work on a wide range of bikes from commuter bikes, to hardtails, to bikes with 4 to six inches of travel.
Other Versions and Accessories
Shimano M540
- Cost - $90
- Does not have a pedal wrench flat
- The lack of a wrench flat saves a few grams, but it's not worth it in our opinion
Shimano M530
- Cost - $69
- They are very easy to get in and out of
- Earned our Best Buy Award
- Least expensive offering in the mini-platform pedal category
— McKenzie Long and Luke Lydiard
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