Skip to main content

Shimano M530 clipless pedals


THE M530S ARE the budget option in Shimano’s caged SPD pedal range and at 52$ they’re an absolute bargain. The low price means we can excuse their heavier weight (455g per pair) and less refined looks than their more expensive XT and XTR counterparts.

Engagement with the included cleats feels positive and secure, and you can adjust the mechanism to make it easier or harder to clip in and out. We like the reassuring clip-in clunk, and also the caged pedal body, which makes the M530s that bit easier to find when trying to clip back in than the 7$ cheaper non-caged M520s. The larger platform does feel a little skatey with really hard-soled cross-country shoes though.

After a solid six months’ battering, using them almost every day, the sealed cartridge bearings are in need of some attention, but that’s to be expected.

Price 52$

Popular posts from this blog

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

Marzocchi 350 NCR fork

Italy's most famous fork manufacturer aims directly at the high profile, high performance enduro race scene but it needs patience to reveal its potential.

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

DRC X-Monitor SP1 lap timer

While smartphone apps such as Strava can be a useful way to keep tabs on your mountain bike rides, sometimes you just can’t beat the simplicity and instant feedback that a good old-fashioned stopwatch style lap timer provides.

COMMENCAL EL CAMINO 3

Commencal are going from strength to strength at the moment and they’ve taken their tough trail hardtail bang up to date with 650b wheels. With its skinny rims, crankset and fork, the El Camino certainly isn’t perfect and it’s the least hardcore bike here. The handling, smoothness, speed and all-round agility of the basic bike still make it a real blast for technical trail riding though, and it’s a great base for upgrading over time.