Help!! PD-M530 or PD-M520

[Raydek]

Have been riding with a pair of these dual mtb pedals since I took up riding about 3 months ago, I did this so that I could get used to riding with clips, had the side with no clips just in case.

 

http://www.backcountry.com/images/items/900/SHI/SHI0099/ONCO.jpg

 

Now the side with no clips is annoying and I want to upgrade, but I am not sure if which of the two above pedals would suit me best.

 

As far as I can tell the only difference is that the 530's have a 'protection' bracket that also provides a bit more of a foothold???

 

Is the bracket actually useful?

[leona]

i think they are useful if you have trouble clipping in or wear those kind of trail shoes that have rubber soles. otherwise i wouldn't bother.

[Raydek]

i think they are useful if you have trouble clipping in or wear those kind of trail shoes that have rubber soles. otherwise i wouldn't bother.

 

I have soles similar to these, is this what u mean by rubber soles?

[Cat2forLife]

A quick Google search has led me to believe that for the most part, that little outer thing is mainly for extra stability when not wearing shoes and cleats, as MTB clipless pedals are generally quite small. Also, Shimano seem to make a PD A530 pedal, which looks (in my opinion) exactly like the M530, which they all a "Road Touring" pedal. I've been riding with pedals similar to the M520 for years, even on a roadbike back in my noob days, and I think they work really well. I personally don't see the advantages of the M530 over the M520 when wearing your cycling shoes.

[leona]

more like this type of thing: http://files.myopera.com/badmadcyclist/blog/ShimanoMT51.jpg

 

rubber sole so youl get grip on a wide platform. if you've just got shoes like what you posted i don't see any benefit to the wider pedal myself.

 

i have tried them in the past thinking they'd help me if i unclipped because i was worried about a descent and couldn't clip back in quickly enough. the reality is that you don't have any grip on it so its just as slippery as not being clipped in with a normal pedal with no cage.