Ryder Bi Elite mtb pedals

[Chris NewbyFraser]

With money being tight, I bought a pair of these pedals to replace the Shimano 520's that I gave to my grandson. Ryder claim a weight of 274g for these dual clip pedals that are spd compatible so they seemed to be an improvement over the 520's. After about 500km here are my views.

The pedals look small and very blingy with a lot of chrome.

The shoe support area is at least twice that of the 520 pedals but with the narrower width the pressure is placed in a more concentrated spot. More foot rockingwas possible. As always, Ryders pricing is aggressive but varied widely between shops. Fitting was easy but requires an 8mm Allen key.

Fitting cleats was easy.

Adjusting the pedal spring tension is the same as Shimano, with 4 adjusting screws. One screw nut stripped its thread when I loosened it completely and then tried to screw it back in.

The pedals allow 4 degrees float, more than the 520's 3degrees. This float required me to mount/position the cleats in a way that prevented the shoes from rubbing the brank arm. This position then caused a problem with unclipping as the row of tread on my Spez shoes got in the way of swinging my foot out to unclip. I have had to position the cleats in the centre of the shoe to prevent this problem.

Riding the pedals went largely without a problem and I got used to the bigger float and cleat position. Afted about 10 rides and various washings etc, I found difficulty in uncleating. This was caused by the blingy chrome of the clip springs wearing and creating friction. A spray of 'Tool in a can' solved this. Shimano does not experience this problem so I assume it is either the round spring wire used on the Ryders or the chrome over inferior steel that is at fault.

I generally avoid mud so cannot comment on how mud packs up in the cleats. There is a fair degree of clearance so for general use by recreational riders who are not mud-bunnies, the pedals will suffice.

In summary, I must say that the pedals are an acceptable low cost alternative to the big brand pedals, but are not in the same class.

[Chris NewbyFraser]

8 months on, little distance and no water splashes. The bearings have loosened substantially and although I have removed the dust cap to get access to adjust or disassemble the pedals, I cannot seem to loosen the lock 'nut' which is not a nut but a smooth round cap on the pedal axle holding the bearings and races in. 

 

Has anybody ever serviced one of these pedals. How did you get it off the axle. My lbs said they could not and sold me some 540's at fabulous discount to compensate for selling me the Ryders in the first place.

[MajG]

Thread reboot-because anything possible on 2020.

 

So anybody have more experience with these pedals.

 

I have shimano 520 spds but looking at these as an option

[Butterbean]

Stick with Shimano. These appear great but bearings don't last and serviceability isn't wonderful. The small weight penalty with Shimano is well worth the reliability

[DR ◣◢]

Thread reboot-because anything possible on 2020.

 

So anybody have more experience with these pedals.

 

I have shimano 520 spds but looking at these as an option

Spend the money and get Shimano instead I think. I’ve never owned a good Ryder product. Will definitely pass on my end.

[MajG]

Spend the money and get Shimano instead I think. I’ve never owned a good Ryder product. Will definitely pass on my end.

 got it - advice well received.

[tinmug]

I was suckered into paying for Ryder pedals (can't remember which model) and:

1. Out the box both were bent
2. Replaced with new pedals and neither worked particularly well (clip-in, release action)
3. Signs of rust within days

 

Took them off, fitted Shimano SPDs (which cost only a little more) and:

1. Everything straight and true
2. Clipping in/out is – and remains – a dream
3. A few years down the line zero rust
4. No evidence that I need to service or replace them any time soon (touch wood)

 

I have a Ryder torch which I quite like (used as torch at home, not on bike ... too weak for that), but apart from that I walk wide circles around anything they make print their name on. 

[Jihtu]

Interesting thread
I own and current use 3 different pedals

M520, M540 and these Ryder SPD elite.
 

Largely I have to agree with all comments above, my experience using them:

 

I have been using these Ryder pedals on my roadbike for the last year without too many problems. I assume this is mostly because they aren't exposed to mud, sand water etc.

Even with them being spared from the MTB environment I have noticed that the cleating in and out has changed over time. In the beginning it was nice and even right across all 4 surfaces but now I feel like I have adjust them constantly and have eventually given up and come to live with the varying stiffness of cleating in and out is different on the sides.

 

I will not be purchasing these again and will stick to the 520/540

[droo]

I'm no Shimano fan for anything MTB related, but if you want clipless there's really no point looking anywhere else. Avoid XTR, but anything from XT down will survive the apocalypse.

[MrJacques]

I was suckered into paying for Ryder pedals (can't remember which model) and:

1. Out the box both were bent
2. Replaced with new pedals and neither worked particularly well (clip-in, release action)
3. Signs of rust within days

 

Took them off, fitted Shimano SPDs (which cost only a little more) and:

1. Everything straight and true
2. Clipping in/out is – and remains – a dream
3. A few years down the line zero rust
4. No evidence that I need to service or replace them any time soon (touch wood)

 

I have a Ryder torch which I quite like (used as torch at home, not on bike ... too weak for that), but apart from that I walk wide circles around anything they make print their name on. 

 

I've heard Ryder's sealant works well. Other products like the Nutcracker and Slyder CO2 storage looks handy.

 

https://www.rydercycling.co.za/ryder-products/accessories/nut-cracker-detail

 

https://www.rydercycling.co.za/ryder-products/accessories/slyder-co2-storage-system-detail