Look X-Track pedals vs Shimmano PDM540

[Vroetelvarkie]

Any reviews on the X-track / X-track Race mtb pedals? 

And comparison to the Shimano PDM 540's?

 

Similar pricing at this stage with some lock down specials.

[Zama7]

Wondering the exact same, saw a few review but not sure if it is the exact same spec.

 

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/pedals/look-x-track-pedals

 

Was originally looking at XT pedals on CWC but these appear to be a lot better bang for buck

Edited April 1, 2020 by Zama7

[MORNE]

i have a set of x-track on my bike and the wife has 540 on hers. For all intents and purposes they are exactly the same thing. for Vanity points - the Looks are a bit prettier though.

One difference i felt in operation on both was that on the looks you can get the tension all the way down. The lowest setting on the 540 is probably like 3 or 4 clicks in on the look. I like my feet loosly clipped in and REAL easy to get out fast so this one is nice for me.

 

if you are one of those guys who likes feeling like you are welded to the pedals and need to be more assertive to get your foot out... then the shimano would probably feel tighter to you at higher settings.....but then i haven't tensioned my looks up all the way anyway so i wouldnt know what they are like at the top. 

 

so in summary:

 

the Look can give you a lower tension clip in/out than the Shimano can.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

no brainer with the CWC price right now - plus the Looks make your bike so much cooler.

 

Both operate the same way but like Morne I ride loosely clipped in - the wider platform must have some benefit too

[babse]

I have carted the X track race carbon

 

Still doing proper research on them in terms of durability. My current XTs have taken a fair bashing and still going strong 

[Wayne pudding Mol]

I have carted the X track race carbon

 

Still doing proper research on them in terms of durability. My current XTs have taken a fair bashing and still going strong 

I'm not sure anything is tougher than the XT's but I can confirm my X track race have never let me down in 3500km.  But take that from whence it comes, I hate singletack and rocky terrain

[Wayne pudding Mol]

I'm not sure anything is tougher than the XT's but I can confirm my X track race have never let me down in 3500km.  But take that from whence it comes, I hate singletrack and rocky terrain

[DieselnDust]

I think LOOK is a pretty safe bet. Even their road pedals hardly need any maintenance.

TIME is great too but not very popular

[lechatnoir]

Look's bearings are cartridge, where as Shimano are cup-and-cone.

 

My experience is that when working perfectly, Shimano will feel nicer, but when things need servicing, the Looks will be a breeze, whereas Shimano needs luck and/or skill... Look may need servicing more often though. Shimano use cup and cone on their XTR/Durace wheelsets, so there's that

[BaGearA]

One thing to consider with the looks is if you ride alot (like lots lots) the s springs start to bend away and clipping in and out isn't as "confidence inspiring" as when their new

 

You can buy new ones or just take out the springs and bend them back twice a year, you also need a special tool to get into the one pedal and I'm not sure if the tool is widely available here yet.

 

Shimano CT would still be my first choice, they won't die no matter what I do to them

[CAAD4]

Do the std Shimano cleats work on the X track?

 

Yes they do.

Edited April 1, 2020 by CAAD4

[Zama7]

XT was my first choice but at almost double the price not sure if it is worth it especially considering the look x tract doesn't appear bad.

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Had pd's for years, worked well, durability has been proven. Got look race. Absolutely love it. Looks nice as well and the price is great compared to a few months ago when I bought mine. Durability, time will tell, but for now it is a brainless choice

[BaGearA]

One thing to consider with the looks is if you ride alot (like lots lots) the s springs start to bend away and clipping in and out isn't as "confidence inspiring" as when their new

You can buy new ones or just take out the springs and bend them back twice a year, you also need a special tool to get into the one pedal and I'm not sure if the tool is widely available here yet.

Shimano CT would still be my first choice, they won't die no matter what I do to them

Sorry only saw now you said x track and not s track

 

 

Whoops

[Zawillow]

I switched from PDM540's to the X-Tracks about 6 months ago - apart from having to set the tension, I can't say I've noticed any difference at all between the two. If I was going to be pedantic I would say it's nice to have the wider surface area on the X-Tracks when going in and out of the cleats on very technical sections (but probably speaks more to the lack of my skills). The PDM540's use cup and cone bearings and are easy to service (you need to buy a cheap tool to do it), but I like the ideal of being able to service them myself. The X-Tracks use cartridge bearings and I'm assuming (hoping) won't need servicing (any time soon).  

[Zama7]

Finally got my X track's today. Is it worth switching the cleats on my shoes from Shimano to the one's that came in the look box ?