Shimano M424 Pedal - Pop-up Feature?

**Timbuk2**

Hi

I'm looking for the best pedals to get for my bike. However I'm limited by the fact that I already have shoes with SPD SH-51 cleats in them. Also I would like a pedal that can use normal shoes as well as sometimes for me it isn't practical to use cleats (for shorter trips etc).

I was looking at the Shimano M424 Pedals. They say that they are
"Designed for all round use with pop-up binding mechanism for easy entry and release. Pedal can be used with normal shoes, as the binding is pushed flat and the resin cage supports the shoe."

I'm sorry for asking an 'obvious' question, but what does this pop-up binding mechanism mean?
If the pedal pops-up to allow entry, and then is pushed down when you clip-in, how do you get out and how do you get it to pop back up again?
Or if I use normal shoes and push down the binding, does it stay down all the time, even without a foot being placed on top of it?
How do I 'pop' it back up when I want to use the SPDs.

Sorry for the silly questions. None of the websites seem to make it clear. Thanks for the help in advance,
Tim

Captain Ahab

Not sure about the pop-up, but I use these pedals:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28050

Very handy for commuting when you are approaching lights etc. and can put your foot on the flat side without the risk of accidentally clipping in just as you are slowing to a stop.

**Timbuk2**

Captain Ahab wrote: »

Not sure about the pop-up, but I use these pedals:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28050

Very handy for commuting when you are approaching lights etc. and can put your foot on the flat side without the risk of accidentally clipping in just as you are slowing to a stop.

Thanks for the quick reply! They look good, but can I ask you a question?

When you have your foot off them and they are just sitting idly, which way do they land - SPD side up or 'flat' side up?
Thanks!

Captain Ahab

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

When you have your foot off them and they are just sitting idly, which way do they land - SPD side up or 'flat' side up?

Not sure, to be honest! I think they stay the way you left them, but they are easy to clip into and you can feel straight away if you need to flip over, so doesn't hold you up or cause you to look down.

**Timbuk2**

They sound really good actually. It's just what I was looking for. I didn't want to get a purely clip-in pedal because sometimes using the SPD shoes are just not practical (e.g a 5 minute spin on the bike) or as you say, approaching lights etc.

Where did you buy them - online or in a bike shop. How much did you pay for them?

sean_d

What sort of cycling are you going to be doing?
If its anything involving mountainbiking, stay well away from the A530's - invariably they will be on the wrong side and its an extra thing you don't need the hassle of worrying about. Its better just to get used to using the SPD 100% of the time anyway...Don't see the need for a flat pedal for using approaching lights or whatever, you can just pull your foot out when you stop at the light?

The pop-up mechanism is just a spring loaded mechanism that raises the SPD binding above the cage when there is no weight on it, to make it easier to get in to. If you were to wear normal shoes, it should just disappear below the cage when your foot is on the pedal. No need to manually raise it back up when you need to use it - it does it by itself.

Lastly, don't be constricted by the type of cleats you already have - cleats come with the pedals, not the shoes.

**Timbuk2**

I understand what you are saying, but I think using SPD 100% of the time is not very practical for my needs. As money is scarce etc, I have only one bike. If I want to go on a long cycle, I'd use the SPDs. But if I just wanted to go on a short 3 minute cycle to the shop or something, I think it's a bit pointless to have to use the shoes.

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear on what I meant by only needing SPD pedals. I already have Specialized Comp MTB Shoes that has the SM-SH51 cleats in them that I use for spin class etc. I'd rather just get pedals that accept these cleats rather than have to change cleats (or shoes) all the time, if you know what I mean.

So would the Shimano M424 Pedals be a practical choice. If the binding 'pops' up when no weight is applied, won't it then pop up if you pull up really hard with your foot (e.g when climbing)?

sean_d

So would the Shimano M424 Pedals be a practical choice. If the binding 'pops' up when no weight is applied, won't it then pop up if you pull up really hard with your foot (e.g when climbing)?

I think it would be a good option. I used to use them myself. The grip, when using flat shoes, wasn't as good as a regular flat pedal, but for commuting and arsing about, it wasn't an issue.
The action of the sole of your shoe wedging against the cage should prevent the binding moving anywhere during pedalling, regardless of you pushing down or pulling up. The amount of available travel is minimal, its just enough to get the binding above the cage to clip into, but once clipped in, your shoe holds it in place.

Bicyclegadabout

I just got the MT424 pedals this week. They're grand for what they are, they'll do pretty much exactly what you need Timbuk2.
I used to have pedals that were flat on one side, but I thought they were rubbish and wouldn't go for that design again. Having cleats on both sides is way handier.

**Timbuk2**

Thank you for the help everyone. You were all very informative

Now I just hope one of the bike shops in town sells them pedals! If not I'll probably have to buy them online

jebidiah

do these pedals have a cleat on both sides? i have a set of these that you can have for free if you want.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/shimano-pd-m324.jpg

they have cleat on one side and flat pedal on the other, i found them pretty good for cycling with both types of shoes, and a friend of mine used the same as a couier and loved them. its a simple case of fliping them around to the flat side if it lands with cleat up and vice versa

**Timbuk2**

Thanks for the generous offer, but I think I will go with the M424s (which have cleats on both sides). Besides I do not have a car anyway.

Thanks anyway for the generous offer

**Timbuk2**

When I remove the pedals, do I have to grease the threads before putting in the new pedals?

I don't have any of this grease. Are there any subsitutes? Is it absoloutely necessary, or only if you change pedals quite frequently?

sean_d

Its good practice to do it, if you even intend taking the pedals off even just once again. They have a nasty habit of seizing in the cranks.
For all the heartache it saves, its a couple of euro well spent...

**Timbuk2**

Can you only use waterproof grease specially designed for bikes? Would you find this in a bike shop?

sean_d

Doesn't have to be specially designed for bikes, as long as its not too heavy it'll do the job.
But yes, your local bike shop, or halfrauds, or even DIY store will have something suitable.

**Timbuk2**

Thanks sean_d, you've been exceptionally helpful

I searched my garage today (which has accumulated throughout the years with a lot of crap/rubbish/stuff/debris) and found a small tub labelled "Weldite Lithium Grease"
Will this do? The tub looks very old, and I have no idea why we have it, but it still seems to be moist. It has a pasty texture, almost like soft butter or Sudocrem, and it's a creamy, off-white colour (almost tan).

Will this do the job?

sean_d

As long as its not got a "use by" date or the constituents appear to have separated (though the texture sounds like they havent) its sounds just perfect...

rottenhat

sean_d wrote: »

Its good practice to do it, if you even intend taking the pedals off even just once again. They have a nasty habit of seizing in the cranks.
For all the heartache it saves, its a couple of euro well spent...

Too right...always have some grease around for pedals, seatposts, stem etc, and check/regrease once a year at least.