Review on SHIMANO PD M540 SPD Pedals Black by Jesse Blair

Just got back to mountain biking. My last bike had clips and straps so you have to imagine how long ago that was! I've had clips on my road bike for years so I'm not new to clipless pedaling, but this is my first time using an SPD system or any off-road clipless system. The bike I bought came with PD-M324 pedals. So they are only cut on one side. I knew I was old and tired and rusty but I thought I had fought a lot more than it took to get back on my feet, especially in the technical areas. The 324s also got clogged with mud, although admittedly that was never enough to stop me from cutting. I upgraded to the 540s based on feedback. I've looked at 520s but a lot of people have said it's better to spend the extra money and get a better pedal. I was convinced that this is a smaller pedal overall and thought it would be easier to assemble. I love these pedals! Like day and night! I can say with confidence that there was an immediate improvement from the first ride. They slide in and out easily (I haven't adjusted the tension yet or switched to single release lugs) and dirt doesn't build up at all. nobody. The open design works as it should. I'm waiting for my skill and physical ability to catch up with the bike so I wasn't worried about shaving every gram I could. I just needed a reliable, proven pedal that I can get in and out of quickly and that works perfectly! Great pedal for the price!