Review on SHIMANO Deore M8020 Trail Pedals by John Rocha

After years of pedaling bare (using old pedals with no clips, straps or spikes) I've tried adding toe clips and straps. I didn't like the clamps of the cage because to just put your foot in you had to flip the pedal and hit the hole with your toes quickly, being careful not to fall for lack of forward motion and putting your foot forward of the weight. Clamping the cage pulls the pedal back out of position. I then tried a set of reversible pedals that were flat on one side and had a cleat locking mechanism on the other. Combined with the Shimano cleats, I felt comfortable with the cleats. Honestly, it didn't take long before I could buckle and (more importantly) unbuckle when needed. But because of the spiked pedals on only one side, I found it difficult to engage without falling off. I finally bought these pedals that have cleat locks on top and bottom. This greatly simplifies recording. The pedals work perfectly. Because you can pedal UP as well as DOWN, pedaling is much more efficient. Climbing uphill instantly becomes 2 times easier. The descent from the slope, overcoming bumps or abrupt sections of the path is done with a plumb line. For me, having my feet fixed and not bouncing off the bike makes me a much better rider and helps me stay in control of the bike. The self-confidence when passing difficult terrain increases significantly.