Zebra Tempest

Hi all,

I looking to move from toe clips to a dual-sided SPD/flat pedal. I already own Shimano CT-500 shoes (Shimano CT500).
Shimano recommends either the EH-500 or the T421 pedals.

The differences I see are:

T421: click'r technology (whatever that is) Has reflector. Shimano lists for "Trekking" (Shimano T421)
EH500: pins on flat side. Shimano lists for "Multi-Purpose" (Shimano EH500)

Does anyone understand why one would choose one of those vs. the other?

I don't ride in mud or downhill. I'm an adventure rider on paved (75%), dirt road(25%), and I avoid mud, and am not a mountain biker.

Thanks for the input.

DorkDisk

T421 uses Click'R, which is aimed at beginners (more float and less click in and click out strength). EH500 also comes in a version with sh-56 cleats, which offer more float over the standard but with standard springs.

mstateglfr 

Between those two pedals, I would go EH500.
Pedal reflectors...why?

My gravel bike has an older pedal verson of the EH500 called the A530. I use my gravel bike most frequently for family rides to places where I want regular shoes, so the pedal is very convenient since it has a platform option.

Zebra Tempest

Thanks for that link that explains Clickr. It turns out I am a beginner and never used clipless. Any idea if that might be useful?

tdilf

Shimano used to make a beginner cleat that you could install on your shoe that made it easier to clip in and out of this looks like they have made more of a system out of it.

trailangel

These are my favorites:
https://www.rei.com/product/116154/s...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

franswa

only thing I can think of is because they sell worldwide and some areas may require pedal reflectors to be street legal. Friend in Stockholm said she has to keep the reflectors that come on wheels in order to be legal..

DorkDisk

I'd say the product has a short useful life span. How long is one expected to take to learn a pedal system? After that you buy the real deal and discard this one? Just buy the real SPD.

scubaman

I switched my gravel/bikepacking bike last year from Shimano XTR SPD pedals to the EH-500 pedals for versatility, and I’ve been very happy. I’m not a beginner - I’ve used SPDs almost since they were first introduced - and I skipped the included SM-SH56 cleats and use SM-SH51 cleats instead. But I think the EH-500 pedals would be useful for beginners and experienced riders alike.

In my experience, the SPD side functions exactly like the XTR pedals, Shimano’s top product line. And the flat side is comfortable for me with all the shoes and sandals I’ve tried, including very thin hiking/running sandals. The shape of that side is slightly curved, which is fine; and the metal pins definitely help keep my feet in place - enough so that I’d be reluctant to use flat pedals that didn’t have such pins or something similar.

I haven’t tried the other pedals mentioned in this thread.

Zebra Tempest

Ok, you all convinced me to go with the EH-500. I'm getting them put on in a couple of weeks with a bike fitting. Thanks.