Shimano M545 Clipless Pedal

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As a regularuser of minimalist SPD pedals for many years, I purchased the M545 pedals because I wanted the extra protection and security of the larger platform and didn't mind the trade-off for heavier weight. A pair of these will add about 567 grams (1 1/4 pounds) to the weigh-in total for your bike which is a couple hundred extra grams compared to the more minimal SPD pedals. 

What do you get for that extra half pound? The SPD pedal body works fantastic and spins well on the chromoly spindle with very low maintenance bushings. The added aluminum platform is functionally grippy and big enough for support, but not so big or grippy that it interferes with getting in and out of the cleat. You can use this as a burly trail pedal, light DH pedal or just to have the option to hop on your bike with your street shoes for a pedal around the neighborhood after your weekly ride. 

As other reviews have mentioned, the pivot point where the aluminum cage attaches to the outer pedal body is an inherent weakness of the hybrid design. The small screw (hidden under a cover) is prone to becoming loose and riding it like this will lead to deterioration of the material - eventually making the whole outboard side of the cage wobble. In my experience, I didn't have that problem out of the box. I had to beat these hard for 3-4 years on Colorado mountains before they started getting chronically loose. I eventually slammed hard on the edge of one pedal and crumbled the inside of the aluminum bore. That side is more out of whack than the other.

Even after those years of abuse and subsequent damage, the pedals are still functional. I put them on my wife's bike last year so she can learn to use SPD cleats on trails. She was skeptical about the small perch of standard SPD pedals (even the XT half platforms) and likes the larger platform that these old hammers offer for now. So not only can they be smashed up on trails, they can also be kept in play as a good confidence builder for less skilled riders that are new to SPD.