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Shimano ME700 Review

An adjustable, full-featured pedal offering stability and ease of use at a reasonable price point
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Shimano ME700 Review (This "basic" pedal is superior to the pedal it replaces in every way.)
This "basic" pedal is superior to the pedal it replaces in every way.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens
Price:  $65 List
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Manufacturer:   Shimano
By Joshua Hutchens ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 30, 2020
75
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#7 of 21
  • Ease of Exit - 25% 8.0
  • Ease of Entry - 20% 8.0
  • Adjustability - 20% 8.0
  • Weight - 15% 5.0
  • Platform - 10% 8.0
  • Mud Shedding Ability - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The ME700 is Shimano's new budget-friendly offering in the mini-platform pedal category. These new pedals provide a substantial interface between shoe and pedal, making it significantly more stable without sacrificing clearance. The pedal is superior to the pedal it replaces, the M530, in almost every way while missing only minor traits of its higher-end counterparts. They feature the adjustability and user-friendliness that have made SPD a market leader while keeping the price in check. From mountain to gravel to spin, if you're looking for a full-featured pedal at a great value and aren't overly concerned with their weight, these are a great option for most riders. Get the skinny on how it stacks up against other top products in our mountain bike pedal review.
REASONS TO BUY
Capable
Versatile
Inexpensive
Easy to use and adjustable
REASONS TO AVOID
Slightly heavy
Bulky for some uses
Painted platform

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Editors' Choice Award
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 Top Pick Award
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Overall Score Sort Icon
75
87
82
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68
Star Rating
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Bottom Line A solid choice for those wanting next generation stability at an entry-level price pointStable platform, highly adjustable and available in a multitude of colorsThe top dog race pedal from Shimano that can punch above its classShimano's latest enduro approved pedal grows up a bit and the refreshes are mostly welcomeIf you want to travel light on a budget, this is your pick
Rating Categories Shimano ME700 HT Components T2 Shimano XTR M9100 Race Shimano PD-M8120 XT... Shimano M520
Ease of Exit (25%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
5.0
Ease of Entry (20%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
Adjustability (20%)
8.0
10.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Weight (15%)
5.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
Platform (10%)
8.0
8.0
5.0
8.0
3.0
Mud Shedding Ability (10%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Specs Shimano ME700 HT Components T2 Shimano XTR M9100 Race Shimano PD-M8120 XT... Shimano M520
Weight per Pair (grams) 482g 380g 314g 430g 374g
Weight of Cleats and Bolts (grams) 50g 62g 51g 51g 50g
Cleat Type SPD mountain HT X1 cleats SPD mountain SPD mountain SPD Mountain
Style mini-cage mini-cage no cage mini-cage no cage
Platform Dimensions (lxw) 100 x 74mm 83.5 x 68mm 71 x 68 mm 100 x 71mm 42 x 61mm
profile height 19mm 17mm 17mm 18mm 22mm
Q-Factor 55mm 56mm 56mm 55mm 55 mm
Total Width from Crank Arm 93mm 90mm 84mm 92mm 80mm
Entry 2-sided 2-sided 2-sided 2-sided 2-sided
Adjustable Tension yes yes yes yes yes
Traction Pins 0 4/side 0 0 0
Bearings dual angular contact, plastic retainer Stainless Steel sealed cartridge bearings dual angular contact, metal retainer dual angular contact, metal retainer Dual Angular Contact
Cage Material painted aluminum extruded/CNC machined aluminum annodized aluminum anodized and machined aluminum n/a
Pedal Wrench Type 6mm allen or 15mm open end 8mm allen 8mm allen 8mm allen 8mm allen

Our Analysis and Test Results

The ME700 are the feature stripped version of Shimano's more expensive pedals, offering a stable and secure connection in a more economical package. These adjustable pedals feature a large shoe interface and while they're not light or embellished with a slippery coating, they provide a high level of performance. The ME700 is an incredibly versatile pedal at a reasonable price point.

Performance Comparison


shimano me700 - they large fore and aft platform doesn't contribute to the pedals...
They large fore and aft platform doesn't contribute to the pedals stability while pedaling but makes for quick and easy entry.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Ease of Entry


Engaging the cleat into your clipless pedals needs to be quick and easy allowing the rider to start pedaling as quickly as possible. The substantial pedal body of the ME700 is large and easy to find which helps the rider initiate the clipless mechanism without too much focus on accuracy. As with other Shimano pedals of this style, the cage helps the pedal orient itself and flatten out prior to engagement.


The entry isn't quite as quick and slick as what we experienced with the Shimano XTR M9120 as these lack the slippery coating but they benefit from the same general design. Although this current generation of larger platform pedals create more stability, they still aren't meant to be ridden while not engaged. If you'd like a pedal that you can ride clipped or unclipped, check out the Xpedo Ambix.

shimano me700 - while the fore and aft bars don't contact the shoe while pedaling...
While the fore and aft bars don't contact the shoe while pedaling, they make the pedal easy to find and quick to orient.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

We're generally quite fond of the SPD design and believe they're among the easiest to engage. They produce a satisfyingly audible click when you engage that is reassuring and feels secure. The Time and Crankbrothers pedals have models with similar basic cage designs that help to orient the pedal for quick engagement but the mechanisms feel less consistent and sound more vague.

Ease of Exit


A significant concern for those new to clipless pedals and technical riders alike is how easily we can disengage from the pedal. There's nothing worse than not being able to get out of the pedal when you need to. The ME700 is quick and easy to disengage, there's nothing about the mechanism or the platform that hinders your exit. Regardless of shoe choice, we found these to be just as easy to remove your foot from the pedal as it is to engage.


Adjustability


As with other Shimano pedals, these pedals feature a significant range of release tension adjustment. At the tight end, the pedal holds your foot in a death grip that prevents an unwanted release even in the roughest terrain. On the loose end, the pedal unclips with a subtle amount of pressure on the heel which may help first-time users feel at ease. Adjusting the release tension is simple with a 3mm Allen key on both sides of the pedal. To ensure equal tension, adjust them completely in one direction, then count the detents to your desired tension. There are 20 clicks from the tightest to loosest settings, lefty loosie, righty tighty, just make sure you adjust both sides of both pedals to ensure equal tension.


Similar to the M530 this pedal replaces, the ME700 can be installed with a 6mm Allen wrench or a standard 15mm pedal wrench. Installing and removing isn't something that needs to be done often, unless you're testing pedals, but we like having options. Most higher-end models can only be installed with an 8mm Allen key.

shimano me700 - they're not lightweigh but make up for it in stability and economy.
They're not lightweigh but make up for it in stability and economy.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Weight


These pedals offer nothing to brag about in this category. Our test pair weighed in at 482-grams, and while significantly lighter than the stated weight of 540-grams on Shimano's website, this is pretty porky for a pedal in this category. We feel the additional heft of the ME700 is their most significant drawback. While the pedal to shoe stability was excellent, we'd likely opt for the 430-gram Shimano XT-M8120 or the 380-gram HT T-2 for any application where weight was a bigger concern.


shimano me700 - the substantial shoe interface and adjustability make these a great...
The substantial shoe interface and adjustability make these a great choice for a wide variety of riders.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Platform


The ME700 has an integrated cage that protects the pedal's clipless mechanism and helps orient the pedal. The platform allows for a faster pedal orientation and user-friendly engagement, it doesn't feel totally necessary. Most of the fore and aft section of the pedal only interfaces with the shoe while the pedal is orienting, not while you're pedaling. That said, the larger flat areas to the sides of the clipless mechanism provided substantially more interface than most other pedals with the exception of the Shimano Saint M820. The flipside of the larger platform, which is mostly beneficial, is that it leaves you more prone to rock strikes.


The new generation of Shimano mini platform pedals all have the same basic design. The ME700 opts for a painted surface where its more expensive siblings have a machined surface, this matters because the painted surface feels a bit more slippery when wet. The machined surface on the XT M8120 and XTR M9120 keep the feeling of float far more consistent in wet or dry conditions.

shimano me700 - this "basic" pedal is superior to the pedal it replaces in every way.
This “basic” pedal is superior to the pedal it replaces in every way.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Mud Shedding Ability


The moderate size cage and painted pedal body is prone to holding more mud and slop than its more expensive siblings, but the ME700 manages reasonably well. The SPD mechanism isn't overly prone to getting jammed with mud, and the relatively open spacing of the fore/aft sections of the cage clear mud relatively well.


Lacking the slippery anodized surface we find on the XTR M9120 the pedal is more prone to clogging and harboring mud on its interfacing surfaces. If you're looking for excellent mud performance you'll need to spend a bit more money but if mud isn't part of your ride plans, the ME700 will be more than adequate.

shimano me700 - the painted surface is a bit more slippery than the machined...
The painted surface is a bit more slippery than the machined surfaces we find on the higher end versions of this pedal.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Value


While we evaluate pedal performance without consideration to cost, we do appreciate products that perform well without breaking the bank. We feel this entry-level pedal offers exceptional value without skimping on the features that matter most for a really reasonable price. The ME700 is among the least expensive pedals in our test and we have no qualms about recommending to the rider on a budget.

shimano me700 - far thinner than their predecessor, the me700 didn't present many...
Far thinner than their predecessor, the ME700 didn't present many downsides.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens

Conclusion


This ME700 is a small platform pedal that performs exceptionally well for the money. They're an economical and sensible choice for many applications. The modest platform increases its versatility with easier engagement and better stability, without the bulk of a full platform model. We think it would be at home on an e-bike, all-mountain whip, or your gravel getter. If you find the weight of these pedals acceptable, there are very few other reasons to be disappointed.

Joshua Hutchens