I've been riding with Shimano M520s on both my CX and mtn. bike since I started riding...prior to getting road pedals I even had them on my road bike. But I don't love them. Maybe it's user error, but I really struggle to get clipped-in sometimes. Or I get clipped-in, but pop out easy 50% of the time on my left foot...the other 50% of the time that pedal won't release, which really sucks when I'm in the middle of a CX race and doing a rolling dismount. I had a hard fall today when this happened while approaching a barrier on a gravel road. Earlier in the race the same pedal wouldn't stay in the cleat while going through a windy single-track section of course. I have had this issue while mountain biking, too.

Is it likely something I'm doing or should I be checking out other pedal systems? My DH has had M520s on all of his bikes (mtn, CX, fat bike) and really likes them, but he is also a big, strong dude with beasty legs. I don't know how much a rider's strength or size would effect ideal pedal choice.

Thoughts...?