Shimano launches SPD-SLR, its first road pedal redesign in over 20 years
Shimano has redesigned its road pedal and cleat system for the first time in more than 20 years, launching SPD-SLR alongside two new S-PHYRE shoes and updated DURA-ACE and ULTEGRA pedals.
A new interface, not just a new pedal
Rather than updating the pedal or cleat on their own, Shimano has rebuilt the whole interface between shoe, cleat and pedal. Stack height drops by 2.3mm, bringing the rider's foot closer to the pedal axle, which Shimano says improves stability and power transfer. The engagement angle narrows from 15.5 degrees on the old SPD-SL system to 10.5 degrees on SPD-SLR, with a wider catch zone designed to make clipping in easier after a corner or a stop at the lights. The new cleats are up to 25 per cent lighter than the SPD-SL version and use high contrast markings to make setup and adjustment simpler.
New pedals and shoes, with Australian pricing
The flagship DURA-ACE PD-R9300 pedal has an RRP of $379 and uses a carbon composite body with an ultra wide platform. Shimano says the redesigned axle and bearing setup is 11 per cent stiffer than the outgoing ULTEGRA PD-R8200, while cutting rotational resistance by 53 per cent. The new ULTEGRA pedal costs $289 and carries over the same SPD-SLR engagement system in a slightly heavier package. Two S-PHYRE shoes launch alongside the pedals: the flagship SH-RC910 ($649.95) with a carbon fibre heel cup and Shimano's DYNALAST 2.0 last, and the SH-RC810 ($499.95), which brings dual BOA Li2 dials and a hollow channel carbon midsole to a lower price point.
What it means for buyers
The catch for anyone upgrading is that SPD-SLR is a clean break from SPD-SL. The new cleats, pedals and shoes are designed as a matched system, so riders cannot simply bolt new pedals onto old shoes and expect the same fit or feel. Anyone due for a pedal or shoe upgrade should budget for the full system rather than one part at a time, and it is worth comparing Shimano's new range against existing SPD-SL stock, which will likely get cheaper as shops clear it out.