Watch: How to service your Shimano SPD SL pedals | Carbon Fahrrad Umwerfer Installationssatz

Sounds like a bit of creative accounting occurred before the sale, with a load of “assets” now written off

Or maybe you run one setup on one bike, and a different setup on another bike? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so tell us what you’re rolling with in the comments section below!

The best ‘feeling’ pedal is admittedly a difficult thing to quantify. Some riders prefer a snappy mechanism that keeps them securely locked into the pedal, while others prefer a softer and lighter feel for clipping in and out.

+1 – although I took to the zero straight away. I have them on my aero and TT bikes. Spds for my MTB and commuter/CX/winter bike.

No doubt, these are more like a cross-country mountain bike shoe than a road shoe. The 2-bolt SPD compatibility and generous Michelin tread is all the evidence you need there. However, the laced retention, synthetic upper and reflective details are not features you’d typically seek (or find) in a mountain bike shoe.

In all trail scenarios, I’ve found the length of the XT pedals to be nice and supportive, with plenty of stability through the arch of the foot. Having gotten used to the enormous platform of the Pedalling Innovations Catalyst pedals (which measure 130mm long!), I tend to run my feet quite far forward on the pedal surface, positioning the axle almost right in the middle of my shoe. I find this helps with overall stability and power transfer, while reducing strain on my achilles and calf muscles. For this type of riding position, the big platform of the XTs is fantastic.

I currently use some carbon soled MTB shoes with M520s.  Would I honestly notice any difference if I switched to a road shoe/pedal system?

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I hope there is a solution. I don’t have a problem with the expense but I have not found the info. on the Shimano web site that says it will work. I have seen the XTR Di2 derailleurs but I couldn’t find the information that said Di2 road shifters would work a triple and the info seems to restrict the front derailleur to 40T. What size is your largest chainring?

Inside sits an oversized hollow steel axle, which turns on steel bearings. The platform is both wider and longer (70x90mm) than that of Shimano’s benchmark ‘Trail’ SPDs, though not as broad as CrankBrothers’ Mallet E pedals.

All of the above. SPD SL pedals on the road bike. XT trail SPDs and Shimano shoes on the short travel FS Bike which tends to get used for mile munching rather than very tech rides. DMR Vault flats for the big bike and DH riding. I like the efficiency of being clipped in but think I descend better on flats which I much prefer for more technical trails. I believe that’s down to foot and heel position which try as I might I can’t seem to quite reproduce on SPDs.

For the industry and retailers, it means that the niche market for kid-sized clipless shoes may all but disappear. On the other hand, it may lead to some new sales of platform pedals and flat shoes to the 12-and-under set.