Full Breakdown
Shimano Unveils SPD-SLR Pedal, Cleat and Shoe System – First Shift in Two Decades
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Release Details
Shimano announced a new road-pedal ecosystem that replaces its SPD-SL standard. The launch includes the Dura-Ace PD-R9300 pedal, the Ultegra PD-R8200 pedal, a family of four CL-SL120 cleats, and the updated S-Phyre RC910 shoe. Shimano calls the system a “holistic” redesign that lowers stack height, reduces weight, speeds engagement, and moves fore-aft cleat adjustment from the cleat to the shoe sole. The new cleats are 16 g lighter (55 g total) because metal washers have been removed.
Background & Context
The SPD-SL three-bolt road-cleat system debuted in 2003 and has been compatible across Shimano’s road-pedal range for 23 years. Early prototypes were photographed on Jasper Philipsen’s bike ahead of Paris-Roubaix, and a compatibility issue surfaced when Mathieu van der Poel’s bike swap at the same race highlighted the lack of backward compatibility. The SPD-SLR launch marks Shimano’s first departure from the original design in two decades.
Technical Changes & Data
| Component | Key Change | Quantitative Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Pedals (Dura-Ace) | Weight ? 1 g; engagement angle 10.5° (vs 15.5°) | 227 g (new) vs 228 g (old) |
| Pedals (Ultegra) | Weight ? 20 g; larger bearing for stiffness | 228 g (new) vs 248 g (old) |
| Cleats (CL-SL120) | No washers; thinner profile | 55 g, 16 g lighter |
| Stack height | Reduction 2.3 mm for pedal-cleat combo; full system ? 2.8 mm | Dura-Ace pedal-cleat stack 12.5 mm (vs 14.8 mm) |
| Float options | Red 0°, Blue 1°, Yellow 3°, Grey 3° with washers | Four colour-coded options |
| Shoes (RC910) | Wider last (+3 mm toe, +2 mm ball) and longer cleat-slot for fore-aft adjustment | – |
| Price (UK/EU) | Dura-Ace pedal £199.99/€229.99 (down from £239.99); Ultegra pedal £139.99/€160.99 (down from £159.99); cleats £24.99/€28.99 (up from £21.99) | – |
Shimano claims a 53 % reduction in rotational friction for the new pedals, based on a heat-treated axle and refined bearing surfaces.
Official Statements & Responses
- SPD-SLR cleats are not backward compatible with older SPD-SL pedals, and vice-versa.
- Fore-aft adjustment is now built into the shoe sole; the grey CL-SL130 cleat restores washer-based adjustment but loses the stack-height benefit.
- Shimano confirmed talks with power-meter manufacturers but gave no partner details.
What’s Next
Shimano has not announced matching R9300 (Dura-Ace) or R8200 (Ultegra) groupsets, and rumours place any future groupset releases in the following year. Licensing negotiations will determine whether third-party SPD-SLR-compatible products enter the market. Riders are advised to verify fore-aft adjustment capacity in their current shoes before committing to the full pedal-cleat-shoe package.