Rebuild Original Shimano SPD-SL Pedals?

Triathlon Forum
1

A quick search reveals little to nothing on this. Anyone have any experience rebuilding the original Shimano SPD-SL pedals? I have a set of Dura Ace and a set of Ultegra. The little plastic platform piece is broken and largely missing now on at least one set, and that is making the cleat engagement very loose. I know they’ve redesigned them with wider bodies and metal has replaced the plastic, but I’d rather fix what I have than buy new. Any ideas?

2

You can get replacement bowties- I think that is the piece you are describing.
If bearings are grindy- just get new pedals. Opening Shimano pedals spells death for
then anyhow.

3

I could see it being called a bowtie. That’s probably it. Where would I look and what would I ask for? Would a LBS know what a bowtie is? I think the bearings are still smooth.

4

A shop should be able to order them for you.
Just need to know specific pedal model.

5

Worth a shot I guess! Thanks!

6

is spending $150 on new pedals every 4-5 years really a big deal?

7

Nope. But it seems kinda silly if they can be fixed for pennies on the dollar.

8

Nope. But it seems kinda silly if they can be fixed for pennies on the dollar.

Just buy some used ones. I switched from SPD-SL to Speedplay last year and had about 4 sets of the Shimanos for sale. I couldn’t give them away and they ended up selling for about $25 a pair in fine condition. Some were Ultegras, some 105s.

9

I’ve got some new “bowties” somewhere in my bins O’ bike-parts. If you want to pay the cost to get them to you I’ll go look/see if I can find them. Actually, I’m sure I could find them, as I recall coming across them a coupla months ago.

10

Sounds great. I’ll PM you.

11

Great - now I really have to go find them!

12

Well, I did a quick once-over and found lots of other stuff, but not the “bowties”. Let me give it a better look in the light of day tomorrow. I know I just recently saw them.

13

Hmmm, I’m needing some of these…

http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?page=8&description=PD-7800+Body+Cover&vendorCode=SHIM&major=5&minor=6

http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?page=8&description=PD-6610+PD-R540+SPD-SL+Pedal+Body+Cover&vendorCode=SHIM&major=5&minor=6
.

14

I’m surprised at all the negative replies. Shimano SPD-SL pedals are fairly easy to service, with parts available through local bike shops or online retailers:

http://www.aebike.com/bicycle-pedals_c_.html#/?_=1&filter.warehousebin=Pedal%20Small%20Part&page=1&filter.manufacturer=Shimano

The Shimano tech docs website has exploded views of the pedal components that help make servicing easier:

http://techdocs.shimano.com/techdocs/index.jsp

The Ultegra/105 level pedals in particular are easy to work on, using standard ball bearings. The Dura Ace pedals use needle bearings which are typically not available as replacement parts. That being said, I’ve been using SPD-SL pedals for ten years and have never had a set wear out. I just keep cleaning/re-greasing the bearings and they run like new.

  • Greg
15

Yes! That’s what I need. I just looked, and I have one set of pd-7750 and one set of pd-R600. Wondering if the 7800 covers are compatible with my 7750, and same with R600 and R540? I suppose I could just roll the dice…

16

I’d be pretty bummed if I only got 5 years out of my pedals.