Question: What is the difference between all the Shimano spd-sl pedal versions? My old Cannondale CAAD9 was stolen, found a used Cannondale Six on eBay, but it needs pedals. I am used to the Shimano spd-sl system so I’d like to stick with them, but Shimano offers little info on their site as to what the different flavors are. Here’s what I can figure out from http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/pedals/road.html:
R540-L: Chromoly spindle/aluminum body, 330gR670: Ultegra level, stainless steel body5700-L: 105 level, stainless steel "body cover"5700-S: 105 level, stainless steel "body cover"6700: Ultegra level, stainless steel body (but the specs contradicts the features section, saying aluminum body), 314 g6700-G: Ultegra level, 314 g6700-C: Ultegra level, carbon body, 260 g7900: Dura-Ace level, carbon, 248 g
Because Shimano doesn’t provide consistent info on the description pages, it makes it impossible to compare models. So what’s the difference between R670, 6700, and 6700-G Ultegra level pedals? (looks like 6700-C means carbon). What’s the difference between 5700-L and -S? What is R540-L? And is there much difference between levels, i.e. R540-L vs 105 level vs Ultegra level? Many thanks in advance!
I would stick to either of the two:
6700-C: Ultegra level, carbon body, 260 g7900: Dura-Ace level, carbon, 248 g
The other ones are all okay for recreational use. If you can’t afford the 6700-C, just get the cheapest thing out there…
I would stick to either of the two:
6700-C: Ultegra level, carbon body, 260 g7900: Dura-Ace level, carbon, 248 g
The other ones are all okay for recreational use. If you can’t afford the 6700-C, just get the cheapest thing out there…
I own a pair of 6700-C and they’re a great value compared to the DA 7900s for 12g difference.
Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately after getting a new bike my budget is not amenable to top of the line carbon. Is there much difference beween the different 105 and Ultegra levels? Anything I should be aware of regarding float, adjustability, size, etc?
There is also DA 7750 & 7800- not sure on weight but none of the Shimano pedals are super light; they are however very reliable. 7750 is the first gen SPD-SL body I believe with the replaceable plastic plate. 7800 got the slightly wider body and metal plate.
I had a pair of 105 pedals. Loved them! I got a new bike and went for the gold with the Dura Ace 7800. They are a bit lighter, but once I clip in, I never notice them again.
I have bought/built a couple bikes since then and I bought 105’s (either in silver or black). No regrets and the next set of pedals I buy will be 105s whether my bike costs $200 or $5000.
Buy the 105s.
Thanks, so the older models have a narrower body? Does that make much difference? (My feet aren’t very big, ~42 or 8.5 shoes) I do see some used older models on ebay.
I bought 105’s (either in silver or black)
Thanks for the perspective. So does the -L vs -S modifier on the 105 models just denote silver vs black? If you’ve bought a few over the years, are there any changes relative to the older ones?
Not sure what the modifier means. I wear the yellow cleats (the ones with float) and they wiggle (?) in the skinny ones. I would say pull the trigger on these and don’t look back. Just pick which color you prefer: http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-5700-Road-Pedals-Black/dp/B00428B1FO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362012514&sr=8-1&keywords=shimano+105+pedals.
/kj
I’ve had the 7900s and run 6700s on my bikes now. No difference. You will shave a couple of seconds on a 112 mile bike with the dura ace. Unless you’re competing for first place, a waste of money. I run the 540s on my clunker bike. No difference again, except for weight.
Generally with all things Shimano (road) 105 is the best compromise between price and performance. Top of the entry - bottom of the best.
I say that Ultegra is only good if it comes on the bike, otherwise splurge for the best. But when cost is an issue, 105 all the way.
Agreed. Spend what you saved on good rubber.
The width difference is minimal between the first gen & second gen pedals; I think the value add for the end-user was shimano going to the metal plate that you could replace vs. the old plastic plate; not that first gen stuff really ever wore out because of that feature.
I wear a size 42 also so no biggie; heck I ride eggbeaters on my cross bike and don’t notice them and there isn’t really a platform per se.
The first gen 105, Ult, DA level looked like alike and again difference came down to spindle, bearings and color. I’ve had them all and keep buying them because they are cheap and I can usually find stuff in really good to excellent condition for a fraction of the price that 7900 sells for- plus they match the 7700/7800 DA mix on my bike. 
Just pick which color you prefer: http://www.amazon.com/...s=shimano+105+pedals.
/kj
Thanks everybody! Now to my eyes, the silver looks wider than the black on Amazon (for the 5700 105-level link above). I wish companies would document their products.
The width difference is minimal between the first gen & second gen pedals; I think the value add for the end-user was shimano going to the metal plate that you could replace vs. the old plastic plate; not that first gen stuff really ever wore out because of that feature.
Why is the metal plate vs plastic better, just a few grams lighter? I’ve always had the lowest end R-540s and never noticed a plate wearing out.
Why is the metal plate vs plastic better, just a few grams lighter? I’ve always had the lowest end R-540s and never noticed a plate wearing out.
I doubt the metal plate is meaningfully lighter. Metal-plastic interfaces are often more wear resistant than plastic-on-plastic or metal-on-metal.
I had a pair of 105 pedals. Loved them! I got a new bike and went for the gold with the Dura Ace 7800. They are a bit lighter, but once I clip in, I never notice them again.
Buy the 105s.
Yes. I’ve had a pair of the 105s for over 25K miles and they are bombproof. I also have the Ultegras on another bike and there is absolutely no difference. None.
If price is at all an issue, just get the R540’s. At $35 (including cleats), they’ll may be heavier than the carbon pedals, but I doubt performance will suffer as a result
http://www.probikekit.com/ca/components/pedals-cleats/pedals/shimano-r540-spd-sl-pedals-black.html
If price is at all an issue, just get the R540’s. At $35 (including cleats), they’ll may be heavier than the carbon pedals, but I doubt performance will suffer as a result
http://www.probikekit.com/ca/components/pedals-cleats/pedals/shimano-r540-spd-sl-pedals-black.html
I realize this is an older thread but another pedal thread brought me here.
I went from R540 to Ultegra pedals and there is a world of difference in the feel of them. One of the things I also noticed that in and of itself was worth the upgrade is the R540s did not drop to heel low when you unclipped so you have to look at the pedal and see how it’s positioned before you can clip in.
With Ultegra (I’d bet with 105s too) the heel of the pedal drops so you only have to slide your toe into the pedal to clip in. No look clipping as a rule.
After a new fitting where the guy suggested I might want some shims to get the pedals a bit wider, I found the dura-ace pedals with the +4mm spindles and now I’m using those. I like them and yes there is a noticeable difference in the wider pedal against my shoe, I can tell the platform is wider.