{"id":33990,"date":"2022-03-06T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-06T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=442480"},"modified":"2022-03-06T13:14:15","modified_gmt":"2022-03-06T12:14:15","slug":"shimano-spd-vs-spd-sl-pedals-whats-the-right-system-for-you","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/shimano-spd-vs-spd-sl-pedals-whats-the-right-system-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Shimano SPD vs. SPD-SL pedals: what\u2019s the right system for you?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Paul Norman\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Sunday, 06 March 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Shimano\u2019s SPD and SPD-SL clipless pedals are a popular choice for bike riders across a range of disciplines. <\/span><\/p>\n

They\u2019ll hold your feet in contact with the pedals better than a flat pedal, providing a secure connection and potentially improving your pedalling efficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n

But why are there two different systems for Shimano clipless pedals? And which one is likely to work better for the type of riding that you do? We\u2019ll answer both questions in this article.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll also have a quick look at pedal systems from other manufacturers. While \u2018SPD\u2019 and \u2018SPD-SL\u2019 refer specifically to Shimano\u2019s road and mountain bike pedal systems, the terms are often used to broadly describe similar systems from other brands, even if they are incompatible with one another.<\/span><\/p>\n

These pedal systems are referred to as \u2018clipless\u2019 because they\u2019ve largely replaced the earlier system of toe clips and straps, used by road racers such as Eddy Merckx. In a clipless pedal system, the pedal has a mechanism that locks it to a cleat screwed into the underside of the shoe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read our guide on <\/span>cycling with cleats<\/span><\/a> for more on how to use clipless pedals. And if you\u2019re fitting your first set of clipless pedals to your bike, read our guide on how to remove and change bike pedals<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking for the best pedals?<\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve got guides to the best road bike pedals<\/a> and best mountain bike pedals<\/a>, based on reviews from BikeRadar\u2019s expert test team.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for footwear, we\u2019ve got in-depth buyer\u2019s guides on the best cycling shoes<\/a>, best mountain bike shoes<\/a> and best gravel shoes<\/a>, as rated and reviewed by BikeRadar.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div> <\/section>

What\u2019s the difference between SPD and SPD-SL?<\/span><\/h2>\n

SPD stands for Shimano Pedalling Dynamics, with the SL standing for SuperLight. <\/span>That gives a clue as to the intended use of the systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

SPD has become more-or-less a synonym for mountain bike pedals (and, more recently, pedals for gravel riding<\/a>), while SPD-SL is mainly used for road cycling \u2013 that\u2019s where the reduced weight comes in. But there are good reasons why you might choose to use SPD pedals on a drop-bar bike.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll come on to the specific differences, and advantages and disadvantages, of the two systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

SPD cleats (the part of the system which fixes to the bottom of your shoe and \u2018clips in\u2019 to the pedal) are made of metal and are smaller than SPD-SL cleats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SPD cleats use two bolts to fix to the shoe, so they\u2019re often called \u2018two-bolt cleats\u2019. SPD-SL cleats have three points of attachment to the shoe, so they are also called \u2018three-bolt cleats\u2019. They are made of plastic, to keep their weight down.<\/span><\/p>\n

The design differences have other consequences \u2013 read on.<\/span><\/p>\n

A bit of history<\/span><\/h2>\n

French brand Look first developed a clipless pedal system, used from 1984 by five-time Tour de France<\/a> winner Bernard Hinault. With patents on its design, Look initially held a monopoly on road bike clipless pedals \u2013 it\u2019s still the main rival to Shimano in this space today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shimano\u2019s first clipless pedal, the Dura-Ace 7401, arrived in 1987, with a Look-compatible cleat licensed from the French company.<\/p>\n

The SPD-R design followed but it wasn\u2019t until the 2003 model year, and the launch of the 7750 Dura-Ace pedal developed with input from Lance Armstrong<\/a>, that Shimano landed on the SPD-SL.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, Shimano had developed the SPD design, based on a smaller metal cleat with two points of attachment to the shoe, and first released in 1990. <\/span>This was a natural fit for mountain bike<\/a> riders, but didn\u2019t work so well for performance road use, where pedalling efficiency is paramount.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why use SPD pedals?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Double-sided entry<\/span><\/h3>\n
\""Shimano\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Shimano SPD pedals offer double-sided entry.<\/span><\/figcaption> Mildred Locke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Most SPD pedals are double sided \u2013 that means you can clip into either side of the pedal, which makes starting from stationary a lot easier.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can adjust the release tension of the cleat using the small screw at the rear of the pedal (one each side, because they\u2019re double sided). Some riders prefer the additional security that comes from increased release tension, but if you\u2019re just starting out you may want less tension.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most cleats will offer some \u2018float\u2019 in the shoe to pedal interface, letting your feet rotate about a vertical axis without disengaging, for a more comfortable ride.<\/span><\/p>\n

All SPD cleats are made of metal, so they are robust, although you may find that wear to the binding surfaces after a few years\u2019 use means that engagement becomes less secure. It\u2019s easy to find replacements and they are inexpensive.<\/span><\/p>\n

\""Best\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Two-bolt cleats offer a range of fore and aft adjustment, as well as limited side-to-side adjustment built into the cleat.<\/span><\/figcaption> Shimano<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

There\u2019s some adjustability in cleat position on the shoe because the mounting hardware is on a separate plate within the shoe\u2019s sole. The bolt holes in the cleat itself are designed to allow a bit of leeway in where you position it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shimano sells SPD cleats that only release from the pedal when you twist your heel outwards (SH51\/SH52) as well as the SH56 multi-release cleat, which will disengage from the pedal when you twist your heel upward too. <\/span><\/p>\n

The latter makes disengagement a bit easier, but most riders prefer the more secure design of the former.<\/span><\/p>\n