As I mentioned in my previous article, I had also picked up a pair of pedals to go along with my new shoes, the Bontrager Hilo RXL shoes. For the pedals, I got some Shimano 105s. These are pretty entry level when it comes to lightweight compared to the Ultegra and Dura Ace pedals from Shimano, but it's a good place to start. Especially being an athlete on a budget. They have many of the same basic features of their much more expensive fellow pedals, but with a more consumer conscious price point.
When it comes to weight, these things are definitely lighter than the majority of SPD style pedals out there, besides those like the Shimano XT and XTR, which mimic the Ultegra and Dura Ace levels of Road pedals, but in their mountain bike style format. That being said, they are fairly heavy. But with that weight, comes some crazy durability. A stainless steel body, extra-wide platform for power transfer and a sealed cartridge axis unit. So don't worry about corrosion or contamination of your bearings. Shimano doesn't mess around, even on their entry-level equipment.
one of the first things I noticed about clipping into these pedals versus any other SPD I've ridden in before was the heavy duty "SNAP!" I heard when clipping in. These not only felt secure, but sounded secure. Like they wouldn't want my food slipping out any time soon. Even at the more loose settings. There is a small dial to change how easy it is to clip in and out of the pedals using a small allen wrench depending on how easily you want to get in and out or have the chance of slipping out.
My favorite part about the change over was the wider platform of the pedal, to go along with the pedal to cleat interface. The surface contact on this style of pedal is much much larger than any SPD, so it gives you less hot spots on those longer rides, as well as better power transfer to the road. There's no instability running a shoe that doesn't match up to the pedals like I had in my Shimano TR31 shoes and SPD pedals.
After having ridden these for a few weeks now, I am fully aware of what I was missing out on. They may not be giving me and extra 2-3mph, but they are giving me better stability and much better contact and feel from my feet to my bike. With some light amount of float right and left, my knee isn't locked in place, which I may change later with different cleats, but for now these will do just fine. Shimano makes three cleat styles to go after different types of riders. From those who want complete locked in position, to those who want a good amount of movement at the cleat position.
From top to bottom, making sure you are on road specific pedals is a good investment. No matter how much you feel you need to have a 2-sided pedal or to wear shoes you can walk around in, you'll be giving up a lot of key upgrades you won't find in an SPD style pedal.
-Dave
Comments