Shimano has introduced a completely new SPD-SLR clipless pedal system to its high-level Dura-Ace and Ultegra ranges, with a lower stack height, faster engagement and lighter cleats than existing SPD-SL – and although the new pedals and cleats look similar to their predecessors, they’re NOT cross-compatible.
Shimano introduced its SPD-SL road-oriented clip-in pedal system way back in 2003, and although the design has been tweaked over the years, updates have been relatively conservative. Shimano has refined the system rather than completely redesigning the core interface, so 2026 cleats would fit 2003 pedals, and vice versa. However, SPD-SLR is a big deal because it’s all new, and Shimano says that it has been designed alongside new S-Phyre shoes to create “a closer connection between rider and bicycle through a lower stack height, faster engagement, lighter components and simplified fit adjustments”.
Shimano says, “With SPD-SLR, every contact point has been re-engineered to reduce unnecessary movement while improving stability, efficiency and confidence. The result is a more direct connection between rider and bike, allowing power to flow more naturally while maintaining the comfort and reliability riders expect from Shimano.”
We already knew that Shimano’s new system would be incompatible with existing SPD-SL pedals. Remember this year’s Paris-Roubaix? Mathieu van der Poel was racing on SPD-SL when a mechanical problem forced him onto teammate Jasper Philipsen’s bike, which was fitted with prototype components. He was then unable to clip into the pedals. Oops!
Reduced stack height
Shimano says that it has redesigned the pedal platform and the cleat to reduce stack height – the distance between your foot and the pedal axle – by 2.3mm. The stack height of the Dura-Ace PD-R9300 pedal is 12.5mm, and it’s 13.3mm on the Ultegra PD-R8200 pedal. The new shoe design (see below) contributes a further 0.7 mm reduction when used together as a system.
“That shorter distance creates a more stable pedalling platform, improves power transfer and enhances bike control whether climbing, sprinting or riding at threshold,” says Shimano.
We heard a lot about pedal/cleat stack height last year when Q36.5 and SRM teamed up on what they called “the most direct and efficient pedalling system on the market”.
Q36.5 says its pedal/shoe combination delivers a 9.7mm pedal-plus-cleat stack height.
> Read our review of the Q36.5 SRM X-Power Direct Road Pedals
Quicker engagement
Shimano also reckons that engagement with the SPD-SLR pedal is quicker than with SPD-SL, although we’re talking about fine margins here.
“SPD-SLR introduces a wider catch zone together with a narrower 10.5° engagement angle, compared with 15.5° on SPD-SL, allowing riders to clip in more naturally and confidently,” says Shimano.
Okay, but do you even think about the clipping-in movement day-to-day? When you’re road riding, you clip in at the start of your ride and maybe dab your foot down at traffic lights and junctions from time to time, but that’s about your lot. Clipping in probably isn’t something you’re likely to think about much more than that, but Shimano says it is quicker than previously.
Lighter cleats
Shimano boasts that the SPD-SLR cleats weigh up to 22% less than their SPD-SL equivalents. Again, that figure might sound like a lot, but for the fact that cleats are already extremely lightweight.
Shimano claims a weight of 55g for a new CL-SL 120 cleat, including the three bolts and washers, compared with 71g for an SPD-SL equivalent (SM-SH12) – so a 32g saving across the pair.
“High-contrast alignment markings make cleat installation and repositioning faster and more intuitive, helping riders accurately reproduce their preferred setup while simplifying first-time installation,” says Shimano.
Significantly, there’s no fore/aft positional adjustment to the new cleats unless you go for the CL-SL130 option – in which case you forego the lower stack height and weight-saving benefits of the SPD-SLR platform. Shimano’s new shoes, on the other hand, do provide fore/aft adjustment.
Dura-Ace PD-R9300 pedal
As mentioned, Shimano is introducing SPD-SLR on both its top-level Dura-Ace and second-tier Ultegra platforms.
The Dura-Ace pedal is called PD-R9300 – an indication that a new complete Dura-Ace groupset is imminent. The current incarnation of Shimano Dura-Ace is R9200 Series, although the recently launched Dura-Ace wheels are named WH-R9370, suggesting that they’ll belong to an updated groupset before long.
> Shimano launches lighter, more aero Dura-Ace wheels
“Designed for professional racers and performance-focused riders, the PD-R9300 delivers exceptional stability through an ultra-wide platform while maximising efficiency with its new ultra-low stack height,” says Shimano.
“An integrated stainless steel contact plate improves engagement and increases interface stiffness, while the axle design utilises wide bearings for a more even load distribution, providing a stiffness increase of 11% compared to the PD-R8200, enabling an even more direct power transfer under maximum load.”
PD-R8200 is the new Ultegra SPD-SLR pedal (see below). A stiffness comparison with the existing Dura-Ace SPD-SL pedal would be interesting, but we don’t have that.
Stainless steel now covers the left and right extremities of the injection-moulded carbon-composite pedal body, but not over the central section.
Shimano says, “Internally, a heat-treated axle and refined bearing surfaces reduce rotational resistance by 53% compared to the PD-R8200, resulting in smoother rotation on every ride.”
Ultegra PD-R8200 pedal
The Ultegra pedal is called PD-R8200, which is again interesting because Shimano’s current Ultegra groupset is R8100 Series. We expect a complete R8200 groupset to appear before long, but we couldn’t tell you exactly when that will be.
“The Ultegra PD-R8200 brings the same SPD-SLR architecture to riders seeking race-inspired performance for training, competition and long days in the saddle,” says Shimano.
“Its lightweight resin body with stainless steel contact plate delivers excellent stiffness, efficient power transfer and the same intuitive engagement characteristics as its Dura-Ace counterpart.”
As we’ve seen, Shimano says that PD-R8200 isn’t as stiff as the Dura-Ace PD-R9300, and has a higher rotational resistance.
S-Phyre SH-RC910 shoes
Alongside the new pedals, Shimano has launched top-level S-Phyre SH-RC910 shoes, which it says have been “sculpted for world-class racing performance”.
“The combination of lower stack height, improved foot stability, reduced weight and refined fit helps elite riders maintain efficient power delivery from the opening attack to the final sprint,” Shimano says.
The S-Phyre SH-RC910 shoes come with a hollow carbon midsole, a carbon fibre heel cup designed to hold your foot firmly, and dual Boa dials.
They’re built to Shimano’s new Dynalast 2.0 fit, which is intended to “improve foot hold while allowing the forefoot to move more naturally under pedalling load”. Shimano reckons that this reduces foot fatigue during longer efforts.
SH-RC810 shoes
Shimano is also introducing an SH-RC810 shoe that is intended to provide “uncompromising performance across training and racing alike”.
Again, you get the Dynalast 2.0 fit, dual Boa Li2 dials, an external heel stabiliser, and a hollow-channel carbon midsole. The heel pads are replaceable.
Four cleat options
Shimano offers four different types of SPD-SLR cleats to go with the pedals.
First up, there’s the CL-SL100 cleat (with red tips). This is a fixed-position cleat without any float (rotational movement before you disengage from the pedal). Shimano says that this one is “for riders seeking the most direct power transfer and a completely locked-in feel”.
The CL-SL110 cleat (with yellow tips) provides 6° of float – 3° in each direction – “for greater comfort and reduced joint stress”. Shimano says this one is suitable for the widest range of riders.
The CL-SL120 cleat (with blue tips) offers 2° of rotational float – 1° in each direction – “making it ideal for riders, balancing efficiency with limited movement”, according to Shimano.
Finally, there’s the CL-SL130 cleat (with grey tips).
Shimano says, “The CL-SL130 does not deliver the lower stack height or weight-saving benefits of the integrated SPD-SLR platform but offers increased adjustment range for fixed-mount outsoles.”
Compatibility
Existing Shimano SPD-SL cleats are not compatible with the new PD-R9300 and PD-8200 pedals, and SPD-SLR cleats are not compatible with SPD-SL pedals. They’re two different systems.
You can use SPD-SLR cleats with existing Shimano SPD-SL road shoes but Shimano is at pains to point out that you will “experience the full performance benefits when SPD-SLR shoes, cleats and pedals are used together”.
Obviously, Shimano would like you to buy both the pedals and the shoes; that almost goes without saying.
“The low-stack CL-SL100, CL-SL110 and CL-SL120 cleats provide simplified lateral positioning while fore-aft adjustment remains dependent on the shoe’s available adjustment range,” says Shimano. “Riders using previous SPD-SL Shimano shoes, including RC703 and RC503, retain the adjustment range available within each shoe.
“For riders using fixed-mount outsoles, the CL-SL130 offers additional adjustment flexibility while remaining compatible with SPD-SLR pedals.”
And what happens to Shimano’s SPD-SL system?
Obvious question: what will now happen to Shimano’s SPD-SL system? There are a whole lot of SPD-SL pedals out there.
A Shimano spokesperson said, “Shimano will continue to support the SPD-SL system with a full range of cleats. As long as there is a meaningful need from riders and the market, we intend to continue supporting the system. Continued support is important given the significant number of SPD-SL products that have been sold and are still being used by riders worldwide.
“This is consistent with our approach to other legacy road components. For example, we continue to supply brake pads for previous-generation road brake callipers to ensure long-term support for existing users.”
Prices
Pedals & cleats
Shimano Dura-Ace R9300 Carbon SPD-SLR pedals £199.99
Shimano Ultegra R8200 Carbon SPD-SLR pedals £139.99
All SPD-SLR cleats £24.99
The pedals are available with standard axles and 4mm longer axles for the same price.
That means that the new pedals are a little cheaper than their SPD-SL equivalents at full RRP (Shimano Dura-Ace PD-R9100 SPD-SL pedals are £239.99 and Shimano Ultegra PD-R8000 SPD-SL pedals are £159.99) and the cleats are a little more expensive (SPD-SL cleats are £21.99) – but that’s pretty much academic because you’ll find both SPD-SL pedals and cleats much cheaper than RRP out there on the World Wide Web.
Shoes
Shimano S-Phyre RC9 (RC910) shoes £389.99
Shimano RC8 (RC810) shoes £319.99
