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In this article: 

 

  • SPD-SL vs. SPD-SLR: What has changed with Shimano’s new pedal platform?
  • See the new lineup of DURA-ACE pedals, S-PHYRE shoes, and SPD-SLR cleats. 
  • Learn about compatibility and decide which cleats are right for you. 

From 2003 to Today

2003 was a different time. We’re talking iPods blasting OutKast. Theaters showing Finding Nemo. We’re talking Britney and Madonna at the VMAs. 

 

And the SPD-SL pedal platform was launched, changing the game of road cycling. 

 

Since 2003, a lot has changed. Think of how electronic shifting has come along. Or how braking technologies have been upgraded. Safety regulations improved. Nutrition, cycle computers, power meters, automatic tire deflators, and, in fact, the wheels themselves have become more advanced and complex. Technology changes, usually with the express goal to make us all a little faster and a little more efficient. 

 

Enter the SPD-SLR. A new clipless pedal platform designed to create an even closer connection to the rider. Lowering the stack height, speeding up engagement, and making fit adjustments easier.  

Why We Clip In(to Clipless Pedals)

Let’s clear up a topic of confusion: why do we ‘clip into’ so-called clipless pedals? Back in the 1980s, racing cyclists used toeclips. These were adjustable straps that kept the foot attached to the pedal. Nowadays, clipless pedals improve cyclists' safety and performance, allowing you to clip in and out with ease. 

How does it work?

Clipping in isn’t all about using upstroke energy. Sure, it’s part of it, but research has shown that most of the power transfer tends to come from the downstroke. Besides avoiding some serious ‘pedal-on-shin pain’, the true gains from pushing together stem from a deeper science. 

 

By keeping your foot attached to the pedal, your brain doesn’t have to waste energy worrying about repositioning your foot or sliding off. Basically, your biomechanics are more stable. 

 

Stability means your muscles relax and recruit more muscle groups, including hamstrings, calves and glutes, instead of just focusing on the quads. You conserve energy, especially on technical terrain. As your feet can’t bounce off the pedals, your muscles won’t need to intervene. Finally, handling is improved as you can use the connection to maneuver through corners or descents. 

The Advantage of One Integrated System

At Shimano, we pride ourselves on being the only manufacturer to develop shoes, pedals, and cleats together as one complete system. With the new SPD-SLR, each contact point has been re-engineered to lower unnecessary movement, improving stability, efficiency and confidence.

Lower Stack Height

At the heart of SPD-SLR is a completely new cleat-to-pedal interface. By redesigning both the pedal platform and the cleat, we reduced stack height by 2.3 mm, bringing the rider’s foot closer to the pedal axle than ever before. That shorter distance creates a more stable pedaling platform, improves power transfer and enhances bike control whether climbing, sprinting or riding at threshold.

Faster Engagement

Connecting with the pedal should feel immediate. 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 while accelerating away from traffic lights, restarting after corners or launching into a sprint.

Lighter by Design

The redesigned SPD-SLR cleats weigh up to 22% less than their SPD-SL equivalents while maintaining the durability expected from SHIMANO’s race-proven road platform.

Easier Fit for Confidence

Small adjustments can make a significant difference over long rides. 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.

DURA-ACE PD-R9300

SPD-SLR debuts on the new DURA-ACE PD-R9300, our most advanced road-racing pedal.

 

Designed for professional racers and performance-focused riders, the PD-R9300 delivers exceptional stability through an ultra-wide platform while maximizing efficiency with its new ultra-low stack height.

 

An integrated stainless steel contact plate improves engagement and increases interface stiffness. The axle design utilizes wide bearings for a more even load distribution, increasing stiffness by 11% compared to the PD-R8200 and enabling even more direct power transfer under maximum load.

 

Internally, a heat-treated axle and refined bearing surfaces reduce rotational resistance by 53% compared with the PD-R8200, resulting in smoother rotation on every ride.

 

Key innovations:
 

  • Ultra-low stack height for improved stability and efficient power transfer

  • Injection-molded carbon-composite body for high stiffness and efficient power transfer

  • Extra-wide platform for maximum support 

  • Integrated stainless-steel contact plate for increased stiffness

  • Reduced bearing resistance for smoother rotation

  • New SPD-SLR interface for a seamless shoe-to-pedal connection

ULTEGRA PD-R8200

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.

 

Its injection-molded carbon-composite body with stainless steel contact plate delivers excellent stiffness, efficient power transfer and the same intuitive engagement characteristics as its DURA-ACE counterpart.

S-PHYRE RC910

The flagship S-PHYRE SH-RC910 has been sculpted for world-class racing performance.

 

Every contour has been refined to improve power transfer while maintaining exceptional comfort during the longest and most demanding races. At the highest level, performance is measured across thousands of pedal strokes rather than individual moments. 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.

 

Key innovations:

 

  • Carbon Fiber Heel Cup with Anti-Twist Stabilization for exceptional foot hold

  • Carbon Hollow Core midsole engineered for maximum pedaling efficiency

  • New SPD-SLR platform with expanded cleat adjustment range

  • SHIMANO DYNALAST 2.0 to reduce foot fatigue during prolonged efforts

  • Updated surround-wrapping upper for a more precise fit

  • New ventilation perforations for improved breathability

RC810

The SH-RC810 brings flagship engineering to riders who demand uncompromising performance in training and racing alike.

 

Dual BOA® Li2 dials provide precise micro-adjustments, while SHIMANO DYNALAST 2.0, an external heel stabilizer, and a rigid hollow-channel carbon midsole combine to deliver lasting comfort and efficient power transfer.

 

Features:

 

  • Dual BOA® Li2 Fit System

  • New SPD-SLR platform with expanded cleat adjustment range

  • SHIMANO DYNALAST 2.0

  • External heel stabilizer for secure foot positioning

  • Replaceable heel pads for longer product life

  • Hollow carbon midsole for ventilation and water drainage

The New Cleats

SPD-SLR is available with four cleat options, allowing riders to choose the movement characteristics that best suit their biomechanics and riding style.

 

CL-SL100 (Red)

A fixed-position cleat with zero float for riders seeking the most direct power transfer and a completely locked-in feel.

 

CL-SL110 (Yellow)

Provides six degrees of float for greater comfort and reduced joint stress, making it suitable for the widest range of riders.

 

CL-SL120 (Blue)

Offers two degrees of rotational float while maintaining a highly stable pedaling platform, making it ideal for riders balancing efficiency with limited movement.

 

CL-SL130 (Gray)

Designed to help riders transition to SPD-SLR pedals using most non-SHIMANO three-bolt road shoes.

Unlike the core SPD-SLR cleats, the CL-SL130 does not offer the lower stack height or weight-saving benefits of the integrated SPD-SLR platform, but it does provide a greater adjustment range for fixed-mount outsoles.

Compatibility

SPD-SLR has been engineered as a complete ecosystem. SPD-SLR cleats are compatible with existing SHIMANO SPD-SL road shoes, but riders experience the full performance benefits when SPD-SLR shoes, cleats and pedals are used together.

 

The low-stack CL-SL100, CL-SL110, and CL-SL120 cleats provide simplified lateral positioning, while fore-aft adjustment still depends on the shoe’s available adjustment range. Riders using previous SPD-SL SHIMANO shoes, including RC703 and RC503, retain the adjustment range available in each shoe.

 

For riders using fixed-mount outsoles, the CL-SL130 provides additional adjustment flexibility while remaining compatible with SPD-SLR pedals. SPD-SLR cleats are designed exclusively for SPD-SLR pedals and are not compatible with SPD-SL pedals. 

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