Shimano has overhauled its road pedal and cleat system, unveiling the new SPD-SLR lineup alongside updated S-Phyre shoes. The redesign promises a 2.3mm reduction in stack height, easier clipping, and lighter components, though it breaks backward compatibility with older gear.
After more than two decades anchored to the same standard, Shimano is rewriting the mechanics of how road cyclists clip into their bikes. The company launched a holistic lineup comprising new products at Dura-Ace and Ultegra levels, completely departing from the traditional SPD-SL design that debuted in 2003. Prototypes of the hardware first surfaced on professional racing circuits earlier in the year.
Redesigned CL-SL120 Cleats and Stack Height Reductions
At the center of the transition is the new CL-SL120 cleat, which sheds weight by eliminating the rectangular metal washers that previously were needed with SPD-SL. Dropping those washers trims weight from the hardware, bringing the cleat weight down to 55g. Without the washers, fore-and-aft adjustment moves from the cleat itself directly into the sole of the newly updated shoes.
The cleats remain available in distinct float options designated by familiar color coding. The new SPD-SLR cleats come in three float options: Red for 0°, Blue for 1°, and Yellow for 3°. A fourth option, the grey cleat, supplies the same 3° float as the yellow cleat. This gray option restores the more traditional range of adjustment, though it forfeits the low-profile stack height advantage.
Combined with the redesigned pedals, the system achieves a 2.3mm reduction in stack height—the vertical distance separating the pedal axle from the bottom of a rider’s foot.
PD-R9300 Dura-Ace and PD-R8200 Ultegra Pedal Engineering
Shimano has re-engineered its top two tiers of pedals under the R9300 Dura-Ace and R8200 Ultegra monikers. Both models are constructed from injection-moulded carbon composite and reinforced with steel contact plates to limit everyday wear.
Engagement mechanics have also been adjusted. While older pedals hang at 15.5 degrees behind vertical, a reduced engagement angle of 10.5° enables easier clipping in with a wider catch area for the cleat.
Those upgraded internal components yield tangible performance gaps between the two tiers. Dura-Ace’s precision bearings reduce rotational resistance by 53 percent relative to the Ultegra pedals.
Compatibility Tradeoffs and S-Phyre Footwear Refreshes
The new SPD-SLR pedals and cleats are entirely incompatible with legacy SPD-SL gear. The SPD-SLR cleats will work with existing three-bolt shoes, including non-Shimano shoes, with some caveats, and that the new shoes can be used with any existing three-bolt cleat.
To support the launch, Shimano updated its footwear catalog with the SH-RC901 S-Phyre and SH-RC810 RC8 models. Both shoes feature dual Boa Li2 dials, a carbon-fibre heel cup, hollow-channel carbon soles for drainage and ventilation, and the new Dynalast 2.0 fit geometry designed to mitigate foot fatigue.
| Component Tier | Model | Price | Claimed Weight / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dura-Ace Pedal | PD-R9300 | – | 227g per set; low-friction bearings |
| Ultegra Pedal | PD-R8200 | – | 228g per set |
| Flagship Shoe | S-Phyre RC910 | – | |
| Mid-Tier Shoe | RC810 | – | Dual Boa Li2 dials, Dynalast 2.0 fit |
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