SPD or SPD-SL — the first decision
Shimano make two entirely separate systems, and they share nothing but the name.
SPD uses a small two-bolt metal cleat that recesses into the sole of a mountain bike or gravel shoe. You can walk in it normally. The pedal is usually double-sided, so you can clip in without looking. This is the system for mountain biking, gravel, commuting and anyone who has to get off and walk.
SPD-SL uses a large three-bolt plastic cleat that sits proud of the sole. The platform is far wider, which spreads the pedalling load across the foot and is why road riders use it. Walking in them is a careful, clicking business.
Neither is better. They are for different jobs, and your shoes have to match — two-bolt or three-bolt drilling.
Where the money goes
Moving up the range buys you a slightly wider or stiffer platform, better bearings and a bit less weight. The clip-in mechanism itself is essentially the same from the bottom of the range to the top, which is why an entry-level SPD pedal is a genuinely good buy.
Spend the money on shoes before you spend it on pedals. A stiff sole makes far more difference to how the pedalling feels than the pedal under it does.
Common questions
Do the cleats come with them?
Yes — new pedals ship with the matching cleats and bolts in the box. We do not currently stock cleats separately, so if you need a replacement set on their own, ask us and we will look into getting them in.
I have never ridden clipped in. Is it hard?
The first ride is awkward and most people have one slow-motion topple. After a week it is automatic. The release tension is adjustable — wind it right down to start with, and you will twist out easily.
Can you fit them?
Yes, and cleat position on the shoe is worth getting right rather than approximating — it is the difference between comfortable knees and sore ones. Come past our shop on the Main Road or see Shimano MTB pedals, Ryder and Syncros for the off-road range.
