Reddit reviews SHIMANO SPD-SL PD R-540; Black

Shimano PD-R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals, cleats included for $35.50. Go to a local performance bike and buy the cheapest shoes that fit, can probably find a pair for about $50. It's still more expensive than $8, but so much better than cages.

My first:

Pedals - $50 when I bought at REI 3 years ago

Shoes - $65 when I bought them at REI 3 years ago

Jersey - $30, I absolutely love these cheap jerseys from Amazon, the zipper on the first one I bought finally gave out 3 years later. I will happily spend $30 on a new jersey every couple years.

Shorts - About $40 when I bought, I wouldn't recommend, they are hard to wear for more than an hour. This is one area where I believe it's important to buy nicer materials, especially for long rides. I have Pearl Izumi and Le Col bibs, they are fine but I am still looking for something that works better on long rides. I am trying theblackbibs.com next.

Let me know if you have additional questions as you get started, I took a relatively budget-minded approached when I jumped in.

The term clipless is kind of stupid, because you "clip in". I think a better term is "cleated".

Years ago, pedals were flat and had "toe clips", which was a cage that went over the toes. Now, pedals use cleats mounted to the shoes to keep your foot attached to the pedal. Helps you transfer power better, and utilize more of the pedal stroke than flat pedals can. Mainly, you can ride farther with less fatigue because you can utilize different muscle groups in your leg.

Some of the most popular for road bikes are Shimano SPD-SL pedals, or Look Keo pedals which are very similar. You can find an inexpensive pair of Shimanos for $30-$40.

There are also Wellgo pedals that use the Look cleats for a little less. Some people find the Look cleats easier to lock in and get out of.

Some people also use Shimano SPD pedals that are meant for mountain bikes because the cleats are smaller and generally the shoes have the cleats recessed so you can walk in them easier. For long distances riding however, road pedals are better and give better power transfer.

Here's a video explaining them and how they work

I just got some Shimano SPD-SL Pedals - PD-R540
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P9TOHQ

And some Pearl Izumi shoes.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041HX6EA

I like the Pearl Izumi jerseys and shorts that I have so I stayed with that brand.

Only put 40 miles on them this weekend, but they seem nice.

You didn't say what your budget is or what you'd consider a great deal but here is a good option

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-SL-Road-Pedals-Black/dp/B000P9TOHQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1374857472&sr=1-5&keywords=shimano+105+pedal $40

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/product-apparel/2013-lake-cx200-shoes-37546.5.1.html $52

Well it depends on what you want them for. For pure performance, power-transfer, and security, I would say SPD-SL. The downside is that you can't really walk around with SPD-SL cleats. I use these on my road bike and for long (all-day) rides on my fixie. For general everyday riding, I use SPD (mtb) pedals and DZR shoes. MTB pedals don't lock in as tight and have more float than road pedals. DZR shoes are easier to walk around in than most cleats, and better looking, but not as stiff as other shoes.

Right here: http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-SL-Road-Pedals-Black/dp/B000P9TOHQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1334339086&sr=8-5

I have these brand new and still in the box.

PM your address and I'll send them to you.

Edit: Might not be the style you're looking for...

For the pedals you currently have, it's going to be hard to find cleats, as these are rather old.

If you replace your pedals, you can even use mtb pedals (spd cleats) and mtb shoes. These are usually easier to walk on, but have the disadvantage of being less efficient for pedaling, but only slightly. If you go with proper road pedals, you're probably looking at 3-bolt patterned cleats, so your shoes should accept 3-bolt cleats. Of course, there's also 2-bolt patterned cleats for road bikes, like eggbeaters and spd (non-sl). And yes, you can get shoes that accept both type of cleats. The good news is that pedals usually come with cleats, if you're getting shoes at the same time, make sure they're compatible.


As for the bonus, check your tires, bar tape, maybe even the saddle. Definitely get your drivetrain checked, but that would have come back as recommended upgrades from your LBS.

If you have SPD-SL, then this will do the trick: http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-SL-PD-R-540-Black/dp/B000P9TOHQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1410289416&sr=1-1&keywords=shimano+spd+sl+pedals

They come in white, and the white ones are Prime eligible. I have the 105's, but they are more expensive and only come in carbon these days.

Also, any Shimano pedals you buy will come with cleats, so as long as you get some pedals that support the three bolt pattern, you'll get cleats.

Swapping pedals isn’t difficult, but would definitely be a tedious chore to do on a regular basis. One of the first things I did when I got my bike this past weekend was swap the pedals out for some Shimano SPD-SL pedals. They’re not very expensive and work great on the bike, but your mileage may vary.

As with all bike components there is a strong correlation between weight and price, the lighter an item the more it costs. If you decide to go the pedal route, don’t buy something top of the line. The weight doesn’t matter on a stationary bike like it does in an Ironman.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Here’s a link to those pedals if you’re interested:

Shimano SPD-SL PD R-540 - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P9TOHQ?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

These are the pedals I have recently purchase.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P9TOHQ/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So far so good, have not rode too much in them just yet (20 miles) but I am enjoying them as of to date.

Thanks for the help guys, I went with these pedals: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P9TOHQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ride with these and I absolutely love them. They do everything I want them too. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P9TOHQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Shimano Bike Shoes $100
http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SH-TR31-Triathlon-Cycling-White/dp/B001RUJ0WQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1347301838&sr=1-1&keywords=triathlon+bike+shoes
Clipless Pedals with cleates $45
http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-SL-Road-Pedals-Black/dp/B000P9TOHQ/ref=sr_1_10?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1347301864&sr=1-10&keywords=clipless+pedals

Installation takes 5 minutes, all you need is a wrench. Any wrench will do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR-QG2c178E&feature=related

The difference between $45 pedals and $200 are pretty much ounces. Unless you're at top condition, don't drop big bucks on the expensive pedals. The $45 are excellent and do a great job.

any thoughts on these?

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-SL-Road-Pedals-Black/dp/B000P9TOHQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1369668670&sr=1-2&keywords=shimano+spd

I love the 7.2 FX, it was my primary bike for about a year - a real "do everything" machine.

as you approach 30-40 mile rides, the seat gives you "hotspots", the grips give you blisters, the tires wear out after maybe 1200 miles, and the original eggbeater pedals squeek & fall apart.

I've yet to actually go clipless on my road bike (I know, I know), so I can't speak about that, but if distance is your primary goal then padded shorts, a new saddle, ergon grips, riding gloves & better tires are things I bought first, and I'd do it that way again. If performance is your primary goal or you already have those things, then yes - the next upgrade I would have made myself would have been the pedals.

I got 50-60 mile rides out of the 7.2 without clipless pedals, but that was mostly brute force rather than equipment. I don't mean to be a jerk, but honestly - it isn't a bike made for very very long distance. The 150-250 a good set of clipless pedals and shoes cost you can put you well on your way to a decent road bike much more comfortable on long distance rides. Don't worry, there are still plenty of excuses to go back to the FX for various riding. Just my experience, personally.


I picked myself up a pair of Shimono PD-R540's off Amazon before my morning ride just today - about 1/2 the price of the two LBS's I checked.

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-SL-Road-Pedals-Black/dp/B000P9TOHQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1335742964&sr=1-1

I'm a new road cyclist (less than 250 miles total so far) and I'm looking for some advice about clipless pedals. I currently have the Shimano SPD-SL PD-R540, and even at the lightest setting I find that unclipping is a little difficult. I've already had one fall and a couple near misses where I've been able to unclip in time at the last moment.

After my fall, my confidence is a bit shaken. So I'm wondering if I should stick with these and try to master the mechanics, or if other pedal options like SPD or another manufacturer are inherently "easier" to unclip from?


edit: Most of my rides so far have been between 10-30 miles each on either a dedicated bike path or neighborhood streets.

You're going to want to go clipless (which is what clip in pedals are called - bit counter intuitive). That said, I hate that peloton comes with Look Deltas - just buy a set of Shimano SPD-SL cleats and pedals - they are the same bolt pattern as Look Deltas and far more prevalent across the cycling world.