The Ultegra PD-R8000 SPD-SL pedals are excellent pedals for the road cycling enthusiast. I like the SPD-SL system and waited until the pedals were on sale to buy. They've performed as advertised by Shimano. They're one-sided entry pedals, and with practice, entry becomes second nature. They hang vertically to aid entry. I strongly recommend these Shimano pedals for anyone who wants a strong, light, high-performance pedal.
I really like the simplicity and so far the reliability of these pedals and cleats. After nearly 4,000 miles, and many rides through rain, these have held up extremely well. Once the cleat position is dialed in, they just work, and I don't have to think about them. I do regrease bearings every 700-1k miles or so because of the rain, but even that might be overkill. Simple to do. I'm also still on the first set of cleats - maybe because I try to avoid walking in them. At the current rate, I expect these pedals to last for many thousands of miles to come.
I'll note that coming from (now ancient) Speedplay X2s with huge, non-adjustable float, the first rides on the SPD-SLs felt very restrictive even with the yellow cleats. In fact, I hated them at first, but it honestly didn't take long to adjust and realize that I didn't need all of that float the Speedplays had. Afterwards even new Speedplays just felt sloppy. If I could change one thing on the shimanos, it might be just 1-2 more degrees of float and was one reason I considered Look Keos. But I'm happy with my choice and see no reason to switch. Also if the cleats get a little dirty, no big deal. I once stepped on a single raisin with my speedplays and had to dig a sandy mess out before I could even clip in.
I do recommend taking an allen wrench on the first couple rides to adjust the cleats on the fly. And once you get them dialed in, mark or spray paint the cleat position to make it easier when you replace them.
I have been on the Look Keo 2 composite pedals for a season and a half now and I liked the weight and performance of those pedals but lacked any confidence in them when coming off of stops. The bearing grease and bearings were such that the pedal if not turned over very slowly to engage with the cleat the pedal would spin multiple times under my foot or be upside down. In almost every start I had to look down at my foot to prevent this from happening - it got very annoying. I decided to try and repack the pedal with a heavier grease to try and remedy this and in the process damaged the composite nut on the pedal. (super brittle) Having been on Shimano pedals prior to these and liking how they turned over and engaged - I decided to go back to Shimano because of my grease repack mishap in hopes that this issue would be solved, and it was. The Shimano pedal engages with the cleat correctly and without spinning almost every time without looking or creating the spinning pedal issue. I do notice a bit more lateral float in these that I don't particularly care for and could change cleat colors to see if it is better but its minimal enough that I won't bother. The Shimano cleats to me are also more slippery when walking in them over the Look, but that is neither here nor there as it relates to the performance of the system. Overall - the confidence I gain in not having to watch my foot engage the pedal to prevent it from spinning is worth the few issues I have with them.
10/10 prices and quality per usual.
Used on my road and track bikes. Reliable performance and don't have to think about it.
Using these on a road bike for outdoor riding.
The only negative I have is the twist-out force is a bit high for me. I have it adjusted all the way down. It is OK, but wish the range went a little lower.
Just took delivery of a TREK 7.7FX this summer to keep riding a great all-carbon road bike with fitness bike handlebars and controls. Wanted the efficiency of road bike pedals to work with my Sidi Genius 7 road bike shoes. These Shimano pedals fit the bill perfectly. The pedal cleats give me the right amount of float and the manufacturing quality is top notch. Very easy to snap into and out of pedals with adjustable spring loading on pedals. Id suggest this set-up to anyone in their mid to late 60s who still loves the long rides on flats and hills.
I got these pedals to replace Look Keos that I had used for a few years (the Keos were loosing a metal plate on the top of one pedal). These pedals seem solid. Getting the cleats into the pedals is fine, about the same as the Keos. Getting the cleat out takes a bit more effort at the factory setting, which I have not yet changed. I like the availability of a near-zero float cleat (the blue-cushioned ones). However, these cleats have worn quickly - on both shoes, the outside blue pad was gone after a week of riding, and now after a couple of months, the plastic has worn enough to make walking tilted. But the attachment to the pedals is still secure. Not sure I would buy these again because of the fast cleat wear.
I've ridden Shimano Ultegra pedals in the past and liked them. 25,000 trouble free miles so when I got my new Cervelo I figured I'd stay with what I was comfortable with. They are easier to get in and out of than the older pair and are very comfortable whether I'm going easy or out hammering a big climb
I have been a Shimano SPD user for around 20 years, starting with an old Ultegra pair, and then in a "what the heck" moment buying a DuraAce pair for a second bike. Those DuraAce, after around 15 years, started getting dangerously difficult to clip out of, and so after a little fiddling cleaning and lubing failed, I just went and bought these. I was going to spend the extra for DuraAce again, but between the Ultra being on sale, and admitting to myself that after multiple experiences with Ultegra and DuraAce in brakes, gears, and pedals, I honestly could not find any difference in performance between the two, I bought these.
Shimano has improved their design over the years, with these Ultegra pedals being about 25 g lighter per my scale than the 15 year old DuraAce. The platform is both a little wider and has a slightly larger surface area, both making for a reduction in the pressure on the ball of one's foot, which is the main reason one goes to these pedals in the first place. After riding Look and Keo in the past, as well as a miserable pair of Crank Brothers eggbeater pedals, I can attest that more contact area is a good thing, and less is a pain to the point of injury.
I heartily recommend theses pedals. They are light, smooth, easy to clip in and out of, include a pair of yellow (+/-3 degrees) cleats, allow you to adjust the clip-in tension, are long lasting, and have that large contact area you'll want on a road bike. Excellent product.
Getting into cycling and these are great!
This is my third set of Ultegra pedals' all my road bikes have them. Oldest are ten years and still work well.
A bit stiffer than I'm used to, but great pedals.
Like prior Ultegra pedals, these are great, highly functional, and of the authentic quality I've come to expect from Western!
I can only give four stars because you have to leave a star open for Dura Ace, but these are the best pedals I have ever had. I have some 105's on another bike and the differences in entry and exit are subtle, but noticeable, and when you have some sketchy places to get in and out the Ultegra's are worth the upgrade.
After 15+ years on Speedplay Zero's I switched to Shimano, primarily for a larger platform to try to alleviate hot foot that I would get after 50-60 miles of riding. Unlike Speedplay, these are one sided, but it is in effect the same, since they are weighted so the clip in side is always up. I am clipped in much more securely with less wasted float (maybe I didn't have my zero set screws dialed in enough?) Entry and exit are a breeze. You still need to get used to placing your foot in the correct location for entry - same as when I switch from road to mountain and back. I also bought the cleat covers - much better than the useless Speedplay aero covers that fall off when you walk and get coated with dry lube so you can;t put then in your pocket anyway.
My bike fitter recommended that I widen my Q factor. These pedals addressed that need. They are the normal Shimano quality product.
I have three sets of these pedals on my three bikes. They are light and technically as good as the best, Dura Ace. It isn't a secret that Shimano uses the same technology in Ultegra as they do in Dura Ace. The major difference is the materials used, Ultegra being just a tiny bit heavier. It is the simple reason than most professional teams that use Shimano components use Ultegra on their bikes. The oldest set of my Ultegra pedals is on my BMC SLR O1 Team Machine. They have been on the bike for the last four years, and have accumulated somewhere north of 23,000 miles. I have never experienced a problem with them in all that time. They are a great pedal that holds the cleat well, but releases easily when they need to. I bought the third set a couple of months ago when I added a new bike to my stable. I have used a lot of different pedals over the years, but once I got the Ultegra pedal I decided that I had found something to stick with. I like the solidity of the platform and ease of entering and leaving the pedal. Cleats are reasonably priced and generally last a full season of hard cycling. What's not to like?
Adjustments are a breeze
Good amount of float, using the proper cleat of course.
Nice thin design
Fantastic value, excellent performance. These Ultegra pedals just keep getting better. The R8000 version has shorter distance by several millimeters between the spindle and top of the pedal.
If replacing older Ultegra pedals, you may need to adjust the seat height slightly lower to account for that, expecially if also putting on a bike with 172.5 mm cranks vs. prior bike of 170mm and older Ultegra pedals. The combon difference in height adjustment is 5-6 mm, which is noticeable. Ask me how I know this... lived it.
