Bicycle Pedals From Shimano - the Top Brand for Shifting and Components
Anyone who deals with bicycle technology will sooner or later come into contact with the Shimano brand. Since its foundation in 1921, the company based in Osaka, Japan, has developed into the world market leader for many mechanical bicycle parts. Shimano is particularly omnipresent in the field of drivetrain and shifting components, with groupsets not being the only domain of the large corporation. As a full-range supplier, Shimano also covers all segments of bicycles and electric bikes when it comes to pedals.
The Shimano pedal range extends from classic flat pedals with a large contact surface to filigree, sporty clipless pedals for ambitious road cyclists. However, Shimano pedals are particularly well known in the off-road sector: the Japanese company dominates the market for both mountain bike pedals and gravel pedals, which is not only due to the excellent reliability of the pedal assistants, but also to their efficient system. This is because Shimano pedals are known for their good power transmission, while also being very comfortable when walking away from the saddle - but more on that later.
These Shimano Bicycle Pedals Are Available
Before we go into the technical details of Shimano pedals, let's first take a look at what types of Shimano pedals there are:
- Shimano cross-country pedals: the main domain of Shimano is MTB pedals, with the largest selection being cross-country pedals. This is also due to the fact that these pedals are not only used on MTBs, but often also on gravel bikes. The current top model is the PD-M9100, an XC pedal that is also used by many professionals.
- Shimano downhill, enduro and freeride pedals: The rest of the MTB pedal range is divided into clipless pedals with the SPD system and flat pedals. The PD-M9120, for example, is a lightweight clipless pedal for off-road riding. Downhillers swear by the PD-GR5000, which offers reliable contact with the bike even on fast trails.
- Shimano BMX pedals: Shimano is also at home in BMX sports. With the PD-MX70, the Japanese company offers a clipless pedal with SPD technology.
- Shimano road bike pedals: There is plenty of choice for road bike riders. Both SPD clipless pedals and SPD-SL clipless pedals are used here. The absolute top model at the moment is the PD-R9100, a particularly lightweight road bike pedal.
- Shimano trekking pedals: This leaves the leisure and trekking sector. There are both clipless pedals with the SPD system and flat pedals - depending on what your touring heart desires.
The Technology in Detail - How Shimano Clipless Pedals Work
Whichever Shimano pedals you choose, the Japanese manufacturer basically offers two clipless pedal systems: SPD for MTBs and SPD-SL for road bikes.
Shimano mountain bike pedals (SPD) are connected to a small cleat made of metal, which is attached to the shoe with two screws. This design allows for comfortable walking and sufficient freedom of movement so that you can optimally control your bike when clipped in. Practical: The SPD cleats always allow some lateral freedom of movement, but there are two models. The black SM-SH51 only allows you to unclip when the shoe moves sideways outwards. The silver SM-SH56 allows inward and outward release. The SPD system is standard, which is why countless matching Shimano mountain bike shoes are also available in our range.
Shimano road pedals (SPD-SL) were originally developed for road bikes. It enables a firm grip and provides a wide support for maximum power transmission to your bike's drivetrain. SPD-SL pedals only offer the option of clipping in on one side at a time, and clipping in and out requires a little more strength and experience than with SPD pedals. The SPD-SL system uses large plastic plates that are mounted in shoes with three bolts. In principle, SPD-SL offers less lateral freedom of movement, but there are three different cleats: SM-SH10 (red) allows no lateral freedom of movement, SM-SH12 (blue) allows two degrees, and SM-SH11 allows six degrees. In the road bike sector, SPD-SL has virtually become the standard, which is why almost all Shimano road bike shoes are designed for the attachment of SPD-SL cleats.
Buy All Shimano Bike Pedals Online at BIKE24
Reliable, versatile, proven - Shimano pedals are so widespread and popular for good reason. The pedal aids from the traditional Japanese manufacturer are characterized by high quality and decades of experience. With all MTB or road bike clipless pedals from Shimano, you can individually adjust the release hardness on the pedals. Shimano also offers pedals to match all component groupsets, so the pedals are always technologically and visually matched to the level of the respective groupset. Strong: As Shimano is established worldwide, we naturally also stock a huge selection of spare parts. In addition, the cleat systems have established themselves as fixed standards, which many other of our top brands also rely on - which is why you will also find a huge selection of shoes for the SPD and SPD-SL system in your favorite store.