Shimano

PD-R550 SPD-SL Pedals

Shimano pedals far and away the best

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

I've been riding Shimano SPD-SL since they first released "The Lance Pedal" in 2003/2004. He was using the older heavy Shimano "Look" style pedal for his first few Tour wins so Shimano created the SPD-SL version for him, a lighter version than their earlier Look type. Love him or hate him, this pedal was a sure winner and it's no wonder that the design remains basically the same almost two decades later. I chose this version over the Ultegra and Dura Ace for two simple reasons, first is the replaceable metal wear plate and second I own the special notched tool (higher up versions just need two wrenches) to take the spindles out and grease the tiny little balls and races. This is my biggest positive for Shimano pedals (and their hubs too) is they use cup and cone bearings. Cartridge bearings are fine (and somewhat serviceable) but cup and cone, infinite adjustment, very old school but it just works. I like to clean and lube my pedals once a year, probably overkill but I enjoy this sort of thing. I have a pair that is 15 years old (I lost my first Lance pedals in a move) that I use on my "B" bike and they spin like new so this new pair I expect to last me at least 15 years with maybe replacing the previously mentioned metal wear plate once. Replace cleats as needed as they are a wear item. Other than cleats, with a tiny bit of love, expect the pedals to last decades, unlike any other pedal out there. Probably the most cost efficient part you can put on your bike and the $100 you spend will work out to a few dollars per year of use.