Why Shimano Redesigned The World’s Most Popular Pedal

After nearly 24 years, Shimano has killed off SPD-SL and launched the brand new SPD-SLR pedals alongside redesigned top-end shoes. We break down the complete history of Shimano’s road pedals and look at why this new system is NOT backwards compatible. From lower stack heights to revamped shoe lasts, here’s everything you need to know about the latest tech updates.

🤝 In collaboration with @RideShimano
👉 gcntech.co/shimanowebsite

Chapters: ⏱️
00:00 - Introduction to New Shimano Tech
00:32 - History of Shimano Road Pedals
02:53 - The SPD-R Era & Flaws
04:45 - The Rise of SPD-SL
07:20 - Introducing the New SPD-SLR
08:24 - Cleat Float & Stack Height Changes
10:15 - Improved Engagement & Axle Efficiency
11:40 - Complete System Weight Comparison
12:37 - New S-PHYRE RC910 & RC810 Shoes
14:34 - Dynalast 2.0 & Shoe Fit Updates

Useful Links:
GCN Tech Uploader 👉 gcn.eu/techuploader
.co/
Insurance: Viewers in the USA and UK can explore GCN Insurance products 👉 gcn.eu/GCNinsurance
Sign Up To The GCN Newsletter 👉 gcn.eu/Newsletter
Visit the GCN Shop 👉 gcn.eu/gcnshop
GCN WhatsApp Channel 👉 gcn.eu/GCNwhatsapp
GCN Instagram Broadcast Channel 👉 gcn.eu/instagrambroadcast
Join the GCN Club on Zwift and ride with us! 👉 gcn.eu/GCNClubRides

What do you think of Shimano’s new SPD-SLR setup and wider shoe fit? Let us know in the comments below if you’ll be making the upgrade!

Watch more on GCN Tech...
📹 youtu.be/Ez1jQmXF4H0
📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 gcntech.co/EditorsChoice
📹 Watch the latest GCN Tech Show 👉 gcntech.co/GCNTechShow

🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
Yonomori - Rymdklang
When I'm Gone - Ryan James Carr
Unseen - Elin Piel
Wasted (Instrumental Version) - LeDorean
The Whole Nine Yards
RISE - Ballpoint
Supposed to Care - The Grateful 7
Give Me Some Answers - The New Fools
Make It Yellow - Andreas Dahlback
Conclusions - Ryan James Carr
Blacklight - John B

📸 Photos - © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sprint Cycling Agency

Brought to you by the world’s biggest cycling channel, the Global Cycling Network (GCN), GCN Tech is the only channel you need for all things bike tech – past, present and future.

Simply put, we’re obsessed with tech: we seek out and showcase the best in bikes, components, tech, accessories, upgrades and more from races and events, tech shows and product launches across the globe to bring you the best in road bike technology.

We’ve got great maintenance videos to help you get the most from your bike; pro-bike tours from all the biggest races; special features and the weekly GCN Tech Show!

Thanks to our sponsors:
Canyon Bikes: gcn.eu/-Canyon
Orbea Bikes: gcn.eu/Orbea
Pinarello Bikes: gcn.eu/Pinarello
Topeak Tools: gcn.eu/Topeak
CamelBak: gcn.eu/Camelbak
Pirelli Tyres: gcn.eu/Pirelli
Hunt Bike Wheels: gcn.eu/Hunt
Wahoo Fitness: gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness
Park Tool: gcn.eu/-parktool
Selle Italia: gcn.eu/SelleItalia
Zwift: gcn.eu/Zwift
Gtechniq: gcn.eu/Gtechniq
Core Body Temperature: gcn.eu/corebodytemp
Precision Fuel & Hydration: gcn.eu/precisionhydration
Elitewheels: gcn.eu/Elitewheels
CeramicSpeed: gcn.eu/GCNCeramicSpeed
HJC Sports: gcn.eu/hjcsports
Shimano: gcn.eu/shimano
Cyclowax: gcntech.co/cyclowax
Sena: gcn.eu/Senacycling
Princeton Carbon Works: gcn.eu/princetoncarbonworks
P1 Race Technologies: gcn.eu/p1racetechnologies
POC: gcn.eu/POC

Watch our sister channels:
Global Cycling Network - youtube.com/@gcn
GCN Racing - youtube.com/@gcnracing
Global Triathlon Network - youtube.com/@gtn
GCN Italia - youtube.com/@gcnitalia
GCN en Español - youtube.com/@gcnenespanol
GCN auf Deutsch - youtube.com/@gcnaufdeutsch
GCN en Français - youtube.com/@gcnenfrancais
GCN Training - youtube.com/@gcntraining
Global Mountain Bike Network - youtube.com/@gmbn
GMBN Racing - youtube.com/@gmbnracing
GMBN Tech - youtube.com/@gmbntech
Electric Mountain Bike Network - youtube.com/@embn