Shimano SPD-SL Pedals More Expensive Than Ever?
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Shimano SPD-SL Pedals More Expensive Than Ever?
A few years ago I had to buy new pedals, and found the Shimano SPD-SL to be very inexpensive, just over 20euro, and sometimes they'd get bundled with cleats... so in time I changed over all my bikes. A great bonus was they also came in silver as well as black.
Now I can't find a set for less than 50euro, and only in black.
Am I the victim of Shimano playing the long game in getting me converted, and now I'm stuck as they raise the price and limit availability? Or is there another source of Shimano SPD-SL pedals (R540s are fine) that I'm missing?
Now I can't find a set for less than 50euro, and only in black.
Am I the victim of Shimano playing the long game in getting me converted, and now I'm stuck as they raise the price and limit availability? Or is there another source of Shimano SPD-SL pedals (R540s are fine) that I'm missing?
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A few years ago I had to buy new pedals, and found the Shimano SPD-SL to be very inexpensive, just over 20euro, and sometimes they'd get bundled with cleats... so in time I changed over all my bikes. A great bonus was they also came in silver as well as black.
Now I can't find a set for less than 50euro, and only in black.
Am I the victim of Shimano playing the long game in getting me converted, and now I'm stuck as they raise the price and limit availability? Or is there another source of Shimano SPD-SL pedals (R540s are fine) that I'm missing?
Now I can't find a set for less than 50euro, and only in black.
Am I the victim of Shimano playing the long game in getting me converted, and now I'm stuck as they raise the price and limit availability? Or is there another source of Shimano SPD-SL pedals (R540s are fine) that I'm missing?
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I don't live in the US, but that doesn't mean suppliers aren't using "because... tariffs!" as an excuse to raise prices on everything. Same with "because... Brexit!".
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Only Shimano could tell you why the price has risen so much. It likely has less to do with costs and more to do with marketing and management decisions. And yes, companies will price things aggressively and once a customer base / market percentage is achieved, increase the price. That happens with just about everything.
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#5
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I paid $50 USD for mine 11 years ago. Seems like they stayed the same price.
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Not only is $50 not that much, but even the lower-end Shimano pedals are pretty damn good now. Most of the model line is composite as well. The advantage of buying Dura Ace has never been so small.
#8
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A few years ago I had to buy new pedals, and found the Shimano SPD-SL to be very inexpensive, just over 20euro, and sometimes they'd get bundled with cleats... so in time I changed over all my bikes. A great bonus was they also came in silver as well as black.
Now I can't find a set for less than 50euro, and only in black.
Am I the victim of Shimano playing the long game in getting me converted, and now I'm stuck as they raise the price and limit availability? Or is there another source of Shimano SPD-SL pedals (R540s are fine) that I'm missing?
Now I can't find a set for less than 50euro, and only in black.
Am I the victim of Shimano playing the long game in getting me converted, and now I'm stuck as they raise the price and limit availability? Or is there another source of Shimano SPD-SL pedals (R540s are fine) that I'm missing?
I find that R550s are the sweet spot, and them come with cleats. I have Ultegra pedals also, but honestly can't tell the difference when riding.
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That's everything, man. I was looking at new bikes a few months ago and the sticker shock hit me hard. I've been racing for so long that I haven't paid retail/anything for bike stuff in the better part of 10 years. Now that I no longer have a gear sponsor, I can see the "cycling is the new golf" influence in pricing. Companies will charge as much as the customer will pay, and the market is saturated with a LOT of freshly-retired bored peeps riding on the back of a healthy (for now) economy.
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R540s can be found in white, but that's the only non-composite pedal in Shimano's line-up now. They stopped making aluminum pedals a long time ago.
I find that R550s are the sweet spot, and they come with cleats. I have Ultegra pedals also, but honestly can't tell the difference when riding.
I find that R550s are the sweet spot, and they come with cleats. I have Ultegra pedals also, but honestly can't tell the difference when riding.
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If I didn't have Hammer Nutrition as a sponsor, that'd be another $300-400/month!
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R540s can be found in white, but that's the only non-composite pedal in Shimano's line-up now. They stopped making aluminum pedals a long time ago.
I find that R550s are the sweet spot, and them come with cleats. I have Ultegra pedals also, but honestly can't tell the difference when riding.
I find that R550s are the sweet spot, and them come with cleats. I have Ultegra pedals also, but honestly can't tell the difference when riding.
Last edited by mcours2006; 02-05-20 at 11:45 AM.
#15
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Then you have never had the retaining pin that holds the spring-loaded clip come loose during a ride. Unlike the 105's and higher, the pin on the 550's is a pressed-in pin, not a threaded bolt. I've repaired it by pressing it back in with some super glue and they're still good after some 20,000 km, but the point is I shouldn't have had to.
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The friendly/fast/cheap unlocal UK bike shops no longer ship shimano components at prices that make your LBS look like bandits.
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#23
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Eye watering $200 cost though.
EDIT: $150 on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-Ulteg...PPFE60N7C16M4G
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A few years ago I had to buy new pedals, and found the Shimano SPD-SL to be very inexpensive, just over 20euro, and sometimes they'd get bundled with cleats... so in time I changed over all my bikes. A great bonus was they also came in silver as well as black.
Now I can't find a set for less than 50euro, and only in black.
Am I the victim of Shimano playing the long game in getting me converted, and now I'm stuck as they raise the price and limit availability? Or is there another source of Shimano SPD-SL pedals (R540s are fine) that I'm missing?
Now I can't find a set for less than 50euro, and only in black.
Am I the victim of Shimano playing the long game in getting me converted, and now I'm stuck as they raise the price and limit availability? Or is there another source of Shimano SPD-SL pedals (R540s are fine) that I'm missing?
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