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?

If you live in the USA, metal products are going to increase by at least 25 percent on Feb. 8. You better buy whatever you can before then.

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!".

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.

I paid $50 USD for mine 11 years ago. Seems like they stayed the same price.

$50.00 for good pedals seems quite reasonable to me.

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.

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.

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.

What's so much better about composite pedals that Shimano deserted alloy ones entirely? They just look like cheap plastic from China (or sometimes like expensive plastic from China) to me...

The only reason I buy Dura Ace pedals is because you can get them in the longer axle

But at least you don't have to shell out a bunch more money every time you want to go for a ride :)

Tell that to my wife when I need $140 in new tires every two months, a new $250 cassette/chain/pulleys every 6 months, or why we spend $600/month on groceries for "two" people :lol:

If I didn't have Hammer Nutrition as a sponsor, that'd be another $300-400/month!

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.

You're right, I've never had that happen to me, after probably about 10,000 miles riding those pedals.

They are light as hell and last just as long (in my experience)

The friendly/fast/cheap unlocal UK bike shops no longer ship shimano components at prices that make your LBS look like bandits.

I just got some new XTR trail pedals. So it is hard for me to relate.

How long does hell last (in your experience)?

Not true. Merlin will sell you a pair of 105 pedals for $86. LBS charges a crazy $150.

Last as long as the previously all model pedals*

Ultegra R8000 pedals are available with the +4mm axle now also.

They are in theory. Nobody stocks them. I tried ordering a pair and it took so long, I gave up.

https://www.backcountry.com/shimano-...-spd-sl-pedals

Eye watering $200 cost though.

EDIT: $150 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-Ulteg...PPFE60N7C16M4G

Here you go, but they don't ship quickly. .

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3281...88%233325%2312

I should get on that. 105's will last forever.