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I have a new bike on the way (my employer decided to proceed with their cycle scheme despite the lockdown), it’s a gravel bike but i’ll be running 2” tyres on 650b and riding the local single track (with a second lighter 700c wheel/tyre set for road riding)
Looking at pedals, i was initially ready to splash out on the XTR 9100. Trying to keep the build as light as possible - i know it’s only a ~35g saving over the XT 8100 but very little helps, and also I like that they come in a reduced q factor version. i’ve also found the 9100s on sale for £80 so only £15-£20 more than XT
however i’ve read quite a few reports of the XTR seals coming out or them otherwise falling apart... trying to establish how common this is as if it’s a real but small risk i don’t mind taking that risk and potentially having to warranty them. on the other hand if it’s all but guaranteed to happen sooner or later then perhaps i’ll steer clear
also, wondering if this problem also applies to the XT pedals? they appear to share a lot of the same DNA so it wouldn’t surprise me if they would share the same problems
finally, i know that a lot of people will advise to stick with the cheap, bombproof M520s, and i can see the sense in that, but i’m going to be using this bike for a lot of road riding and it’s hilly where i live so i’d rather save weight where i can.
thanks in advance!
Extra year warranty on XTR too, I think. 3 rather than 2.
ah thanks, good to know - although that actually adds an extra dimension to the conundrum!
the mechanism is the same on all shimano pedals. Once you've got bored of looking at them...because XTR and they're all scuffed up and looking tatty, you'll wonder why you were so bothered to spend the extra just to have the "R"
I went for XTR on my gravel bike. This video helped convince me, if that's what you're after 🙂
Personally I would just put some M540 pedals on. I think pedals are the only part of my bike I am happy with a basic bit of Shimano kit.
I've had most shimano pedals. The basic 520 and 540 seem bomb proof and part for ever.
I found the xtrs didn't, they also don't have as much of a platform and felt smaller than the others.
Sent my xtrs back when they broke and bought xts and 540s.
If buying new try the xtrs as you get the 3 year warranty. Buying 2nd hand buy xts or 540s.
the mechanism is the same on all shimano pedals. Once you’ve got bored of looking at them…because XTR and they’re all scuffed up and looking tatty, you’ll wonder why you were so bothered to spend the extra just to have the “R”
The older xtrs 950-970 retained their finish far longer than any pedals I've had. For this reason alone when I broke my xtr 970 after 8 years (the thing that makes them lighter is also their weakness... - the ti axle can't handle the stress raiser at the transition to the tiny lock nut threads on the end )..... Broke two sets there...... 8 and 9 years old respectively - one set on my enduro bike the other on my xc race bike.
I Still bought xtr trails and m9100 to replace those pedals...... How ever I don't recall them being 100 + quid at the time.... 70 quid rings a bell....I'd have thought twice at 100+ quid.
The xt is the sensible solution it has the same design but a steel axle which can take the design better.
I'd buy platform pedals.
That way you can use the bike to go the pub or on proper adventures:
https://www.instagram.com/rsfarchive/
Happy to help 🙂
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-dx-m647-pedals/
The xt is the sensible solution it has the same design but a steel axle which can take the design better.
new XTR 9100 has a steel axle. which is either a reason to buy XTR, or a reason not to, depending on your perspective I guess
Just to go STW and reccomend wht you have, a lot of xc guys run the Boardman Team pedals from Halfords. They are £25, lighter than XT and we have them on our gravel and xc bikes. They have done...French divide, Italy divide, TNR and all our local adventures and rides. Amazing value
Ian
Personally I would just put some M540 pedals on. I think pedals are the only part of my bike I am happy with a basic bit of Shimano kit.
+1
520's will last forever.
540's will last almost forever and are lighter.
For 10g weight saving I'm not sure the XT's are worth it, especially as you could infer that any reported issue is probably one more than the collective number of M540's on millions of neglected commuters generally have! Especially as the 540's are generally only £35!
Not tried SPD copies, but did have some Boardman cleats which didn't play nicely with shimano pedals, looking closely they were subtly different which put me off trying the pedals as I already have about 5 sets of 520 and 540's. IIRC shimano's patent is running out so expect to see a flood of copies rather than "compatible" pedals at some point.
XTR had axle snapping issues a few years back. It was an egregious fault, loads of reports, so maybe fixed now.
That was 3 generations of XTR pedals and only affected early batches of them. Long since fixed.
Been running XT standard SPD and trail, and they are bomb proof.
Got both. No difference but XTR are lighter/tricker. Live the dream.
Neil Beltchenko does an overview of XT & XTR pedals here - https://bikepacking.com/gear/shimano-spd-pedal-review/ as close to indestructable as anything on a bike is likely to be.
Had no issues with my XTR for the last 18 months.
Have some random cheap Shimano (no idea which) on another bike though and I certainly can’t feel a difference in performance. I only got the XTR because the rest of the bike is blingy expensive stuff so it felt more appropriate. Otherwise I think I’d just go for the cheaper ones and not be bothered by it!
the boardmans appear more of a ritchey clone tbh - I've had a couple of years from a pair with no issues so far, I also run a mix of pedals/cleats (shimano and compatibles), there is perhaps slight play with some combinations but not sufficient to be a problem
XTR - Japanese made.
Bomb proof. It's all i own. I replace them out of boredom every couple of years. They're just finished better than XT. Up to you for value though.
have they fixed the issue with the dust seals popping out and never staying in with the XTR Pedals ?
I had 3 pairs replaced under warranty until I was just given my money back....
a quote from a review from flow mountain bike
"
<h2>Stable pedals, but what’s with that little migrating seal?</h2>
It’d be hard to improve on the previous XTR pedals; our only gripe was the tendency to loosen in the axle bearings, the new M9100 pedals are said to address that. The new shape offers increased support for the shoe while remaining slim for ground clearance.
But, since very early on a rubber o-ring seal would creep out of the pedal body and along the axle. We’d push it back into place, and it’d eventually make its way out again. Surely the seal is there to protect the internals, but it won’t do its job if it’s not in its intended position.
We spotted it occurring on several bikes at a recent press camp, and at the EWS in Tasmania, so we’re not the only ones. We’ll see"
Thanks for the feedback everyone, was useful.
I plumped for m540s in the end.
This seal issue for the m9100 just sounds too common, and given that the m8100 are only 10g lighter than the 540s (and might well suffer from the same issue as the 9100s given their shared design, seem to be less reviews of them around in general so tricky to tell) didn't seem worth the risk.
I saw a couple of people mentioned Ritchey / Boardman pedals. My googling revealed that these, along with Botranger's offering, are all rebranded Wellgo W01s. They look great on paper (only 300g, lighter than XTR!) but I steered clear as although they're supposedly SPD compatible this review suggests they work best with their own cleats and engagement with SPD cleats is vague. Might be good for a first pair of pedals but seeing as I already have a commuting bike with shimano SPD A530s and three pairs of SPD shoes I'm bought into the SPD system.
Another vote for the Boardman clipless spd pedals - the more expensive of the 2 options if it’s a light spd style pedal you’re after. £25 ish with cleats and they’re lighter than XT I believe.
I have used mine for commuting on a road bike as they’re easier to click in and out of them spd-sl at traffic lights etc.
My mate used them on my hardtail when he was back to Bristol at Christmas and was surprised they are actually ok. He rides shimano xt I think.