Shimano SPD-SL Blue cleats - Anyone got any time on them?

[bdaghisallo]

Does anyone out there have any time on the new spd-sl cleats that are shipping with the 9000 pedals? These are the blue tipped ones. Said to eliminate the side to side movement inherent in the yellow cleats and said to allow about 2 degrees of rotational float, pivoting around the toe of the cleat.

How are they?

I am curious to hear any feedback, since that side to side lateral play in the yellow cleats was what chased me away from spd-sl pedals.

[EDS]

Does anyone out there have any time on the new spd-sl cleats that are shipping with the 9000 pedals? These are the blue tipped ones. Said to eliminate the side to side movement inherent in the yellow cleats and said to allow about 2 degrees of rotational float, pivoting around the toe of the cleat.

How are they?

I am curious to hear any feedback, since that side to side lateral play in the yellow cleats was what chased me away from spd-sl pedals.

Yikes, I need to pay more attention as I have not felt any side to side lateral play with my dura ace pedals and yellow spd-sl cleats.

[bdaghisallo]

Pedal Float Test - YouTube

This clip will show you what I mean. Right at the start you'll see the cleat get pushed laterally in the pedal without any change to the rotational attitude of the cleat (or float as we commonly think of it).

[Too Tall]

Call me crazy. I like some slop in the pedal engagement. The built in slop, love saying that, feels good. The engagement is positive and does not rattle around. Best pedals evah.

[EDS]

Pedal Float Test - YouTube

This clip will show you what I mean. Right at the start you'll see the cleat get pushed laterally in the pedal without any change to the rotational attitude of the cleat (or float as we commonly think of it).

Hmm. Is that only with the carbon version of the pedals?

[deepsix]

The blue cleats come stock on the new dura ace pedals- but are available aftermarket and compatible with all spd-sl pedals.

I've set up a few pairs and really like them. Float free cleats are silly (really) for 99.99% of bike riding. The tibia rotates during flexion/extension of the knee and the foot does need account for that if its connected to the pedal. The way I see it the blue bridges the gap for athletes who would otherwise ride fixed cleats. The float is a radial motion in one plane only- a good option for many.

[bdaghisallo]

Hmm. Is that only with the carbon version of the pedals?

No. it's inherent to the shape of the yellow cleat. I experienced it with 7750, 7800 and 7810 DA pedals when using yellow cleats. I eventually used the red cleats with the retention spring backed way off and that allowed a little bit of float.

I am going to give the blue cleats a try and see how they feel.

[nate2351]

Im glad they introduced these, I've been meaning to try some float again. Ive been a huge fan of the red cleats ever since I threw my speedplay Xs into metal recycling.

[bigbill]

I recently went back to shimaNo pedals on my otherwise campy bike. I did it as a trial with some Ultegra pedals and they're really great, just the right amount of float. I'm as die-hard a campy guy as they come, but shimaNo really makes great pedals.

[XJBaylor]

I recently went back to shimaNo pedals on my otherwise campy bike. I did it as a trial with some Ultegra pedals and they're really great, just the right amount of float. I'm as die-hard a campy guy as they come, but shimaNo really makes great pedals.

I agree, I currently have the fancy carbon DA pedals, but if you gave me the choice between 105 pedals and anything from another brand I would happily be riding 105's for the rest of my life.

[jtferraro]

The blue cleats come stock on the new dura ace pedals- but are available aftermarket and compatible with all spd-sl pedals.

Do you know if the yellow & red cleats are compatible with the 9000 pedals?

Thanks,

[bdaghisallo]

All spd-sl cleats are compatible with all spd-sl pedals. So you can use the blue, yellow or red cleats with the PD-9000 pedals.

[Wtex]

I've got about 60 or so miles on them. I was running 105 silver pedals with yellow cleats previously. No problems at all so far with the cleats. I've been playing with saddle height, but I'm fairly certain the stack height on the 9000 pedals is lower than the 105s, so I've needed to lower the saddle. No complaints at all with either cleats or pedals. The spindle is really lovely.

[andrew flowers]

the 9000 pedals are identical to the 7900 pedals

cleats are compatible

stick with the yellow atmo

[nebraskacycling]

Why stick with yellow? Are 7900/9000 any better than 7800?

[andrew flowers]

yellow feels like shimano

7800 is aluminium, 7900+ is crabon fribe

[corko]

have been using the blue for a couple of weeks, didn't really notice any difference between the yellow and the blue but maybe my feet don't move much. Do notice the differance with red however.... much more like theold nailed in cleats with beartraps and toestraps feeling.....showing my age.....

blue is a nicer colour..... just sayin'

[hidayanra]

I'm a big fan of them.
the blue is certainly nicer - a bit more firm without being 100% locked in.

I like them, but currently have too many pairs of yellow cleats laying around to justify tossing them all and moving to blue quite yet (poor bike shop employee problems)
I figure by the end of this year I'll be moved over.

[RichTheRoadie]

I'm using them and I'm getting on alright with them, but I almost wish they had just one more degree (or even half a degree more) of float - they feel like they're that close to zero float that they almost might as well be, and it makes for quite a jump from the yellow cleat.

Currently undecided if I'll stick with them or will switch back.

[GrantM]

I'm using them and I'm getting on alright with them, but I almost wish they had just one more degree (or even half a degree more) of float

Just take a file and remove some plastic from the spot on the cleat that restricts the movement.

I'd like to try the wide q version, of the 9000 pedals since I already have a couple of washers between
my crank and pedal axle. Does anyone know if the +4mm longer axle is really
each axle is that much longer, or is that for the pair?

G