School me on current range of SPD-SL

[boconnor811]

Difference in weight from 105 / 5800 pedals to DA 9000 is 37 grams. It is difficult to tell from the descriptions, but physically and bearing layout sound pretty similar. Am I missing something, or what are the benefits that you are paying for between the 3 offerings?

[pdmtong]

Iirc the da pedal gets three needle bearings the rest two.
Function is all the same. Does it matter? I've ridden all three and once clipped in I couldn't tell. The carbon ones seem tighter than the previous metal ones to me

[christian]

I use 105s on two bikes and Ultegra on one bike. I cannot tell any difference.

[zap]

Axle material is different. Ultegra rusts pretty easily.

The 105 bearings seem to need a break in period.

Stack height difference (Dura Ace lowest)….or at least there used to be. I can't tell if there is a difference between current Ultegra and Dura Ace pedals-different bikes, saddles, etc.

[Marburg]

If it matters to you, I believe Ultegra and DA are assembled in Japan. Below that, a location slightly further west and south of there...

[oldpotatoe]

Iirc the da pedal gets three needle bearings the rest two.
Function is all the same. Does it matter? I've ridden all three and once clipped in I couldn't tell. The carbon ones seem tighter than the previous metal ones to me

Looked up the parts blowup of 9000/6800/5800 and all 3 have 2 sets of ball bearings. DA has some bigger bearings it looks like on the inboard side but 2 sets on all 3.

EV-PD-9000-3329.pdf

NOPE, almost invisible needle bearings on DA.

Finish, coffee shop points, all 3 work really well, better than their 'cousin', LOOK, IMHO. I think a good compromise is 6800 pedals.

[zap]

So, stack height differences remain.

Also additional set of needle bearings for Dura Ace.

http://www.shimano-lifestylegear.com/us/fw/technologies/spd_sl.php

[oldpotatoe]

So, stack height differences remain.

Also additional set of needle bearings for Dura Ace.

http://www.shimano-lifestylegear.com/us/fw/technologies/spd_sl.php

My face, thanks for the link and apologies to PDMTong..yes DA 2 rows of bearing balls and one of needle bearings..hard to see on parts blowup and no part number. 6800/5800, just 2 rows of bearing balls.

[pinoymamba]

Dura Ace has a more narrow q factor...

[bluesea]

Axle material is different. Ultegra rusts pretty easily.

The 105 bearings seem to need a break in period.

Stack height difference (Dura Ace lowest)….or at least there used to be. I can't tell if there is a difference between current Ultegra and Dura Ace pedals-different bikes, saddles, etc.




My 7810 axles are pretty much rust free. Can't say the same for 7900 which rusted out fairly quickly, but remain completely functional so far.

So Ultegra has a wider Q? Are Ultegra made in Japan?

[pdmtong]

My face, thanks for the link and apologies to PDMTong..yes DA 2 rows of bearing balls and one of needle bearings..hard to see on parts blowup and no part number. 6800/5800, just 2 rows of bearing balls.

NBD spud...this is minutia we all perseverate over. happy you dug in a bit more. I was going off brain cells

I think the buying is easy..you have more dough get DA just cuz

mid range budget? ultegra

beater commuter rain bike - 105.

btw, did I ay the cleat is way more walkable than Look? for that reason alone its spd-sl all the way, and yes, i had those dumb 2 bolt shimano cleats with the pontoon, then the first 'lance" pedal with the plastic that wears out.

those 7810s just look so right with a metal bike....although I did put 7900/9000 on the vamoots CR...

[boconnor811]

Thanks for all the replies guys, exactly the type of info I was hoping for. I've ridden prior generation ultegra, and 105 when they were still metal, just never sprung for the DA. Wanted to know if I was missing out, and the consensus from real world experience seems to be not really.

If someone has a similar ? and is looking for the cliff notes -

5800 -> 6800

Possible COO difference, 6800 being produced in Japan.
Both have 2 sets of ball bearings


6800 -> 9000

9000 adds a row of needle bearings to 2 sets of ball bearings of 5800/6800

[dk2ck]

So what is beneficial about having a lower stack height/narrower Q-factor?

[BSBD]

So what is beneficial about having a lower stack height/narrower Q-factor?

You get to hit your chain stays more often with your heels?

[SoCalSteve]

FWIW...I've been riding Dura Ace SPD-SL pedals for a very long time and maybe it was psychological, but I once bought a set of Ultegra's and there was a noticeable difference to me in the engagement. I went back to Dura Ace...:hello: