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Shimano R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals

$70.00

(7)

Item # 710073

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These road pedals now feature a wide platform for improved foot-to-pedal stability.

Wide binding section ensures more effecient pedaling
Features a sealed cartridge axle unit for low maintenance

Imported.

Item 710073

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Shimano R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Shimano R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals

3.9

(based on 7 reviews)

86%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Good platform (4)
Increases pedaling efficiency (4)
Lightweight (4)

Cons

Best Uses

Road biking (4)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid cyclist (4)

Reviewed by 7 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-7

Feb

2010

(35 of 36 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good Entry Level Pedal

By Cyclist_Ken

from San Francisco Bay Area, CA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Increases Pedaling Efficiency
Reliable Entry/Exit

Cons

Durability

Best Uses

Road Biking

Comments about Shimano R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals:

The PD-R540 is Shimano's entry level pedal for road using their SPD-SL system. In the few years since their introduction on Lance's bike at the TdF, the SPD-SL system has become quite popular, using a large triangular cleat similar to Look. Unlike the Look system, the SPD-SL system sports "pontoons" on the cleat to prevent wear on the mating surfaces when walking as well as providing a bit more stability when off the bike. General positive comments about the SPD-SL system apply to this pedal as well, and the pricing makes the investment tolerable. Cleat lifetime is typical for road pedal systems -- the cleat interface surface is plastic and will wear after a few thousand miles, less if you walk a lot in them over rough terrain (e.g. gravel). The internal mechanics are bulletproof -- the pedal spindle and bearings are the time-tested design that have been used on Shimano MTB pedals for years. In fact, they are the same as used on the pricier Ultegra pedals (minus the flashy nickel plating). For those who care, the internal bearings are fully adjustable and serviceable if you enjoy dealing with 3/32" loose bearings :-)

That said, if you are planning on putting thousands of miles on these pedals, consider the newer PD-5610, PD-6700, or PD-7810 pedals. The PD-R540 uses a plastic plate on the pedal as the interface surface to the cleat -- technically called the "pedal body cover". Shimano underestimated the wear that the part would receive -- they now consider the part a consumable, but unlike the cleats, replacements are not easy to find on the market. Expect that you will need to replace them after a couple of thousand miles. Shimano should just throw a pair of body covers in with the cleat set! The newer pedals sport a stainless steel pedal body cover which will be more durable, albeit at a higher price point.

Overall, the PD-R540s get 4 stars since they deliver value -- if you know you are going to ride thousands of miles and are willing to make the investment, opt for the models with metal body covers.

Comment on this review

Sep

2009

(2 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Still Upgrade!

By vez

from Houston, TX

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Good Platform

Cons

Flimsy Design
Heavy

Best Uses

Road Biking

Comments about Shimano R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals:

OK. In a previous review I mentioned that these did not have adjustable bearings. Well, I was wrong. They do and I was able to maintenance the bearing to get my L pedal spinning again. I am still sticking with a low rating, because I had to take the thing apart after a little more the 1,000 miles. I will be purchasing something that requires less maintenance in the near future!

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May

2009

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Awesome Pedals, Easy to Use

By cuervojoe

from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Adjustable
Good Platform
Increases Pedaling Efficiency
Lightweight
Reliable Entry/Exit

Cons

Floats wear quickly

Best Uses

Road Biking

Comments about Shimano R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals:

These are my first "clip" pedals and I thought there would be a big learning curve, I was wrong. First day out I found them very easy to clip in and out of and they have been very strong ever since. Excellent product and I would recommend them to anyone. You won't be sorry. The floats do wear quickly but provide traction/stability when you are walking in your cycling shoes.

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Mar

2009

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Pedals are quality

By Matt2007

from Connecticut

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Use
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Riding
Climbing

Comments about Shimano R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals:

These pedals help with balance on the bike. Have used this model for 4,000 miles. They still hold well. Cosmetically, the sides got chewed up early from taking a spill or having the wrong pedal down while cornering. The yellow cleats have a little float, which is good for knee health because it allows for a little more natural movement from your legs. Would recommend rubber covers for the cleats when you need to walk on them, to preserve their crispness with the pedals. I wore a divot into the plastic plates of the pedals and got the plates replaced very cheaply. These are high quality, entry level road pedals.

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Jan

2009

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Decent pedals at a decent price

By Monte in SoCal

from San Diego, CA

About Me Casual Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Compatible
Easy to Use
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Riding

Comments about Shimano R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals:

These are my first clipless pedals, so I don't really have anything to compare them to, but they work well and are easy to use. The cleats are a plastic, so they may not be the most durable - they've gotten pretty chewed up over the last few months - but that hasn't yet affected their functionality. I'm guessing I'll have to replace them in the next few months. Other than that, they've been great.

Comment on this review

Apr

2008

(7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

best choice for first road cliples pedal

By chi sox

from chicago, il

About Me Weekend Warrior

See all my reviews

Pros

Good Platform
Increases Pedaling Efficiency
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Shimano R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals:

First clipless road pedal I've had. Bought them last spring and have about 700 miles on them. I use it on a 06 Cannondale Six13 for weekend rides.

I shopped around and went with the SPD style over the speedplay because of cost and I like having the bigger platform under my foot.

These are plastic. They scratch easily but I don't see any major damage or degradation with the pedal yet.

The cleats seem to be wearing quickly. Don't know if thats normal.

Getting in and out can be a problem sometimes, moreso getting out. I think that's mostly due to my inexperience with clipless.

I would get these again as a first time road pedal. When I need new ones I'll probably go a level up in quality and review the other cleat styles again.

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Sep

2007

(10 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

A nice upgrade from toe clips

By AdventureDave

from Warwick, RI

About Me Triathlete, Weekend Warrior

See all my reviews

Pros

Adjustable
Good Platform
Increases Pedaling Efficiency

Cons

Single Sided Entry

Best Uses

Road Biking
Upgrade

Comments about Shimano R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals:

The increase in power from toe clips to these is fantastic. Being able to clip in to only one side can be tricky, mainly when you've stopped at a red light or something and you're trying to clip back in when the light turns green and there are cars behind you.The cleats are plastic and wear down over time, replacements are around $20

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Displaying reviews 1-7