Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL Road Bike Pedal - Review

So I got new road cycling shoes this season and the former one sided Shimano SPD compatible pedals were out of the question. With that realization I was back to what road biking pedal should to buy? Once again, the conflict of quality and performance were in a head butting competition with pricing. Like most GEAR aficionados, I can appreciate the adage "You get what you pay for" and have subscribed to it ever since plunking down my hard earned cash on those Lange Pink Panthers back in 1990. But did I really need a $300 set of pedals? I asked my buddy John who is the bike buyer at Backcountry.com (yep, they sell bike stuff now) which pedal he's been most stoked about. As a Cat 4 rider who had been on the podium this season I trusted his opinion. Without hesitation he suggested the Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL at is is his first love and so it would be mine as well. Quick Review of the Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL Road Bike Pedal If a photo is worth a thousand words, the new Ice Grey color with its new beautiful finish will have you feeling more like a million bucks without robbing a bank. Ultegra's ice grey finish is not only a cosmetic addition, but also features a weight saving compared to the regular Ultegra package. Don't let the name fool you - these pedals will not fit the SPD mountain bike cleat. But no worries. With the yellow cleats that are included if you buy the pedals from PricePoint.com, you get a few degrees of float which I've found is useful for altering a bit my feet position while on longer rides for increased comfort. As far as in-out ease after just a couple of rides I was dialed and now after nearly 10 rides I'm stoked on these pedals. Features of the Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL Road Racing Pedals Cartridge Axle, Sealed Mechanism, Cleat Retention Adjuster Extra-wide platform reduces lateral rocking for a solid interface Stainless steel pedal body cover reduces lateral movement from wear Wide bearing placement for uniform load distribution Large binding target for quick engagement Adjustable entry and release tension adjuster allows custom settings Lightweight design: Total system weight 387g (Pedals 317g Cleats 70g) Buy Now: Pick up the Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL Road Bike Pedal with Yellow Cleats included for $154.98 at Pricepoint.com