Shimano’s Dura-Ace pedals are the lightest and most advanced road cycling pedals that Shimano currently offers. The Dura-Ace PD-R9100 are the latest pedal offering for the Dura-Ace groupset and feature matching black finish and graphical treatments. Retail price for the PD-R9100 pedals is $280 which includes the SM-SH12 cleats with mounting hardware. The pedals are constructed using a carbon composite body with a fully serviceable steel axle. Shimano offers the pedal in a standard width or a 4mm longer version for riders with a wide stance. As with all of Shimano’s pedals, the Dura-Ace pedals have a generous 65mm design that optimizes stability and performance.
The Shimano Dura-Ace PD-R9100 clipless cycling pedals combines a lightweight composite construction with buttery smooth bearings.
| Retail Price | $280 |
| Rating | 9.2 / 10 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 237 |
| Likes | + Lightweight construction + Wide platform for high-effort sprints or climbing + Perfectly weighted to tilt upward for easy clip-in action |
| Dislikes | – There are lighter pedals on the market – Marginal gains compared to other Shimano pedals |
| Where to Buy (US) | Shimano |
UNBOXING
The Shimano Dura-Ace PD-R9100 pedals come in a sleek black box with glossy silver Dura-Ace branding. Inside the box you’ll find:
- Dura-Ace pedals
- SM-SH12 blue cleats
- Cleat hardware + washer
Unlike other Shimano pedals, the Dura-Ace pedals only come with the SM-SH12 blue cleats which are performance oriented with 2 degree float. The pivot point on the cleats is from the front of the cleat instead of the center like Shimano’s other pedals.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the PD-R9100 has Shimano’s classic wide SPD-SL pedal shape with a black finish that matches the Dura-Ace groupsets. The Dura-Ace pedals are the top-of-the-line offering in Shimano’s pedal range and as a result are the lightest and most expensive pedals Shimano offers. The pedals only come in a black finish with contrasting polished steel wear plates on the top and subtle Dura-Ace branding on the spring. However, Shimano offers the pedals in two sizes, a standard axle like we have in this review or a 4mm longer axle. To reduce the weight of the pedals, the PD-R9100 has a carbon composite body with a thin stack height and milled body. As with all of Shimano’s pedals, these have a 65mm platform which are one of the widest on the market for a more stable pedal stroke.
Shimano doesn’t publish the exact numbers but the PD-R9100 have claimed a low stack height and more narrow Q-factor compared to previous generation pedals to improve performance. The bearing design reflects the low stack height as the pedal body is quite thin while there is a large bearing at the pedal attachment point for stability. Shimano uses a steel axle for the pedals with a smooth cup-and-cone bearing system with three rows of bearings. The additional bearings compared to the Ultegra are claimed to result in a smooth and more durable design than the Ultegra PD-R800 and 105 PD-R700 pedals. Most importantly, the pedals are also easily serviceable using standard tools and a wide range of replacement parts directly from Shimano.
The pedals have a standard spring retention system at the rear of the pedal. The tension can be easily adjusted with an Allen key to loosen or tighten the clip-in and release tension. For more casual cyclists you can loosen the tension to make it easier to get on or off the bike while sprinters or track riders may tighten it down to maximize performance. The indicator is a metal window with grooves on the rear that lets you quickly check the current setting.
The PD-R9100 are shipped exclusively with the SM-SH12 blue SPD-SL cleats although they are compatible with any SPD-SL cleat. What’s special about the SM-SH12 cleats is that they have 2 degrees of float from the front to the center instead of having the pivot point at the center. Shimano claims this design gives you a more secure feel while still allowing for some foot movement compared to the fixed cleats. Aside from the color, the cleats look nearly identical as all the other SPD-SL offerings but have subtle differences in their shape to achieve different float amounts. The wide design of the shoe and the TPU grips also make the cleats easy to walk with off the bike.
ON THE ROAD
Having previously reviewed the Shimano 105 RPD-R7000 pedals we were excited to see how the top-of-the-line Dura-Ace pedals would compare. We installed them on our Specialized Tarmac using the rear 8mm bolt to secure them in place. The Black design with silver accents works well with any bike color scheme and give the pedals a premium look. Aside from the branding, the pedals look quite similar to the 105 pedals, but you an see the extra milling that Shimano has done to reduce the weight and the different axle design. On the road, the pedals feel great with a wide platform that makes you feel stable even during high-effort sprints or climbing.
We also appreciated how the pedals would naturally tilt upward on the crank which makes clip-in quick in easy. To be honest, it’s hard to feel a difference between the Dura-Ace and 105 versions of the SPD-SL pedals. Obviously, the lighter weight and different bearing design will have benefits, particularly over time, but the the pedals aren’t nearly as light as other pedals like the Xpedo Sonik. For true weight weenies there are more options on the market, but as with any Shimano product the build quality and parts availability is hard to beat. Although we’re still fans of the LOOK Keo pedal setups, the SPD-SL cleats and the blue SM-SH12 that are included here feel great on the road. The 2 degree float from the top feels natural and allows for enough movement to be comfortable while still keeping your feet securely in place.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Shimano Dura-Ace PD-R9100 to be smooth and well designed cycling pedals. Shimano combined their best technology to reduce the weight of the Dura-Ace pedals and optimize the bearing design for performance and low stack height. The wide SPD-SL cleats are also one of the best options on the market as they offer great support for sprinting or climbing while also offering a variety of float options to match any rider. We particularly liked how Shimano has weighted the pedals to naturally tilt upward which makes it very easy to clip-in the pedals without looking. The only negatives with the pedals is that there are lightweight options on the market and you only have marginal gains compared to more affordable Shimano SPD-SL pedal options. That said, the Shimano Dura-Ace PD-R9100 clipless pedals offer a compelling combination of performance and quality.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Shimano. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.