Shimano

PD-5700C SPD-SL Pedals

Yes, the big news is that carbon finally worked its way down the line and infiltrated Shimano's 105 pedals. Wearing a strikingly similar look and feel as its older brothers, along with borrowing many of the same materials and construction methods, the all-new Shimano PD-5700C SPD-SL redefines the true meaning of trickle-down technology.

Before we start breaking down the makeup of the PD-5700C SPD-SL pedals, let's discuss some numbers. Compared to the prior iteration of the PD-5700, the new carbon composite beauties have dropped roughly 35 grams, while at the same time gaining an overall boost in stiffness. Even better, Shimano lists the weight (per pair) at a svelte 285 grams, which is only 25 grams heavier than the new version of the Ultegra pedals.

Moving to the carbon composite pedal body, the 5700C design uses a similar composition as the PD-6800 pedals. Where these platforms differ from the 9000 model, however, is through the use of short carbon fibers instead of Dura-Ace's long carbon fibers. Essentially, this is where the extra weight comes from. Additionally, the carbon has been molded with a machined aluminum sleeve that houses the two bearings in each pedal. The whole assembly spins on a stainless steel spindle, and the new pedals retain the replaceable stainless steel wear plate that sits atop the pedal body. Additionally, it supports the SPD-SL cleat for maximum lateral stability, while allowing a hard surface for your cleat to float against, +/- three degrees.

Shimano has ensured that the pedals still deliver the same blissful retention and instant release that we've grown accustomed to from SPD-SL pedals. In fact, the retention mechanism hasn't changed at all. The retention setting is still adjustable by wrench from the aft portion of the pedal.

The Shimano PD-5700C SPD-SL Pedals come with a set of SM-SH11 floating cleats (the ones with the Yellow wear tabs) and all of the necessary mounting hardware. The float is three degrees in either direction. The stack height is 13.7mm. And as always, the retention pre-load is adjustable in order to allow you to dial-in the perfect entry and release tension.