Time RXS or Shimano 105 SPD-SL Pedals

Stu07

I've looked back over lots of reviews and forum entrys but cant work out which pedal to get.

I've been looking at the Shimano 105 5610 SPD-SL (£35) and the Time RXS First Road Pedals (£46) to go with a pair of dhb R1 road shoes. Is it really worth spending an extra £30 for the RXS Road Pedals?

I would like a bit of float (old football injury) but needn't be excessive.

Any ideas which i should go for or are there any other pedals (on a similar budget) to consider?

whyamihere

Assuming it's your first set of clipless pedals, I'd go for the SPD-SLs. The spring tension is adjustable, meaning that you can start them off nice and loose then tighten them up when you get more experienced (though I've left mine on the loosest setting). With the standard yellow cleats ,they have a few degrees of float.

fuzzynavel

You can get the ultegra spd pedals for about the same price as the time pedals.

http://www.sprockets.uk.com/153/Shimano--Ultegra-6620-SPD-Pedals.html

Monty Dog

If you have a knee problem, then go for the Time, the 'float' is far more natural, the foot is closer to the spindle and the cleats last many times longer that the all-plastic SPD-SL cleats.

John.T

+1 for SPD-SL. They sit nearly as close to the axle as Time if not as close. Never measured.
Still using my original SPD-SL cleats. Three years and still one or two left.

felgen

A lot of people recommend Time for knee problems. I went for SPD-SL with yellow cleats.. the float is fine, and they do the job okay. 105 6610 pedals can be got for under 30 quid, which is a real bargain.

djaeggi

Can't say I've used the Shimanos (and I'm sure they're good too), but I've used a variety of Time pedals over the past few years, having previously had looks, and I think they're really excellent pedals and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Two features stand out: cleat design, easy to mount, you can actually walk in them and they last; the float both in the amount, feel, and the lateral float capability. Basically as Monty Dog says! Seen this review? It gives a pretty good and accurate breakdown the RXS:

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/featur ... dals.shtml

Not sure there's much functional difference between the lower end RXS models, just construction, so go for whatever suits your budget. Avoid the Xen pedals though, they're a different beast.

Also, have you considered trying various pedals out by buying secondhand ones on ebay and seeing how you (and you knees, that's most important!) agree with them? If they don't work, sell them on again and you'll barely take a financial hit.

Airbornerodent

Go to Je james website - ultegra pedals are £44. I got some yesterday. Don't know about postage though.

fluff.

djaeggi wrote:

Can't say I've used the Shimanos (and I'm sure they're good too), but I've used a variety of Time pedals over the past few years .... Two features stand out: cleat design, easy to mount, you can actually walk in them and they last; the float both in the amount, feel, and the lateral float capability

The lateral float is the big difference imo, it's very noticeable when you don't have it when using the Shimano system, which is all rotational.

gkerr4

i started off on SPD-SL - the older shape pedal and then bought the newer shape pedal which are a massive improvement.

however - the 105SPD-SL's have done a grand total of about 3 miles as I tried the Time pedals and now would never go back - they are amazing, so comfy and completely non-restrictive in use. Hard to explain how they feel in use - just perfect (for me anyway)

Monty Dog

Remember, you've only got one pair of knees to b*gger-up - if £30 is a worthy saving to find this out, then so be it! A pair of Time cleats lasts about four-times longer than SPD-SLs too, so after 2 years you're on the money.

synchronicity

Can't you just get a set of RXE's?