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Shimano XTR Pedals - Terrible Experience


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Not sure if this is the right Forum but here goes anyway...

 

Thought I'd just put a warning/caution out there for those looking at Shimano XTR pedals (or maybe those that own a set). 

 

I own(ed) a set of these - maybe just over 2 years old with VERY minimal use due to injury issues and about a week ago the right pedal broke completely off the spindle/shaft. This was 100m into the ride with no major pressure being applied. At first I though it was maybe just a bearing that had gone but after the LBS taking a look they confirmed it had actually snapped off. He also showed me another pair of XTR pedals that done exactly the same thing. A quick Google search also revealed this be a common problem.

 

Not sure if it was specific year of manufacture and hopefully Shimano has sorted it out but really shocking that a top-of-the-range piece of equipment can fail so badly. I'm just thankful it happened on the road to the trail and not on a technical downhill.

 

Doubt I'll buy another pair of Shimano pedals after this fiasco...

 

Anyway - just thought I'd share it in case you were considering a set or if you do own a set maybe get the LBS to check out any wear and tear before it's too late.

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I've done over 80 000km in the last 8 years and owned 4 sets of SPD's in this time. I have not had a single issue in 80 000 km. I have never serviced a set. The only thing I did from time to time was to replace the cleats on my mountain bike shoes as these wore down with excessive use.

 

I certainly would not have made 80 000km on 4 sets of egg beaters.

 

Good luck on your next set of pedals. Let us know how that works out for you.

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crap brothers aint much better I am afraid, they do provide a rebuild kit. 

 

Go 540's or XT....cheaper and not woven from the strands of unicorn pubic hair and pieces of tokolaminium.

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I've done over 80 000km in the last 8 years and owned 4 sets of SPD's in this time. I have not had a single issue in 80 000 km. I have never serviced a set. The only thing I did from time to time was to replace the cleats on my mountain bike shoes as these wore down with excessive use.

 

I certainly would not have made 80 000km on 4 sets of egg beaters.

 

Good luck on your next set of pedals. Let us know how that works out for you.

 

Don't be that guy.

 

He's referring to XTR, and not the first story I've heard of XTR quality being less than good. 

 

Been using XT SPDs myself without issues for years, so no, not anti-SPD. 

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yeah, XTR pedals are not known for their longevity. XT or PDM 540/520's though - they, along with cockroaches and nokia 3310's, will be the only survivors of a nuclear holocaust. 

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Don't be that guy.

 

He's referring to XTR, and not the first story I've heard of XTR quality being less than good. 

 

Been using XT SPDs myself without issues for years, so no, not anti-SPD. 

Well the OP states clearly that he'll never buy Shimano pedals again. So he is assuming that all Shimano pedals are inherently flawed, hence his reluctance to use Shimano again. I am merely pointing out that I have used Shimano pedals for over 8 years without any hassles.

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yeah, XTR pedals are not known for their longevity. XT or PDM 540/520's though - they, along with cockroaches and nokia 3310's, will be the only survivors of a nuclear holocaust. 

Agreed. In all my years of cycling (20) the only two items I have ever been able to trust was shimano pedals and my polar heart rate monitor. But cant speak for xtr, maybe due to shedding some weight?

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Agreed. In all my years of cycling (20) the only two items I have ever been able to trust was shimano pedals and my polar heart rate monitor. But cant speak for xtr, maybe due to shedding some weight?

Different material for the axles. 

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Agreed. In all my years of cycling (20) the only two items I have ever been able to trust was shimano pedals and my polar heart rate monitor. But cant speak for xtr, maybe due to shedding some weight?

see my unicorn pubic hair reference...

 

Something has to give...in this case, strength.

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As stated above the XTR pedals have had problems with the axles breaking. The XT pedals are about 40 grams heavier, but are more durable than the XTR. I would recommend the XT's or one of the lower models.

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Not sure if this is the right Forum but here goes anyway...

 

Thought I'd just put a warning/caution out there for those looking at Shimano XTR pedals (or maybe those that own a set). 

 

I own(ed) a set of these - maybe just over 2 years old with VERY minimal use due to injury issues and about a week ago the right pedal broke completely off the spindle/shaft. This was 100m into the ride with no major pressure being applied. At first I though it was maybe just a bearing that had gone but after the LBS taking a look they confirmed it had actually snapped off. He also showed me another pair of XTR pedals that done exactly the same thing. A quick Google search also revealed this be a common problem.

 

Not sure if it was specific year of manufacture and hopefully Shimano has sorted it out but really shocking that a top-of-the-range piece of equipment can fail so badly. I'm just thankful it happened on the road to the trail and not on a technical downhill.

 

Doubt I'll buy another pair of Shimano pedals after this fiasco...

 

Anyway - just thought I'd share it in case you were considering a set or if you do own a set maybe get the LBS to check out any wear and tear before it's too late.

Shiman was replacing them under warrantee - try that - they are great pedals when they are working.

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Thanks for the responses. I'm rather reluctant to go the Shimano route again - but in their defence it does seem to be a problem with the XTR's in particular. Unfortunately they are out of warranty so no claim there. That being said, I've had some CB that also didn't last too long - but at least the issue was wear and tear (bearing) and not a broken axle.

 

@V12man - yes they were great when they were working...

 

@ rouxtjie - I'll have to double check that there is no unicorn pubic hair in the construction of my next set of pedals...

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Just a caution to those that have XTR's to check them regularly to avoid a potentially painful (physical and financial) incident...

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"....cheaper and not woven from the strands of unicorn pubic hair and pieces of tokolaminium."

hahahahahahahahahaha genius. Funniest thing I've read in a while.

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@V12man - yes they were great when they were working...

 

 

I have had a set replaced outside of warrantee period - Shimano know about this issue and didn't argue at all - although I do have a great LBS who organised it.

 

There are specific series of the xtr pedals that have the problem supposedly - if you hunt around on the web you will find out which - Shimano may even have had a recall on them.

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