Shimano XTR Pedals - Terrible Experience

[raptor-22]

Yes the xtr pedals use loose balls as it's a cup and cone set up

[intern]

Its only because of the Ti axle.

 

Swop out the Ti axle for a hollow cr-mo axle and never look back. the PD-M970 XTR pedals were the last to have the cr-mo axle. * years later they're still running on the same bearings

I have the PD-M970s.

[Mr LOOK]

http://bikehub.co.za/forum/topic/125612-look-s-tracks-pedals/

[JXV]

Its only because of the Ti axle.

 

Swop out the Ti axle for a hollow cr-mo axle and never look back. the PD-M970 XTR pedals were the last to have the cr-mo axle. * years later they're still running on the same bearings

There are no current Shimano SPD pedals with Ti axles. All are chromoly. Looking thru specs, most previous models are also chromoly.

 

maybe some xtr pedals had ti axles in the past.

[Cycle Fan]

for interest sake what do you weigh? I'm 70kg.

80kg

[Skinnyone]

It always amazes me (even after the last 14 years being involved in the cycling industry), that people will choose XTR/XX1 (insert any other high end part) over a slightly heavier but more robust part and then bitch when the part fails due to either lack of maintenance (a bit like buying a Rolls Royce and thinking that because it costs so much it shouldn't need servicing) or just plain and simple over use - using it outside of the design parameters.

 

All the top end groupsets/parts are exactly that - top end parts that are designed to be raced for no longer than 1 season (8-12 months) then replaced as they are on the limits of durability.

 

The design principles set out by Shimano for XTR/Dura Ace is that is meant for the pros that can and will replace the parts before they fall apart, not for someone to ride endlessly for year after year. 

 

A while ago I measured the difference between XTR and XT in weight - XTR is 500 grams lighter for double the price , now I ask you with tears in my eyes - is that 500g going to really make your bike faster? (flame suit on)

 

To end, Kieth Bontrager has a famous saying: Strong, Light or Cheap - pick two... 

[Skinnyone]

I relate the above reasoning to a few trends I have seen, one is with tyres - a guy walks in and wants a fast rolling tyre, so I sell it to him. A week later he's back complaining that he cannot corner the bike anymore but refuses to accept a slightly more knobbly tyre in its place as that will make him slower...but it will help him keep up the speed in the corners so is it making him slower?

 

The other tyre related trend I have seen is to ride the lightest tyres available (to lower the rotating mass) - no objection to this however when you spend 10 minutes trying to fix holes in your lightweight tyres then are you really faster?

 

The last one I will relate is the lightweight brakes story - guy fits ultralight aluminum brake rotors and pads etc to his bike (cuz it will shave 12grams off bru) and after the first long descent 5km into a very big race for him he experiences brake fade looses control, crashes and breaks bones - did that 12 grams make him faster? Maybe faster to the hospital yes...

 

Point is - think about what you are buying and why - don't be the guy who drops R2k on pedals (irrespective of brand) cuz they're light/bling and my mates will be jealous when the R1k set of pedals will serve your purpose just as well if not better...

[V12man]

ok I forgot to add that I suck DIY

Have you serviced XTR's yet? The bearings are loose ball bearings i.e. not a sealed/bearing.

Yes - I have serviced XTR pedals - you don't undo the bearings for a normal service at all - like I say - a 3 minute job at most.

 

Take pedal off

Pedal in vice with spindle at the top

Undo the spindle (make sure you get the thread direcion right)

Remove the spindle

Add a few ml of grease to the body

Replace spindle

Slowly fasten the spindle down - old grease will push up around the seal, so make sure you are slow enough that you dont displace the seal.

Wipe up excess grease

Refit pedal

 

And that is the standard service done - the only other thing you can do is check the preload on the bearings - and adjust if there is play - this just requires a small spanner and sensitive fingers.

[jcza]

Save yourself money and loads of admin and stick to XT pedals. 

[Cycle Fan]

Ok so need to give credit where credit is due....

 

I emailed CoolHeat about the pedals and explained the situation. Told them I didn't have the proof of purchase but the pedals were about 2 years old. They were extremely helpful and told me to take them in to the LBS where the pedals were bought (CycloPro in PE).

 

I popped in at CycloPro, explained the situation and Andrew asked me to leave the pedals with him. Long story short, CoolHeat have replaced the pedals (with XT at my request) and even given me a credit for the difference.

 

So HUGE shout out to the guys at CoolHeat Agencies and Cyclopro in PE. Very rare to get such good service these days and it's really appreciated guys!

[Eddie Stafford]

I gave up on XT pedals, after I had 2 pairs that developed loose play between the pedal and the axle. One can have the bearings replaced and that will give you further service for a few months.  For the last 18 months, I have been using Exustar PM 215 (http://cycling.exustar.com/index.php/products/pedals/mtb-pedals/comp-mtb-pedals/e-pm215-1-detail.html) pedals and are happy with the performance.  My pair weights 280 grams, so about 30 grams lighter that XTR’s and also less than half the price of XTR’s and cheaper than XT’s. They also make a titanium pedal that cost a little more that the XTR’s, but weights about 90 grams lighter.

 

Fully compatible with Shimano cleats.