Ultegra vs Dura Ace Pedals, disappointing weight saving all around

[@nerdhoy]

There's even fewer differences between the 105 pedals and Utegra pedals. Only 10 grams in weight, and basically exactly the same materials/bearings. So if u have to use Shimano SPD-SL system, either get 105 or Dura Ace.

[@bengt_axle]

The Dura Ace pedals have an extra bearing on the medial side of the spindle. This is why there is a bulge in that area, as opposed to just wrench flats on the pedal spindle. If you are putting down sprint watts, then the Dura Ace pedals will better resist flexing of the spindle and pedal body.

[@brothatwasepic]

That make the difference for me for sure

[@chrisko6439]

Even though I'm using the ES600 pedals (I like to walk around comfortably in my cycling shoes), I had to interrupt watching the Tour de France stage, so I could watch this, lol

[@bobby2800]

I use their predecessor, the PD-A600. Once worn in, do the ES-600s end up balancing at a nice angle for engagement? The A-600s are almost impossible to find nowadays, and I know someday I may have to change.

[@lekobiashvili945]

@@bobby2800 Yes, they balance at exactly the same angle as A600. Excellent pedals!

[@massipast]

stack : Dura Ace 14.6 mm Ultegra 15.8 mm

[@slayerofgrams]

Yes, that's the official numbers from Shimano... I was trying to figure out how they came to that number without much luck. But I reckon it's including the cleat (Which is probably the number that's useful to be fair😅) I was trying to figure out the difference between pedals alone, ie center of pedal axle to the plaform of the pedal. Poorly executed nevertheless hehe

[@brittle1]

Stack height doesn't matter for non pros. The actual real world efficiency benefit is negligible. And even pros don't pedal through corners. Look at any racing sport that uses tires, there are no examples where the racer or driver accelerates through the entire corner. Tires can only withstand a certain amount of lateral/vertical load. When accelerating through the entire corner, there is a risk of the tires slipping, i.e. exceeding the maximal load the tire can withstand. In cycling, lean angle and tire kinetic coefficient are much more important in cornering than stack height. Stiffness is another story. Dura Ace may win on that front.

[@mseekles1972]

@@brittle1how does stack height help you pedal through corners? It does not influence how low / close your pedal is to the ground. Isn’t your q factor more important for that? The dura ace pedals have a smaller Q factor, give you a smaller stance.

[@barrowsworm1226]

The big differences with D-A over Ultegra are: the improved bearing design, and the lower stack height, these things matter for performance. If weight is your primary concern, consider the top level Time pedals. I saw the Xpedo SPD-SL pedals, looks like there is little room in the spindle for any kind of a decent bearing set up: I would not be surprised if those Xpedo pedals suck watts under pedaling loads without good bearings.

[@dopeone700]

Yes, more nerdy comparisons please!

[@jackriley1989]

I did this exercise with the bolts and was also disappointed. One even worse detail is the tip of the "DA" bolts are chamfered so you effectively get a shorter bolt than the standard, making it harder to get engagement on the threads in some cleat positions. Especially with new cleats and new shoes

[@frankb.1284]

Xpedo Thrust 8 Ti all day. 175gr, Look cleat and triple ball bearing.

[@jonathanwoo6597]

But the Look cleat and engagement system is a downgrade as compared to the SPD-SL

[@frankb.1284]

Well worth the weight difference.

[@Eirikkinserdal]

shimano does have a patent for a powermeter pedal. do you think they will go down this route instead of their flawed powermeter crankset?

[@robinseibel7540]

A benefit (or handicap, depending on how you look at it) of the Dura Ace pedals is that they come with adjustable preload on the bearings, and their bearings are the cup and cone variety, not cartridge bearings as in the Ultegra pedals.

[@jegzhd]

There is no catridge bearings in the R8000. The contruction is technically the same. The difference is the seal solution.

[@robinseibel7540]

@@jegzhd , then I was told wrong. Mea culpa.

[@wuzihuzi]

Got my brand new ultegra 8000 pedals for like 50AUD from Facebook. This video has only made me feel better about my bargain hunting

[@otterspacejam]

Ti bolts and washers come in at around 20g for a set vs around 34g for the default Shimano steel set. I went s-parts but there are a few brands. Cost about $40. Xpedo SONIK Ti is SPD-SL at 188g claimed. The Ultegra pedals you showed look authentic but be aware many of the cheap ones are counterfeits made in china instead of japan. The counterfits seem to come in at 250-265g and historically the axle nut was a bit different. For forbidden upgrades: Both Dura-Ace (17 & 9) and Ultegra (12 & 12) use loose steel balls. With a Ti axle Ultegra can have 1 of 4 bearing race interfaces as steel on Ti vs Dura-Ace 2 of 4 which will be more prone to wear. Some people are now using cerakote to better protect the Ti axle. Ultegra with Ti spindles is 205g.

[@jackfros-e3s]

Its not just the weight. The bearings in the D.A are far superior to Ultegra. A simple spin will confirm smoother .

[@invisiblescout6335]

you should take a look at tourelly pedals, still in development and not for sale, but I think you'll like what you see

[@jonathanwoo6597]

I used to only use Dura Pedals but my bike fitter showed me that my Dura Ace Pedals were worn out (pedal body wear). So now I only buy Ultegra models because I plan to replace them after 20,000mi or so, which is one year worth of riding for me.

[@jonathanzappala]

Paying for shoe savings is hard to do anyway because you have to buy the ones that fit, not the lightest. The difference between my left an right shoe themselves is more than 1.4g.

[@sless6928]

One of my Ultegra pedals cracked at the front for no apparent reason. Now I'm looking for a second hand metal pair. I don't trust the durability of these composite ones.

[@RichardGate-UK]

The durability of the bodies is rubbish, they wear out so quickly. Bring back the metal body 5700 model!

[@FT__Bicycling_____-sc7yv]

the current ones are now a consumable wear part

[@christianwparker]

Surprised you didn’t disassemble and show the bearing/axle difference. That is what you pay for along with a three year warranty. Very often durable ace is heavier like the older front derailleurs but stronger and more robust. Weight per dollar is an odd measurement on such a critical component.

[@WowRixter]

I’m surprised you don’t have Ti bolts and rectangular washers. Someone must sell them(?)

[@jonathanzappala]

Look Ken blade carbon ti 😉 my previous generation weigh 193g.

[@nationsnumber1chump]

those new dura-ace are junk to relube. The sleeve bearing is stupid. Mine got jacked up so i had to trash them because the inside wasn't smooth anymore after the sleeve tore itself to shreds. Too difficult to get the preload correct.

[@rommelreyes2209]

105 is the best one

[@logojones96]

Shimano pedals are just heavy, but very easy and reliable forsure!

[@yonglingng5640]

I never cared about pedal weight, as long as they have good serviceability, I'm taking them. This is why I'm now on SPD-SL instead of Look Keo.

[@benturp3492]

My metal 20 year old 105 pedals just work fine. Wouldn't say that these carbon ones would make me any faster 😂

[@alanthompson9240]

I like my 105s

[@fukairen9601]

Using wellgo R352, only 227g, and price is so cheap.

[@SonnyDarvishzadeh]

I found a pair of long spindle DA for about 90 euros. Didn't need them since I use Assioma-Shi all the time, but might start using them on a new groupset with power meter on the crank.

[@philipplee78]

Got ultra today for £75

[@mikemelbrooks]

Only 12 grams? That's huge 😉

[@thomasschragen4446]

Replacing the axle on the ultegra pedals would be an option and replacing the mounting hw with some titanium after market once.

[@josech]

Shimano is testing you with those bolts 😂

[@galenkehler]

This one isn't a weight issue, but rather functional improvement. Smoother bearing that transfers power better, largely by maintaining bearing alignment by resisting axle flex. You can't measure everything in a static situation

[@trialmx]

Time to switch to Time

[@ilgour]

I pretty much bought dura ace pedal just because its written Dura ace on it. Shimano life

[@markj.a351]

Yea but…they say ‘Dura ace’

[@X2Broster]

There is nothing to optimize. A good time for our wallet.

[@TheBassallyear100]

made all the more disappointing by the fact that ultegra axle style is far more conducive to having titanium axles swapped out. you can easily bring the ultegra's weight down to 206g with that mod.

[@jegzhd]

Titanium is not a fitting material for bearing races. Because that is what those axle also are. Surely you can swap them, but it wil just wear out very fast, roll with substentially high drag the whole time and you will probably just brake them off, which you can consider yourself how dangerous would be for your riding.

[@jegzhd]

SPD-SL is kind of a scam. The world never needed SPD-SL. The only time Dura Ace pedals were something special is when they had needle bearings. Now they dont, and it makes them even more of a scam. The whole pedals interface general understanding among most cyclists is very misguided and understood.., well - wrong. The correct material for the best solution of clippless pedals is metall. Not plastic. Best in many and most terms. Also in terms of weight. Shimano is actuallly making some of their SPD pedals heavier on purpose, because it would otherwise weigh less than the DA. Also, when talking about weight of pedals, one needs to measure the whole system. So pedals+cleats+fasteners. That is the only correct way. Oh, and the bodies of those pedals are not carbon. It is carbon reinforced thermoset plastic. It has little to do with carbon in terms of structural material properties.