Shimano Ultegra PD-R8000 pedals review

The Ultegra PD-R8000 pedals sit below Shimano’s top-of-the-range Dura-Ace PD-R9100 (£234.99 / $280) and above the dependable 105 PD-R7000 (£124.99 / $150) in its road pedal range.

They are among the most popular pedals with amateur and elite riders alike. 

No reason for change

Much unlike its discontinued Hollowtech cranksets (it’s a long story), Shimano didn’t update Dura-Ace or Ultegra pedals when the corresponding groupsets were last updated in 2021. That’s probably testament to how good they are.

All Shimano pedals using the SPD-SL cleat system are cross-compatible across all price points and recent generations. If you’re upgrading to Ultegra then cleats from your other Shimano pedals will work fine. 

Three float options 

In the box you get yellow cleats that offer 6 degrees of ‘float’ (side-to-side movement), but you can get blue cleats with 2 degrees and red ones with no float. 

I prefer yellow because I find it more comfortable being able to wiggle my feet slightly, but it really comes down to personal preference. 

Ultegra pedals each weigh 123g, and a cleat plus bolts and washers weighs 36g, which is only a few grams more than the very lightest road pedals. 

The sleek carbon composite pedal body has three steel plates for increased durability, and the axles are steel with well-sealed bearings.

You can also get them with 4mm longer axles if you want more Q factor, i.e. the distance between your pedals.  

Simple to set up and ride 

Very little – if any – maintenance will need doing to the Shimano Ultegra PD-R8000 pedals for years in my experience. 

To fit them to your bike you’ll just want to apply a little grease to the axles and tighten with an 8mm Allen key. 

To fix the cleats to your shoes you just need to tighten up three bolts with a 4mm Allen key, and all modern road shoes are compatible. 

Clipping in and out of Shimano pedals is a breeze. I find the wide cleat platform slightly easier to feel for than Look’s smaller cleat. 

You get a nice firm snap as you clip in and out. You can change the ease with which you unclip by adjusting a tensioning screw on the pedals. 

Compared to entry-level Shimano road pedals, the stack height is a little lower on the Ultegra pedals. 

This makes you feel a little more connected to the bike, creating a comfortable and efficient experience. 

Shimano Ultegra PD-R8000 pedals bottom line 

Even though Time pedals are slightly easier to get in and out of, Wahoo’s Speedplay offering wins for stack height and Look offers excellent value and reliability through its range, I always come back to Shimano for road pedals.

These Ultegra PD-R8000 pedals hit the sweet spot for me. 

They’re not outrageously expensive, they’ll last you a lifetime and they’re easy to set up. You can probably find the cleat hardware in almost any reputable bike shop in the world if you need replacements. 

All things considered, Shimano’s Ultegra pedals are the best you can buy for road and triathlon.

Shimano Ultegra PD-R8000 pedals specs

Price:	£159.99 / $200
Weight:	248g
Stack height:	53mm
Q factor:	53mm or 57mm
Material:	Carbon-composite body, stainless steel plate