Shimano showed off their new shoe collection just prior to Eurobike, but we used Interbike’s Outdoor Demo to get a closer look. Along for the ride are their newest mountain bike pedals, from the completely revised Saint lineup that includes both flats and SPDs, to the XT-level flat pedal and a budget model that takes over where the old Saint left off.
In this video, Shimano’s pedal and footwear product manager for North America, Jessie Gascon, explains the designs and features of the new pedals which we got a first look at earlier this summer, and the accompanying shoes.
Compared to the last generation (left), the new Saint pedals (on right) have a much larger platform, and they get just a hair thinner.
A larger, more robust axle makes the new Saint flats stronger, even with this “cutout” design that shows more of the spindle. It’s an intentional feature, which helps them keep the stack height lower.
The SPD version isn’t as large, but you can adjust tension and pin height. For the flats, you can adjust the pins or run shorter ones in the center to make it feel concave.
On top is a side comparison of old versus new, with the SPD on the bottom.
For more pedally bikes, the XT flats give you a lighter, smaller option without the overbuilt axle of Saint.
Two sizes are available, designed around shoe sizes. For a full description and specs on these, check out our launch coverage with stock photos from this summer’s announcement.
2018 SHIMANO GRAVEL & ROAD SHOES
The new Shimano XC5 gravel bike shoes look interesting. They used laces to offer more adjustability, with a unique lace lock half way up that lets you have different tightness on the upper and lower parts of the shoe. Combine that with a wider toe box and tired dogs should be happy on long rides.
An oversized reflective heel cup is a nice touch, too, along with a dual toe bumper. We’re bringing a pair of these home from the show for review, so stay tuned for first impressions.
The new RP9 road shoes offer a top level road shoe that’s more than a $100 less than the premium S-Phyre models. They get a synthetic upper that’s water resistant and super light, creating a sub-$300 shoe that’s as light as most anything else out there.
