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IB17: Shimano stomps out all-new Saint, XT pedals; closeup look at new gravel & road bike shoes

2018 Shimano Saint flat and SPD mountain bike pedals
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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.

2018 Shimano Saint pedals compared to prior generation pedal

Compared to the last generation (left), the new Saint pedals (on right) have a much larger platform, and they get just a hair thinner.

2018 Shimano Saint flat and SPD mountain bike pedals

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.

2018 Shimano Saint flat and SPD mountain bike pedals

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.

2018 Shimano Saint flat and SPD mountain bike pedals

On top is a side comparison of old versus new, with the SPD on the bottom.

2018 Shimano XT flat pedals for mountain biking

For more pedally bikes, the XT flats give you a lighter, smaller option without the overbuilt axle of Saint.

2018 Shimano XT flat pedals for mountain biking

2018 Shimano XT flat pedals for mountain biking

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

2018 Shimano XC5 gravel road bike 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.

2018 Shimano XC5 gravel road bike shoes

2018 Shimano XC5 gravel road bike shoes

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.

2018 Shimano RP9 road bike shoes

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.

2018 Shimano RP9 road bike shoes

Bike.Shimano.com

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26 Comments
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Chris
Chris
7 years ago

One slip and those pedals look like they will destroy your shins! Brings back memories of Hutch Bear Trap pedals.

blah blah blah
blah blah blah
7 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Hutch, beautiful word right there!

Seraph
Seraph
7 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Yeah but that’s the case with any platform pedal. My Vaults are sharper and have more pins than anything Shimano makes. The key is to have more traction so your feet *don’t* slip off. If you still slip off, it’s your dumbass fault, not your pedal’s.

blah blah blah
blah blah blah
7 years ago
Reply to  Seraph

Seraph have you ever seen a hutch beartrap?

Fabricio
Fabricio
7 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Chris, you made me drop a tear remembering my BMX age with the Hutch Bear Trap Pedals, many flesh around them, jejejeje

sal
sal
7 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Brooklyn Machine Works Shinburger

FFM
FFM
7 years ago

“Alright guys how are we going to tackle the rapidly expanding gravel segment?”
“What about a true 1x drivetra–”
“Shoes! Shoes it is.”

ELEVEN_g
7 years ago
Reply to  FFM

“OK guys, so, shoes… what shoe do you like? Oh, the Giro range? OK, let’s copy those…”

BMX
BMX
7 years ago
Reply to  ELEVEN_g

The giro range is nice, but unless you want to travel around with a tube of super glue to keep them together they are not really viable as a daily shoe. Shimano build quality is superior even if the styling is naff.

Narwhal88
Narwhal88
7 years ago
Reply to  BMX

I’ve had a set of the camo empires since they came out as my daily shoes. Still going strong

John
John
7 years ago
Reply to  BMX

Yeah, I wondered if I was the only one, guess not… Luckily Giro sent me a new pair, without hesitation… And the super glue trick has worked well on the old pair… Just have to wonder if they picked the wrong adhesive mix for the VR90’s.

blah blah blah
blah blah blah
7 years ago
Reply to  FFM

1x, coz shimano dont sell w*nk

Mike Williams
Mike Williams
7 years ago
Reply to  FFM

“We’ve given you master links…we can’t copy every SRAM product.”

Kris
Kris
7 years ago

How do the new XT flat pedals compare to the old Saint pedals, size wise? I’m running the old saints but my feet do get sore at times on long descents, thinking the large platform size will help.

typevertigo
typevertigo
7 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Seems like the new XT flat pedals are the same size as the new Saint flat pedals – just different visuals and “less overbuilt” spindle. CMIIW

Seraph
Seraph
7 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Try the DMR Vault pedal. Much larger standing platform.

Mr Pink
Mr Pink
7 years ago

Someone needs to remind these newbie (deleted) forum junkies that shimano was the first SPD shoe maker. Not their first rodeo (deleted)

Seraph
Seraph
7 years ago
Reply to  Mr Pink

Well duh of course they were the first SPD shoe maker, since SPD stands for “Shimano Pedaling Dynamics”. Other companies had been making clipless pedals and shoes for quite a while before Shimano though. Keep in mind that the clipless pedal was designed in the late 1800s. And yes Shimano has been around for a long time but only making SPDs since 1990.

Chicken Bones
Chicken Bones
7 years ago
Reply to  Seraph

Jesus Mr Pink.
Go ride or something.
Maybe surf less, ride more. Or just maybe skip the comment section.

Whatever you do, I hope folks around you add less angst to your day.

-JCB

FFM
FFM
7 years ago
Reply to  Mr Pink

Someone needs to remind these nebulous-point comment duders that the Wright brothers built the first airplane therefore any products they might’ve produced since then are still relevant you Boeing 777, Airbus adoring tug nutters.

spotswood
spotswood
7 years ago

Coming to an online retailer soon at below-wholesale prices!

Jack
Jack
7 years ago
Reply to  spotswood

Yep, when will Chain Reaction have them!

Shafty
Shafty
7 years ago
Reply to  spotswood

Maybe below QBP or non-Shimano prices, but not below Shimano direct unless its previous generation. Can’t blame Shimano for other distributors pricing.

FFM
FFM
7 years ago
Reply to  Shafty

You can find Shimano on Amazon for less than direct cost sometimes so be sure to head over to YouTube too and learn how to change flats since your bike shop might not stick around.

Me
Me
7 years ago
Reply to  Shafty

Shimano stuff is most definitely for sale on the nets for less than Shimano direct, and its the brand new just released stuff. Also, I wonder if the new XT pedals are compatible with my wide range 1x drivetrain? They actually may not be.

Von Schlarb
Von Schlarb
7 years ago

Why can’t I find the Shimano RP9’s in blue for sale anywhere?

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