Let’s get this out of the way first – Shimano may call their new M9220 XTR clipless pedals ‘Trail’ or ‘Enduro’, but these are obviously a lighter Saint copy aimed at providing a top-tier gravity pedal for Enduro & DH racing. Stick with the recently updated XTR M9200 pedals if you are an XC racer or maybe a downcountry rider. But every trail rider, enduro racer, free ride junkie, and downhiller now has a new top-tier pedal to lust after.
Shimano M9220 XTR Enduro, Trail & Gravity clipless SPD pedals
Unlike the previous generation XTR’s ‘Enduro‘ pedals that just slapped a longer cage around the lightweight SPD mechanics, these new pedals offer a proper wide platform and tunable gravity grip with 4 adjustable traction pins. They essentially reimagine the popular Saint SPD pedals (which have been around for 8 years, with only a minor axle upgrade since) as lighter weight and slightly lower profile.
They keep what made those Saint pedals a go-to on the Enduro & DH World Cup. The long, wide & thin platform with angled leading edges to slide over rock strikes. Four replaceable traction pins at the outer corners to dig in when you need more grip, especially with flexible-soled shoes. Trusted adjustable-tension SPD engagement and plenty of mud-clearing space. And a robust axle and sealed bearings inside.
What’s new with XTR vs. Saint?
The new XTR platform is a bit thinner, which will likely mean both lighter weight and slightly lower impact strength. Although, it is also a more open design that will shed mud even better than Saint. We don’t have the pedals to test yet, so we’ll have to wait to quantify real weight savings. But Shimano lists the PD-M9220 at 435g for the pair, a significant 111g weight savings over Saint.
Looking more at the platform, it seems like the XTRs are the same 90mm long overall. But their new platform appears to be about 6mm narrower than Saint, with likely even lower Q-factor to satisfy racers across more disciplines. Pin placement seems to be about the same, though – roughly 35mm wide up front & 42mm out back, and spaced about 75mm front-to-back.
Overall body thickness looks to be about the same at 17mm, too. But the dual-sided XTR SPD cleat engagement mechanism appears to be slightly lower profile.
Shimano says the XTR pedals get an “improved seal design for long-term durability”, which presumably means compared to the previous generation XTR Enduro pedals.
Shimano M9220 XTR Gravity pedals – Pricing & availability
The new Shimano M9220 XTR clipless SPD pedals – whether we are supposed to call them Trail, Enduro, or Gravity now – go on sale today for £180 / 180€, with in-store availability at the start of September in most cases. We’re still waiting for official weights and USD pricing, but they are likely to be in line with the $220 of the previous generation. Pick up a pair wherever Shimano components are sold in bike shops and online, or directly from ride.Shimano.com in some markets.
It also sounds like these new pedals will ship with the new CL-MT001 multi-entry cleat (with cleat spacers to dial in shoe contact fit) for easier clipping in on the toughest mountain bike trails.
