A friend gave me two sets of old Shimano Ultegra SPD pedals, PD-6500, like VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano PD-6500, Ultegra

The apparent higher quality relative to the Ritcheys is striking. So is the additional weight. Well, my commuter bike is heavy anyway, so I installed the Shimanos. I'm hopeful these will be trouble-free, and they were, ah, free. I opened one up and it appeared to have fresh grease, guessing Phil's from the color. They turn like butter - clarified butter.

Saving the remaining Ritcheys for the weight weenie bikes.