I think shimano has finally gotten their stuff back together. I'm extremely pleased the the new xtr rear deraillieur, love the fact that they allow options. So I was a bit curious about the new XT pedals, went into work yesterday and they had ordered a set and they were sitting in the display. My curiosity got the best of me I bought them. From what i have noticed is that the fine adjustments work better then the older variations of spd pedals. Stainless steel spindles, setting the release on it is very simple, just requires a 4mm allen key, negative decreases the release tension, postive increases the release tension. They're also lighter than the spd's that I had originally put on the DMR.

The cleat is the resilient SM-SH51 cleat which can be used on about 90%* of the mtb spd pedals shimano makes, which makes locating cleats when it comes time to change them alot easier.

I'm very pleased with these pedals and don't exactly know why I haven't gone clipless on the mtb earlier.