I'm currently using Shimano PD-M8000 spd pedals and Bontrager Evoke MTB shoes,

I'd like to upgrade to a proper road shoe considering the Bontrager Velocis Road Shoe or the Bontrager XXX Road Shoe.

So next is to decide pedals.
Shimano 105s maybe? or Shimano Ultegra?

I'd like something fairly easy to clip-out of coming from SPD pedals. I know thats subjective though.

I went from SPD to Speedplay. same double sided ease of entry, and the zero's have as much float as my old SPD pedals.

My Looks needed replacements so I bought new Shimano 105s last spring and have been very happy with them. No problem clipping in or out. I can't comment how they function after getting really grungy since I use my rain bike when it is disgusting outside. I also bought Shimano PD R-540 SPD-SLs for about $30 at the same time. They are a low cost pedal that I put on my rain bike so I could used SPD-SL cleats on both bikes. The cost of the R-540s with cleats was a few bucks less than the cost of SPD-SL cleats by themselves . So, for about $100, I bought the 105 pedals, beater pedals, and two pairs of SPD-SL cleats.

They are functionally all the same. You can adjust the tension on any of the pedals. The higher grades will be a few grams lighter. Buy the one you can afford.

I would go with Ultegra or even Dura Ace. Shimano's pedals work great, are easily adjustable, and don't creak. My current Dura Ace pedals have around 12,000 miles on them, with zero maintenance, and they work as well today as the day I bought them.

Three years ago, I abandoned my Shimanos for a short time to try some Look pedals. I had heard about the famed "Keo creak," but dismissed it. After about 1,500 miles, I too fell victim to the Keo creak. I won't betray my Dura Ace pedals again.

Coming from SPD, you may be appalled at the force it requires to clip out of a brand new SPD-SL pedal and cleat combo. They do break in and get significantly easier in my experience, but it will always be a firmer hold than SPD. That said, I don't feel fully secure in SPD pedals but I do in SPD-SL and that's a good thing by me.

I bought some new SPD-SL 105s last October. They're great. I see no reason to go to Ultegra.

I own PD-M8000 pedals, same as the OP.

They have adjustable release tension. At the upper end of the adjustment they are dangerously difficult to get out of. I have them set to about half way and should really loosen them a bit.

Most people don't realize that there are two different SPD cleats. SH56 are multi-directional release and they are much easier to pull out of. SH51 are single release cleats designed for racing and aggressive riding. I think you may have experience with the former. Many mistakenly buy SH56 cleats and complain that they don't hold well enough.

-------------

The PD-R9100 pedals are 234 grams
The PD-6800 pedals are 260 grams
The PD-5800 pedals are 285 grams

Contrast the PD-M8000 SPD pedals at 343 grams. There is significant weight to be saved.


-Tim-

I just use the SM-SH51. I did ease up a bit on the tension . It helped clipping out. although even at default tension it wasn't so bad.

The Shimano 105s seem to be the ticket. Still have some time though still a couple months of winter here.

The 105's are a tad stiffer at the lightest tension setting then my 540's.

Thus I prefer the 540's as they easier to release from.

I'm a Shimano components guy, but, I've been using Look KEO pedals for over a decade.
No creak and no issues.
Are you set on Shimano brand pedals?

S

I bought the Ultegra pedals over the 105s to match the rest of my groupset. My buddy has the same bike as me with the 105 pedals and I can't tell the difference.

I switched from SPD on M-520s to SPD-SL on 6800 when my bike got stolen and I'll echo what others have said: even with the tension as low as it'll go it's a lot harder to get out of SPD-SL than SPD at first. Now after a couple thousand miles of riding my SPD-SLs have loosened up a bit and I'm a lot more comfortable with them.

Nope, other brand recommendations are welcome. Shimano just seems to be the most common.
Won't see temps over 40f till like march or april. So I have time

Yeah, cool.
The bike shop recommended Look KEO for my first clipless pedals in 2005 and I've been using them ever since. No reason to change.
I wear Shimano shoes, FWIW.

These are on closeout and are an extremely good deal for what used to be their top of the line shoe:


https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...oad-shoe?fltr=



S

I have ridden, Shimano road and MTB pedals, Look, and Speedplay. In my opinion, they are all equally easy or difficult to clip-in and clip-out, just slightly different. Its simply a matter of practice. Once you have the hang of one brand, i don't think its much of a challenge to switch. My current road pedals are Speedplay and they have been excellent and I would buy them again. The one thing I don't miss about Look/Shimano road pedals is getting the position of the pedal aligned with the shoe to click in at traffic lights--just a minor annoyance, not a deal breaker.

Some of the Look pedals seem to sell in different spring tensions 12nm, 15nm and 20nm. Does this mean those models can't be adjusted?
Also what would be the apox tension of SPD pedals and SPD-SL.

I'm really liking the look of the Look KEO 2 Max Pedal in Red and white.

I've ridden on Ultegra pedals for years. I recently had a set of 6500 pedals finally give out after roughly 50,000 miles. You can get a pair of 6800 pedals on Wiggle for $89. wiggle.com | Shimano Ultegra 6800 SPD-SL Pedals | Road Clip-In Pedals

Excellent value.

Depending on price Ultegra pedals are great. I found some on sale for $88. For less than $100 get ultegra, otherwise, 105 is your best bet.

All Shimano for me. 5700, 6700, 6800, 7810, 9000. I just like the wide platform of the SPD-SL. The group I ride with seems to be about 60% Shimano, 35% Speed play and a few misc somethings. Clipping in is no big deal since "IF" we pick a good route with a lot of bike path we have a some 10 mile + stretches with no stops.

6800's for $88 is sweet. I got some 9000's from a UK website on sale for a silly low price, like $120 and then got some used 105's for about $20. I don't think I can tell the difference when riding but sometimes you need the bling

I have the Velocis shoe and like it just fine. It is light and stiff but it is not nearly as comfortable as my Specialized S-Works shoes. I find the uppers on the Velocis to be over stiff and hard feeling.

hard to go wrong with 105 pedals. they work, price is right, etc. unless you have an OCD thing about having your stuff match then go with whatever the rest of the bike is kitted with. i have Rival so IDGAF if mine match so I bought 5700 pedals and couldn't be happier.

Looks matter.

People match all kinds of things every day without giving it hardly a thought. It isn't wrong to want things to look nice.

Insulting people and cursing because someone has matching components is presumption.

not sure if that was directed at my previous post, but there was no insult in there at all. only thing stated was that I have Rival on my bike, there aren't "matching" component pedals available, so i really can't GAF if the pedals match my components. if I had shimano components I'd be OCD about matching them too so i'm not sure why you'd believe I was presuming anything. some folks care about matching components, some don't. whatever floats your boat.

my commentary about the 105 pedals still stands though, its a good piece for a good price.

This right there. If you can find a good deal on the Ultegra, it's a great pedal. Otherwise just get the 105's.