Dylan Roberts

Hey everyone, lately I have been looking at buying my first pair of clipless pedals since I finally have the money to get some. As of right now I have been looking at either the Shimano 105 PD-5700 or the Shimano PD-R540. Can anybody better explain the differences between the two/tell me which one would be a better choice? Thank you.

kleng

I think this might highlight a few of the differences

https://road.cc/content/review/63061-...-sl-road-pedal

the main difference for me, which is not significant, is the wider platform and slightly better bearings in the 105 model

achoo

The R540s are narrower than the 5700s, with a smaller contact area. In theory that makes it more likely you'll get hot spots with the R540s. The R540s also have a plastic contact surface, which will wear out a lot faster than the metal contact surface on the 5700s.

Get the 5700s.

Dylan Roberts

Oh ok, I think I'll pay the extra money for the 5700's. I was reading a fair amount of reviews on the R540's as well and a few people said a weak point was the durability. Thanks!

nastystang

I have used both and like the 105's out of those two. I had the tension set pretty low at first to get in the habit of clipping in and out but have since tightened them up. I never had trouble with either pedal but I did notice more platform on the 105's and might just be in my head but they felt smoother. I am using Carbon Ultegra now and other than weight the feel is spot on with the 105's. No doubt you will like being clipped in and for me, it makes for a better riding experience.

mprelaw

Shop around online. Often, the "extra money" isn't very extra.

Dylan Roberts

Believe me, I always shop around online as thoroughly as possible to make sure I can get a good deal on something. As for money, I'm usually in a situation where every dollar counts. Anyway, I think I'll be happy with the pedals I chose.

dralways

Which shoes are you going with?

coasting 

i own both currently on 2 bikes. I can't tell the difference.

Dylan Roberts

I'm thinking about the Serfas Interval. I've looked at many reviews and haven't really seen any problems with them, and they are inexpensive. If I need to, I can buy a better pair later on.

canam73

Try on shoes. They can be entry level, but they have to fit well.

I know you said money was tight, but get to a store and try on several brands, like everything they have. And then, to not be a dbag, buy them there. Save extra somewhere else, like maybe buy some used pedals on eBay.

Also, and I have not tried these, but shimano has a replacement for the 540 called the 550. It has the wider platform and steel plate like the 105, but in a resin body instead of aluminum.

Dylan Roberts

Ok, I can probably do that and see where it takes me. Thanks for the suggestion on the pedals as well, I'll give them a look!

canam73

One more thing, these will save you money on cleats if you have to walk at all: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kool-Kovers-...item51a44c3bc7

mprelaw

You will be very happy with the 105s. I bought a set of Ultegras to keep my last bike "all Ultegra". It was wasted money. No perceptible performance benefit. They may be more durable, but for the amount of time that 105s last, it takes awhile to reap that benefit.

Cyclelogikal

I have had the 5700's and they are great. I recently went however with Time Expresso 4 and love them. But given the contact area and a 1st time clipless I would stick to the wide platform of the Shimano pedals.

Dylan Roberts

I was wondering about something to keep the cleats from wearing down, thanks again for the suggestion! I've also just yesterday bought my Long/Triple Jump spikes a well as a pair for sprinting for my upcoming track season so when I get a little extra money I'll buy some lol

bgrider

Shimano 150 spd-sl's retail in my neck of the woods for over $100.

I bought a pair from Nashbar for $54. With shipping its still a stea.

I like the 105's

SpeshulEd 

Go with the 105's, if you watch for deals, you can probably find them for around $50.

mprelaw

I've seen them for as little as $5 more than 540s.

mprelaw

Shimano cleats don't wear very quickly. I get at least two seasons out of them, and I do a fair amount of walking in them. Parking lots at group rides, sometimes if I have to walk the bike over loose gravel on a road under repair, and so on. I even did a mile "walk of shame" one night when it was dark, drizzling and about 38 degrees, when I flatted a mile from home and didn't want to change a tube with hands like two blocks of ice.

Gramercy

I have the 105's as well and I have nothing to compare it to, but I got it because people on here recommended it. My brother installed them for me and they are on the loosest setting so I would get used to clipping in, if I figure out how to change the tension I may do it; not sure if that would make my pedaling more efficient or not.

mprelaw

Adjusting the tension is a very quick study. You need a 2.5mm hex wrench. Insert in the adjuster (center rear of the pedal), turn to your left to tighten. If your brother adjusted it to the loosest setting, it'll only turn that way anyway.

You'll also see curved arrows with a + or - sign above them. That's another clue--turn towards the +.

Dudelsack 

Are the SPD-SL 105s on eBay selling for $55 honest, or do nasty people try to sell cheap knock-offs?

canam73

I've bought a couple of pairs new shimano pedals on eBay and they seem authentic along with the packaging, documentation and cleats they came with.

Pedals have too many moving parts to knock off easily. Look out on stuff like seatposts and stems.

But to be kinda safe, look for somebody shipping domestically with a return policy and decent feedback.

dralways

When I bought my used bike it came with 105 clipless pedals/shoes. I tried them out for maybe half a mile, ended up with a nasty bruise on one of my shins and decided to craigslist them. Now, about 5 months worth or riding and 4k miles later I've contacted the buyer and am buying the cleats/pedals back and plan on giving them at least a month to get used to even though I love the Wellgo R146 I have now, image above.

Anyone have any cheap spd-SL shoes around size 9.5-10? PM me.