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Limited Edition: 25 years of Shimano SPDs and Shoes

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It has been 25 years since Shimano first introduced their M737 mountain bike clipless pedal, and together with their M100 shoe, SPDs set the benchmark that all modern mountain bike pedals have been measured against. With Shimano Pedaling Dynamics, Shimano has since developed pedals that are lighter, better in the mud, and now adapted to everything from commuters and spinning classes to World Cup cross country and downhill racing. At the same time the cleat interface became the standard that the mountain bike cycling shoe industry has built itself on, as legions of other pedal makers have brought out alternatives.

To celebrate the SPD, Shimano is now releasing a 25th anniversary limited edition 5-series pedal and trail shoe combo, highlighting how the technology has evolved and both pedals and shoes have become specialized over the years. Join us after the break for a look at the shoes and pedals and to see how far they’ve come.

 

Shimano_25Years_of_SPD_Shoes

It’s hard to think that it has been two and a half decades since those first M100 shoes, but thinking back the designs and technology have come a long way. While the first shoes in 1990 were pretty basic, Shimano claims to have been one of the first to add ratcheting buckle straps and carbon soles, a couple of elements that have come to define high performance cycling shoes.

Shimano-mountain_bike_shoes_M100_1990 Shimano-mountain_bike_shoes_M163G_2015

Looking back through the design progression over the years from that 1990 shoe, it seems the new edition of the Trail/Enduro shoe takes more of its design cues back to a time when mountain biking wasn’t as divided into so many individual disciplines. The new SH-M163G shoe, which we covered back at Interbike (and before) in its all-black version, features Shimano’s latest shoe tech, including a Cross X-Strap to limit instep hotspots and a TORBAL reinforced polyamide midsole boosting overall stiffness. It looks to be both an affordable shoe and one that can perform well across a range of mountain disciplines.

 

Shimano_spd_25th_logo_grayscale Shimano_special-edition_PD-M530C_25Years_Pedal

The special edition PD-M530C pedal doesn’t differ from the standard SLX-level trail pedal either, except with a 25th anniversary logo laser etched on the body. And that’s not a bad thing. This is one of the best value pedals Shimano has made, with the slightly larger than average platform making it even more versatile.

With 25 years of design and technology behind them, that SPD cleat has remained the same, delivering a solid and reliable interface. With that the new limited-edition combo pack should deliver a functional and reliable shoe/pedal system. Pricing for the special edition set has not been released, but the standard M163 retails for just $150 with the M530 at just $65. Availability is slated for spring, so if you like the looks of the shoes and need a new set of pedals, reach out to your local shop and see when they can get you a set.

Bike.Shimano.com

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gringo
gringo
9 years ago

A lot of people like to hate on Shimano, but I will use this chance to say they make damn fine pedals and the shoes work well as well.

hard to believe it’s 25 years!

a
a
9 years ago

not sure why, they do make good shoes and ok pedals.
i prefer my atacs over spd – but i cant fault their shoes even thus i wear mavics right now, id be equally happy with the shimanos (which i had before in fact)

i
i
9 years ago

way to make me feel old, Shimano… Those M100 shoes were really well made. Not sure they should be boasting about the buckles on their modern shoes – every one I had lasted 1-2 rides before breaking.

Chris
Chris
9 years ago

I had (have) a pair of Gaerne first gen SPD shoes that used the sole off the M100.

The sole on them was a bit soft by today’s standards, but super durable.

The 737s were near indestructible. You just had to be careful when servicing them that you didn’t break off that plastic sleeve that held the spindle in the pedal.

How come we had double entry per side back then, but now we just have single entry per side?

satisFACTORYrider
satisFACTORYrider
9 years ago

The only really bad shoe in 25yrs they had was the spd sandal. Those were disgusting.

Ajh
Ajh
9 years ago

I remember back in 1994/1995 I could get a new pair of MTB shoes every time I rode in the wet as the glue would soften and the sole would separate from the upper. I went through 4-5 pairs before the started to rivet the uppers to the lowers to address the issue. After that they were great shoes.

Sam
Sam
9 years ago

“Not sure they should be boasting about the buckles on their modern shoes – every one I had lasted 1-2 rides before breaking”
Never heard of that before, sounds like something aint right with what your doing to those buckles!

Jesse Edwards
Jesse Edwards
9 years ago

Ive been workin spds for about 20 years and after spending season on crank bros and Time I came back to shimano, and it’s where I”ll stay. Quality is bang on and I am totally fluent with the movement.

Dave B
Dave B
9 years ago

‘The only really bad shoe in 25yrs they had was the spd sandal. Those were disgusting.”
The attraction escapes me too but a lot of touring riders are in love with these things.

Antney
Antney
9 years ago

I have the sandals. Summer commute perfection….. get to work, sandals off ….. Birkenstocks on….. I have one hell of a foot tan by the end of the season.

Bob
Bob
9 years ago

@a – me too, Time ATAC pedals & Mavic shoes though my Shimano road shoes are in awesome shape after 6 years of use. Was a SPD user from day 1 until the pedals that came on my Giant Trance, Shimano brand but rough and hard to clip into & out of. Could never get them set up to where I liked them. Was really surprised because I’d never had any issues with Shimano products up to that point. Tried Times on the recommendation of a good friend, switched to ATAC on both my mountain bikes with no regrets.

The Conductor
The Conductor
9 years ago

I still have (and wear from time to time) the M100 shoe, but the model with the blue laces, no velcro. Still use original 737 Spuds too!

Bought the next generation (orange & purple accents?) top end Mountain shoe with velcro closures…those fell apart…

Mirwin
Mirwin
9 years ago

“i – 01/23/15 – 7:19am
“…Not sure they should be boasting about the buckles on their modern shoes – every one I had lasted 1-2 rides before breaking.”

You’re doing it wrong. It’s a buckle, not a car tire iron.

'Merika
'Merika
9 years ago

This is almost as awesome as 30 years of DT Swiss Spoke Nipple Designs.

nightfend
9 years ago

I had the pink mtb shoes with the lime green buckles at one point…looking back, that color combo was pretty awful.

highpointer
highpointer
9 years ago

Good to Great Product. Just wish they supported the local bike shop. These shoes will be on theClymb for half price soon. The pedals will be on CRB for 65% off. So good luck finding these products in your local shop.

JoeNJ
JoeNJ
9 years ago

My wife still uses her first-gen XTR pedals. Ti axles tho!

SteveG
SteveG
9 years ago

Great pedal!! I’m still riding my original pair of spd-737’s on my ’94 Steelman Single-Track. Those pedals have proven to be quite bomb proof. I picked up a NOS pair of 737’s off ebay a few years ago to put into service when the original pair give up the ghost….but so far they are still going strong.

Tim
Tim
9 years ago

Got Wellgo SPD rip-offs around 1995, pretty good copy of a decent product. Switched to ATACs in 1996 during the UPS strike, had to wait a bit before they arrived. They really were much better in the mud, and I never switched back to SPD’s or anything based off them. Changed to Crank Bros. around three years ago- they were not much pricier than a set of simple ATAC cleats. Also decent- but I used them much less than I had the ATACs. Gotta respect the SPD’s, same cleat design for so long. I don’t remember them being so great in muddy conditions, but the cleats are made of hard as heck steel and don’t deform and then start wobbling and getting play like Time’s do, which on the other hand are mud- and sand-proof. Lots of good options out there.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
9 years ago

While their fit doesn’t work for me anymore. I managed 40,000+ miles out of their cheapest nylon shoe…never replaced a buckle despite multiple crashes(did mangle a Pearl Izumi buckle though…sorta Shimano).

I do wish they’d eventually make a shoe that’s even modestly lightweight though. They’re beyond the stiffness any human can utilize and they could easily lower the shoe profile and use less carbon.

Pedals? Durable but as a bike fitter, I don’t like that the cleats allow your foot to shift from right to left(not talking float here), especially for a customer in need of a narrow q factor

lulu
lulu
9 years ago

I’m a bit confused. Is the old style shoe going to be relaunched or will it be a brand new style? Thanks.
Eds: The new one on the right is the new style available.

elaine
8 years ago

how do you loosen the top buckle on the shoe?
Eds: Use the silver lever on the ratchet to tighten, and the black one to release.

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