Will Shimano SPD-SLR cleats work with my current SPD-SL pedals?

Shimano says no, but hands-on testing shows it clips in loosely, with a noticeable gap under the cleat. Rideable in a pinch, not recommended long-term.

Will my old SPD-SL cleats work with a new SPD-SLR pedal?

No. Hands-on testing confirms an old SPD-SL cleat won’t clip into a new SPD-SLR pedal at all.

Can I use SPD-SLR cleats with a power meter pedal like Garmin's Rally RS?

Not as things stand. Rally RS pedals use the SPD-SL cleat pattern, and Shimano hasn’t said whether third-party pedal makers will get an SPD-SLR-compatible cleat.

Is Shimano's own power meter affected by the SPD-SLR cleat change?

No. Shimano’s power meter is crank-based rather than pedal-based, so it sits outside this cleat and pedal system entirely.

What shoes work with the new SPD-SLR cleat?

Existing Shimano SPD-SL road shoes, including the RC703 and RC503, plus the new S-PHYRE SH-RC910 and SH-RC810, released alongside SPD-SLR.

How much lighter is the new cleat than SPD-SL?

Up to 22% lighter, according to Shimano.

What's the difference between the four SPD-SLR cleats?

The CL-SL100 (red) has zero float, the CL-SL110 (yellow) has three degrees of rotational float, the CL-SL120 (blue) has one degree of float, and the CL-SL130 (grey) is designed for riders moving to SPD-SLR pedals from most non-Shimano three-bolt shoes.

Does clipping in feel different with SPD-SLR?

Yes. The engagement angle narrows from 15.5° on SPD-SL to 10.5° on SPD-SLR, and a wider catch zone is meant to make clipping in faster.

cleats Archives -

News Running Power

Shimano invents a new cleat type: all the details

17 September 2026

the5krunner

Shimano's new SPD-SLR cleat cuts stack height by 2.3mm and drops weight by up to 22%…