Shimano 105 R7000 pedals review

As the name suggests, Shimano’s R7000 pedals are a 105-level product that strikes a good balance of weight to price, featuring reliability and solid performance, as well as ease of use and excellent power transfer.

At this level, Shimano’s SPD-SL pedals all share the same fundamental pedal body design, shape and styling – so you’re getting a lot of key benefits from the more expensive Dura-Ace and Ultegra models.

One of the trickle-down technologies is a wide body with replaceable stainless steel metal inserts, which offer a very secure and solid base for excellent pedalling and power transfer.

The pedals feature a carbon composite body with replaceable stainless steel inserts and sealed cartridge bearings. They spin smoothly out of the box and continued to do so after many hours.

Shimano’s pedals use a three-bolt cleat, which is offered in three float versions. The supplied yellow cleats I have here offer the widest range of float, so are ideal for a range of cyclists from beginners to more experienced riders.

Setting up the R7000s is simple. The supplied yellow cleats offer 6 degrees of lateral float: 3 degrees in each direction, which makes lining up the cleats on the shoes easy.

Using a small Allen key, the release tension can be easily adjusted within a wide range from very loose to incredibly tight, depending on your experience level and requirements – back them right off if you’re just starting out learning to use clipless pedals (to avoid any wobbly, panic moments while unclipping) or increase tension as you build confidence.

Clipping in and out is intuitive and very positive. The pedals naturally hang at the optimum angle so there’s no need to orientate them first and it’s a cinch to engage the cleat into the pedal.

The float feels smooth and natural while the wide pedal body and stainless steel inserts give a very secure and solid pedalling platform, with your foot finding a comfortable position between the limits of the float.

The large plastic cleat easily locates into the front of the pedal body and the engagement tension provides a very positive and audible click.

Twisting your foot to disengage the cleat from the pedal is an equally positive experience, and quickly becomes a very natural movement, flicking your heel out.

The large plastic cleats are easy to walk in, with the yellow cover protecting the main part of the cleat that engages with the pedal. Life expectancy is reasonably good as a result, but once the yellow parts become tatty it’s a good time to replace them.

I have no hesitation in recommending the R7000s, but if weight isn’t that high on your list of priorities then the cheaper Tiagra R550 pedals, which are nearly identical in use but heavier on the scales, might be worth a look.

Shimano's 105 R7000 pedals are intuitive and versatile with good power transfer, they tick all the boxes.