Shimano Dura-Ace PD-7750 Pedals

By Coach Fred Matheny

For years I used vintage, Look-compatible Shimano Dura-Ace PD-7401 pedals. I bought two pairs and They’re still working fine. I thought I was a dinosaur for using such antiques until I read that they were Lance Armstrong’s favorite pedals. Then I felt better.

But even Lance disliked the 465-gram weight (with cleats) of those old gray standbys, and he reportedly liked their miniature replacement even less. Finally, Shimano designed a new model — the “Lance pedal,” Shimano Dura-Ace PD-7750. They have all the features of the PD-7401, except one: They aren’t compatible with Look cleats. But They’re lighter by about 135 grams. I bought a pair and rode them more than 350 miles before writing this review.

The PD-7750 doesn’t have flats for a pedal wrench. Instead, you install them with an 8-mm allen key. It helps if it has a long handle for leverage.

Unlike some pedals with multiple adjustments (often unnecessary), this pedal is a minimalist delight. Only the release tension is adjustable, keeping complexity and weight low. The stock cleat provides 6 degrees of float (3 to either side). Foot rotation feels free and consistent. Fixed-position cleats are available, too.

Cleat Considerations

Cleat mounting is easy and employs the standard 3-hole pattern. Simply bolt them on as you would Look cleats, adjust the fore/aft position and angle — and go ride.

If you like your cleats far to the rear of your shoes — a position favored by long-distance riders to reduce pressure on the ball of the foot — you may wish these cleats went back farther.

If, like me, you have a leg-length discrepancy, the cleats are easy to shim. Simply cut a piece of Neolite or similar material in the shape of the cleat and mount it between the cleat and sole.

The bolts supplied by Shimano are fairly short. No problem for my un-shimmed cleat, but I had to get longer bolts at the hardware store to accommodate my 3-mm shim.

Getting in and out is a snap — literally. The cleats engage with a comforting “click.” Compared to Look pedals, it takes a bit more force to twist out even with the release tension at the lowest setting. I quickly adapted, but if you have a knee injury or other problem that makes it difficult to twist your ankle outwards, try these pedals before buying them.

Foot Travel

The cleats have yellow plastic inserts on each of their 3 points. These make slipping less likely when walking, and they protect the cleats from wear. I found it easy to clop around in a convenience store, but the inserts wouldn’t be effective when walking on dirt or gravel, such as during roadside stops on a century or tour.

The first generation of PD-7750 cleats was recalled because some were breaking at the tip. The cleats currently being sold are beefier in this area.

Shimano doesn’t make a cleat cover for this model, and no accessory manufacturer, such as PAL Products (Kool Kovers), has introduced one at this writing. Until that happens, I’d be concerned about wear and tear on the cleats if you expose them to irregular surfaces. Worn cleats can inhibit release.

Save for that, these pedals are a winner — just like Lance.

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Coach Fred Matheny is an RBR co-founder who has four decades of road cycling and coaching experience. He has written 14 eBooks and eArticles on cycling training, available in RBR’s eBookstore at Coach Fred Matheny, including the classic Complete Book of Road Bike Training, which includes 4 eBooks comprising 250 pages of timeless, detailed advice and training plans. The Complete Book is one of the many perks of an RBR Premium Membership. Click to read Fred’s full bio.