Previously, I had a pair Of Ritchey WCS Ti spd pedals (i paid £60 on ebay, but the retail at £140!!). These were next to useless - the bearings failed within 12 months. They looked good and weighed not a lot, but didn't work very well, at all :O(
I begrudgingly purchased the XTR spd's for £56.99 from wiggle, as I didn't want to go the "shimano" route again. First impressions of quality were superb, especially for under £60!!! The smoothness of the bearings is silk like. fitting is just like any other pedal. Adjusting the tension springs was also the same as any other spd, although I didn't have to do them as tight as previoud spd's I'd owned. Clicking in and out of the pedal gave a satisfying quality click. In riding i've done so far, they perhaps clogged more than i'd have liked, but the riding was very very extreme.
After 2 months and about 800km's of very wet and muddy riding (including Transwales 08 race) they still run like the day i fitted them - only time will tell on reliability, but first impressions are that they will last well. Even if they do need maintenance, shimano stock everything you need to rebuild them.
Conclusion: They do everything that a normal spd pedal would do, but much, much better. As much as it pains me to say it, they are another quality product from shimano.
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