Did Shimano Re-Invent the Pedal? Shimano XTR PD-M9220 Pedals And CL-MT001 SPD Cleats Overview

Words by: Trevor Mejia

Intro

Shimano does not change things very often. The SPD cleat and pedal interface has been essentially the same for about 30 years, which makes the launch of the new Shimano XTR PD-M9220 pedal and CL-MT001 SPD cleat a big moment for anyone who likes to clip in and ride hard.

The new XTR M9220 moves away from the older XTR M9120 trail pedal layout and takes clear inspiration from the Saint M820, but in a slimmer, more refined package. At the same time, Shimano is finally updating the SPD cleat itself with the new CL-MT001, which adds a straight down step in option without taking away the classic SPD feel. I have been riding this pedal and cleat combo for a few months and it feels like an aggressive take on a very familiar system.

Shimano XTR PD-M9220 Pedal Overview

The Shimano XTR M9220 is aimed squarely at aggressive trail, enduro and downhill riders. Instead of the sleek, minimal cage of the old XTR M9120 trail pedal, this new design uses a large and thick rectangular platform that looks much closer to the Saint M820, just trimmed down and cleaned up.

The platform has deep, grippy slots where your shoe contacts the body. Around the SPD mechanism there is a full outer cage that protects the mechanism from rock strikes and gives your shoe a bigger footprint to stand on. The pedal feels wide and stable underfoot without being too heavy or extreme. Each side gets four adjustable pins. I chose to run them at their longest length. They come with washers to install under the pins to recess them a few mm’s. While clipped in, the pins do not really dig into the sole of the shoe. They are more about control and support when you are not fully clipped in or when you are riding a section unclipped and still need some confidence.

On the scale, the Shimano XTR M9220 pedals weigh about 448 grams per pair without pins and 466 grams with pins installed. For context, the previous XTR M9120 trail pedals sit around 398 grams and the old Saint M820 pedals are a hefty 568 grams. The new XTR lands right in the middle. If you are a true weight focused rider, these are not for you, but compared to the Saint they are much more reasonable while still offering a big, supportive platform. There is a wide range of tension adjustment available, from very hard to clip in and out to extremely light. Shimano also updated the bearing seals with durability in mind. After a few months of riding, the XTR M9220 pedals have been quiet, tight and consistent, with no play and no extra noise, even after plenty of rock impacts.

Specs: 

• SPD clipless pedal for trail and enduro
• Large rectangular platform for extra support
• 4 adjustable pins per side
• Updated seals for long term durability
• 466g per pair with pins

Shimano CL MT001 SPD Cleat Overview

The new Shimano CL-MT001 SPD cleat is a simple change but a large step for SPD. SPD has had the same basic shape and function since it launched, and Shimano has always taken the approach that if it is not broken there is no reason to fix it. With the CL-MT001, they did not remove anything riders are used to. They simply added a new way to get into the pedal. Previously, clipping into an SPD pedal meant sliding the front of the cleat under the front bar of the pedal and then pressing your heel down until it clicked. With the CL-MT001, you can still do that, but you can also step straight down into the pedal from the top. It feels similar to some other pedal systems where you just stomp and go, which makes it easier and quicker to get clipped back in after a dab or a sketchy moment.

The release is still classic SPD. You move your heel outboard and the cleat pops out with a clear, predictable feel. This is a single-release cleat, not a multi directional one, which keeps things secure for aggressive riding and gives you confidence when things get rough. Visually, the Shimano CL-MT001 SPD cleat looks almost identical to the older SM-SH51 cleat. The main difference is a small concave section on the top tip of the cleat. This cutout is what allows that straight down entry. Everything else is familiar, so you get the same bolt pattern, the same general shape and the same overall feel once clipped in.

Specs:

• New SPD cleat with step in entry from the top
• Compatible with standard SPD shoes and pedals
• Same feel as before
• Single release heel out design

On Trail Review

I set up the Shimano XTR PD-M9220 pedals and CL-MT001 cleats with the spring tension right in the middle. That is where I usually run my SPD pedals and it keeps things predictable. It is worth nothing that the shoes I am running for testing are the Shimano SH-GE900HS which is their premium Pro-Level Gravity Race SPD shoe so it should be as optimized as possible for the use case. 

The first few rides felt a little different. The bigger platform, outer cage and tall pins give the pedal a more substantial feel underfoot and make the initial clip in slightly more deliberate. It is harder to just slid your foot into these pedals and clip in. The CL-MT001 cleats help to offset that. Being able to step down onto the pedal and feel it snap in from the top makes re entry much easier, especially when you are bouncing through a rough section or trying to clip in while exiting a corner. Once clipped in, the Shimano XTR M9220 feels like a good SPD pedal should. There is plenty of support under the shoe and the platform keeps the shoe stable when you are pushing hard through compressions and corners. Compared to the old XTR trail pedal, there is noticeably more platform where it matters and a bit more protection for the SPD body from the outer cage.

There seems to be a touch more float than I am used to, which may be down to the new CL-MT001 cleat. It is not vague, just a slightly larger window of movement before release. After a few rides it felt natural and I stopped noticing it. One thing I did notice early on was the inside of my shoe brushing the crank arm more often. That comes down to my body mechanics and the way the larger platform positions the shoe. A small cleat adjustment fixed it and I have not had an issue since.

The bigger body does come with a tradeoff. On technical, rocky climbs I have had more pedal strikes than I would with a smaller XC style SPD pedal. The upside is that the Shimano XTR M9220 has taken those hits without any functional damage. The cage gets scuffed, but the SPD mechanism continues to work perfectly.

As far as wear goes, both the pedals and the cleats have been great. The cleats have broken in to the point where clipping in and out is automatic. I am not thinking about my feet, I am just riding. The pedals are still quiet and smooth, and the updated seals seem to be doing their job. For me, that is exactly what I want from a Shimano XTR pedal and SPD cleat setup.

Conclusion

The Shimano XTR PD-M9220 pedals and CL-MT001 SPD cleats are a strong option for riders who want more support and security than a traditional clipless pedal without having to go all the way to a full downhill pedal like the old Saint.

If you live and die by the scale, there are lighter Shimano XTR and XT race pedals that will suit you better. If you are riding enduro, aggressive trail or bike park and want a Shimano SPD setup that keeps you locked in through rough terrain, the Shimano XTR M9220 pedal hits a nice middle ground between weight, support and protection. The Shimano CL-MT001 SPD cleat is a subtle but important improvement. Keeping the classic SPD feel while adding the ability to step straight down into the pedal makes day to day riding easier and helps in those moments when you need to get clipped in quickly.

After several months on this Shimano XTR M9220 and CL-MT001 combo, it has become a set and forget component for me. It does its job in the background, keeps me connected to the bike and lets me focus on the trail. For a pedal and cleat system, that is about as good as it gets.