Shimano XTR M9220 Enduro Pedal Review

Shimano has just launched the “most supportive XTR pedal ever made”: the all-new XTR M9220 Enduro Pedal. This aggressive enduro pedal is a radical departure from the XT and XTR trail pedals of yore, offering support and performance more akin to the Saint DH pedal.

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Shimano XTR M9220 Enduro Pedal key specs

• Large pedal platform
• 4 adjustable traction pins per side
• Improved seal design for long-term durability
• Weight: 446g without pins, 467g with pins installed but without pin washer spacers
• Price: $260

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The all-new XTR enduro pedal features a rugged pedaling platform for maximal foot support and protection of the SPD mechanism. The large rectangular platform creates dramatically more shoe contact compared to previous the long-running XT and XTR trail pedal designs. Add in four adjustable traction pins per side, and the new enduro pedal is more akin to the Saint DH pedal than it is to the brand’s previous trail pedals. However, Shimano tells me that the Saint still offers a slightly larger platform than the new XTR.

The pedals feature four adjustable pins per side. For less traction, install the pins with washer spacers so they don’t protrude from the pedal as far. For maximal traction, install the pins without spacers, as shown here. These pedals are designed to connect securely with a clipless enduro shoe that has a flat sole, such as the Shimano GE900HS. I found the GE900HS connects securely via the SPD cleat. And if you come unclipped, the pins still provide traction along with a stable platform.

Shimano also notes that the latest XTR pedal features an “improved seal design for long-term durability.” While I’m personally a Shimano pedal diehard, this is welcome news, as I’ve unfortunately had several issues with pedal seal durability in recent months. In one instance, a brand-new set of XT trail pedals seized up less than two weeks after purchase while I was on a trip in New Zealand. Thankfully, the pedals were still under warranty, but it’s clear that there was room for improvement.

While Shimano couldn’t share specific details about the new seal technology, they did say “it’s a refinement to the seal design and adjustment to the amount of grease Shimano is using during production assembly in an effort to address migrating seals.”

Shimano XTR M9220 Enduro Pedal out on the trail

I received the new XTR enduro pedals just days before launch, but I was able to test them and glean initial impressions. The massive contact platform is immediately evident, especially while wearing the GE900HS, which features a large flat pedal-style outsole paired with an SPD cleat. The pedals create a very locked-in feel, and the massive platform provides maximum bike control, especially when ripping into corners and pinning through the rough.

Transitioning from pinless XT trail pedals made clipping in feel tricky at first. Thankfully, the new CL-MT001 multi-directional entry cleats make it easier to stomp straight into the pedal, while still providing a controlled horizontal release pattern.

Unfortunately, the large platform plus pins reduce ground clearance, evidenced by a few pedal strikes where I caught the trailing pins on upthrust rocks, even with 160mm cranks. It’s clear the pedals are descending-forward — they want you to be in the attack position with the cranks horizontal. Take care while pedaling through rock gardens with the exposed pins.

While the XTR pedals are visibly larger than my XT trail pedals, the weight penalty isn’t severe. XT trail pedals weigh about ~440g, meaning that with pins, the a pair of XTR pedals only require a 27g weight penalty over my (admittedly much more affordable) previous pedals. However, according to my research, the previous XTR trail pedals weighed ~400g, marking a more substantial 67g weight penalty for the new design.

Pros and cons of Shimano XTR M9220 Enduro Pedal

Pros

• Massive contact patch and control
• Improved seal design? TBD

Cons

• Reduced ground clearance
• Increased weight

Bottom line

The bump up in shoe contact and control from an XC pedal to the XT trail pedal is dramatic, and the increase from the current XT trail pedals to this new XTR enduro offering is just as noticeable, if not more so.

Thought you had bike control before? Think again.