It's not necessarily an 'improved' model.
SPD cleats and pedals wear, albeit slowly, and the rider
hardly notices until it's a problem. After a few sets of
cleats, the pedals will be worn such that a new set feels
just spectacular - as they were when you first bought them.
--
Andrew Muzi
<
www.yellowjersey.org/>
Open every day since 1 April, 1971