Take a look at our 2017 road bike pedals buyer's guide
Clipless road bike pedals are the go-to choice for nearly all road cyclists because they provide a secure and stable platform for your feet to your bike.
Because your feet are clipped into the pedals, transferring energy through the bike becomes much more efficient and will benefit not only from a downwards pedal motion but also as you drag up your legs around and back up.
They are easy to clip in and out and offer various settings that allow you to tweak the amount of movement (float) on the pedal. Some pedals such as the Speedplay Zero or mountain bike style SPD’s will allow you to clip in both sides.
Take a look at our guide to some of the best road bike pedals you can buy.
Look Keo 2 Max Blade
What they say
The Look Keo 2 Max CroMo is the next generation form the very popular Keo road pedal. The new Keo 2 Max features a larger platform, improving pedalling action. It’s also stronger, developed to give even load spread and wider, increasing surface contact area and improving balance. Bigger bearings are smoother and improve rolling action.
Key specifications
- Injected fibre glass reinforced polymide body
- Tension adjustment 9-15 Nm
- Oversized axle with dual seals, making this a pedal built to last
- Axle to sole height 17mm
- Chromoly axle for strength/weight 130g per pedal
- Includes cleats
Our verdict
The Look Keo 2’s are Lightweight, durable and are easy to clip in and out of. The base is nice and solid so the foot feels firmly clipped in for maximum power transfer. A great pedal and highly recommended.
Where to buy
Shimano 105 5800 Carbon SPD-SL Pedals
What they say
Take your road cycling to the next level with these high quality Shimano PD 5800 105 (SPD-SL) clipless pedals. With a wide, lightweight carbon body you get a large contact area to maximise power transfer through the pedals, whilst reducing weight. A low profile design gives the Shimano PD 5800 pedal design minimises drag. The large binding offers quick engagement and the stainless steel pedal plate is rock solid and durable.
Key specifications
- Wide lightweight carbon body
- Low profile design increases road clearance
- Wide cleats offer more efficient pedalling
- Stainless steel pedal body plate for increased durability
- Low maintenance sealed cartridge axle unit
- Three types of shoe cleats available: fixed, 3 degrees of float in each direction, or 3 degrees of float from a font-centre pivot
- Weight: 280 grams (pair)
Our verdict
A very good set of pedals that will need next to no maintenance. The carbon body keeps the weight down and are designed to match the 105 groupset. Unless you want the lightest pedals around, these will be perfect and will last.
Where to buy
Speedplay Zero Stainless Steel
What they say
One of the best performance, technically advanced pedal systems available. The performance features of the Speedplay Zero Pedal System read like a pro racer’s wish list. No other pedal system comes close to offering the superior adjustability or cutting-edge performance features of the Zero. By thinking “outside the box”, we created and patented the most technically advanced pedal system ever, featuring your choice of either a fixed position or up to 15 degrees of micro-adjustable float.
Key specifications
- Zero to 15 degrees of micro-adjustable float
- Easy cleat set up and adjustment
- No complicated spring tension adjustments
- No fumbling – dual sided entry
- Half the weight of most clipless systems
- Excellent cornering clearance
- Weight (pair):206g
Our verdict
The Speedplay Zero range is highly recommended. Incredibly light and due to the design and you can clip in both sides. One of the main benefits of the Speedplay Zero is the amount of float they offer. If you like to feel a little more free on the pedals or suffer from knee pain, these could be the ones for you.
Where to buy
Time Xpresso 15 pedals
What they say
A mix of carbon and Titanium combined make for Time’s best ever road pedal to date. The pedal is even faster, provides better engagement (without rubbing), and is much lighter due to the carbon flexion blade replacing the traditional metal spring.
Key specifications
- Hollow titanium axle
- Ceramic Speed bearings
- Light carbon pedal body
- Aluminium plate
- Ultra light and drag free CERAMIC SPEED bearings
- Weight: 66.5g/each
- Cleats included
Our verdict
These Time Xpresso’s are some of the best road bike pedals you can buy at the moment. Extremely light, super stiff and easy to use. Ideal for racing as they are solid and transfer power straight to the crankset. You’ll not find many other pedals that will out do these.
Where to buy
Speedplay Zero Titanium Nanogram
What they say
The Nanogram Zero shares the same race-proven, tried-and-true technical benefits of Speedplay’s lightweight Zero pedals, but has been completely re-engineered for weight reduction and totally hot-rodded to maximize performance.
Key specifications
- Three or four-hole compatible
- 20% lighter than Zero Titanium
- 126 grams per pair pedal weight
- 88.5 grams per pair cleat weight
- Aluminum and steel mounting hardware included
- Three bearings: one ceramic, one cartridge, and one needle
Our verdict
They might be the price of a decent bike, but if you’re after the lightest most advanced pedals Speedplay offer then look no further. A money no object purchase indeed!
