Road pedals

How to choose road pedals

The pedal is one of three contact points with the bike, and the only one that transmits power. Choosing a system is above all choosing a cleat : it determines how easily you can walk, how much float you have and what you’ll be buying again twice a year.

The four systems

• Look Keo : the long-established road cycling standard, with the widest choice of cleats and models, from the Keo Classic 3 to the Keo Blade Carbon.
• Shimano SPD-SL : very similar in principle, with a wide contact platform and colour-coded cleats indicating the amount of float. Durable and easy to find.
• Time Xpresso : recognisable by its blade mechanism, which takes less effort to clip into and does not release on its own. A good choice if you clip in and out often.
• Wahoo Speedplay : the only system that is double-sided, so you can clip in without looking, with the mechanism in the cleat rather than the pedal. It offers the greatest amount of float on the market and a very low stack height.

Float

It is the angle through which your foot can rotate before the pedal releases. 0° holds the foot in a single position and suits perfectly aligned feet; 4.5 to 6° is the standard setting, allowing the knee to move naturally; 9° or more suits riders with unusual biomechanics or sensitive knees. With Shimano, the cleat colour indicates it (red 0°, blue 2°, yellow 6°), with Look and Time offering options too. This is more than a comfort detail: insufficient float is a common cause of knee pain.

Weight, axle and bearings

• The body progresses from composite to aluminium and then carbon as you move up the range. The actual difference between entry-level and top-end models is around 100 grams per pair.
• Theaxle progresses from chrome-plated steel to titanium. Titanium saves weight but is less suitable for heavier riders.
• The bearings matter more to longevity than the body material: they are what gets wet in winter.
• Some versions are available with a long axle (+4 mm), useful for cyclists who need a wider foot stance.

What to buy with them

New pedals are supplied with a pair of cleats, generally with a medium amount of float. Plan on a spare pair after the first winter, and check that your shoes have the right bolt pattern : the systems in this range use the 3-bolt, not the 2-bolt pattern used on mountain bike shoes.

Using SPD pedals on a road bike

The range includes a few models 2-bolt SPD (Shimano ES600 and equivalents). They are designed for cycle touring and gravel riding: the smaller cleat, recessed into the sole, lets you walk normally. You lose a little contact area and pedalling efficiency, but gain the ability to get off the bike without slipping.

To find out more: How to choose road bike pedals

See also: Cleats and pedal parts · Road cycling power meters · Road bike saddles