Although it may seem trivial, choosing the right pedals for your bike and cycling discipline is more important than it appears. Ultimately, the pedals are the component through which we transfer the power from our legs to the bike. What makes one different from another? Which ones should I choose? What type of pedal is right for me? In this article, we are going to explain some concepts you should know to avoid making mistakes when installing the most appropriate pedals for your bike. The pedal is a very important element for cycling, as it is the main connection we have with our bike and the one on which we apply all the power to move forward. Depending on the discipline we practice, we will find different types of pedals and cleat attachments on the shoe. In the past, pedals with toe clips, cages, or straps were used to tie the shoe to the pedal. Yes, just like that. For decades, the foot was tied to the pedal, with the consequent risk involved in case of loss of balance or a fall. This has been replaced by an automatic adjustment system with cleats on the shoes that anchor to the pedal.
>> Are automatic pedals essential?
Pedals for road cycling
Pedals for road cycling are larger and stiffer than those for mountain biking. The goal is to achieve a greater contact and support surface to lose as little power as possible. Nowadays, what is sought is more grip and therefore less freedom in foot movement to achieve the most perfect and uniform pedal stroke possible. This is achieved with a system consisting of a cleat on our shoe and a pedal to which it anchors. Road cleats are large and made of plastic, usually attached to the shoe with three screws. For pedals, the thickness (the thinner, the more comfortable) and the length or distance to the crank (Speedplay allows you multiple distances) are important. For road pedals there is no standard, but here I will talk about the three most used types.
Look pedals
The French brand was a pioneer along with Cinelli in introducing the concept of automatic pedals to the cycling world. The standard they currently use is called KEO, with a triangle-shaped cleat. Depending on the degree of float or lateral movement they allow the foot, there are three types and colors:
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Black: With a lateral angle of 0º, they do not allow any lateral movement. These are cleats for professionals.
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Gray: These are the most common, allowing 4.5º of float.
- Red: For beginners or those who, due to injuries, need more range of movement to aid recovery. The movement angle is 9º.
Shimano pedals
Although at first glance it may seem that the system is similar to Look, Shimano cleats are not compatible with the pedals of the French brand. Depending on the materials, bearings, and weight, we will find various ranges in these pedals. From entry-level models like the PD-RS500 with a slightly softer spring tension to make unclipping easier and a price around 50 euros; to the top-of-the-line carbon Dura-Ace PD-R9100 with a weight of 228 gr and a price below 200 euros. In Shimano, depending on the lateral float angle of the cleat, they also work with 3 types of cleats:
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Red cleats (SH-SM10): These are called fixed, for professionals with 0º of movement. If you choose these, you must be very clear about the positioning, because due to the lack of float, in the worst case, they can cause injuries.
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Blue cleats (SH-SM12): Allow 2º of foot float.
- Yellow cleats (SH-SM11): With 6º of float, they are the most common, and usually come included when you buy pedals. The head of the cleat is narrower in this model to make it easier to unclip when removing the shoe from the pedal.
Speedplay Pedals
It is a system completely opposite to Look and Shimano, since instead of the shoe cleat fitting into the pedal, in these pedals it is the other way around: the pedal fits into the cleat. This system achieves a much larger contact surface and more adjustment options. However, its main drawback is its high price. Apart from these three types of cleats, there are more brands with different systems, such as Time, which makes very lightweight carbon pedals.
>> How to choose your cycling shoes
Types of pedals for mountain bike
Based on the same idea as road pedals, mountain bike pedals are smaller and with metal cleats attached with two screws to our shoes, which are also smaller to prevent mud from accumulating. Pedals for mountain bike have a smaller support surface, however, there are mountain automatic pedals that come with a platform to provide greater security in disciplines such as trail.
>> Cross Country, Trail, Enduro and Downhill: learn about the four basic mountain biking disciplines
Two of the most common pedals for mountain biking and gravel cycling are Shimano and Crankbrothers.
Shimano SPD
About to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Shimano's SPD system, today it is the most widely used system for mountain bike. It is a simple, reliable, robust system and, thanks to the springs and tension screw, we can adjust them to our liking. This SPD system can also be found in other pedal brands. There are two types of Shimano SPD cleats:
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SPD SH51 , black, and to unclip them you have to twist your ankle outward. They are the most common for MTB.
- SPD SH56, designed for beginners or urban cycling, where unclipping is much easier and can be done practically in any direction.
Crankbrothers
It is a simpler system that allows for greater freedom of movement, probably the ideal option if you have any knee problems and can't quite get used to SPDs. They have four anchor points, and depending on which side you choose as the main one, you will have different rotation angles. The downside is the short lifespan of the cleats and the need for regular maintenance.
Platform pedals
They have no automatic adjustment mechanism. They are the classic pedals where the shoe simply rests on top of the pedal without any connection between the two. There are many types, both for beginner cycling and for BMX, enduro, urban cycling, etc.
Pedal maintenance
The “clack clack” sound of a pedal is the classic little noise that drives us crazy. All the components of the bike, to a greater or lesser extent, require maintenance. So pedals and cleats are no exception. Cleats should be changed when they start to deteriorate. Depending on whether it is road or MTB, or one brand or another, this will happen sooner or later. It is important to avoid walking in cycling shoes, especially if you wear road shoes, to prevent the cleats from wearing out and deteriorating. From time to time it is advisable to loosen, grease, and tighten the screws (especially in MTB), so you don't get any surprises the day you have to replace the cleats. It is also advisable to periodically remove the pedals from the cranks and grease them. And if you are handy with mechanics, you can disassemble the pedals and give them proper maintenance, cleaning, bearing lubrication, etc.
>> Discover our Accessories section and find the pedals that best suit your bike
With any pedal you can practice any discipline, but if what you want is to achieve maximum efficiency and comfort, you have to look for the right pedal for each discipline. And if you're one of those who are afraid of clipless pedals, go for it! The first day you'll be nervous and you might even fall trying to unclip, but by the second day you won't be able to live without them.