The finest clipless pedals will improve your pedalling effectivity, energy switch and luxury. Typically, highway cyclists use clipless pedals whereas commuters are likely to favor flat pedals to have the ability to put a foot down extra simply. Clipless pedals are additionally widespread with gravel riders, whereas mountain bikers are extra evenly cut up between clipless and flat pedals.
So do you have to select two-bolt or three-bolt cleats? The finest highway bike pedals use three-bolt cleats which are bigger, protruding under the shoe’s sole, and use single-sided pedals designed for optimum energy switch on the highway. Meanwhile, one of the best gravel bike pedals use a smaller two-bolt cleat that is recessed into the shoe’s sole and is often paired with double-sided pedals. The pedal alternative may even dictate whether or not you select one of the best highway biking sneakers or gravel bike sneakers to pair them with.
Ultimately, one of the best clipless pedals are those that align along with your using type, cleat compatibility and whether or not you prioritise energy switch or walkability. To simplify issues, this information is cut up into two sections: one of the best clipless pedals for highway bikes and one of the best clipless pedals for gravel bikes.
We have examined a complete of 17 clipless pedals from eight completely different producers in each on-road and off-road situations. If you are still not sure of what is one of the best clipless pedal for you after studying, be happy to take a look at our How To Choose and FAQ sections on the finish of the information.
So with out additional ado, listed below are our picks for one of the best clipless pedals in 2025…
Best clipless pedals for highway bikes
➕ Solid and secure pedalling platform
➕ Easy pressure adjustment
➖ Cleat adjustment might be fiddly
➖ Lighter options can be found
The Shimano 105 pedal provides a carbon physique at a really reasonably priced worth and consists of a lot of the tech of the top-spec Dura-Ace pedal.
It has an identical adjustable retainer spring and a large platform for foot stability. Its bearings are straightforward to service and the metal plates within the high of the physique guarantee longevity. The solely actual benefit Dura-Ace and Ultegra have over the 105 is their lighter weight.
Read extra in our Shimano 105 pedal evaluation.
➕ Perfect stability means they’re straightforward to clip in
➕ Worldwide availability of spares
➖ High worth (though commonly discounted)
If you need Shimano’s high pedal tech, the Dura-Ace pedals embody options not discovered within the 105 or Ultegra. The outboard foremost bearing lowers the stack peak and will increase the bearing separation for a extra even load distribution.
Unlike the 105, Dura-Ace provides a 4mm longer spindle model for higher stance width (additionally out there in Ultegra). Plus, at 238g for the pair, they’re 22g lighter than 105 too.
Read extra in our Shimano Dura-Ace pedal evaluation.
➕ Lightweight carbon design
➕ Competitively priced
➖ Cleats wore quicker than rivals
➖ Bearing play
The Keo 2 Max Carbon is high of Look’s spring-tensioned pedal vary, that includes a 250g a set weight that matches Shimano Ultegra. It has a full carbon physique and a big engagement floor because of the extensive metal plate mid-pedal. Even among the professionals might be seen utilizing this pedal and its sturdiness and serviceability are on par with Shimano.
Read extra in our Look Keo 2 Max Carbon pedal evaluation.
4. Look Keo Blade Carbon Ceramic
➕ Lightweight
➕ Wide availability of substitute cleats
➖ Cleats could make noise
➖ Adjusting pressure might be fiddly
The Keo Blade pedals obtained an replace this yr. The carbon leaf spring helps to decrease weight to 232g a set. This Ceramic model has a chromo spindle, however you possibly can improve to titanium to drop much more weight. As its title suggests, the bearings are ceramic, though there may be additionally a metal bearing possibility.
We’ve not but reviewed the latest model of the Keo Blade.
➕ Low stack peak
➕ Range of adjustment
➖ Requires upkeep to cut back put on
The Zero is one up from the entry-level Speedplay Comp pedals however provides a stainless-steel axle and full cleat covers, in addition to increased launch pressure. It’s additionally the one Speedplay pedal supplied with a number of spindle lengths. As with all Speedplay pedals, there’s intensive adjustability—making the Zero a fantastic alternative if you have to fine-tune your stance and leg alignment.
Read extra in our Wahoo Speedplay Zero pedal evaluation.
➕ Low stack peak
➕ Near infinite float adjustment
➖ Requires upkeep to cut back put on
➖ Minimal efficiency beneficial properties for further value
The Speedplay Aero pedals differ from the Zero in providing a one-sided aero-profiled pedal physique. This ends in single-sided solely entry, however different options of the Zero, together with low stack peak and extensive adjustability are retained. The Speedplay cleat is extra awkward to arrange and make place changes to than different methods although.
Read extra in our Wahoo Speedplay Aero pedal evaluation.
➕ Very light-weight
➕ Fixed cleat possibility out there
➖ Finish feels barely fundamental in comparison with rivals
➖ Sharp edges
The Xpresso 7 is high of Time’s decrease priced vary however nonetheless boasts a carbon physique with wide-bearing separation and a large platform with low stack peak, in addition to a low 196g a pair weight. The streamlined pedal physique provides loads of help when pedalling, though it has sharp edges to the entrance and rear retainers.
➕ One of the lightest pedal methods
➕ Fixed or floating cleat choices
➖ 90kg max rider weight restrict
➖ Three pressure settings
The mid-range Time Xpro 12 weighs simply 183g a pair, making it one of many lightest pedals out there. Its slim, enclosed physique ought to barely decrease your wind profile too. Despite this, the pedal platform spreads out to present good foot help, whereas the rear retainer has a clean edge, in contrast to the Xpresso 7. It makes use of the identical iClic retainer because the Xpresso for simple engagement.
Best clipless pedals for gravel bikes
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➕ Extremely sturdy
➕ Excellent worth
➖ Heavy
➖ Can be vulnerable to squeaking
The Shimano M520 could also be Shimano’s entry-level SPD pedal, however it boasts a strong construct that ought to carry you a lot off-road miles. The skeletal physique sheds mud and particles nicely, there’s loads of adjustability, it is weatherproof and the M520 might be serviced simply. It’s an affordable pedal possibility that can serve for commuting too.
➕ Very sturdy
➕ Adjustable pressure
➖ Low stack peak
➖ Not the most cost effective possibility
At the opposite finish of Shimano’s SPD pedal vary, the top-spec XTR, as with Dura-Ace on the highway, provides premium bearings and a decrease weight of 310g than Shimano’s lower-priced pedals, in addition to two-axle size choices. The XTR pedal’s 15.1mm stack peak is decrease than the M520, however it retains the identical open design for glorious mud shedding.
3. Look X-Track Race Carbon
➕ Extra float
➕ Supportive pedal platforms
➖ Need a selected Look instrument to service
Look’s midrange pedal is positioned to compete immediately with Shimano’s XT pedal. The X-Track has a wider platform than Shimano’s pedals, though the pedal physique additionally has marginally extra stack than the equal XT pedal. Looks pedals are appropriate with Shimano cleats however when used with Look’s personal cleats they improve float to six levels, up from Shimano’s commonplace 4 levels.
4. Look X-Track En-Rage Plus
➕ Easy to clip into
➕ Reliable mechanism
➖ Weighty
The X-Track En-Rage pedal provides the identical SPD-compatible engagement mechanism, however a bigger pedal physique and the En-rage Plus provides entrance pins to that to additional enhance foot retention. Although geared in the direction of Enduro MTB use, the En-Rage is an efficient possibility in case your gravel using is on the extra excessive finish and also you commonly deal with difficult terrain.
5. Crankbrothers Eggbeater
➕ Fantastic mud-shedding
➕ Easy clipping
➖ Lack of platform will not go well with everybody
➖ No pressure launch
Eggbeaters are the minimalist resolution for gravel using. The lack of a platform makes for glorious mud shedding, though it could possibly have an effect on foot stability. The design additionally provides you 4 factors of engagement somewhat than two, making fast clipping in that a lot simpler. The four-model vary is priced from $60 to $500.
Read extra in our information to one of the best gravel bike pedals.
➕ Good for mud
➕ Added platform help
➖ No pressure adjustment
If you just like the Crankbrothers system however favor extra foot help, the Candy is certainly one of a number of Crankbrothers designs that add a platform to the retainer. It has the identical straightforward engagement with 4 factors of entry and is on the market in an array of color choices. There’s the identical extensive worth vary over its 4 fashions as with the Eggbeater pedals.
➕ Different float cleats within the field
➕ Beautiful machining
➖ Expensive
➖ Heavier than XTR
Hope is finest recognized for its high quality CNC-machined hubs and brakes and the Union RC pedals are not any completely different., superbly made and anodised in a spread of brilliant colors. The cleat twin sprung jaw mechanism is much like Crankbrothers and makes use of a proprietary cleat. Two units of cleats come within the field providing completely different floats and launch angles, and adjusting the discharge pressure could be very straightforward. The draw back is the excessive worth, particularly contemplating they’re heavier than the cheaper XTR possibility.
➕ Affordable energy meter
➕ Internal rechargeable battery
➖ Engagement is not as safe as Shimano
Favero Assioma Pro MX is a good entry level to using with energy in your gravel bike. Available in both single-sided or dual-sided choices, Favero seals all of the electronics neatly contained in the axle however nonetheless achieves a low stack peak of 11.2mm. Data accuracy has been spectacular throughout testing and the pedals can measure further pedaling dynamic evaluation too. The rechargeable battery means you need not fiddle with batteries and has round 60 hours of battery life.
Last up to date on fifth March 2025
The information was up to date guaranteeing that every one the clipless highway and off-road pedals are present and out there. Buy if/Don’t purchase if” sections had been added to focus on the professionals and cons of every clipless pedal. The information has been restructured into two foremost sections on “one of the best clipless pedals for highway” and “one of the best clipless pedals for off-road” so readers can simply discover what they’re on the lookout for. A “How to decide on” part was additionally added to offer readers with extra insights and data to assist them buy the correct pedals. In addition, a “How we take a look at part” was additionally added.
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