20 Best Pedals For Road Bike (Jan 2023 Update)

Took a few extra days to arrive, but still good value compared with UK sites. Needn't have worried about customs duties. These are my first SPD SL pedals so will be interesting to see how they compare with SPD. Hoping for a better power transfer platform, to compensate for quicker wear.Pauric

These pedals are fine. I have been using them for 3 weeks, riding 1-hour per day. Clipping in and out is generally very easy, and the ride is quiet and smooth. One note is that they seem to balance with the clip side down, so getting clipped back in while moving takes some fiddling and concentration. As consumers, we must unite to kill off using the term "clipless pedals" for this type of pedal. These pedals are the kind we most definitively clip INTO. That is the whole point of the technology. The only other kinds of pedals are flat (no clips) and the toe-cage type, which also have no real clip. At most, a cinch strap. Those are basically toe-holster pedals.Anything but caraway

First time ordering from Tredz. Price was a little cheaper for the Shimano SPD-SL pedals with cleats. Factor in the shipping and it was about the same as the others. However when I got to checkout £9.99 was added on to ship to N. Ireland. Really? £9.99 for delivery to N. Ireland when the package was 30cm x 30cm at best. The delivery time wasn’t up dated until after payment completion after I’d reluctantly decided to go ahead as other suppliers were out of stock. I’d expected a 48hr service at worst but the pedals actually didn’t arrive until nearly a week later. If you’re going to charge stupid prices for delivery at least have the decency to pick a good courier. They were “left at the back door” but when I went looking for them they were actually left at the neighbours back door. The product itself is as expected with Shimano, good quality at an entry level. No issues whatsoever and indeed I love the pedals compared to the MTB pedals I’d been using during the winter months. Would I buy from Tredz again? No. Absolutely notCiaran B.

It’s held up real good. As with the best gear, it simply fades away and is out of your thoughts, simply doing its job as you get out there to ride, ride after ride. I now have well over 1500 miles on this and it has not given any trouble whatsoever. I did upgrade from the one just below this in shimano’s product line and while there may be a difference in weight, it’s not perceivable once you’re ridingKrish

I was new to clipless pedals when I got back into cycling last year. I got these ones primarily because they were relatively inexpensive. Overall, they are great for road cycling (I averaged ~80 miles a weeks over the season with 2-4 rides) and found that these pedals were super easy. The adjustable tension works great and makes for easy in and out. Since I wasn't racing the tighter tension settings were not necessary for my use. Held my feet in place well as I don't think I slipped out once all year. Weight didn't really matter to me since I was just cycling to get in shape and pass the time.Tall One

Easy to clip in and out. Nearly maintenance free. Very durable too. Depending on which cleats you use, you can get as much or as little float as you like. I prefer the yellow cleats that come with the pedals as I get 6 degrees of motion and my knees don't hurt after a long ride. The only drawback I have is that they are only one-sided pedals.Brian D

After gradually increasing foot problems I realised I needed to invest in a new pedal system with a wide, stable platform. After a lot of online research I decided on Shimano SPD-SL. I already used Shimano SPD pedals on my MTB and Winterhack, so I knew all about the great bearings and overall quality. Early days yet, but with some widefit Shimano shoes and these Ultegra pedals, my feet feel a lot better and I'm now approaching 50:50 power output from both legs. Bearings ultra-smooth and quality seems excellent, and as with elsewhere in their range, if Ultegra is this good, why buy Dura-Ace? (Got Campag running through my veins, but I'm also a pragmatist). PS – big shout out for the totally professional and knowledgeable sales assistant who spent an hour with me, talking about pedal systems and trying on different shoes (sorry, forget your name!)CAADnewbie

These are pedals that will work well for a long time. SPD-SL is a solid system based on years of experience, and one that you can rely on for parts, cleats, and more for a long time. I moved over from Speedplay pedals after my particular model was not continued after being purchased by Wahoo, so I couldn’t get cleats or other parts—very frustrating! It took a bit for me to get used to the more limited float, but after some months of use, I really like these Ultegra pedals and don’t have any knee pain or issues with them.RJinCO

I rode speedplay pedals for about 30 years but when they discontinued them I decided to try a different make and chose the Shimano PD-R8000. Now I wish I made the change long ago. The first thing I noticed was how easy it is walk in them, no more clonking around as I did with the Speedplay’s. I am having trouble getting used to getting my foot clipped-in possibly due to muscle memory after all those year’s with different pedal’s. Hey, Moosejaw. Do you like me now?Merkz

It’s held up real good. As with the best gear, it simply fades away and is out of your thoughts, simply doing its job as you get out there to ride, ride after ride. I now have well over 1500 miles on this and it has not given any trouble whatsoever. I did upgrade from the one just below this in shimano’s product line and while there may be a difference in weight, it’s not perceivable once you’re ridingKrish

I was new to clipless pedals when I got back into cycling last year. I got these ones primarily because they were relatively inexpensive. Overall, they are great for road cycling (I averaged ~80 miles a weeks over the season with 2-4 rides) and found that these pedals were super easy. The adjustable tension works great and makes for easy in and out. Since I wasn't racing the tighter tension settings were not necessary for my use. Held my feet in place well as I don't think I slipped out once all year. Weight didn't really matter to me since I was just cycling to get in shape and pass the time.Tall One

Easy to clip in and out. Nearly maintenance free. Very durable too. Depending on which cleats you use, you can get as much or as little float as you like. I prefer the yellow cleats that come with the pedals as I get 6 degrees of motion and my knees don't hurt after a long ride. The only drawback I have is that they are only one-sided pedals.Brian D

I had wanted a second pair of clips for my spin bike and had spent a great deal of time looking for a matching set to my road bike to ensure compatibility with my shoes. I finally just got smart and went into Erik's SLP and they set me up in just a few minutes. These people know their business and made sure I had exactly what I needed. It is so nice to be able to pedal with the same form I use on my road bike, and my indoor workouts have jumped up in intensity. Thanks, Eriks! #sweepstakesCaroline

These pedals are a great value.They are light, made very well and position for clip-in very well. I am a regular road rider but I do not race. The price is right. I ordered them after having a bit of trouble clipping into a new set of Look Keo 2 Max pedals. I've been riding clip in's since the 90s, mainly Look. However the new Key 2s had a small "lip" at the front edge that always seemed to snag my shoes/cleats. I looked carefully at the Shimano PD-R-7000s and the lip seemed smaller. It was and now the problems getting in from a standing start are nearly eliminated. The one thing that is a bit of a problem is the axle length. I wish the offset between the pedal and edge of the crank was a bit longer. I am getting used to the closeness but it is just an adjustment problem on my part. A slightly longer axle can be ordered but it increases the price. I highly recommend these pedals for training and touring on the road, including with climbs.reggmc2012

These will be going on my new bike, when it finally arrives. When I bought them, Sigma were offering the best price for them. The pedals are quite solid, but not actually heavy, thanks to the pedal platform being carbon. The tension adjuster is clearly readily accessible and the indicator is clear to see. The tension can be dialled back to allow clipping in and out with little effort or tightened up for a more secure seating. The set come complete with a set of yellow Shimano cleats (6 degrees of float) and all of the bolts and washers. I can well appreciate why these pedals get such a good rating from othersAndyH56

I had never clipped in prior to purchasing these pedals and once I got them installed by my bike tech and took a little lesson on the trainer I was off on the road with no problem. Very easy to learn and very easy to clip in and out. But even though they release easily I have not found that they release on accident. I could have not asked for a better set of pedals to start with. I will probably be using these for a long long time. Highly recommendedBsing

TL;DR: These are "Light Action;" if you want standard dual-sided SPDs, go for PD-ME700. Shimano updated their pedal line this year, and old standbys like the Deore-level M530 SPD have been redesigned and renamed. Visually the non-series PD-ED500 are close enough that I thought they were the heir to the M530, but in reality they feel a lot different. The Shimano product page notes that these are "Light Action SPD," which "Aids Frequent Entry and Release." The latter makes it into the REI product description, but not the former, which is too bad because "Light Action SPD" is actually distinct from the standard SPD I'm used to. Unlike the float of standard SPD pedals, where you have a few degrees of lateral "free wiggle" before the cleat starts to disengage, with Light Action your foot starts to pry the claw open at the slightest lateral movement. It's not unlike the feel of a CrankBros pedal – not a compliment. It's *very* easy to unclip. I only used these for a few trainer sessions and found myself frequently unclipping until I jacked up the claw retention to near max, when they became tolerable. However I still felt that using them on the trail, or even on a hard road/gravel effort, would result in a lot of accidental and inopportune unclipping, so I'll be returning them. Turns out that the GRX-level PD-ME700 (also sold by REI) is the true replacement for the M530 – a dual-sided trail SPD for under $100. I've already purchased the GRX pedals and can confirm they offer the familiar retention and float-feel of standard SPD. All that said, are these a bad product? By objective measures, no. The construction is robust, the bearings are smooth, and adjustment is easy. They're consistent with the quality of other Shimano pedals I've used, which have a reputation for being virtually unkillable. For their defined use-case, which is "road touring and commuting" with "frequent entry and release," I suppose the easy disengagement could be attractive to some. But for pedals that look almost identical to the M530, that are designated as SPD, I think the product description needs to be updated to identify that these pedals use a distinct Light Action mechanism with a different feel. I've added a few photos to show the (extremely) subtle distinctions between the two mechanisms on the box.Chris W

Super quality product. It's heavy, much heavier than my original pedals. I can't imagine that my speed increases with such heavier pedals. Originally, I thought a heavy-weighted pedals will lower my speed, but it turns out to be the opposite. A heavier pedals are harder to propel at first, but easier to maintain rolling momentum for keeping high speed more easily. It's out of my expectation.Edward

If youve just bought a new bike the chances are the pedals supplied with it will be ugly cheap plastic ones and youll most likely want to replace them. Thats what I did with my new Specialized Hybrid bike anyway and I opted for these Shimano ones. As their name suggests, they are really intended for modern MTBs which means Id say theyre slightly bigger than average-sized pedals designed perhaps for ordinary everyday commuting for example, and they have a much larger platform. These pedals are perhaps a bit heavier therefore than your average pedals but appear to be fairly solidly made and come with good smooth bearings. I bought mine with a discount so they were priced reasonably ok. Above that price though, I wouldnt say they represent particularly good value for money, and I would be inclined to look at other brands, such as DMR if I were looking to buy some more pedals. I'm not sure what material the screws that come with these pedals are actually made from – I assumed they were Stainless Steel – however, after only a few rides in the rain, I notice that the heads on some of the screws appear to be showing what looks like rust; so I'm not sure whether overall I would say these pedals are a particularly good product.bullneck_123

After 20 years on speedplay frogs, I was doing more casual riding and wanted something I could use around town with any shoes. Nothing negative to say about these as they have served the purpose well for the last year. They are a lot heavier and a lot larger but that was expected and I was prepared to deal with it. It was a little weird at first adjusting to not being clipped in but that went a way after a couple of rides and I feel very secure with the grip for my casual use.schralp

Took a few extra days to arrive, but still good value compared with UK sites. Needn't have worried about customs duties. These are my first SPD SL pedals so will be interesting to see how they compare with SPD. Hoping for a better power transfer platform, to compensate for quicker wear.Pauric

These pedals are fine. I have been using them for 3 weeks, riding 1-hour per day. Clipping in and out is generally very easy, and the ride is quiet and smooth. One note is that they seem to balance with the clip side down, so getting clipped back in while moving takes some fiddling and concentration. As consumers, we must unite to kill off using the term "clipless pedals" for this type of pedal. These pedals are the kind we most definitively clip INTO. That is the whole point of the technology. The only other kinds of pedals are flat (no clips) and the toe-cage type, which also have no real clip. At most, a cinch strap. Those are basically toe-holster pedals.Anything but caraway

First time ordering from Tredz. Price was a little cheaper for the Shimano SPD-SL pedals with cleats. Factor in the shipping and it was about the same as the others. However when I got to checkout £9.99 was added on to ship to N. Ireland. Really? £9.99 for delivery to N. Ireland when the package was 30cm x 30cm at best. The delivery time wasn’t up dated until after payment completion after I’d reluctantly decided to go ahead as other suppliers were out of stock. I’d expected a 48hr service at worst but the pedals actually didn’t arrive until nearly a week later. If you’re going to charge stupid prices for delivery at least have the decency to pick a good courier. They were “left at the back door” but when I went looking for them they were actually left at the neighbours back door. The product itself is as expected with Shimano, good quality at an entry level. No issues whatsoever and indeed I love the pedals compared to the MTB pedals I’d been using during the winter months. Would I buy from Tredz again? No. Absolutely notCiaran B.

I tried the Chesters because so many people recommend them. I have used them for over a year now. This is my first experience with a composite pedal, and I do prefer composite to aluminum simply because it isn't so harsh if you strike or catch a pedal on something. As far as the pedal design itself goes, the Chesters are good but not great in my opinion. My feet bounce around on them a bit more than the other composites I'm using right now which are Crankbrothers Stamp 1 Large. The platform is smaller than I would like, and my shoe just doesn't seem to settle into them like it does on the Crankbrothers or aluminum pedals I've used in the past.Remy

I have been riding clipless for 20+ yrs. I was worried about the technical aspect of WV rocky section and Volkswagen size logs. These petals are 100% more secure then Crankbros. ( No kickouts at top of pedal stroke). No fumbling to get clipped in with bent bars on the egg beater. And with SPDs ur not locked in bumbling to get out as you teeter totter over trying to get out. I wish I had made the transition when I switch to my Bronson from my Yo Eddy. Do urself a Favor try some Chesters.Mark

I bought my Chester's at Erik's Coon Rapids shop. Tim E. was my salesperson and installer, (thanks again Tim) and I couldn't be happier! First off Tim was polite, polished, and attentive. He didn't try to sell me a high dollar pair as I couldn't utilize them anyway. He found these "middle of the road" Chester's in red, had me bring my C'dale up to the till and then put them on! And in the middle of the day, day before Thanksgiving. Super great customer service Tim, and a outstanding product from Raceface. The difference between my old pedals and my new Chester's is mind blowing. The grip, the ease of the bearings, and the great looks keeps a huge smile on my face. Thanks again Tim for great advice and "over the top" service. My new red Raceface Chester's are without a doubt keepers!Terry

I'm fairly new to road cycling and have been using these pedals for about a month and really like them. Takes some practice when it comes to getting used to clipping in and clipping out, but they are easy to adjust the binding based on how much effort you prefer to unclip. They're been quite durable so far and I anticipate they will last me a long time! Would recommend, high quality product at an affordable price.Callum W.

I bought these for a second bike I own, and after about 12 rides, have found they deliver wildly inconsistent release action, even with the tension screw set to the max (8 full turns clockwise). They seem to require a different degree of 'twist' every time I dis-engage. At first I thought it might be my due to slightly worn cleats, as I used my existing KEO cleats from my other bike, but even installing the cleats that came with the Look Keo Classic 3s, I found either it took too much effort to get out, or not enough and accidental releases were frequent. I also have the Look Keo 2 Max pedals which I have used for years on my primary bike. The Look Keo 2 are roughly the same pedal, only they have a stainless contact plate and a slightly different contour. The metal plate seems to make a huge difference over the waffled plastic contact point offered on the Look Keo Classic 3,Tthe metal seems to give a consistent un-waivering touchpoint for the cleat, where the Classic 3's waffled hard plastic seems to be a bit of a 'grit trap' causing a slightly less confident memorized experience, leading one to wonder "what's it going to do this time'.Juan

Used Look since they arrived on the scene. Always issues with bearings and cleat bolts being easy to damage. Such a nice surprise to open the box and see new cleat bolts with a sturdier hex fixing. Larger footplate always helps and the bearing I am yet to comment on but hoping they have revamped these to avoid play. Overall a great set of pedals for the price point.The1PK

We originally got the road bike (look) pedals but they are infuriating to use when you have any stop/go (e.g. riding through town). I decided to go back to SPD and wanted a pedal that flips over with some grip for riding through congested areas that is compatible with my gravel and spin bikes (hence the SPD). These are less than a pound and fit my road bike needs! I was able to add a SPD adapter to my road shoes but probably will use my MTB shoes the most – we usually stop for a beer when possible – this makes it so l I can actually walk around. Love the pedals – exactly what I wanted/needed.Joyce

So far so good. At least 10 rides shared among me and my wife; she uses flat side, I clip in; using them for our Peloton bike. I've tightened the release from the box, but still may need a touch more. Haven't come completely out but do notice when standing there's a little float. Contact points good though. Flat side working well without the additional steel nubs sent with the pedals, but again, using them indoors would change this grip if on trails.Christopher

I picked up these pedals as I wanted to be able to clip in when out for rides, but also wanted to be able to wear regular shoes when out with my kids. The pedals are certainly heavier when compared to my spd-sl pedals. My only gripe about the pedals is that when using the spd side, even with the tension tightened all the way, they don’t lock in overly tight. I used them on a 150km ride this last weekend and I didn’t feel as secured as when I used my older plain spd pedals. For mixed use though, I think these pedals are worth it especially if you’re looking for a pedal where you can ride with normal shoes when out for a leisurely ride or going to the pub, etc.David

Been using the Shimano off road pedal on my road bikes for over 20 years now, no problems. The double sided pedal works with all shoes, not just road shoes or off road shoes. With the indentation of the SPD cleat sometimes being used in shoes today to walk without walking on the cleat means some shoes are not compatible with road cleats. both my road shoes and off road shoes fit this two sided off road pedal. Bearing wear is slight, probably 25,000 miles before signs of wear. Two sided is faster to clip into, and you have a backup if one side fails….but never has yet.Marathon Martin

Buying my first not strap-ins, I had Specialized shoes in hand, was looking over the expensive different pedal/cleat wares when store guy looked at the several drillings of the shoes, said I could fit anything, directed me to these then-cheap (good quality, not $$) pedals. Just excellent. Minimal, 15-second adjustment from box. Caution: Newer pkg's cleat screws are too short. I had to go to hdw store's small parts bin for longer ones, and a 3mm hex wrench.unclefot

As usual, I received a simple package from PNW containing my sparkly new pedals. I was not let down. These are well built pedals and as far as I can tell. I put them on the Fish that same afternoon and went out for a short but really wet ride. My feet stuck to the pedals just fine with no slippage at all. I have been out a few times since and do like them a lot. If someone was looking for a pedal suggestion, this would be the one for me.Jeff L.

Just got some with a huge thanks to PNW for hooking me up. First impressions – The pedals ride very well and definitely top the list of composites. Having ridden several other composite pedals, I do prefer these mainly for the lack of a pin in the central area, because some other similar pedals do not feel as natural. The size is also perfect. This pedal seems perfect size for the riding in the PNW as well, offering the best combination of grip and confidence you could ask for in a pedal. Highly recommend!Trail R.

Ideal products are the perfect blend of form and function (IMO). For me, it doesn’t matter how big or small, expensive or inexpensive a product is, when the stars of materials, craftsmanship, and production align to create a good-looking, functional product, there’s a point where it not only gets the job done but it clicks or just feels right when I’m using it. Range Composite Pedals? Check. Great work PNW team!R B.

So far, after a 200+ miles I'm really pleased with the Keo Blades. The 8nm blade appears firm enough for me for clipping in and out although they come with an 12nm blade should you required something firmer. They are very light and give a stable and positive footbase for pedalling. For some reason clipping in appears less easy but I guess this requires practice – I am currently not as quick to clip-in as I was with the original styled keos.Ben22

Love these pedals! I had a set of Crank Brothers Quattro pedals that I’ve been using for over 20 years. These Look pedals feel like they’ll last the next 20. Very well designed. I found installing the cleats on my shoes a bit tricky.Christopher M.

Ok, so fit and float on clips is a matter of personal preference. These work for me, but it's really just what you like and what you're used to. That said, I love these because there's no "wrong way up". Just smack 'em in the right spot and you're ready to go. One less thing to think about. This is my second pair. The bearings finally died on the first pair after 5000 miles of road cycling in the hills and mountains around Seattle. I'm not a particularly light guy, and I ride hard. They've bee scraped up, ground into the pavement, and given plenty of tough love. The surround protects the business end of the clips and, quite frankly, just looks good. It also provide a bit of a platform if you you're sitting at a green light, missed the clip, and need to get a few pedal strokes in *now*. It's not enough of a platform to ride comfortably on much longer than that (the egg beater sticks up above it a little), but it helps. So 5000 miles seems like a fine service life for what I put these through, and I'm looking forward to the next 5K.Ben K

I have been using this model over 10 years. Original purhase was to replace my $400 Ti spindle Candy pedal on 2009 and decided to give this model a try for the low weight and very low price. No performance or feel difference between Candy 1’s and 11’s. I have them on 6 bikes(cross, mtb, commuter, fat bike). On a few occasions when I went to buy replacement cleats, I just bought new Candy 1’s as the price delta was only $35 more and I got a new set of pedals at the same time. No issues in mud or wet snow and I never have issues during wet muddy cross season. My oldest pair is 9 years old, on my commuter bike and I just disassemble once a year and re-grease(it takes five minutes with one screw driver and one socket wrench). They also work well with the shoes shields if you have carbon sole shoes. You will not be disappointed.Dave

Been on Egg Beaters for some 15+ yrs now. They are on my dual suspension cross country Santa Cruz Tall Boy and my 4 season Surly crosscheck commuter. They are great for 2 bolt type cleats. Four sided entry great for frequent entry/exit like cyclocross or commuting. Fair amount of float. I do note more shoe/pedal rub with these than some others, which is mildly aggravating when commuting, not noticeable on my Santa Cruz Tall Boy. Like most two bolt cleats, more risk of a hot spot along the sole when compared to road cleat (3 bolt) systems, but 3 bolt cleats dont work on trail or if any walking needed. Compared to spd, I like the forward or reverse entry and 4 sided vs 2 sided. I put about 500 miles a month commuting on these.Matthew T

J'ai acheté ces pédales Look il y a quelques jours.. Après les sorties effectuées , ces pédales correspondent a mes attentes..Fiabilité au top.. Je recommande ce type de pedales pour les cyclotouristes…passion du velo