What Are The Best Road Cycling Pedals For You?

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#cycling #roadbike #fitness

[@cathalkenneally1614]

I love the SPD pedal. I didn’t like them at first, but once I got used to them I can’t imagine riding without them. They make me faster and they improve my climbing. This weekend I took on a climb I had only tried once before and failed miserably and this time I conquered it! I was over the moon. A 9.1% climb, I was wondering had I taken a wrong turn 😅. The pedals obviously play their part. I was so happy I nearly cried.

[@kevinkeyes8221]

I have the SPD pedal as well and love it. I love the double sided feature so I can clip in almost immediately. I can also unclip easily and while I have come close to falling over clipped into the pedal, I have always managed to unclip in time. My friends with SPD-L and Look pedals haven't been as lucky and they struggle to clip in quickly after starting from a stop,

[@emte98]

I started off with Look deltas!! I loved that they weren't for clips and straps which I loathed but I didn't like the feeling of my foot pivoting from the front of the cleat. I went to SPDs and even though the cleat is small, it felt more natural for me that my foot rotated around the cleat unlike Look. I used Time expresso for a while too which I really liked as they felt similar to SPDs but now back to SPD as I prefer walkable shoes. Great work as always.

[@AntonioDiaz]

Been loving the cycling journey so far! Thanks for the info 😮❤

[@drewbyscoobywho]

Thanks Scott, first time I've managed to catch a live show 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@BulletproofCycling]

Thanks Andrew 👍👍👍

[@chris.mcf84]

Glad to hear someone giving some love to SPD pedals. I put a set of ultegra SPD pedals on my Trek Domane and find that I really like them. I do mostly mountain biking, so the feel translates between my road bike and mountain bikes well.

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍

[@markburton3306]

Nice video. I’m very happy with the spd system. It got me around the cycle for Doddie a couple of weeks back and a slightly longer ride a few days later.

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@tonynekrews]

I was a lifelong user of Shimano, but after a chat to another rider, I gave SpeedPlay a try. I have to say it was an immediate WOW! I loved the adjustability and feel straight away. This was over 12 months ago and can’t see myself ever going back. I’m 188cm and 81kg, so probably categorised as a larger rider

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍

[@adammillsindustries.]

Yeah it’s a great feeling I can’t put into words but if I try it’s like you’re fully connected to everything and the stroke seems better. Just more effort to set up cleats.

[@ejesuitas]

SPDs are great for either Road or MTBs. they are low or no maintenance at all. A neat plus is the shoes with which you can comfortably walk around.

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@PolarAttack]

Hey Coach I was going to comment on my Shimano mountain bike pedals and it seems that’s what everybody is commenting. A few years back I was undecided which type style to get. The two channels I was following were, two wheel cruise and DurianRider - both were big fans of the mountain bike pedals. I went with their suggestions and I’ve enjoyed them ever since. Works for me👍

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@sfef84]

A lot of companies make road looking SPD shoes as well. Just picked up some Shimano S Phyre XC9 with carbon fiber sole. Didnt use to be the case. Great video coach

[@BulletproofCycling]

Thanks 🙏👍👍👍👍👍

[@brookes79]

You can also get a cage for the Mtb Spd, which helps adds back the foot stability & gives a bigger platform if your coming over from flat pedals.

[@ceftx2375]

Great video. I have SPD pedals on my hybrid bike...love 'em...and LOOK on my road bike...love 'em. I must be doing something right. 😉

[@BulletproofCycling]

😂👍👍👍👍👍

[@olivergroning6421]

So glad that you give SPD a 'green light' for the roadbike too... I am riding them for over 20 years and I think they are great for the average rider. The usually mentioned problem of pressure points, I can not confirm, but I choose shoes with very stiff (carbon) soles. There are certainly downsides to SPD like weight and a quite limited selection of suitable shoes for roadbike use. For me, however, the benefits of easy adjusting tension, great clip in and out characteristics, walkable shoes and one system for road, gravel and mountain bike outweighs the negatives.

[@warden9]

Same here

[@BulletproofCycling]

❤️❤️👍👍👍

[@charlespackwood9219]

Great stuff. I use spd sl blue cleats but I’m more of an experienced rider. My advice to anyone trying to find a good cleat position is. Use a trainer and do small 2 minute efforts at threshold and see how it feels between both legs and make small adjustments until you feel you’re getting the best power transfer possible.

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@chrisjoyce5539]

Bit of luck got narrow foot 👣 l have look pedals,I find the work for me. Great video 👍

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍

[@fuzzy927]

Love you videos.

[@BulletproofCycling]

Thank you 🙏

[@Gtek22]

Good video as always i prefer spd for cliiping out on busy london streets. I use the PD ES600 spd pedal its single sided and resembles a spd sl pedal in that its longer and wider. I use them with s works recon carbon soled XC shoes and find the combination very good

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍

[@16-7]

I have used Speedplay for the past couple of decades. But, after your video, I read the latest CyclingTips review of the newer Wahoo Speedplay pedals. Worth a look: "Five sets of pedals were tested, and five sets of pedals broke, some within the first ride." Unlikely that I will be buying the new version anytime soon.

[@BulletproofCycling]

That is bad. Thanks for sharing

[@shaunogle530]

Sensible advice. I ride Time Pedals with the left and right cleats swapped out which meets my wonky hip problem. Enjoying the channel.

[@BulletproofCycling]

Thank you 🙏

[@grahampurvis5160]

Try Keywin pedals from NZ.Different length spindles available which can help knee issues.Very light (if that actually matters).I am a duck in terms of feet and these solved my knee pain due to cycling. I’ve been using them for a long time.Really good.

[@stefanhuneburg5683]

I use the SPD Pedals on all my bikes (MTB, Gravel, Road) and like esp. the multi release cleats SM-SH56, which allow me to unclip in both direction. Really helpful for my feets. 😂

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍😂

[@daveb4mv]

Great video Scott, I've been riding SPDs for a while now. Got sized for some MTB shoes last year and landed on the Lake MX332, I ride gravel, road and MTB and have the SPDs on all my bikes. I recently tried the road equivalent CX332 shoes with some Shimano Ultegra pedals for a few weeks and as much as I liked them, have since gone back to the SPDs. I just prefer the feel of the pedal and cleat system and practicality of the shoes over the SPD-SLs. Both great options though! 👍

[@siy01]

Can you elaborate what it is about the ride feel of the mtb spd you prefer? I've been using mtb spd for 10 years but wondered if there was any truth in the argument that road pedals have a bigger platform, therefore better power transfer. The XTR contact patch is pretty small, but Shimano could easily add more allow outwards from the cleat.

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@daveb4mv]

@@siy01 It's completely personal but I just prefer the double sided entry and the feel of the metal cleat and metal pedal surface. The road pedals definitely have a bigger contact patch than most SPD interfaces. I'm using the Garmin XC100 (single sided power meter pedals) on my road bike and they have quite a large pedal surface so it's less noticeable there. If you're going for absolute stability and power transfer (big sprint numbers that I could never dream of hitting) then I think the Shimano road pedals are worth a look. I'm hanging onto my Ultegra pedals and Lake road shoes for future use, but for right now and my personal use case, I just prefer the MTB system.

[@thedoginside]

Good, clear advice with no bullshit. My son has watched this now as he's getting into cycling and says it has helped him choose the pedals for him, Look Keo 👍🏼

[@BulletproofCycling]

Thanks 🙏

[@davidhenry5925]

I use Shimano SPD pedals on my mountain bike. I like them, but find them a little difficult to clip in to. Once I'm clipped in, they perform well and I never have any trouble un-clipping from the pedal. My preference on my road bike is the Shimano SPD SL road pedals (Ultegra). Great pedals, easy to clip in and out of, and offer good support for my foot.

[@Simon-fr4ts]

I agree. I tried SPD's many years ago on my road bike and found them a little awkward to clip in and out and never had that secure locked in feeling. I could also slightly feel the pedal in the middle of my foot. I tried SL's and never looked back. Yes, the shoes are impossible to walk in, but they are so easy to use and feel great. I also find there are more options with shoe covers for road shoes. I have had a break from riding for over 10 years and just purchased an EMTB for the work commute. I have fitted new SL pedals to it as I am so used to them and have my old road shoes!

[@billkallas1762]

I started off with toe clips in the early 80's, and used them until I changed over to Look Delta's (with fixed Black cleats) in the late 80's. (with the tension turned to the maximum) I still ride the same system, 39 years later. It's getting harder and harder to find Look Delta type pedals anymore. I have the same system on all three of my road bikes, so they all have to be the same.

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍

[@n22pdf]

Speedplays for me awesome 😎 great vid as always coach

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍

[@d.w.evans1182]

Another vote for Speedplay here, I’ve also used Look and Time in the past but I settled on Speedplay and used them for years now and this year I invested in the powerlink zero pedals. I find the cleats far superior to the look and time once set up properly and much easier to walk around in particularly with the walkable cleat covers that you leave on the shoe when riding👍

[@n22pdf]

@@d.w.evans1182 yeah they work great for me I have flat feet and use lake shoes.. the speed plays give me the extra float which my feet like.. you have to find which works for you bit like saddles. Always good to lubricate speed play cleats 👍🚴😀

[@arontal]

I'm a big dude and have been very happy on my Speedplays which I've had for over a decade. To each his own. I have wondered about the Shimano system offering more support, but I've never really felt unsupported on the Speedplays...who knows, maybe I just don't know what I'm missing. As far as not a bike fitter's choice. My fitter in Portland is extremely well-regarded (Trek sent him to the White House to fit the president) and recommends them. YMMV.

[@BulletproofCycling]

Don’t change anything if it’s not broken. Sounds like you are doing great. I am just starting to do some work with Trek and will ride their road bikes soon 👍👍👍

[@freddennis3738]

Can't wait to see the video on Time pedals.

[@philipheung4187]

+1 would love to hear about the "outer space" Time system (which I'm using) as well

[@BulletproofCycling]

😂😂 it refers to the feel! They either work for you or they don’t. I only see them on TT bikes now but I am sure there are other riders out there using them on road bike. When a system works for you then you nail it down 👍👍👍👍

[@philipheung4187]

@@BulletproofCycling yeah, pretty much been using Time since day 1. Using Crank Bros for gravel and MTB, which is similar to Time in terms of lateral float and retention/release. Love the channel (and the Scottish accent!) and keep up the great work! 👍👍👍

[@tobimaxx]

I’ve used time pedals since day one as well.

[@arkadiirudenko6896]

I'd also mention the slight looseness that Looks have from the box and one simply can do nothing about that. I've had Look Blades 2 (16) for a couple of years, but the carbon's worn out. Since this winter I've changed to Dura. Can't stop enjoying the stiffness)) and if you'd want to maintain them (grease or change bearings), shimano are easier I'd say

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍

[@fiddleronthebike]

I love my Time Expresso pedals; had Look before and for me the Time pedals are better - good stable stand, easy in and out, extremely lightweight and durable

[@jameslopez958]

My bike mechanic who is a Former Racer! Recommend my Pedals for me! Shimano Ultegra great for me! 👍😎❤️

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@jameslopez958]

Thanks for all your help and Sharing your knowledge Coach ✌️😎👍

[@BulletproofCycling]

@@jameslopez958 ❤️❤️❤️

[@billmccaffrey1977]

This is something I'm still working through. I lost my lower left leg due to a doctor's screw up and am having to learn to ride all over again. I started with flat pedals and mountain bike shoes, then tried mountain bike clips. I started riding a recumbent trike as my first bike after loosing the leg. I then bought power meter pedals, Assioma, that use the LOOK system. Then a few week ago, I made the big step of buying a gravel bike, Trek Checkpoint 2x11. Now I'm cycling back through all of the pedal types trying to find the one I know I can un-clip from while trusting it will hod my prosthetic in place. I have had two stumble and falls during this process. I then found a new system, MagPed - a Canadian company, and the pedals look like Shimano pedals but use a magnetic cleat and are free floating. Do you have any experience working with riders like myself? Can you make a suggestion?

[@BulletproofCycling]

Bill you are truly inspirational. I don’t have experience in this area but it’s an area that interests me. I would love to hear how your journey continues

[@yisraels4555]

Also have SPDs on my road bike. Most of my riding is on crowded city streets. You mentioned 2 issues with SPDs - surface contact between the pedal and shoe - there are pedals with more surface contact area surrounding the clip area. Look at something like the PD-M8020. Thanks to gravel racing there are also much better shoes available for SPDs with stiffer soles - so the difference between road and SPD shoes is closing.

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@cathalkenneally1614]

Easier to unclip from. Yesterday a BMW driver decided he wanted to change lanes without indicating and probably didn’t even look to see if anyone was behind him. Even on a Sunday the city is a busy place. Thank God for a decent front brake as well

[@yisraels4555]

@@cathalkenneally1614 Well of course it was a BMW. They don't have indicators😂. good braking skills and good unclipping skills are critical to making it home safely when you ride in the city. Having shoes you can actually stand and walk on are good for hiking and climbing around the obstacles the city creates.

[@BulletproofCycling]

@@cathalkenneally1614 glad u r ok ✅

[@theundead1600]

Look, no seriously look . Just look for gods sake. Ok I like my looks. But yes there’s a ton of pedals. Thanks for the best videos on KZbin.

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@abhimawa1]

Great video, coach. Very clear & no BS. About the lighter rider treshold, how light is it? I came from mtb and have been using SPD, yet I weigh 60kg (5’7 of height), and wonder if Look system is more suitable for my build than Shimano? Thank you.

[@BulletproofCycling]

Look works better for narrow foot but there is not much in it.

[@abhimawa1]

@@BulletproofCycling Thank you for the enlightenment! 👌

[@adammillsindustries.]

Love how he says the speed play like Kevin Bridges! 😂 Love mine as you don’t have to spin the pedal the right way. Duel sided entry ya Dancer!

[@BulletproofCycling]

Voice overs for parties and weddings available on request

[@adammillsindustries.]

I am very tempted to try Time system which is now owned by SRAM. They are very light and supposed to be good on the knees. The cleats may ware more maybe.

[@Barrygee]

I ride spd because I can walk properly in the shoes, I also like the fact that my pedals are double sided so I can just step on the pedal and clip in. I’ve never tried spd-sl or Look pedals but I’d really like to….the issue there is one of finance….I’d have to buy new shoes as well as pedals

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍

[@holdonL]

cleats are wearing out too fast. buying cleats every month brought me to change the system to SPD

[@interested891]

Hi Scott. I'm only halfway through your video. Really good stuff - thank you! I'm so thrilled by your enthusiasm and knowledge, as a senior veteran masters category of rider, that I wanted to type you this question before I finished the vid. Can you help me figure out what clipless pedals and shoes to purchase online?? I'm in the U.S. I ride 10 miles per day. 2 miles on pavement. 4 miles uphill on a dirt road. 4 miles downhill on a dirt road. 2 miles on pavement, back home. I'm in my 50s. I ride a junky mountain bike called a Trek Marlin 7. Currently using toe straps with hiking shoes. I want to get some good clipless pedals and shoes to go with them. I don't care how much they cost. They could be super cheap, or super expensive. The only thing I care about is that I don't want to spend money experimenting and buying the wrong thing, throwing them away, and then spending more money to try again. Whether it's cheap, or expensive... whatever I buy is what I'm going to use FOREVER. So, I'm looking for the "most likely" thing to work more than I am looking for the "most perfect" thing. For New Balance shoes running shoes, I wear US 11.5 4E (4E means wide feet!). My right foot is weird. It never fits any shoe exactly right until I break it in. I had a Schwinn Paramount in the 80s (before I quit riding for 30 years!) and I bought some shoes. My right foot never fit correctly, and I was always trying to stuff it with padding and foam to fill the gaps. Now, all these decades later, I see there's these BOA systems, and it makes me think I'm a candidate. But I have no idea about what combination of shoes and pedals I need. Some people say Lake Mountain Bike Shoes are the best for wide feet. But I don't know what model or size or complementary pedal system to get. Do you have any guidance? I will be happy to pay for your expertise. I just can't stand experimenting and stressing over it all when all of it is so foreign to me and I'm sure to make the wrong decision on my own. Thank you!

[@BulletproofCycling]

Great post. I personally use Lake. There are lots of great shoes out there. If you get time then drop me an email at [e-mail]

[@pierrel5222]

Howdie, my wife is starting road biking, and as you said, addiction is coming 😀! Looked at a few videos that claim that studies have shown that clipless only increase efficiency by a small amount compared to flat pedals/good pair shoes combo. Was wondering what your take was on that and if/why clipless was the best way to go for road biking? Maybe depends on terrain or type of riding? Surely this has not been hotly debated already !

[@BulletproofCycling]

Intro to cycling should always be flats - it just helps pedal efficiency. Developing to toeclips helps and lots stay at that level (especially off road) As you gain confidence and fitness then clipless will proof more efficient. It’s just a matter of whether your riding goals and fitness really need them I guess?

[@nochancecw]

My partner is a light rider and just got ultegra pedals with yellow cleats. She really struggles on her non-dominant foot for clipping out. Would a blue pedal with less float make it easier? Or would a 105 pedal have less tension?

[@BulletproofCycling]

You can alter the tension on pedal but try and get her to do more practice drills and keep the heel down - I would suggest it’s mainly nervous control- stick at it

[@rjbiona13]

Hi, im having pain in the anterior hip/hip flexor. Its connected to the cleats position?

[@BulletproofCycling]

It could be but could also be a Q factor issue - however - sounds boring but I would start with saddle height - trying lowering by just 5mm

[@gambeasy]

😂😂😂😂Oooh boy I m crying when you describe speedplays 😂😂😂 I ride durace myself and quite happy but would have prefer cleats with 4 degrees of float instead of 2...

[@BulletproofCycling]

Not my fav ….

[@Gabrielle4870]

I always see juniors struggling to clip in with Shimano. I have Look myself. Might suggest they try Look in the future...

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍

[@DirectorLJ]

Hey! Great stuff, thanks. Back in the day, I used Time pedals. Recommended due to patella tracking/dislocations. Ouch. I really liked them. Now, looking for a new system, wondering how they're a "wierd" experience, and if you think they're worth considering. I'm 5,8, 150lbs. Love the channel! Thanks!

[@BulletproofCycling]

Thanks 🙏👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@sigitaslokcikas1266]

Maybe you can explain more why look pedals are suitable for narrow feet. Thanks.

[@BulletproofCycling]

Shape and width 👍👍

[@michaelsingh843]

Hi Coach, i have a 550sl shimano pedal on my bike with yellow cleats. What do you mean by a better experience? My feet are super wide!

[@BulletproofCycling]

Only in terms of the build - the 550’s are fine. 👍

[@michaelsingh843]

@@BulletproofCycling thanks coach! I requested to follow you on strava, please accept me

[@madaboutgolfs]

@kineticCoach what do you get extra for the money? I also have the 550's but looking to upgrade to the r7000 105 or ultegra on my other bike but can't see what the difference is apart from weight

[@Matthew-ez4ze]

Ultegra SPD-SLs make me feel like I am dancing on the pedals.

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍

[@christopherreid6972]

I have Lok cleats purely because I have Assioma power meter pedals

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍

[@SymonSaysTV]

WoW! What is that strong accent from?

[@BulletproofCycling]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@fredbecker607]

Now I have an idea why I couldn't get out of the shimano pedals. I finally gave up an went with the simple flats.

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@christadams1888]

I like to go quacker

[@Gufolicious]

Speedplays are a nightmare :D 100% true

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍

[@siy01]

Shimano's RX8 shoe is pretty much as light and stiff as most high end road shoes. A pair of XTR pedals weigh 310g, you can walk around in them, the cleat and pedal will last years without any noticeable change in performance. If someone can show evidence that a road spdSL produces a better power transfer when all other elements are equal, I see no advantage of the road system, other than a 10 to 30gram weight saving.

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@glennoc8585]

I definitely feel more locked in on SPD SL pedals that my SPD pedals. I'd your on SPD but for road riding i like the lightweight and stiffness feel of road shoes

You left out the time pedals

[@BulletproofCycling]

I know - they are not as popular in the UK

[@carson.strong_]

3:15 💀

[@OneDougUnderPar]

I've got some extra long flats and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I mainly got them because I want to keep wearing "minimalist" shoes while riding, but I love how I can make micro adjustments to my foot position, walk around, start conversations... I think a very large part of going clipless is monkey see (the pros), monkey do; but if there's a psychological bonus, then absolutely do what makes you feel at your best.

[@tonyp3523]

Clearly never tried clipless pedals or never rode fast or long distance. If there is a possibility that he did try them, he cheaped out and didn't get them fitted so it was set up wrong... or doesn't want to invest in good riding shoes and pedals to actually improve his riding

[@BulletproofCycling]

👍👍👍👍

[@OneDougUnderPar]

@@tonyp3523 Lol, the Fred in all his glory: equating performance to money spent and throwing out the No True Scotsman fallacy. Was it a good workout, jumping to those wrong conclusions? You've got some anger in you buddy. Maybe work a little on training your parasympathetic nervous system, get a good night's sleep, and recognize that your way of life isn't under attack from a youtube comment. Cheek aside, Dylan Johnson did a pretty good video pointing out that there is no scientific evidence that clipless are better, though more data is needed. And as I said, my flats are longer so I get more even pressure, similar to a stiff soled sycling shoe. I do see an advantage in using clipless for single leg drills, which I should do more often I'm sure.

[@tonyp3523]

@@OneDougUnderPar ur right on the sleep part definitely need more. Idk where u ride but on climbs, and sprints pulling the foot up helps to stay efficient in pedaling. Stiff shoe helps also in those situations, cause I upgraded from flats and these benefits made a big improvement in riding. Also, I started rehabbing my bad foot with one foot drills like u mentioned. On big descents I had issues slipping from pedal when in wrong gear and on very steep climbs I slipped of the flat pedal and ate it bad. Since I upgraded to clipless and will not suggest anyone to experience those things. How many of can say that they never had a foot slip of pedal during a ride? And those micro adjustments also add fatigue over 30+ mile rides