The Mechanism Makes a Difference – An Overview of Clipless Pedals

With clipless pedals, you literally enter into a firm bond with your bike. By placing the foot in the right place and applying slight pressure forwards and downwards, the cleat on your shoe engages noticeably and audibly with the pedal. Every time you clip in, your feet connected to the pedal in the precise position that you chose when you installed the cleats. The firm connection brings advantages in the form of a rounder stroke and better power transfer. Clipless pedals are especially helpful in sprinting. You can ride lightly over bumpy passages, or ride further without being jolted by the pedal. To clip out, you simply turn your foot outwards and dismount. With clipless pedals, however, there are many different systems that are not compatible with each other, and that differ significantly in detail. We’ll help explain the most important clipless systems that you should know about.

The Pedals Must Fit the Shoes

To be able to ride clipless pedals, you need special shoes to which the counterparts to the pedals – namely, the cleats – can be firmly screwed. There are different sole standards that are not compatible with each other, and it is crucial that your shoes fit your pedals. Most road bike shoes have three threads in the sole. Smaller cleats on mountain bike shoes are usually installed with two bolts each. Clipless shoes for urban use and touring also usually rely on two-bolt soles.

MTB: SPD and Similar

Probably the most widely-used pedal system for mountain bikes is Shimano Pedaling Dynamics – known to most as SPD. A mechanism of metal clips and springs on the pedal works with two-bolt steel cleats. You select the position of your foot on the pedal by moving the cleat on the shoe. Once clipped in, you can turn your foot a few degrees before you clip out. The release hardness is adjustable on Shimano and many other comparable systems. Some manufacturers offer pedals whose mechanism and cleats are very similar to those of Shimano and are partially compatible. For the best functionality, however, you should use cleats made by the pedals’ manufacturer. Our product descriptions provide further information on the compatibility of various systems.
Multi-Release Cleats from Shimano are a special case. They allow you to clip out not only by twisting your foot, but also by tilting it outwards. Most SPD pedals let you clip in from two sides, but single-sided and combination pedals are also available.

MTB: Time ATAC

With the ATAC series, Time also relies on pedals with two-bolt brass cleats that clip between metal brackets. In use since the nineties, the system has been considered functional, durable and less susceptible to accruing dirt. Within the margin in which your clipped-in foot is allowed to turn a few degrees, tension builds up between the stirrups until you clip out. You can select the release angle for classic ATAC cleats between 13° and 17° by swapping the left and right cleat. The Easy Cleats offer you a beginner-friendly release angle of 10°. The cleats cannot be moved sideways when mounted on the shoe, as is the usual case with other systems. Instead, depending on the shoe, your foot can slide up to one centimetre sideways in the mechanism and automatically find the best position. ATAC stands for Auto Tension Adjustment Concept – a reference to the fact that, thanks to the continuous tension, there is no release hardness which needs to be adjusted. Time ATAC pedals are designed symmetrically, allowing you to clip in on two sides; a combination pedal and versions with a cage and pins are also available.

MTB: Magped

The system from Magped is a special mixture of clipless and platform pedals. It does not require a mechanism or a fixed attachment. Instead, you mount a steel cleat on the shoe (two-bolt sole), which holds onto the pedal via a neodymium magnet. Each pedal has a magnet on both sides with either up to 15 or up to 20 kilograms of traction, which facilitates a round pedal stroke. To release yourself from the pedal with less force, just put your foot down to the side. For more grip, the pedal cage is equipped with screw-in pins, similar to what you find on flat pedals.

Road Bike: Look Kéo

Look is known for having introduced the clipless pedal to the market in 1984, creating the standard for many of today’s road bike pedals. The current system bears the name Kéo and works similarly to SPD-SL, but these systems are not compatible. Look Kéo also offers reliability and excellent power transfer thanks to a large contact surface in the single-sided mechanism. With standard models, you can adjust the release hardness using a hex tool. Kéo Blade models use a carbon leaf spring, making them even lighter and more aerodynamic. To adjust the release hardness, you have to change out the leaf springs, but you can find information on this in the product description supplied with the pedals. Despite different spring mechanisms, both normal Kéo pedals and Kéo Blade pedals work with the same Kéo cleats for three-bolt soles. You can choose between 0°, 4.5° and 9° float. However, pay attention with older Look pedals: The Delta System cleats are not compatible with Look Kéo.

Road Bike: Time Iclic

Time uses its own single-sided mechanism called Iclic on Xpresso and Xpro series pedals. A carbon leaf spring is used in each case, which makes the pedals particularly lightweight. You can adjust the preload of the leaf spring as well as the release hardness in three steps without having to change out the spring. Three-bolt cleats offer very good power transfer with their large contact surface, and bring the shoe particularly close to the pedal axle.

Clipless Pedals with Cages

At enduro races and on trail bikes, you increasingly see clipless pedals with a platform around the clip mechanism. They offer softer shoes a little more support and prevent the pedal from slipping out from under your foot, or “rolling” if you don’t hit it right away when clipping in in the middle of a hectic situation. Depending on whether you prefer a little float in the pedal or more grip, there are platform clipless pedals with and without pins.

Half and Half: Combi Pedals

So-called combination or hybrid pedals have a clip mechanism on one side and a platform on the other. This is a good option if you want to ride a bike with both clipless shoes as well as your everyday shoes.

High-Quality Bearings for the Best Durability

High-quality bearings ensure that your pedals are able to turn easily. Sealed ball bearings (AKA cartridge bearings) turn particularly well, but need space in the pedal. Many manufacturers therefore combine them with plain bearings (AKA bushings), which are particularly light and compact. There is more space for the clip mechanism, or the pedal can be made smaller and flatter. Needle bearings are often used in high-end pedals. These are smaller in diameter than ball bearings, and can absorb occurring forces well. They are, however, more expensive. Regardless of the type of bearings, be sure to follow the instructions for care and maintenance of your pedals so that you can enjoy them for as long as possible!

Ergonomic Adjustment

When installing the cleats, depending on the shoe and system, you have a certain degree of freedom with regard to the exact position under the foot. You should make sure you don’t screw the panels on just anywhere, but align them according to your ergonomic needs. A good tool for doing this is the Ergon TP1 Cleat Tool. Also, be sure to have a look at our guide to pedal ergonomics!

Keeping Track of Wear and Tear

Cleats are subject to a certain degree of wear and must be replaced occasionally. Make sure to check on them regularly! If you notice significant wear or if their functionality is deteriorating, then replace them. Keeping a pair of replacement cleats handy is also quite prudent.