The style of these pedals is very reminiscent of traditional classic road pedals. There narrow, aluminium, quill shaped design is unique, yet they maintain a recognisable shape still used today in the professional touring world, as well as having grown popular in the modern cycling world of singlespeeds and fixies.

The retro style is a fantastic aspect of these pedals and when coupled with the ability to effectively use these pedals wearing any type of cycling shoes, it is easy to see why they are becoming a popular pedal for a variety of different riders. Clips can be used on the MKS Sylvan pedals, where riders can achieve a considerable amount of pull on these fantastic flat pedals.

Another great aspect of the MKS Sylvan pedals is that they are easy to maintain. This type of pedal, in particular its style, ensures that every rider will be able to effectively maintain these pedals. Simply removing the end cap of the pedal will expose the loose high quality ball bearingson their races. This easy access means that riders can choose to re-
grease the entire assembly or choose to dismantle and carefully clean each aspect, before quickly rebuilding the pedal.

The MKS Sylvan pedals are one of the best flat pedals available to riders today; they are durable, strong as well as possessing a high level of rigidity, which helps enhance power transfer. Adding steel-toe clips to the pedals ensures that they are an ideal option for touring cyclists. There is no doubt that these are a firm favourite for a variety of modern and traditional cyclists and will remain a staple pedal for many years.

The Look Keo classic road pedals are constructed using a chromoly axle, while the pedal is constructed using an injected Polyamide, very similar to the Sprint model. The pedals feature two bearings, which ensure that the pedal is stable, sturdy and more impressively offers cyclists a high performing pedal.

Testers explained that tension adjustment offered a good range, while any adjustments can be made easily using a 3mm Allen key. While the entry of these pedals is extremely smooth and positive, identical to the previous Delta system and rivalling the well established Shimano SPD-SL model.

Look has released three distinct cleat versions, all of which offer different float degrees, meeting every rider’s specifications. The red offers riders the opportunity to rotate 9 degrees, the grey allows a rotation of 4.5 degrees, while the black version is ideal for riders who don’t require any float.

The Look Keo Classic pedals are light, weighing an extraordinary 140 grams, while the Polyamide construction of the pedals ensures that the pedals remain extremely strong and rigid. These are good entry level pedals for cyclists; they are easy to use, lightweight and look fantastic, which is why the Keo classic is a great example of why Look remains one of the most influential pedal manufacturers today.

Speedplay’s Frog pedals have been available for a number of years and offer riders a unique design, in particular the spring mechanism included within the cleat rather than the pedal. Although, this unique design makes the Frog pedal setup slightly more complex compared to other pedal systems. In particular, there is no inward release and it does require riders to effectively position the cleat more precisely, which many riders deemed frustrating, others however see this as a better approach to clipless pedals.

While the unique design of these clipless pedals has divided the cycling world, one of the most positive aspects of these pedals is the free float. The Frog allows for a staggering 20 degrees of smooth movement to the outside, an ideal feature for cyclists with sensitive knees.

Another fantastic aspect of the Speedplay Frog pedals are there durability. The external is strong and tough, effectively resistant to excessive wear and mud, while the internal is extremely self maintaining, although a grub-screw easily undoes the pedals if the needle or cartridge bearing needs a little grease after several months of use.

The only notable faults our testers found after extensive use is that the cleat is large and can be difficult to walk in, also they are expensive to replace. However, the cleat is extremely durable and lasting. The only other noticeable issue was that clipping into the Frogs isn’t as clear compared to other pedals, which can make it difficult at time for riders
to know if their feet are secure. Similarly, their pedals inability to release inwards can be a little frustrating and difficult at first.

The lightness, unique design, comfort and performance enhancing aspects, despite offering a few minor difficulties, does make the Frog another fantastic example of Speedplay’s creativity.

As a leading manufacturer, Wellgo understands how important a pedal’s design and constructor is; which is why the LU 939 Alloy body and cage has been created using top quality, long lasting alloy. Further high quality construction features of the LU 939 Alloy are the cromoly axle and premium bearings. The cromoly axle is extremely strong, while the sealed cartridge bearings ensure the pedal possesses a low resistance level.

More impressively, is the LU 939 Alloy design. Wallgo have design the flat pedal specifically so that it possesses a low profile design. This low profile design of the LU 939 Alloy guarantees maximum pedalling efficiency and power transfer, making it one of the most performance enhancing flat pedals available for today’s riders. Furthermore, the LU 939 Alloy is also a great looking set of pedals that would look perfect on a wide range of road bikes.

The careful construction and use of premium alloy ensures that the LU 939 Alloy is an extremely light weight pedal. Wallgo have stated that the LU 939 Alloy performance enhancing design, construction and topclip compatibility means that this pedal is ideally suited to road cyclists. This reliable, strong, lightweight, high quality pedal is also one of the most
affordable on the market, making it a fantastic choice for competitive and casual cyclists.

The most impressive aspect every tester commented on when reviewing these fantastic pedals is there durability. Constructed using stainless steel, the Ultegra PD-6700 is extremely hard wearing and long lasting. The pedals replaceable contact plate and easy to service adjustable bearings, ensures that these pedals function extremely well even after excessive use. The sealed cartridge axle unit is extremely low maintenance, while the open design of these pedals mean riders can easily access and adjust the cleat.

While the durability and easy maintenance of these pedals will impress any cyclists, the design of the Shimano Ultegra PD-6700 is also remarkable. The low profile design of the pedals helps to increase road clearance, ensuring that riders feel confident when negotiating corners. While the large binding target of the Ultegra PD-6700 allows rider to quickly engage, the wide cleat design promises efficient pedalling. The spring tension is easy to adjust due to the small indicator, allowing riders to enjoy a more comfortable ride.

The carefully planned design of these pedals, the durability and comfort offered to riders promises that there is no better pedal than the Shimano Ultegra PD-6700.

The body of the Keo Blade Carbon is injected long carbon fibre. While the construction of these pedals is pioneering one of the most impressive aspects of these pedals is there quick, smooth engagement and release, which is instantly noticeable. The reason behind this, Look explain, is because of the new carbon blade spring which provides a 30 percent higher linear spring tension than ever constructed before. The use of this carbon spring offers riders a number of benefits, in particular the pedal feels extremely secure and riders clearly feel when they are clipped in, a stark contrast to some standard systems where there is a short period where riders are only partially engaged.

Other impressive aspects of these pedals are there low weight; the carbon fibre creation means that each pedal only weighs 115 grams. Despite this low weight however the pedals remain extremely strong, durable and rigid, effective transferring power between foot and pedal.

The Look Keo Blade Carbon pedals also feature a wider platform giving a larger platform surface area, a further improvement on previous Keo Carbon model. This 31 percent larger platform surface area and 17 percent wider pedal, guarantees better foot stability, further improving the Keo Blade Carbon’s power transference.

A notable fault however to the Keo Blade Carbon is that these pedals are only available in either a 12Nm standard tension or 16Nm higher tension springs, with no fine adjustments offered. Furthermore, riders aren’t able to easily switch between the two, often relying on specialised dealers, who possess the correct tools, to change the spring tensions.

Similarly, while the pedal looks fantastic on the bike, with the blade located on the outside bottom edge of the pedals. Placing the blade here does mean it is more susceptible to damage.

Nevertheless, despite a few minor faults the Look Keo Blade Carbon remains a fantastic option for cycling enthusiasts. The pedals feature a titanium spindle which possesses virtually no resistance, as well as three high quality smooth cartridge bearings. Look has also included two sets of cleats and cleat covers with the Keo Blade Carbon pedals. Designed for casual or competitive road use, there is no doubt that these fantastic pedals are one of the best created to date.

Speedplay’s Zero pedals are pioneering, they feature an incredibly low weight, low stack height, offer high cornering clearance and an adjustment of both float and release angle. While their most renowned feature is their double-sided design that are easy to put on.

One of the most startling differences of the Zero pedals design, compared to other clipless pedal designs, is the retention mechanism in the cleat rather than the pedal. This unique design enables Speedplay to effectively create a double-sided system, which possesses an extremely low stack height of 11.5mm that is also extremely low in weight.

The compact designed shape of the pedals ensures a lot of ground coverage, while the low weight and stack height of these pedals offer riders a number of benefits. In particular the low stack height places a rider’s centre of gravity considerably lower to the ground, enabling riders to enjoy more confident cornering as well fast acceleration out of corners. Similarly, a riders shoe is effectively sustained by the 70x74mm cleat, which enables excellent power transfer with very few hot spots.

Another notable advantage offered by the Speedplay Zero pedals is the adjustable release position from 0 to 15 degrees. While the accessible grease port on the body of the pedal guarantees easy maintenance of the 2 precision designed cartridge bearings, with a single needle assembly per pedal, created due to the pedals double-sided design.

The greatest advantage of the Speedplay Zero pedals is the easy entry. Riders simply have to locate the cleat and stamp their foot down, this simple design doesn’t require riders to flip the nose or obtain a cleat tab into the engagement point. The ease of use of these pedals is why they are a perfect choice for beginners or commuting cyclists.

However, despite offering riders a multitude of benefits they do also offer a few disadvantages. In particular, the cleat’s retention spring has been known to break, which can of course affect your ride. Also, the large aluminium design of the cleats can make them difficult to walk in, although Speedplay do offer cleat covers, which our testers commented made them far easier to walk in.

There is no doubt that Speedplay Zero’s pedal, despite these faults and being slightly expensive compared to other clipless pedals, possesses a careful design. This careful and pioneering design offers riders some fantastic benefits, making the Speedplay Zero’s one of the best clipless pedals available today.

The R540 SPD-SL weighing a respectable 330 grams per pedal and possess new pioneering ideas. In particular, the Shimano R540 comes complete with a completely new cleat design, which is vastly different from the small SPDs found on mountain bike shows. The R540′s cleat design is significantly larger and less recessed compared to other Shimano models; in fact many of our testers commented that the cleat design was very similar to Look’s road cleat design. The wider cleat
design and binding mechanism ensures better shoe/pedal contact, compared to traditional SPD systems.

Another great aspect of R540′s many of our testers noticed was that the cleats were extremely easy to secure on to the shoe, using an Allen headed screws and Shimano’s tough, non-slip material. The tightness of the cleats meant they felt extremely secure as well as feeling safer to walk in, especially on hard surfaces.

While the low profile platform, with its open design, means that they allow easy access and cleat adjustment, which can be made using an Allen key. Astoundingly, the sealed cartridge axle unit requires little maintenance.

Impressively, the wider pedal platform of the R540′s offers riders improved foot/pedal stability. The stability of these pedals guarantee maximum power transfer to the pedals, with many of our testers noticing instantly the performance enhancing aspect of these pedals. The R540′s feel exceptionally smooth, while also being easy to clip into and release.

The R540′s allow 6 degrees of float as well as including floating cleats. Ideal for road, triathlon and track use, the Shimano R540 SPD-SL is a fantastic clipless pedal and is one of the most affordable Shimano clipless models available today.

One of the most noticeable aspects a number of testers commented on was the Time All Road Gripper pedals strength. The aluminium body offer riders a quirky design as well as an unbelievable amount of strength, while the durable steel axle features super-smooth sealed cartridge bearings, for amazing low resistance spins. All of these aspects of the pedal offer riders the perfect equilibrium of strength and rigidity, ensuring that these pedals help riders to reach unbelievable fast speeds.

The design of the pedals are also well calculated, with the All Road Gripper pedals only 3 mm broader than the MTB spuds, ensuring that groundouts are extremely rare.

A surprisingly impressive feature of the Time All Road Gripper pedals is the ATAC, Auto Tension Adjustment Concept cleat mechanism. This mechanism enables riders to generate their perfect spring tension of these pedals, easily and quickly, creating extremely responsive pedals. The cleat release is also easily adjusted counter/clockwise using a recessed flat-headed screw, although some testers commented that this system took some negotiating and patience, especially for those who are accustomed to Look/Keo/SPD systems.

The Time All Road Gripper pedals are extremely comfortable, offering riders a respectable 5 degrees of float. While the platforms provided plenty of support for riders, creating even more comfortable pedals.

The flat platforms offer riders a surprising amount of friction, keeping a riders foot in place when enjoying a quick ride to the local shops. Although, many testers noticed how quickly the soft gripper studs began to wear in a short space of time, however, they are easy to replace.

The Time All Road Gripper’s are extremely versatile pedals, yet despite being design and aimed at the casual riders, these pedals feature an array of impressive features making them a great investment for cross, commuting and new riders.

The body has been created using aluminium and barrel silver, which helps to create a perfect equilibrium between strength, rigidity and low weight. The Cr-Mo CNC machined spindle is strong, while the DU sealed bearing ensures that the pedal offers low level of resistance and requires little maintenance.

The R120b pedals are 98A or Shimano 51 cleat compatible, while also offering riders a flat flipside, making the R120b the most compatible pedal on the market today. Our testers commented that the flat flipside was ideal if you needed to quickly cycle to the local shops, with the large surface area and prongs ensuring that a rider’s foot remained firmly in place. But more importantly, our testers were impressed with the pedals easy to use cleat system, which allows riders to smoothly
clip in and out of the pedals. The pedals are firm under foot when pressure is applied as well as extremely responsive.

Although the pedals weigh slightly more than others available on the market at 362 grams per pedal; they are sized at 85, 84 33.5 mm. At an extremely low price, each of our testers said that there is no doubt that the Wellgo R120b pedals are a fantastic buy.