Budget road pedals compared: Shimano vs. Look vs. Time | Road Bike Clipless Pedals

ION RAID AMP II The Amp II sole features dedicated pedal and walking zones. Claimed weight 440g in size 42. €130.

Still, sandal-superfans hold steadfast, and it’s this dogged passion and Shimano’s willingness to cater for this segment of the market that grants the lowly SPD sandal a place in my heart.

I used Shimano SPD 520 clipless for years, but the hot spots on the ball of your foot they can create permanently damaged the nerves in my feet, causing a complete loss of feeling.  I switched to 100 x 100 mm platform pedals and I now vastly prefer them  for urban riding.  Besides all the advantages of platfroms and avoiding hot spots and nerve damage, there is no more clipity-clop walking around in cafes and shops or on the train or the ferry.  I can now ride in my Converse’s if I want to.  

There isn’t a triple option for EPS. In fact I don’t think there’s a triple option for any e-shifting system.

Shimano’s SPD-SL system is the clear favourite amongst our team, with US tech editor James Huang, CyclingTips founder Wade Wallace, roving reporter Dave Everett, Australia senior editor Matt de Neef, US editor-in-chief Neal Rogers, and myself all going this route.

Overall, I was impressed with the improvements in Time’s new Xpro 10. They’re not cheap by any means, but the carbon fairing looks great, clipping in and out is a simple affair, and they’re nice and light. I’ll try to get to the bottom of the squeaking and update if and when, but based on the testimony of my colleague and most other users, it appears this is only affecting a minority.

The speed I can clip in now off the lights is wicked. Actually feels a bit show-offy it’s that smooth and fast. I also rub a little lube on the cleat spring every weekend, that makes it super smooth to clip in too now.

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Yeah I guess within the garment industry it is an extreme guarantee but it’s one that a lot, if not most, cycling companies offer. It’s actually a…

“I have had a few weird squeaks coming from the worn metal faceplate, but a drop of chain lube quietens them down for a few months.”

Shimano’s cheapest double-sided pedals can be had for less than the cost of a cheap night out. The excellent PD-M520 pedals are supposed to be £37, but can sometimes be found for as little as £20. The only thing they give up to more expensive versions is a bit of weight.

The 34-minute light rail ride left me a 5-minute walk to work at @azcentral. Door to door: 90 minutes, including a really nice walk. All caught up on the news and my emails, too. #CarlessCommutepic.twitter.com/LLYkAFS53x