Canadian Cycling’s editors favourite gear of 2018 | Road Bike Clipless Pedals

For years I struggled with the internal conflict of having a saddle bag strapped to my bike. Most of them are an eyesore and not nearly compact enough for my liking. VéloColour may be better known for their stunning paint jobs but their hand sewn in Toronto soft goods are well thought out and beautiful pieces. The Dynamite Roll has room for a tube, patches, a $20 bill in case of emergencies, a multitool and my favourite tire levers. There’s room for more but those are the essentials and I favour a mini-pump or my frame pump over CO2 every day of the week. Best of all, it looks great on my bike. I barely notice it and never wish it wasn’t there. Read the full review.

So again, calm down and accept that I, and several others on this thread now, bought Speedplay pedals and love them. 

Time says: "The Xpro 10 is the perfect pedal for road cyclists, from enthusiasts to competitive athletes. The body of this pedal has been reinforced thanks to a new design and a more durable carbon material. Power transfer and stability are improved with a pedal surface of 725mm2 – 25mm2 larger than the Xpresso (700mm2). The lower fairing was created to improve aerodynamics and protect the carbon blade. The Iclic system has been redesigned to allow for a more positive cleat engagement and to be more comfortable. The adjustable carbon blade has 3 positions of clip-fin tension. Like the Xpresso, the stack height is low, keeping the cyclist’s sole as close to the centre of the pedal axle as possible. This, along with the large pedal surface area results in incomparable pedalling efficiency and comfort."

For a mere 20 quid, these double-sided mountain bike pedals are a brilliant entry into clipless pedals. The low price is not reflected in the build quality, which is excellent, or the performance, which is also excellent.

Flats as that’s what I’ve always run. Even use them on the road bike/commuter. Everyone tells me to go clipless but I like the fact that I can dismount nice and easily. Having seen various failed dismounts from people trying clipless for the first time I’m not bothered.

Both the Look and Time systems are based on the three-bolt triangular-style cleat but result in different experiences. While both rely on carbon springs to maintain tension and release, the Time cleats have a few added features when it comes to setup. Your Q-factor will change depending on which cleat you install on which shoe. This can be an added value when trying to fit your bike. Also, when installing the Times, it was very easy to align them straight no matter if the shoe had alignment markers or not.

The pedals also have clean, chamfered edges which prevent rock strikes and maximize clearance. They weigh a respectable 430 grams, and come in six different colors. The Scarabs cost $147, but you can also get a composite version, the Synth for $65.

Bournemouth University student becomes fourth fastest woman – and the youngest – to cycle round the world

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.

The toe area is lightly reinforced, with some protection given to the big toes. I managed to test this out on both gravel and mountain bike rides, where rocks flipped up were deflected away without a stubbed toe.

The UCI’s decision was apparently driven by safety concerns, although it’s not clear that the organization has date showing the frequency of injuries caused by clipless pedals. Anecdotally some BMX fans have seen small riders stuck in their pedals.

Giro Jacket II The Jacket II uses a Vibram Ecostep rubber sole, specifically designed for flat pedals. Claimed weight 415g in size 43. $90 USD.