Review: Time Xpro 10 pedals: light and durable | Road Bike Clipless Pedals

I switched last year to PowerTap P1 pedals, which require Keo cleats and just used the old pedals in the winter, because I still have SPD winter boots.

“My move to Speedplay (about 10 years ago) was all in pursuit of extra cleat adjustment, and it’s something I still prize along with the double-sided entry for the pedals. I use the aluminium 3-hole-adapter baseplate for my cleats because it offers extra fore-aft adjustment and isn’t prone to cracking like the standard plastic adapter baseplate. I’ve found a dry lube works well for the cleat springs, but I always forget to use it as often as I should. I keep using the cleats long after they should have been replaced, which has probably accelerated wear on the pedals, but I’ve still gotten at least a few years before as noticeable rock develops in my pedal stroke.”

The Vertic Trail pedal was designed for XC, All Mountain, and Enduro use, and features a sophisticated design with features that include an open pedal body for self-cleaning, a fixed stand with two replaceable pins on the front side, and a flattened design for easy engagement.

The Xpresso system boasts lateral (side to side) adjustment, and very small distance between the sole and the pedal axle, purportedly increasing efficiency.

SPD-SL pedals are much like Shimano’s groupsets: reliable, functional, easy to use, readily available, and without significant cost. As I’ve covered in my review of Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 pedals, Shimano is simply the best once you factor in all-out durability and dependability. They’re not the lightest or most adjustable, but they just work. Adding to their popularity is the fact that they’ve often been included as standard equipment on many entry-level road bikes.

Manufactured from big hunks of forged alloy, the XT flats get a very robust platform for stomping your foot down onto. The body is hollowed out through the middle for mud-shedding, and chiselled around its perimeter to reduce weight. Chamfered edges aim to help the pedal slide off of rocks rather than jam onto them, though the angle of these chamfers isn’t as obvious as what you’d find on say, a DMR Vault.

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."

The pedal body is machined from one piece of 6061-T6 aluminium billet. Time reckons that makes it seriously durable on the trail. It’s certainly beautifully finished.

This is the least expensive of the three pedals in the Xpro range and it’s comparable with the price of Shimano Ultegra (second from top in the range) and Look Keo Blade Carbon pedals with chromoly axles (also second tier) – so they are comparably quite expensive.

What do e-bikes mean to the future of cycling?  Well, cyclists age along with the rest of the population, and as more older people (say, 50 and up) discover e-bikes, I believe they will rediscover the joy of cycling if it’s been awhile since they’ve ridden a bike. Exercise is an important health factor, and more people on bikes to me means a healthier community.  My Sierra Club outings attract a range of ages, but if an older person (like me) is riding an e-bike, they don’t worry as much about being able to keep up and they enjoy the outing more. E-bikes can be expensive, but I consider mine to be an investment in myself. Hopefully, as they become more common, the price will drop.

 Clearly you’re triggered by my positive reaction and descended into some maddened state ranting about damascene, puns and post-purchase-rationalisations. 

MTB shoes and SPD cleats/pedals FTW. On this one you can ram The Rules – walking like a penguin on ice is ridiculous.