Choosing your bike pedals according to your riding style
How to choose your road bike pedals : the market for clipless pedals is vast and finding the right model can be complicated for a beginner or someone looking to buy a new product.
It is important to note that the three-point drilling system introduced by Look remains the most widespread. The main brands are Look, Time and Mavic (which share the same design), Shimano and Speedplay. From a technical standpoint, the nature of the body and the axle will guide the user's choice.
Choosing road bike pedals for beginners
The Look Keo Flex 2 is a must-have for beginners. Reliable and comfortable, they are very easy to use.
If you are looking for a simple and economical model, the entry-level prices are for you. Choosing a model from Look such as the Kéo Flex 2 will be a very good choice. Weight is not your priority. If you want to go one step further, the choice becomes more significant. The weight saving is not necessarily as obvious, but you gain in terms of the quality of the materials used and the rolling quality of the axles.
The springs that hold the cleats in place may also be stronger. This is useful if you are switching to competition or competitive cycling. Regardless of the brand you choose, it is essential to purchase cleats with angular freedom. This allows you to get used to your pedals and, above all, to avoid trauma to your joints.
Maintaining your road bike pedals
Speedplay pedals require regular lubrication to maintain optimal performance.
Regular maintenance is essential to keep your equipment in good condition and make it last longer. Depending on the brand, cleats wear out more quickly and have wear indicators, just like your car tyres. Some cleats, such as Speedplay, require a specific dry lubricant to maintain optimal grip and release. This also increases their lifespan. With Look-type systems, we have noticed that cleats can wear out more quickly if you do not opt for a model equipped with grip for walking, but they are much cheaper to replace. This is something to consider when purchasing.
The use of cleat protectors is not unnecessary. If you have to walk to get your bike out, this prevents foreign objects from getting onto the cleat and damaging the pedal body when it engages. Speedplay pedals, due to their technical design, are particularly susceptible to this. Speedplay pedals, due to their technical design, are particularly susceptible to this.|>
Mavic pedals use Time technology and therefore offer similar performance.
From a financial standpoint, Look's entry-level model costs €36.90 and weighs around 320g (pedals and cleats). At the top of the range, Speedplay's Nanogram Zero weighs around 186g and costs £699. We can therefore say that a decent, durable purchase offering excellent value for money and technical performance costs around £100 to £150. With this in mind, products such as the Speedplay Zero Chromo, Time RXS Carbon, Look Kéo 2 Max Blade or Mavic Zxellium SL are a wise investment.
Currently undergoing rapid development, the power sensor integrated into the pedal is a technical product that requires careful consideration when purchasing. You need to be an expert and be sure that the model is right for you, as prices can be prohibitive. For example, Look sells one for £1,699. Garmin also offers this type of product, but as with everything else, you need to know how to use the data collected. The best advice we can give is to ask your bike dealer for advice if you are unsure, explaining your expectations and needs. You should also mention any physical concerns you may have, as some cyclists can only get used to a model such as the Time/Mavic, which offers the enormous advantage of both angular and lateral freedom. This is undoubtedly the best choice for beginners.
