I’m sure most of you use some sort of clipless pedal system on your road bike. But are you familiar with all the various brands of pedals? How about their benefits and drawbacks?

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What exactly are clipless pedals? These are modern pedal systems that use a cleat fixed to the bottom of your shoe which engages with the pedal. They differ from the toe clips and straps that you see on much older bikes, and might even see on some entry-level bikes sold today.

Why not just use flat pedals on your road bike? The reason is simple. Clipless pedals that secure your foot allow you to pedal your road bike much more efficiently. You can pull up on the pedal, and more importantly, you can pull back on the pedal. This enables you to make your pedaling more smooth and circular instead of choppy and piston-like.

How about using a mountain bike pedal system for road cycling? There is an advantage to these. You can find shoes that are a little easier to walk in since the cleat is recessed in the shoe. However, there’s one huge disadvantage: you’ll feel like you’re pedaling on a golf ball. Ouch! These pedal systems have a smaller platform, and many people get a painful hot spot on the bottom of their foot because of this.

After being tested in the Tour de France for a couple of years with great results, LOOK made their PP65 pedal available to consumer in 1986. These were the same pedals that Greg LeMond used. The PP65 was the first commercially successful clipless pedal design. With this pedal LOOK also introduced the familiar three-bolt mounting pattern we now see on almost every brand of road cleat.

Speedplay has done a great job of documenting the history of clipless pedals. It’s pretty interesting to see their large display of all the various pedals that have been used on bicycles. They’ve also got a section on their web site devoted to the pedal history.

Many early clipless pedal systems truly fixed your foot to the pedal. Clipless pedals today all offer varying amounts of float. This is the free pivoting or twisting motion the pedal will allow before the cleat becomes disengaged and your foot is no longer attached. Float is desirable because it lets your foot, ankle, knee and leg rotate while you pedal. Everyone’s legs are a little different, and float allows for these differences in the alignment of all the parts.

There are several things to look at when you compare road pedal systems. These are the materials used in constructing the pedal, the bearings, where the cleat pivots, adjustability and maintenance.

Road pedals can be constructed of metal, composite or carbon fiber (of course). The compressed carbon fiber used for pedals tends to look a lot like plastic, so don’t let it fool you. They’re still very light, strong and durable. Titanium parts are frequently used on the upper-end pedals, with titanium spindles being a pretty common thing.

Low-end pedals have fewer bearings that are generally of lower quality than upper-end pedals. Better bearings provide for less resistance, and also offer more durability. Inexpensive pedals commonly have two sets of bearings per pedal. The better pedals will have three sets.

Each brand of pedal pivots in a different spot when the cleat floats. Some will pivot right under the ball of your foot. Others pivot more towards your toes, a few centimeters in front of the ball of your foot. Where it pivots is a matter of personal preference.

Some pedal systems are a little bit more difficult to adjust than others. Luckily this adjustment process is generally done once, when you’re initially setting your pedals and cleats up, so it’s not too much of an issue. Most systems are simple, having three fixing screws that allow you to adjust the cleat from side to side and front to back.

Al of the cleats used for clipless pedal systems will eventually wear out. This is caused by walking on the cleat as well as normal wear and tear. Some cleats will wear out more quickly than others, but these are generally the least expensive to replace.

Sometimes other maintenance is required. For example, Speedplay pedals require grease to be injected into the pedal as well as a little bit of lubrication on each cleat. This periodic maintenance is not too difficult, and really does help them operate at their best.

Each manufacturer offers good-better-best models. Within each family of pedals, the cleats used are the same. Sometimes cleats are available that give you different amounts of float, and some manufacturers even offer a fixed cleat that a few folks really like.

LOOK is one of the most popular brands of pedals. They float at the tip of the cleat, more towards the toes. Cleats are made of plastic, and very inexpensive. LOOK has a fixed cleat as well as two amounts of float available.

Good: Keo Classic
Better: Keo Carbon
Best: Keo HM Ti (258g pedals, cleats and screws)

Speedplay has lollipop-shaped pedals that offer dual-sided entry, which is unique for a road pedal. They have a tremendous amount of float that’s adjustable, and they pivot under the ball of the foot. The cleat is a little complicated, and slightly difficult to adjustment, but this is a one-time deal. Because of this, their pedal system is one of the most adjustable systems available.

Good: Zero Crome-Moly
Better: Zero Stainless
Best: Zero Titanium Nanogram (silly light at 60g per pedal, 224g pedals and cleats)

Time pedals use a cleat similar in shape to the LOOK cleat with a metal piece in the middle that fixes it to the pedal. The float pivot point is under the ball of the foot.

Good: RXS
Better: RXS Carbon
Best: RXS Ulteam Ti Carbon (183g per pair)

Of course the component manufacturers make pedals as well. Shimano makes all-metal pedals that are very durable and quite popular. The pivot point is towards the toes, and they use inexpensive plastic cleats. A fixed cleat is also available.

Good: 105
Better: Ultegra
Best: Dura Ace (348g pedals and cleats)

Finally, Campagnolo makes an excellent pedal system. These pivot towards the tip of the foot. The cleat is part plastic, part metal for a little better wear. These are essential if you’re a Campy fanatic!

Better: Chorus Pro-Fit PLUS
Best: Record Pro-Fit PLUS (266g)

Whichever pedal system you choose for your road bike is mostly a personal preference. Knowing what to look for and how to compare pedals will help you decide what’s best, and right, for you.