Best Road Bike Pedals 2021
When you’re cycling you want to free your mind and think only of the road and how to overcome the next challenge. If your cycling shoe slips off your pedal you might end up in trouble or in the best case just lose few seconds.
If you’re looking for road bike pedals you’re at the right place. We will show you what the best road bike pedals are and why they’re the best. Follow this simple guide and we’ll make your decision a lot easier.
Top Road Bike Pedals Comparison Chart
| Picture | Name | Type | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Shimano Pd-Mx80 Platform Pedals | Multi-Use / Aluminum Alloy | $$ | 4.8 |
 | 2. Shimano 6800 Ultegra Clipless Pedals | Multi-Use / Stainless Steel | $$$$ | 4.8 |
 | 3. Shimano PD-A530 SPD Dual Platform Bike Pedal | Road / Aluminum Alloy | $$ | 4.6 |
 | 4. Shimano PD-5700 105 Road Bike Pedals, Silver | Road / Alloy and Steel | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 5. Look KEO 2 Max Pedal, White | Road / Plastic | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 6. Shimano SPD-SL PD R-540 - Black | Road / Alloy | $ | 4.5 |
Things to Consider Before Buying Road Bike Pedals
- Nice Grip. Look for pedals that will provide good grip. This way you’ll use your energy effectively and efficiently, no wastage.
- Weight. Having light pedals can reduce the overall weight of your bike, not much but it’s something. One drop makes the sea bigger; one gram more makes the bike heavier.
- Reliable. Good pedals will keep your feet and knees safe. They will keep your feet in place, locked in. They won’t loosen up easy and they will outlast your bike if you don’t damage them in some way.
- Price. They’re pedals, not a whole bike. Wasting 200$ for bike pedals for casual cycling is not worth it. However, the more you pay the more you get. If you are cycling on a competitive level more expensive pedals will deliver better performance.
- Style. Some people use the bike for commuting for short distances. They don’t require to lock in their shoes. They need pedals with a platform. Others go on longer rides and want to push it to the limits. These people need pedals with the option to clip in their cycling shoes.
Steel, Aluminum and Carbon Fiber Pedals
The bike pedals can be made from steel, aluminum or even carbon fiber. They won’t deliver exceptional improvements if you don’t have good cycling shoes. But the pedals will do as much as they can on their own.
The biggest difference between these 3 materials is their weight, the carbon being the lightest and the steel the heaviest. The crafting process can do a great deal in reducing/increasing of the weight. This means that the carbon fiber pedals won’t be the lightest in all cases.
Another difference arising because of the material used is the life of the pedals. Generally, with proper care the carbon pedals will last the longest, but they are more brittle. A simple crash might be the end for them.
The steel pedals will endure the most, but they are the heaviest. Aluminum alloy pedals are the safest option. They are somewhere in between the carbon fiber and the steel pedals.
Top 3 Best Road Bike Pedals Reviews
1. Shimano Pd-Mx80
These are the best pedals you’ll ever use. Your feet will be locked in place like they are glued to the pedals.
They provide great grip and will even endure strong impacts. The platform has concave shape which will provide you with great comfort for longer rides and greater pedaling efficiency.
You don’t have to worry about size, since one fits them all. The pedals come in black and will blend well into every design and coloring.
You can use this pedals for a road bike and for mountain bike. The pins will provide you with the perfect grip. You might lose a bit on power, but you’ll be having the most comfortable pedals out there.
2. Shimano 6800 Ultegra
The Ultregra PD-6800 might even deserve the first place since they are as good as the Shimano PD-MX80, however they cost more than them. That’s the only reason they are ranked 2nd.
Made from stainless steel they will be functioning properly on your bike until you take them off and change them with another pair.
This pair weighs less than 1 pound. You won’t even notice that they are on your bike. They’ll prove to be a significant improvement to every road bike. The Ultregra will make your ride more comfortable and by that more enjoyable.
3. Shimano PD-A530 SPD
The most versatile pedals from Shimano for Road Bikes are definitely the A530 SPD Pedals. One side allows you to ride casually for short distances without clipping your shoes. The other one locks you in place for longer rides.
The pair allows you to fully customize the release, the entry and the float. This way you’ll have your pedals the way you want them. They can meet every cyclist’s needs and preferences.
They are surely a worthy contender for one of the best road bike pedals.
