Best Clipless Pedals

The SHIMANO PD-M647 clipless pedals have been on the market for more than 10 years now, which speaks a lot about their high quality and superior dynamics properties. They make pedaling more efficient and help you get control over numerous styles of riding. And probably, the Shimano DX M647 is the best option for gravity and aggressive trail riding to date.

Designed mainly for downhill mountain biking, they feature a unique floating mechanism for better stability and comfort. This is a spring-loaded platform with the front portion that sits up at a slight 12.5-degree angle and captures the cleat immediately as you press down. Like with other Shimano pedals, the tension on the clip-in mechanism here is fully adjustable. You can set the tension evenly across all four sides.

The cage on this pedal is made of durable plastic which seems to be very dense, so it'll supposedly hold up for a long while. Plus, large plastic platforms provide plenty of support and are strong enough to survive big hits and a lot of abuse. The pedals have an open binding design allowing mud and debris to flush out when you step in. The only thing that mars the impression is a bit too heavy weight. But that's the cost of extra-solid construction.

The Shimano PD-T400 CLICK'R are one of the best options for those riders who are just thinking about purchasing of clipless pedals. They are extremely safe, stable, and can be easily unclipped at a junction or emergency stop. However, for experienced riders who already feel comfortable with clipless pedals, it's an arguable choice. These are not true racing pedals and they don't look cool when you're off of the bike. Actually, they look like conventional pedals and even have reflectors (which we consider a nice factor, especially for beginners). The built-in reflectors is an important safety feature that makes you well-visible on the road in low lighting conditions.

They pedals have quite large platforms with the quick and featherlight release mechanism. They feature the convenience of dual-side entry allowing for fast and easy engagement. So, if it's the ability to easily get in and out of the pedals you cherish the most, you certainly won't be disappointed. With the Shimano PD-T400 CLICK'R, you'll get the increased efficiency from being clipped to the pedals without the hassle required to get your feet free.

Customers who take racing seriously and want to get the most out of cycling should opt for the best clipless pedals, that's for sure, and the Shimano PD-M324 can be a great choice. Featuring a neat and minimalistic design, they present the main principles of Shimano - maximum practicality and reliability. Being made entirely of metal (stainless steel and aluminum), they can provide riders with ultimate stability and balance. Speaking of practicality and convenience of use, these pedals aren't the most lightweight in our review but you'll hardly feel it since they are intended mainly for short trips around the town. What's more important, though, is that they feature a dual-function design, allowing cyclists to use them with both regular snickers and cleats. This approach is highly valued by amateurs who plan to gradually switch to clipless pedals. Another advantage of the pedals is their adjustable clipless mechanism that lets riders pick the right spring setting for greater comfort and stability. The Shimano PD-M324 pedals are worth every cent since they will work well for many years, allowing you to forge your way to perfection.

The SHIMANO SPD PD-M520 are legendary all-around pedals that offer genuine Shimano SPD performance and comes at an amazing price. It's one of the most popular clipless options for different bikers - although they are technically mountain bike pedals, they are widely used on commuting bikes, road bikes, racing bikes, hybrid bikes, tourers, so on and so forth. The system works great on any bicycle, and and you'll immediately notice a better power transfer. Additionally, the confidence they give you can push you to drive harder.

The pedals offer consistent performance on any type of surface. And even on muddy trails, it's very hard to tell them apart from more professional (and more expensive) XT and XTR pedals. They have double-sided entry and boast great release tension. The entry and exit is positive and easy. 

They already came with cleats that can be easily installed on your shoes. The range of cleat tension adjustment is very good, and once you set the retention loose, you will feel as you're wearing flats. So, you'll be able to get off your bike and walk around comfortably.

If you're not sure whether clipless pedals will suit you and your riding style but don't want to shell out much money for your "experiment", have a look at the Wellgo WPD-823 MTB CR-MO Clipless Pedals. These are a cheaper alternative to Shimano pedals that don't lose them in quality a lot and even look very similar to famous Shimano LX's. Even the cleats are almost identical to them, though not as sharply finished. By the way, it's worth mentioning that Shimano SH-51 cleats are compatible with these pedals, so if already own a pair of SH-51 cleats, you can try them with these pedals.

The Wellgo WPD-823 pedals have a durable aluminum alloy body with Cr-Mo spindle. The spindles are made from chromium molybdenum steel which is considered to be the premium material. Actually, this is arguably one of the best materials for bicycle production. It’s lighter and stiffer than ordinary steel. Also, Chromoly is very responsive and offers good flex whilst maintaining its form.

That said, we believe you won't have problems with these clipless pedals thanks to their solid construction, even if you are hard on them.