Bike pedals are directly involved in the amount of power delivered to the cranks. To increase the power output, cyclists use clipless pedals to attach their cycling shoes directly to the pedal. The clipless pedals can be used on road, mountain or hybrid bikes, but they all perform the same. If you are interested in installing a pair of clipless pedals to your bike, compare the various brands, models, designs and features.
Types
The first comparison for clipless bike pedals is the types of pedals and compatible cleats. Recessed clipless pedals, such as SPD designs, have a cleat attached to the bottom of the cycling shoe that extends from the sole of the shoe. Non-recessed clips, however, use an attachment system that's flat on the sole of the shoe. Recessed and SPD clipless pedals are ideal for beginners because they can be adjusted for entry and release.
Design
Designs on clipless pedals can vary widely among brands, but overall all of the pedals perform the same. For example, the Crank Brothers Egg Beaters clipless pedal is designed with a small size and open frame to shed dirt and mud while reducing the overall weight of the pedal to 280 g. The Look Quartz clipless pedal also has an open design with a weight of 120 to 130 g, but is also made with a solid platform that can be used as a normal pedal without cleats.
Features
Cleat adjustments and release tension are two of the most important features when comparing clipless pedals. Release tension on the Look Quartz pedals is adjusted using a fine-tune spring tension that allows different release angles from about 15 to 20 degrees. While the Crank Brothers Egg Beaters pedals don't feature the adjustments to the release tension, the pedals feature a four-sided entry allowing you to quickly and easily access the pedal while riding.
Price
Prices on clipless pedals are dependent on the materials, weight and available features. For example, the Look Quartz pedal made with a carbon body costs $199 as of 2011 while the pedal made with a polyamide body costs $99 per set. Adding titanium to the carbon body can increase the price to $419. Similarly, the Crank Brothers pedals vary in price from $50 to $100 depending on the model.
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