Best Road Bike Pedals for Beginners
Road cycling pedals are one of the most essential accessories for a cyclist. They improve efficiency and performance at the same time. If you are planning to buy a pair for you, this is the right place to stop and read on!
Choosing a right pair of bike pedals is not as easy as it sounds. It can be even more tricky if you’re a beginner with very little or no knowledge about the pedals. Because there are so many brands and types of pedals, you should have proper buying knowledge otherwise you will end up regretting your decision.
With that in mind, here we are sharing each and everything you should know about the best road bike pedals for beginners. We will discuss the complete buyer’s guide along with some of our top favorite picks in this category. So, without wasting any more time, let’s begin!
Why Use Road Biking Pedals?
A majority of road bikers use clipless pedals as they offer excellent power and great efficiency through a secure connection between the pedal and the shoe. Most of these pedals sport a three-hole design which is often known as an SPD system. These cleats are generally larger and are crafted from plastic which makes them far better the dual-hole design.
Another benefit of the clipless bike pedals is, the three-hole design or the large cleat area distribute the force applied to the pedal evenly which in turn lowers the pressure and allows a smooth pedaling.
Buying Guide For The Road Bike Pedals
There are several factors one should keep in mind at the time of purchasing the road bike pedals. Some of these are as follows :
The Platform Size
Look for the pedal with a wider platform or surface area because the better the platform size, smoother will be the performance. It will also keep you comfortable for the long hours and will also result in impressive power transfer.
Float
Float is usually the amount your heel can move. While some bikers prefer zero-degree float, others want to have some sort of float to make them comfortable. If you’re a beginner, we recommend not to go for “fixed” float as it can make you very uncomfortable. Instead look for the pedals with a lower amount float.
Q Factor
For those who don’t know, the Q factor is the distance between the center of pedals. To enhance the power and efficiency, you need to look for the pedals that come with varying axle lengths or offer some kind of adjustability.
Release Tension
If you’re a beginner then look for slightly less release tension as it helps in easy engagement and disengagement. However, if you’re an experienced biker, you can go for a harder release tension.
Stack Height
The stack height of the pedals shouldn’t be too low or too high. It should be according to the height of your saddle. So, keep this in mind.
Reliability
While this is the most ignored factor while purchasing the pedals, it is very important to consider. Some manufacturers use low-quality material and smaller bearings and other components in order to cut the cost. If you invest in such pedals, you might be able to save a few bucks but you will need to replace them very often which will add to your bills. So, it’s better to prefer high-quality products that are durable and reliable. From this aspect, Shimano pedals are unbeatable!
So, that’s our small but useful buyer’s guide for selecting the right pair of bike pedals for you. If you don’t want to go through all of this, don’t worry. Here we have handpicked some of the best pedals for you. Check them out and thank us later!
3 Best Road Bike Pedals For Beginners
Shimano 6800 Ultegra Road Bike Pedals
First in our list are these amazing road pedals by the most tested and popular brand Shimano. While these are not the most lightweight pedals, they offer great performance. These are one of the most reliable pedals in the market at this time.
You can easily control the pressure required for releasing your feet by their adjustable springs. There are 3 cleats that offer a great float ranging from 0 to 6 degrees. You can adjust this degree according to your convenience. If you want to have a ‘fixed float’, you can tune it at 0 degree and so on.
Look Keo Blade-2 Bike Pedals
These road bike pedals by the French brand Look are not only attractive but also offer a great functionality. They feature a super-efficient steel spring mechanism and a lightweight body.
Their aerodynamic design makes them perfect for beginners who don’t want to compromise on their comfort level. While there is no adjustable release tension, the pedals come with three preset options for the same. Moreover, they come with a wider platform and low stack height which makes them the best. They offer a float ranging from 0 to 6 degrees and are pretty durable as well.
Shimano M520 SPD
Last but definitely not the least, we again picked these amazing pedals from Shimano. These double sided pedals come with an excellent design and an advanced technology that makes them shine among the rest.
These are one of the most suitable pedals for beginners and less experienced bikers. The float range offered by them is fairly great with 0 to 15 degrees. You can either fix it at 0 or adjust it according to your comfort, all up to you.
These are very advanced and unique pedals with impressive design components. The four bolt cleat offers a large surface area which increases your performance and efficiency and is also compatible with a range of foot sizes.
Shimano M520 are great pedals and the best part is that they are affordable as well. You will not need to replace them for sure. These surely offer a great value for money.
Best Road Bike Pedals For Beginners: Final Thoughts
And that’s all for now. We hope this guide helps you in making an informed purchase.