Pedals for every type of bike

The pedal under the magnifying glass

The pedal transfers motion from the foot to the wheel, passing through the crank, chainring, chain and, if present, the derailleur, allowing the bike to move faster or slower along the course. That is why the task it performs is so crucial for the cyclist. The pedal consists of a sturdy support platform that screws into the crank and must be able to rotate on its own axis. This is made possible by bearings. The pedal body can be made of plastic, nylon fiber or aluminum. The latest-generation models use materials such as carbon, which help reduce weight and increase strength, as in the excellent Keo Blade Carbon Ceramic. 
An increasingly common element in modern pedals is the quick-release system, a mechanism that securely connects shoe and pedal, allowing the foot to be quickly disengaged from the pedal in an emergency or whenever sudden braking is needed. The quick-release system is absent on pure flat pedals but is present on some hybrid models dedicated to the Gravity world, such as the Fireeye Hot Clip M SPD.

The key role of cleats

Both MTB pedals and road bike pedals focus heavily on quick release. But there are many differences between the two versions when it comes to cleats, the attachments that screw onto the shoes to create a secure connection with the pedal. In the first case, the SPD system takes center stage. Also featured on Shimano XTR M9100 SPD XC pedals, it is compatible with a recessed cleat that, once the pedal is unclipped, makes walking very smooth. Road bike cleats, on the other hand, are based on the LOOK system, unbeatable in terms of lightness. However, by leaving the cleat exposed, it makes walking difficult once off the saddle.

Main types of pedals:

• Road bike pedals
• MTB pedals
• Flat pedals

Power meter pedals

Power meter pedals are the latest technology in pedals for measuring output and expressed watts. Getting ahead in bike training has never been easier!

Discover the power meter pedals here.

Pedal evolution

With the earliest bicycles, pedaling was simply impossible. If we look at the famous Draisine, launched by Baron Karl von Drais in 1817, all we see is a wooden frame on two wheels. Pedals only appeared in 1861, on board the equally iconic Velocipede designed by coachbuilder Pierre Michaux. And they were placed right at the front hub. For the chain drive, another 25 Years had to pass. And in 1888, the freewheel finally came into play as well. After more than 130 Years, the pedal in cycling is a universe of possibilities, a component that, as we have seen, comes in an almost infinite number of variants.