The Best Clip-In Trail MTB Pedals for 2021 - Pinkbike Buyer's Guide

Welcome to a new series of Pinkbike buyers’ guides. We’ll be revising and updating these guides periodically as new options get released, and we get more feedback from our team.

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Flats or Clipped In?
At some point every mountain biker makes a choice: will they ride flat pedals or will they ride clipped in?

Flat pedals allow you to wear a flat-soled shoe that is held onto your pedals with pins that dig into the rubber sole of your shoe. They’re often chosen by riders who want to put a foot out quickly in technical terrain, or riders who want to do tricks. You can walk more easily in flat pedal shoes, and they’re often more comfortable.

On the other hand, clip-in pedals require a special shoe that connects to the pedal using a cleat. Clip-in pedals (also called “clipless” pedals, we know it’s confusing) ensure that your feet are held securely to the pedals, and always planted in the same position. Many riders also feel that they allow them to engage more muscles in their leg when pedaling, and encourage smoother, more efficient pedaling technique.

Regardless of your choice, most mountain bikers should try clip-in pedals at some point. After researching and testing countless pedals, we’ve narrowed down our top picks for you below, depending on your riding style, budget, and preferences. We’re confident that each of the Pinkbike Editors’ Choice options below will serve you well.



The Testers
I’ve been mountain biking for over half my life, and I’ve ridden clipped in since day one. I’ve raced World Cup cross-country races and EWS enduro races in all conditions, and have seen my fair share of bad pedals.

Pinkbike technical editors Mike Kazimer, Mike Levy, Richard Cunningham and Daniel Sapp also contributed to this test. As long-time bike industry tech editors, they’ve reviewed dozens of clipless pedals in the past decade.


How We Chose
There are literally hundreds of pedals on the market. We narrowed down the list of pedals to include in this test by polling our own technical editors, and assessed the following criteria.

Mountain bike specific pedals: Road cycling and mountain biking clip pedals are different. We chose pedals that are specific to mountain biking and will suit the majority of trail riders. Unlike clip pedals used for road cycling, mountain bike shoes use cleats with a 2-hole design that are recessed into the sole. This allows for more comfortable and safe walking.

Two-sided clips: There are pedals that have a clip on one side and a flat pedal on the other. We only included pedals with clips on both sides.

Popularity: We reached out to our contacts at various pedal manufacturers and bike shops asked them what their best selling mountain bike clip pedals are.

Durability & maintenance: We sought pedals that have a reputation for lasting for a long time, and have rebuild options or are easy to maintain.

Weight: We chose pedals with a platform that are a reasonable weight for their intended use.

Pricing: We chose pedals that have a good price to weight ratio. We didn’t look at any pedals over $200 USD, because in the trail and enduro categories they’re just not worth it. Pedals get smashed up, and the few grams you’re saving are better saved elsewhere.

Availability: We chose pedals that would be available to the majority of mountain bikers around the world. We didn’t include any “Limited Edition” pedals.

Other Feedback: In addition, we read a slew of consumer reviews on websites that host them as well as the opinions of other cycling media. We chose to focus on pedals that are consistently well liked.


How We Tested
Each pedal and cleat combination was weighed. Then we installed the cleats on a Specialized 2FO Roost shoe to see whether there were any compatibility issues or if shims were required. We rode each pedal on the same bike in regular conditions for general performance feedback. We checked the amount of contact with our test shoe.

In order to level the playing field, we created a “mud test” where we poured 1 cup of mud onto each pedal and then tried to clip in and out repeatedly. We tested each pedal in the middle of any adjustments they have (tension, float, etc.), as well as at their extremes.


We also took apart each pedal (or attempted to) in order to assess serviceability. Durability is very difficult to assess with a small sample size of testers, so our durability scores rely heavily on our longer-term testing and user reports. If you have issues with any of the pedals we’re testing, please let us know in the comments.

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Contents

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Shimano’s first dual-sided clip mountain bike pedals were released to the world in 1990 and after three decades on the market, the chances that you or someone you knows is using Shimano SPD cleats and pedals is very high. In fact, several manufacturers including Look, Ritchey, XPEDO, and Wellgo, make pedals that are SPD compatible.

The XTR PD-M9120 is Shimano's top of the line platform pedal, and is the most expensive in this round up at $189.99 USD. The new XTR Trail pedal is longer and wider and therefore heavier than the model it replaced, but the updated platform adds stability. In addition, the inside has been hollowed noticeably in the quest to shed mud and crud. Despite the added weight, they are some of the lightest clip-in trail platform pedals available at 386 grams. Shimano did not make any provision for pins on the XTR pedals.

The pedal uses a bomb-proof, step-on-the-pedal-and-go engagement which provides a resounding click to let you know when you've secured your foot in the pedal or released it. There are 4° of float which will be sufficient for many, but may not seem like enough for very active flat pedal riders who want to be able to move their feet around when riding without accidentally unclipping.

Adjustments to the tension of the pedal can be done on the fly with the help of a 2.5mm Allen key. A set of standard SH51 cleats comes with the pedals, but they are also compatible with a SH56 multi-release cleat. That multi-release cleat will allow the rider to pull their foot out of the pedal with the traditional outward heel twist, but will also release if you yank your foot up out of the pedal, good for beginner riders who are nervous about clip pedals, but terrifying for advanced riders expecting their feet to stay in place when they are riding.

The pedals are user-serviceable, with a cup and cone style bearing system and axles that screw in from one side of the pedal with a 15mm wrench. It is worth mentioning here however that our reviewer had an issue with a wandering contact seal back when we wrote our review of these pedals and this was a complaint that other riders also had about the top-of-the-line XTR pedals when I looked through reviews and online forums.

NB: Confused about all the numbers and letters after the words Shimano XTR? Here's the deal. PD stands for Pedal, M stands for Mountain, 91 means we're talking about an XTR product in the 9100 series, and 20 means it is the clip pedal model with a platform.

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The Shimano Deore XT PD-M8120 pedal is one step down from Shimano's top tier XTR model, but borrows from the top-end XTR with a wider platform than the previous generation. Both share the same SPD mechanism that's mounted in a fixed position on the pedal body. The XT's bodies are about 45 grams heavier though at 429 grams, mainly due to the fact that they spin on solid axles as opposed to the hollow units on the pricier XTR Trails. They come in at $130 USD.

Like the pricier XTR pedals, when you clip or unclip the pedal, there's a reassuring click which leaves no room for confusion as to whether or not you're actually clipped in. They also come with SH51 cleats but are compatible with a SH56 multi-release cleat. They use 4° of float, which will suit most riders, although Mike Levy has said that he would prefer a touch higher release tension at the maximum end of the scale since he has "accidentally unclipped a few times when using a lot of body English. This happened more frequently as the cleats wore, but I do recall it occurring a few times when they were still new."

Reviewers and happy customers from a variety of sites and forums comment on the pedal's reliability, longevity, and overall, they are highly recommended for their feel and reliability. The bearing system can be adjusted and maintained in the same manner as the XTR pedals - a few wrenches and some fresh grease can get the job done - and tension of the SPD mechanism is adjusted via a 2.5mm hex wrench.

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The least expensive of Shimano's trail clip-in pedals, the $65 USD ME700, have an aluminum body, a chromoly axle, and use Shimano's proven cup and cone bearing system. They take cues from the pricier Shimano XTR and XT pedals but the pair is significantly heavier at 482 grams. The ME700 features a wide platform and can be installed using an 6mm Allen key or a pedal wrench while higher-end models can only be installed with an 8mm Allen key.

The PD-ME700 uses the same clip in mechanism found on Shimano's other pedals and works the same way as the pricier XTR and XT pedals, although some people say that the entry isn't quite as quick and slick since the PD-ME700 lacks the slippery finish of its more expensive siblings. Like the other SPD pedals in this round up, they come standard with the SH51 cleats, but they are also compatible with a SH56 multi-release cleat that allows the rider to pull their foot out of the pedal with the traditional outward heel twist, but will also release if you yank your foot up out of the pedal. The price point for the PD-ME700 pedals is a good one for beginners and if you're nervous about about clip pedals, the SH56 cleat could be a good option to try.

Although the PD-ME700 has a slightly larger platform than the XTR or XT pedal, they still aren't meant to be ridden while not engaged and the surface does not contain pins and is made of a slippery metal. As the platform doesn't contain as deep of a cut out, it is slightly more prone to holding more mud than its more expensive siblings.

These pedals are said to be very durable and receive positive accolades whenever they are mentioned. It is worth noting however that they require a special tool (TL-PD40) to service them. It's not expensive, but it is an extra step.

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Crankbrothers' pedals are probably the second most commonly used option out there, next to anything with that SPD acronym on it. They use a 4-sided clip-in mechanism, mounted in the middle of the hollowed out platform. Six removable pins are found on each side of the Mallet E pedal for extra grip, along with two removable polyurethane traction pads that are available in different thicknesses to allow riders to fine tune the interface between the pedal and shoe. They weigh 425 grams and retail for $169.99 USD.

For riders accustomed to the feel of Shimano's SPD pedals, there's a distinct difference in how the Mallet E pedals feel underfoot. Where Shimano's clipless pedals have a crisp 'click' upon entry and exit, the Mallet's are a little less distinct, especially when clipping out. They also have six degrees of float compared to Shimano's four, which may not seem like much, but it's instantly noticeable. It's a matter of personal preference, but Mike Kazimer said that he "came to appreciate the extra float – the additional freedom of movement makes using the Mallets feel more like riding with flat pedals, allowing for more possible foot positions, which can be helpful when extra body language is required to wiggle through a tricky section of trail."

There's no way to adjust the release tension of the Mallets, but their design means it's virtually impossible to release upwards. The feel of the pedal can be adjusted with the height of the traction pins. You can also adjust your release angle by changing cleats. There are four cleat options, with either 0° or 6° of float and either 10° or 15° release angle. The pedals come standard with 6° of float and a 15° release angle. While not a knock against them, the design of the Crankbrothers pedals and cleats means that you must take the time to set them up correctly. You should be doing that with any type of pedal, of course, but it's especially important with Crankbrothers pedals. Once they're set up properly, you'll find that the design of the clip-in mechanism is well suited to muddy conditions.

In between the Mallet E's aluminum body and the chromoly spindle is an Enduro cartridge bearing and an Igus bushing that was developed specifically for Crankbrothers. A double lip internal seal system is in place to keep water and other contaminants at bay, and there's another external seal to add further weatherproofing. Mike Kazimer did find that one spindle had developed a fair bit of corrosion after half a year of abuse, but the other spindle was corrosion free. We'd recommend that riders in wet climates check and re-grease the internals. It's a quick procedure, and can be performed with the pedals still on the bike.

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The Crankbrothers Mallet 3 pedals use the same 4-sided clip-in mechanism as Crankbrothers' other pedals, mounted in the middle of a less hollowed out and therefore heavier platform. Like on the Mallet E pedals, there are six removable pins on each side of the Mallet 3 to provide extra grip. The Mallet 3 however does not have removable polyurethane traction pads to allow riders to fine tune the interface between the pedal and shoe. They are the heaviest of all the pedals in this round up, weighing 502 grams and retailing for $139.99 USD.

Just like the other Mallet pedals, there isn't a crisp 'click' when you clip in or out of the Mallet pedals. They have six degrees of float which makes it easier to move your foot around on them without unclipping, giving them more of a flat pedal feel. If you have trouble clipping in, the big platform with its six pins provides support for your foot. There is more surface area around the 4-sided clip-in mechanism on the Mallet 3 compared to the Mallet E and six smaller cutouts instead of two larger cutouts, which means that they're still reliable in muddy conditions, but they're more likely to carry around added mud and dirt.

The same traits of the Mallet E apply to the Mallet 3 - there's no way to adjust the release tension, but their design means it's virtually impossible to release upwards. The feel of the pedal can be adjusted with the height of the traction pins. There are four cleat options, with either 0° or 6° of float and either 10° or 15° release angle. The pedals come standard with 6° of float and a 15° release angle.

In between the Mallet 3's aluminum body and the chromoly spindle is an Enduro cartridge bearing and an Igus bushing that was developed specifically for Crankbrothers. A double lip internal seal system is in place to keep water and other contaminants at bay, and there's another external seal to add further weatherproofing. It's a quick procedure to check and re-grease the internals on the Mallet 3, but it is worth noting that they use a slotted endcap instead of an a hex endcap like the Mallet E does.

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The Crankbrothers Mallet 2 pedals use the same 4-sided clip-in mechanism as Crankbrothers' other pedals, mounted in the middle of the same platform that comes on the Mallet 3. The Mallet 2 however does not have removable pins on each side to provide extra grip. They are among the heaviest of all the pedals in this round up, weighing 499 grams and retailing for $99.99 USD.

Just like the other Mallet pedals, there isn't a crisp 'click' when you clip in or out of the Mallet pedals. They have six degrees of float which makes it easier to move your foot around on them without unclipping, giving them more of a flat pedal feel. The 4-sided clip-in mechanism on the Mallet 2 is a bit harder to rotate on the axle compared to the Mallet E and Mallet 3 and therefore they are harder to clip in to. Like the Mallet 3, they are reliable in muddy conditions, but there are six small cutouts on the platform which makes them prone to picking up dirt and mud.

There's no way to adjust the release tension of the Mallet 2, but their design means it's virtually impossible to release upwards. Unlike on other models, the feel of the pedal cannot be adjusted with the height of the traction pins. There are four cleat options, with either 0° or 6° of float and either 10° or 15° release angle. The pedals come standard with 6° of float and a 15° release angle.

In between the Mallet 2's aluminum body and the chromoly spindle is an Enduro cartridge bearing and an Igus bushing that was developed specifically for Crankbrothers. A double lip internal seal system is in place to keep water and other contaminants at bay, and there's another external seal to add further weatherproofing. It's a quick procedure to check and re-grease the internals on the Mallet 2, which use the same slotted endcap as the Mallet 3 pedals.

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SRAM recently purchased the pedal side of Time business, giving them a stake in the pedal market. The Speciale 8 has a mid-sized aluminum platform intended for aggressive trail riders and retails for $150 USD. It is proportioned about the same as Shimano's XTR trail pedal and comes in just a touch heavier at 396 grams, including the optional four pins per side.

The ATAC engagement bears some similarities to the Crankbrothers design but its release action is adjustable and two-sided, not four-sided. Time's ATAC cleats are designed to be reversed, depending upon the rider's desire for a more prolonged 17-degree, or a quicker, 13-degree exit. There are also ATAC Easy cleats which are suitable for beginners, which disengage at 10 degrees.

Time's ATAC system requires a more directional entry than Crankbrothers, but provides a more similar feel to Crankbrothers pedals than Shimano pedals. Daniel Sapp said when he reviewed them that the dual-loop ATAC mechanism "feels smooth and progressive, so I can anticipate the release and feel confident that I'm securely clipped in right up to that point." Speciale 8's offer reliable engagement in muddy conditions and are unaffected by sloppy mud, but still require a bit of a shove to clear hard-packed stuff.

Reading through online reviews and comments, you'll find that Time pedals are well-loved by many riders due to their reliability and unique feel. Time's version of the double-loop spring mechanism has also proven to hold up better to rock smashes than Crankbrothers'.

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Look pioneered the most successful clip in pedal design for road racing, but it took a while for them to come up with off-road pedals that appealed to mountain bikers, eventually deciding to follow Shimano's lead on both the engagement mechanism and the cleat instead of reinventing the wheel. The Look X-Track En-Rage Plus is a platform pedal that looks similar to Shimano's offering and comes in at $130 USD, the same price as Shimano's XT. They are slightly heavier than the XT pedals, partly due to the fact that there are two pins on each side of the pedal.

Look advertises the X-Track as offering 6 degrees of float, while Shimano SPD pedals list just 4 degrees of float. The X-Track cleats are nearly identical to a Shimano SPD cleat which means that standard Shimano SPD cleats will work fine with the X-Track pedal. The feel of the Look pedals is also very similar to that of the Shimano pedals when you clip in, offering a resounding click to let you know when you've secured your foot in the pedal, but there's slightly more wiggle room before you hear that distinct 'click' when releasing.

Adjustments to the tension of the pedal can be done on the fly with the help of a 2.5mm Allen key, and if you're the kind of person who rides your XT or XTR Shimano adjustment screws bottomed out and still wish for more release tension, Look's En-Rage Plus could be a good option since they offer a higher maximum release threshold. As Richard Cunningham said, "My XTR setting is four clicks out, but I needed to back out two more clicks to match the same release feel."

Like Shimano, the X-Track pedals are completely serviceable and seem to hold up well to the abuses that come with trail riding.

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The HT T1 is the brand's enduro race pedal and at 379 grams for the pair, they're one of the lightest on test. The only pedals that are lighter are the Xpedo Baldwin pedals and the Wellgo M279DUs, neither of which has a substantial platform. They cost $135 to $159 USD, depending on which of the 14 colours you choose. The spring-loaded clip-in mechanism is HT's own design, with a wire bail at the front rather than the metal plate commonly seen with SPD-compatible designs. On that note, the T1's aren't SPD-compatible, which means you'll need to use HT's own cleats in order to properly clip in and out. The supplied X1 cleats provide 4 degrees of float, and there's another cleat design available, the X1F, that allows for 8-degrees of float.

If you've ever used a version of Shimano's clipless pedals then you're familiar with what 4-degrees of float usually feels like—there's almost no resistance up to a certain point, after which the cleat cleanly disengages and releases the shoe from the pedal. On the HT T1s, even for those first 4-degrees there's still a little bit of resistance, and the release feels 'springier' than it does with Shimano's pedals. When he reviewed them, Mike Kazimer said that "it's like the difference between opening the latch on a gate (Shimano) and lifting up the catch bar on a mouse trap (HT). It's a little less on/off, which means there's a greater range of foot motion for those moments when you need to almost—but not quite—unclip." This also means that the T1's may not be the best option if you're just getting used to riding clips. Clipping in and out is trouble free in all but the muddiest of conditions when they can clog a little bit, although a few solid kicks are usually all it takes to get clipped back in.

The T1 pedals offer up more spring tension than Shimano SPD pedals, a plus for riders who regularly find themselves blowing out of their SPD pedals even at max tension. Tension is adjusted via a 3mm hex bolt on each side, with possible settings ranging from 'snug' to 'my shoes are now permanently affixed to my bike.' There's a ton of available spring tension, and the middle setting is close to what would be the max on a set of Shimano pedals. On the trail, the T1's were easy to clip into, with a reassuring 'click' that makes it easy to know that you're securely attached. It's worth noting that if you crank the tension up all the way it's going to be harder to get in to the HT T1 pedals as well as getting out of them.

All that being said, in Mike Kazimer's review and countless others, when it comes to durability and ease of release, Shimano comes out on top since they are able to withstand multiple seasons of use without losing any of their smoothness or developing play, and retaining a consistent feel with every clip in or out. The pedals aren't as weatherproof as they could be and disassembly isn't too hard. It does require a thin-walled 8mm socket, but that comes with each set of pedals.

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Xpedo says that the Baldwin is a lightweight yet durable pedal that bridges the gap between the demands of XC racer to the enduro rider. It's one of the two lightest pedals on test at 355 grams, and features Xpedo's adjustable Posi-Lock retention system protected by a platform that is on the smaller side. The Baldwin includes Xpedo’s own cleats, however they are compatible with Shimano SPD cleats. They come in five different colours and retail for $119 USD, just $10 less than Shimano XT and Look X-Track En Rage Plus pedals.

The Xpedo cleats look very similar to the SPD cleats, but with an open end adjuster. They engage with what will be a familiar ‘click’ to SPD pedal users and keep your foot firmly in place once you're on the trails. The side to side float of the cleat in the pedal is 6 degrees which makes them similar to the Look X-Track En Rage Plus pedals. There's a bit more room to move your feet around before you unclip and it's a touch harder to get out of than the Shimano XTR, XT or PD-ME700 pedals.

Where the Baldwins differ the most from the Shimano and Look pedals is with the adjustability. There is range, but it's much more difficult to adjust the tension than with the Shimano pedals because there's just a screw paired with a scale with a high and a low on it. The screw is a bit harder to reach with your Allen key and there isn't a plus or a minus sign that help you figure out which direction to turn the screw based on whether you're looking for more or less tension. There's also no hard stop, so it's easy to over-loosen the pedals and have the nut loose contact with the bolt. A tedious reunification ensues.

There are 3 cartridge bearings and I found multiple reviews online that stated that the Xpedo Balwins are durable, however they get a low value score based on the quality of the tension system that you get for $10 USD less than Shimano's sleek XT pedals.

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The Wellgo M279 pedals are the lightest at 352 grams for the pair and the least expensive of the bunch at $59.99 USD. That light weight is in large part because they have the smallest platform. They are one of only three pairs of pedals in this round up that are installed using a 6mm Allen key, as opposed to a 8mm Allen key. The M279 uses an SPD mechanism and includes SPD cleats. The pedals themselves have the tallest stack height on test since the platform is thicker and the clip in mechanism protrudes more than on other pedals.

There are 4 degrees of float on the M279 pedals and engagement is crisp and smooth with the SPD mechanism, although the lack of a substantial platform and the elevated position of the clip in mechanism makes it feel like you're much more disconnected from the pedal than you are on the other SPD pedals in this round up.

Like the Baldwins, the Wellgo M279 is more difficult to adjust than the Shimano or Look SPD-compatible options. There is range, but it's much more difficult to adjust the tension than with the Shimano pedals because there's just a screw paired with a scale with a high and a low on it. The screw is a bit harder to reach with your Allen key, and there's also no hard stop, so it's easy to over-loosen the pedals and have the nut loose contact with the bolt. I found, along with many of the online reviews about them, that the M279s do not shed mud particularly well.

As for their durability, online reviews state that their bearings are not the most reliable and the mechanism is not as solid as other SPD pedals which gives them a low value score when combined with the lack of serviceability.

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The Ritchey Comp Trail pedals are some of the least expensive on test and fit squarely into the middle of the pack at 407 grams. They can be installed using a 6mm Allen key or a pedal wrench. The M279 uses an SPD mechanism and includes SPD cleats.

There are 4 degrees of float on the Ritchey Comp pedals and engagement is crisp and smooth with the SPD mechanism. The platform feels more substantial than the one on the Wellgo pedals, although it doesn't feel as stable or as durable as the other SPD options. The Ritchey Comp Trail pedals opt for weight savings over a larger platform like that on the Crankbrothers models.

Like the Baldwins and the Wellgo M279, the Ritchey Comp is a little more difficult to adjust than the Shimano or Look SPD-compatible options. There is range, but it's more difficult to adjust the tension than with the Shimano pedals because there's just a screw paired with a scale with a high and a low on it. The screw is a bit harder to reach with your Allen key, and there's also no hard stop, so it's possible to over-loosen the pedals and have the nut loose contact with the bolt.

As for their durability, online reviews state that their seals are not the most reliable which means water and dirt can get into the bearings, making them noisy. They are also not serviceable. This gives the pedals a low value score.

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Details

Scores

Editors' Choice Top Picks
Version 1. Evaluated April 6th, 2021.


Best Clip In Trail Pedal:
Winner: Shimano Deore XT PD-M8120
Runner Up: Time Speciale 8

Best Value:
Winner: Shimano PD-ME700
Runner Up: Crankbrothers Mallet 2

Best Flat Pedal Feel:
Winner: Crankbrothers Mallet E
Runner Up: HT T1

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Got anything to add? Which trail pedals would you like us to check out and add into the mix?