Choosing Clipless Mountain Bike Pedals, Shoes & Cleats
What are clipless pedals?
Anyone riding a bike knows the feeling of slipping off your pedals. To combat this, the lycra crowd invented clipless pedal systems. Although somewhat of a misnomer, clipless pedals got their name from a time gone past, but they represent the present and future of mountain biking. In the old days, bikers commonly used toe cages, aka “clips” to secure their feet to the pedals. This provided a much-needed power boost and prevented slippage during that crucial push. As technology evolved, our vocabulary didn’t... The irony, of course, is that clipless pedals are quite the opposite — 100% clipped in.
Investing in a clipless pedal system can be liberating, scary, and yes, even a bit of a learning curve. Despite this, cyclists worldwide in almost every discipline and community love the power and connection clipless provides. You'll commonly hear the phrase that once you go clipless, you'll never go back!
Clipless pedals allow for push/pull power generation and a more secure connection.
Clipless Cleat Systems
Shoes, pedals, clips, and power. Not so long ago the four parts of the clipless pedal system were a mystery, until one day, riders realized they could provide more speed and strength than flat pedals. There are only a few major clipless systems to consider, made by a few manufacturers. Many of these systems are cross-compatible with other brands, but check your products before you buy. Below, we’ll cover each part of the clipless system. Cleats, pedals, and finally, shoes.
SPD (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics)
Perhaps the most well-known in the cycling community, the Shimano SPD is a two-bolt cleat available in disciplines ranging from mountain to commuter riding. The SPD cleat systems feature adjustable float and a generous clip-out angle, which is perfect for riders who need a little bit of play in the air, or through technical sections of dirt. Thanks to their ease of use and off-road effectiveness, SPD and other two-bolt systems are most common in the Mountain Biking and Gravel communities. However, any rider can use them.
SPD-SL (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics SuperLight)
The SPD-SL system is Shimano’s more traditional road cleat system, but it’s important to cover because ultimately, everyone has different preferences. The signature Tri-pronged design features three clip-in points, minimal float, and increased contact area between your feet and pedals, providing maximum power transfer when you’re going fast. While the SPD-SL can still be seen on the feet of some gravel and cyclocross riders, it is most common with a pack of spandex-clad roadies.
Crank Brothers + Other “Two Bolt” Double Sided Cleats
Crank Brothers produces another well-known clipless system, that looks similar to the SPD but is noticeably more symmetrical. Popularized in the mountain bike community, these two-sided pedals are gaining popularity with the grinders. Cleats are available with a variety of float options and degrees of security, making them great for riders of any level looking for a sturdy clipless setup. You can clip in on either side of the pedal, whereas the SPD SL and many other models have an up and a down. This 360 degree attachment system makes it easy to gear up and go.
Types of Clipless Pedals
Hybrid MTB Pedals
Mountain bikers will usually opt for wider, platform style pedals with integrated clips for stability while they move through technical terrain. Some will have traditional studs like flat pedals, while others will be completely smooth, relying on the connection for all power and grip.
Hybrid Road Pedals
Hybrid Road pedals use the 3-bolt interface as seen in SPD SL. They typically ferature a platform that covers only the pedal's surface area. They do not have studs and prioritize power and precision over comfort. Many gravel riders still use the SPD-SL system, so we have included it in our mountain biking guide for reference, but you will rarely see these off asphalt these days.
Eggbeater Pedals
Road, gravel, commuters, and some XC riders will go for a smaller pedal, like an Road, gravel, commuters, and some XC riders will go for a smaller pedal, like an Eggbeater, which is essentially just a clip with no platform. The advantages of this style are a low weight, great power transfer, and they typically don’t gunk up when you’re riding in the mud. Beginner users may find this style intimidating because of their different look, but
Technology in Pedals (Power Meters & Integrated Systems)
For serious, or seriously nerdy riders, some clipless pedals integrate with fitness technology. A good power meter can be crucial when training for a big race. By extracting data directly from your pedal stroke, these cool cleats provide valuable information on your ride to a healthy life. Companies like Garmin and Wahoo produce clipless and magnetic power meter pedals.
Clipless Mountain Bike Shoes
Most shoes are compatible with most cleats, but that doesn’t mean you should use them. Pick a style of shoe that matches your riding style and pedal.
Clipless mountain bike shoes feature a cutout on the sole and screwholes to attach to your feet. Some cleats may require an adapter between two and three hole patterns. Road shoes, like the SPD SL, generally have a three hole pattern. Most other shoes, designed for mountain and gravel riding, will have a two hole pattern.
Racers and road riders using small, eggbeater style pedals should opt for a plastic soled, low profile shoe. Some of these shoes are not designed to be walked in, while others will have a bit of tread. Keep this in mind when considering your needs. These shoes are available in varying stiffnesses and widths.
Cross-country riders, freestyle mountain bikers, and the rest of us will opt for a more traditional mountain bike (MTB) shoe. This consists of a flat rubber sole with a plate for your cleats. Clipless MTB shoes are also available with a variety of closures and stiffnesses.
Another thing to consider is the sole of the shoe. Many race shoes have hard, rockered plastic soles, and within that category some are not meant to be walked in at all. While you will rarely encounter this in true freeride mountain bike shoes, be aware of the effect of hard plastic on your ride plan. These shoes can alter your balance and grip on the ground. They thrive on endurance rides, races, or days when you dont plan on going straight to the brewery. This author loves them for her gravel grind!
Differentiating between cleat patterns can help you narrow down which shoes and system you should buy, but as bike disciplines evolve, so does rider preference. In gravel riding for example, you will find a combination of SPD-SL users and SPD / Crank Brothers users.
Consult the fit guide or go to a bike shop if you need help positioning them.
Clipless Pedal Tech Specs
Float
Float is a an engineering feature built into pedals, which allows the rider to move, or swivel their foot laterally in the pedal without coming unclipped. The advantages of float are twofold. Float decreases knee injury and gives the rider more room to adjust their body position on the bike. These pedals are great for riding in varied terrain, advanced terrain (big gap jumps or chutes), and where response time is key. Think of your clipless pedal system like a ski or snowboard boot/binding, or even the shape and tread of running shoes. More float = more play.
Release Angle
Release angle represents the position at which you need to twist your foot to get in and out of clips. Pedals with a higher release angle will take more effort to release, while lower release angles take less. Newer riders, or those getting on and off their bike will appreciate a lower release angle. Riders whos feet never leave the pedals, will benefit from a higher release angle. Standard release angle ranges from 10 - 15 degrees.
How to Clip Into Clipless Pedals
While it may seem intimidating at first, riding with clipless pedals will quickly become second-nature with a little bit of practice. We recommend starting out by putting your bike next to a wall, or something you can hang on to, so you can hold on and stay stable while practicing clipping and unclipping.
Clipping In
To clip into clipless pedals, place the cleat on the pedal, sliding it forward slightly with some downward pressure. Most mountain bike clipless pedals are dual-sided, it doesn’t matter which side you clip into. When you’ve had some practice clipping in with both feet, you’re ready to ride. Start with the foot that you start your pedal stroke with. Clip in and get some momentum, and once you’re moving and stable, you can clip in your other foot.
Clipping Out / Unclipping
To release from clipless pedals, simply twist your heel out, away from the bike. You’ll find that unclipping is easier than you might think, though everyone has had a fall or two when they've forgetten to unclip, it’s part of the game! Some riders might be worried about unclipping, or not unclipping when they fall. More often than not, the act of falling will automatically unclip you from the pedals, keeping you from getting tangled up with your bike.
SAMMI BUSHMAN
Mountain Biker & Product Content WriterSammi is an avid recreator who divides her time between the coastal mountains of Washington and the dry desert of Utah. She enjoys riding endurance gravel races “for fun,” finding floam (flowy loam), and venturing into the backcountry on whatever pair of skis feels best with her boots that day.