10 Best Clipless Pedals 2025 in the United States

The SHIMANO PD-EH500 pedals offer a versatile design suitable for urban riding and cycle touring. With one side featuring SPD compatibility and the other side being flat, it accommodates various riding styles. The light action binding makes frequent stepping in and out easier, which is particularly useful for city riders who often need to stop and start.

The flat side provides better grip in wet conditions, enhancing safety during adverse weather. It weighs 383 grams per pair, which is relatively lightweight, making it easier to handle without adding much bulk to your bike. Made from durable aluminum, these pedals are built to last, offering longevity and less frequent need for maintenance.

The pedals come with Shimano SM-SH56 cleats, ensuring immediate usability. The adjustability feature allows riders to fine-tune the pedals to their preference, enhancing comfort and performance. These pedals are great for dual purposes but might not be the best choice for those looking for specialized performance in either road racing or mountain biking. Suitable for adult riders and available in black, these pedals rank well in customer reviews, reflecting high satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating from over 2,200 users.

The Shimano PD-RS500 SPD-SL Road Bike Pedals are designed specifically for road biking, making them a solid choice for cyclists in that category. These pedals are single-sided, compatible with SPD-SL cleats, and include SM-SH11 cleats, which offer 6 degrees of float. This float allows for some movement while clipped in, providing comfort during longer rides.

Constructed with Chromoly steel axles, these pedals are built for durability while maintaining a relatively lightweight design, with each pedal weighing approximately 1.7 ounces (48 grams). This makes them a good balance between strength and weight, important for performance without adding unnecessary heft to your bike. The pedal dimensions are 6.69 inches long by 6.3 inches wide, providing a stable platform for your feet.

Since these pedals are single-sided, they might require a bit more attention to ensure you clip in correctly, which can be a slight drawback for those new to clipless systems. They are also designed with an easy-to-maintain mechanism, enhancing their longevity. The black color and modern style blend well with most road bikes, adding to the aesthetic appeal. If you're an adult road cyclist looking for durable, adjustable, and comfortable clipless pedals, the Shimano PD-RS500 could be a worthwhile investment. However, beginners might need some time to adapt to the single-sided entry.

The Wahoo Speedplay COMP pedal system is a solid choice for road cyclists looking for easy-to-use clipless pedals. Its standout feature is the dual-sided entry, allowing you to clip in quickly and confidently with either side of the pedal. This makes it beginner-friendly and convenient during rides. The cleats offer excellent walkability, meaning you can comfortably walk off the bike without awkward steps, which is great for commuters or riders who often stop.

One of the biggest advantages of these pedals is the 3-axis adjustability—this lets you fine-tune the pedal’s position forward-backward, side-to-side, and adjust the float (the natural rotation of your foot while clipped in). This can help reduce knee strain and improve comfort during long rides by fitting your natural pedaling style. Weighing about 390 grams, they're reasonably light but not the lightest on the market, balancing durability and performance. The stainless steel material and chromoly construction suggest a robust build that should hold up well over time and resist wear, needing minimal maintenance.

The stack height (the distance between your shoe sole and the pedal axle) is moderate, which might feel less efficient to some performance-focused riders seeking a lower profile setup. Also, while the cleats are walkable, they are a bit more complex to install and maintain compared to simpler pedal systems. Compatibility is mainly aimed at road bikes, so these pedals might not be the best fit for mountain biking or casual cycling. These pedals suit cyclists who value adjustability, comfort, and ease of clipping in, especially those using road or indoor bikes. However, serious racers or riders wanting ultra-light pedals may prefer other options.