In this blog I’m going to give you my take on the best clipless pedals for enduro riding. There are a number of solid picks for people with different riding styles.
Since pedals from the same brand make use of the same clipping mechanism I’ve chosen at least two pedals of each manufacturer. The pedals are either more trail-oriented or more enduro/downhill-oriented. The difference between the two actually differs from brand to brand. From big burly platforms with lots of pins to smaller pinless options, you’ll find them on this list.
The go-to approach to enduro riding when it comes to pedals is simply to provide a larger pedal platform. If you like riding with one foot clipped, the platform helps you re-engage the pedal more easily. Some pedals have enough pins that a certain amount of grip is possible even when not riding clipped in. Usually the back of the platform is engaged only, with just the hardest uphill efforts resulting in the foot connecting with the front of the platform.
Naturally each individual will have her/his own preference when it comes to the clipping mechanism. Of course Shimano’s SPD mechanism is featured alongside others like Time’s ATAC. With such diversity in pedals comes a difference in weight as well. Some of the heaviest pedals are featured here, and you can find all the necessary specifications in a table overview at the end of the article.
And with that out of the way, let’s head over to the list of the best clipless pedals for enduro riding.
Shimano Deore XT PD-M8120
The Shimano Deore XT PD-M8120 sets a benchmark in terms of value-for-money. Not as expensive as the XTR, but basically offering all the tried-and-true functionality you’ll ever be going to need from a clipless pedal for trail riding.
Shimano pedals are known for their bearing quality and longevity, with low service intervals and excellent riding quality offering many miles without worry. A dual cup-and-cone style setup is specific to the Shimano brand, and as far as longevity is concerned I don’t know any difference.
The XT pedals are slightly heavier than the XTR at 438 vs 398 grams, and also have a slightly larger stack height of 16.2 mm vs 15.4 mm. Those two figures alone aren’t enough in my opinion to make up for the difference in price. Especially considering the fact that the platform and SPD mechanism itself is almost similar.
This means that both pedals offer the extremely user-friendly SPD cleat mechanism. When attached they offer a snug feel with minimal float of 4 degrees, and reasonable release tension at 13 degrees. This is good for those people who want a super consistent pedal feeling and maximum energy transfer.
The mechanism is a dual system with a single spring, which means you engage toe-first and then clip in. Although it takes a bit of practice once you get used to it, both engaging and releasing your foot from the pedals is what makes Shimano pedals so popular, since it’s the best you could ask for.
Shimano pedals are boring. They are a single color, don’t look flashy, and don’t really stand out. But as far as functionality, there are very few pedals that come close or rival the build-quality, longevity, and user-friendliness of the Shimano Deore XT PD-M8120, except maybe the XTR version. And in the end, build quality is the most important factor of any product, including one that gets as much abuse as a clipless pedal for trail riding.
- The SPD mechanism in the Deore XT setup with the Shimano bearings is a no-brainer
- None
Shimano Saint PD-M821
The Shimano Saint PD-M821 is everything you want and need from an enduro-oriented pedal. Rock solid performance, far more platform stability than either the XT or XTR, and miles of pedaling without any worries.
The enduro-specific pedals from Shimano are all business, with a Japanese focus on longevity and durability. The cup-and-cone style bearings unique to Shimano offer one of the very best bearing setup you could ask for in a clipless pedal, which should be one of your most important concerns.
The focus on durability is ever-present in the robust platform, pushing the weight way over a pound to 546 grams. That’s a small price to pay for the 4-pinned stability the machined platform provides, as well as the renowned ease of entry with the trustworthy SPD mechanism.
Shimano never makes really flashy products, but they put in some effort with the gold preload screw. The pedal looks as sturdy as it performs in the wild. When compared to its more trail-oriented brothers, the large size platform is a welcome addition to rough trail riding, but even with a slimmer profile than its predecessor, the stack still sits at a respectable 16.9 mm. Luckily the pedals can take a beating.
Not the prettiest, but the pedals do everything they’re supposed to with verve, so there’s no denying its place on this list.
- Simply a fantastic enduro or downhill clipless pedal with tried-and-true SPD functionality
- None if not a bit bland and heavy
Hope Union Clip Pedal - TC
Ever since I bought my first pair of Hope pedals I’ve been a fan of the UK brand. And as far as trail riding is concerned the Hope Union Clip Pedal – TC is up there with the very best in terms of build quality, durability, and all round performance.
For starters, Hope does one of the most important things right when it comes to pedals, which is the quality of the bearings. Where other brands might offer a single cartridge bearing, or maybe two, Hope puts three cartridge bearings alongside a single IGUS bushing onto a hollow chromoly steel axle.
The internals are sealed tighter than what you might be used to in a pedal. And this tightness stays even after many miles, which means the bearings stay very well protected against the outside elements no matter what conditions you’re riding in. Even after many miles and the occasional pedal strike, I’ve had absolutely zero play, which is not something I can say for a number of other premium pedal manufacturers.
The quality of the bearings is pretty similar to the best Shimano has to offer as is the ride quality of the clipless system. Inside a CNC-machined platform sits a dual spring-loaded stainless steel cleat system, offering just a little more float at either 4 or 5 degrees than what Shimano offers.
Two separate sets of cleats offer either 12 or 13 degrees of release angle, which sits so close together that you just as well might use one set as a spare. Both the cleats and the bolts are proprietary and made from stainless steel as well.
Besides the mechanism itself, which is fully adjustable, there are 4 optional pins per side for those of you who want more grip. With lots of anodized colors available besides your standard black, you can find a suitable match for your rig.
- Exudes quality from every angle. Built to last
- None if you're willing to spend the money
Hope Union Clip Pedal - GC
Essentially, the Hope Union Clip Pedal – GC are beefed up version of the TC or trail version, with GC being shorthand for Gravity Clipless.
Added support in the form of a larger platform, and added grip in the form of 7 pins per side should provide you with the confidence of staying in control when the trail demands it.
At 498 they are a burly set of CNC-machined pedals, which doesn’t really matter when getting into downhill territory. It takes some time getting the pedals dialed into your shoes and preference, but the adjustability is done easily enough and once set up the pedals offer the correct balance between float and grip.
The large platform is not as open as the Crankbrothers Mallet DH, but its mud-shedding capabilities are decent enough and only provide a less than ideal engagement when fully clogged, which is only to be expected. Otherwise the audible click is reassuring and easy to achieve with the dual-spring stainless steel mechanism.
The build quality is just as good as the XC and trail version with 3 sealed bearings and a bushing spinning rather tightly on a dual-sealed chromoly axle. For those willing to spend more than the already pretty extravagant price, there are titanium axle upgrades.
- Indestructable enduro and downhill clipless pedals
- Pricey
Chromag Pilot
Gorgeous looks is one thing that catches the eye when looking at the brilliant Chromag Pilot clipless pedals, but there’s much more to like.
For starters the pedals are really comfortable with a large 110 length aluminum platform spinning on a steel axle using 3 cartridge bearings and an IGUS bushing. That’s the same setup as the Hope, meaning you can apply tons of load on them without them wearing out.
The platform also offers 4 optional pins per side and together with the large platform and adjustable cleat system it means you can set them up securely for the gnarliest of trails. Although the platform is large enough that it provides enough stability without the use of the pins. The only downside of running such a large platform might be the weight, which sits at 520 grams.
Depending how you look at it, the Chromag Pilot offers an SPD-compatible cleat system, which is great for those of you who are already running SPD clipless pedals and are familiar and comfortable with how it works. It means that the dual-spring system engages toe first after which you snap your foot into place with a solid click. The action however is not as smooth as what you’re used to with Shimano, both clipping in and getting out of the pedals.
If you want a set of great-looking, long-lasting pedals with a familiar SPD system, that’s grippy, offers lots of colors and supports those with large feet, you might want to consider the Chromag Pilot clipless pedals.
- Supports large feet, lots of colors in gorgeous design. High quality bearings
- Heavy pedals. While SPD-compatible, not as smooth as Shimano pedals
Chromag Pilot BA
The Chromag Pilot BA are the biggest and heaviest clipless enduro and downhill pedals on the market. Measuring 110 times 105 mm at 595 grams they sure provide enough support for riders with big feet or simply for those who prefer huge pedals.
Although SPD-compatible, don’t expect the same smooth entry and disengagement you would normally expect from a Shimano pedal. This is a shame, and somewhat detract from the overall looks and otherwise excellent build-quality of the pedal.
Meant for enduro and downhill the large pedal with plenty of pins encourages riding without being clipped in. When riding with a softer sole the pins come in handy. The larger platform does mean you run a higher risk of pedal strikes. Luckily the pins are rear-loading so you can almost always get them out.
Maintenance is easy when needed, though the 3 bearing and single bushing setup means these pedals can take a tremendous amount of abuse. If sealed tightly against outside elements their longevity sits at the top of the range.
If you’re looking for a solid DH pedal in a nice color and love riding playful, the large 7-pinned platform will do the trick for you.
- Support riding without being clipped in. Large platform for big feet and/or ample support. Lots of colors
- Though SPD compatible, not as good as Shimano
Crankbrothers Mallet E
Although touted as an enduro pedal (that’s what the E stands for), the Crankbrothers Mallet E are just as good on normal trail riding, especially since the 94 mm platform length provides more support than the Mallet Trail.
One thing the Crankbrothers do best is offering a pedal with great mud clearance. This pricey set of pedals’ four-point engagement system is so minimal, there’s just no surface area for anything to attach to. The downside of this otherwise excellent system is the fact that you get them as-is, without any option for further adjusting.
The pedal provides excellent stability for those riders who don’t want to commit to a larger downhill pedal. The concave design of the platform with chamfered edges has 6 optional pins per side and provide ample stability and grip. Using pins on a pedal is definitely a rider preference since it can hamper getting into the pedal, but it does provide additional grip when riding unclipped.
The build quality of these premium pedals is top-notch with stainless steel wings for the clipping mechanism inside the machined aluminum body for a total weight of 419 grams.
Crankbrother pedals have a 4-way engagement system versus the standard 2, offering a royal 10 tot 20 degrees release angle depending on the type of cleat you like to run. The cleats also offer either 0 or 6 degrees of float. Getting into the pedals is easy because of the multi-directional engagement and because the mechanism itself is extremely resistant to getting caked up with mud.
The new Mallet E comes with just a single spindle length of 57 mm, but a smaller length is available should you want it. And although you can’t configure the mechanism itself, there are both 1 and 2 mm traction pads to provide the ultimate fit between the shoes you’re using and the platform.
I’m not the biggest fan of their bearing setup, with a single sealed bearing and bushing, but they are versatile, durable pedals, which are easy enough to get into no matter the ride conditions.
- Top-notch build quality of one of the best mud-shedding pedals there are
- There are pedals with longer bearing life
Time MX 6
The Time MX 6 is the French brand top-of-the-line clipless trail pedal. The unique glass-filled composition makes it the lightest in its category, sitting at 380 grams.
The pedals use the ATAX mechanism, which is a dual leaf spring system for easy engagement providing 5 degrees of both lateral and angular float. The standard 13 degrees of release tension can be cranked up all the way to 17 degrees, a number you’re probably never used to but it’s nice to know you can.
The French composite butterfly design is definitely different from your more standard aluminum platform versions, but the overall quality of the pedal, its ATAC mechanism, and the floaty feel without ever getting unclipped has attracted a lot of fans, myself included. I would like to be less stiff than I am, but I’m not, so these pedals are the most forgiving in getting you into the position you want to ride in.
The ATAC mechanism only closes when engaged, which means they offer a larger contact area for the cleats, and this in turn results in an easier engagement. Furthermore, the pedals have just the right platform size to aid in finding them in the correct position, yet not too big when you need to rotate them to get them into that correct position. Unlike a number of other pedals the entire rear of the platform supports your shoe, instead of just hanging there doing nothing.
There is no audible or tactile click, as with the Shimano pedals, so you’ll need to get used to them to feel secure enough to pedal without wiggling your foot around first to see if you’re actually engaged with the pedal.
The chromoly axle has two sealed bearings and a single bushing, and together with the high-quality engineering of the internals, it means the longevity and durability of these pedals are above average.
I always love products that stand out in a certain way and these pedals do. Beside the low weight, which is a good thing, the stack height sits at the upper end of the spectrum at 19 mm. I don’t really care for those extra 2 to 4 mm, depending on the pedal you’re comparing with, but it’s only fair to mention it for those that do.
- High-quality engineering, fantastic engagement, lots of float
- None
Time DH 4
The Time DH 4 has got DH in its name. They don’t say it but I can only suspect it stands for downhill, which is an interesting choice at least.
They are similar to the Time MX 6, with the only difference that the DH 4 has an aluminum body instead of a glass-filled composite. Since The MX 2 made it on my list of the best clipless trail pedals, I have no reason to state that these are just as good for general trail riding.
So these are more than excellent pedals, with quick, easy engagement and disengagement, lots of float for a playful feel with the ATAC mechanism and a generous release angle between 13 and 17 degrees. The aluminum version is probably a bit more durable than the composite one as well.
The aluminum body does add a bit of weight, with the pedal sitting at 476 grams versus 380. But we shouldn’t be too squeamish about adding 100 grams for a bike meant for enduro or even downhill riding.
These pedals don’t have a really big platform and its pinless, which means that grip while disengaged is less than for instance the huge 7-pinned Chromag Pilot BA; a pedal which excels in this area.
Is this a true downhill pedal? Maybe. Is this an overall excellent pedal for a reasonable enough price? For sure.
- Just as reasonably priced as the MX 6, more durable with the same excellent functionality
- We can argue about DH in the name
Time Speciale 8
It’s really interesting to see each brand’s approach to the various mountain bike disciplines, and by interesting I mean not as I would expect.
Where the Time DH 4 has downhill in it, the Time Speciale 8 is dubbed as the enduro specialist, while having a noticeable larger platform.
The front of the platform holds 2 front-loading pins meant for some additional grip while riding not clipped in. But these do very little if nothing else than be in the way of properly re-engaging the pedal when set too high.
It’s equally funny to read people’s reviews on the feel of these pedals. You either like the angular and lateral float, or you don’t. I would argue that with all products, it’s largely dependent on what you’re used to. They may take some time to adjust to your personal preference, because a small adjustment takes the release tension quickly from loose to pincer-like. The float is a trademark of the entire Time lineup and is what you would buy them for, since every other aspect is as good as can get as well.
I’ve read that the pedals squeak when riding. It has to do with the tight seal, which is actually a good thing since it means the internals are well protected. Cleaning the pedal and putting some sewing machine oil on them should fix the issue. And with 2 sealed bearings and a single bushing they should offer you with a long worry-free lifespan.
A fact is that the ATAC system provides excellent cleat engagement and easy disengagement with a soft click. And the mechanism keeps working because the clips are easy enough to find, and mud can simply be pushed out at either side of the spring bars, which feels similar to what Crankbrothers offer.
- Relatively affordable enduro pedal, with high build quality and trademark floaty feel.
- None if you like the float
Time Speciale 12
The Time Speciale 12 is here because it’s the bigger and better brother of the Speciale 8. There also twice as expensive.
You could definitely argue if the bigger platform, with 4 pins instead of 2, 2 at the back which actually do something, and a 6106-T6 aluminum body which is more durable, warrants this price. I dare say it doesn’t. If you ever damage an aluminum platform to the point it breaks, you’re also probably running a bent axle.
The single piece of machined aluminum of the larger body is very nice indeed. And you can see where all that money went because this bigger platform is only 8 grams heavier than the Speciale 8.
I’ll admit the Speciale 12 trumps the Speciale 8, and because of the steep price increase it does offer that ultimate race feel. But make no mistake, the Speciale 8 is already a fantastic pedal so it’ll make for a nice conversation starter asking why somebody was willing the price of a premium pedal for a body upgrade alone
- Top-of-the-line enduro pedal for those who want the best of the best and don't care about price
- Heavily overpriced when compared to the Time Speciale 8
Look X-Track En-Rage
Similar in look-and-feel to the Shimano PD-ME700 the Look X-Track En-Rage is the French’ brand entry-level trail pedal.
They come with cleats and are compatible with shoes using SPD cleats. Although Shimano pedals are known for their longevity, you could argue that the 2 sealed cartridge bearings and 1 Glide bearing setup of these pedals are capable of a bigger load.
If you want to service the pedal you’ll need a proprietary tool to remove the dust cap, but they are pretty cheap and come in packages alongside spare dust caps.
I like the design of Look pedals and these ones have unassuming and clean looks. The body without pins offers a bit of support and makes it somewhat easier to get into the pedal.
The pedal offers tons of adjustability, both in the setup of the mechanism as with optional cleats offering an easier release. So depending on how securely you want to attach yourself to the pedals, you have the entire range from easy out to downhill secure.
The cast aluminum body is strong, but does make a set of pedals tip the scales at 420 grams. This weight is ok for its category and to be expected from an affordable pedal such as this one.
In terms of mud clearance the pedal performs adequately enough, though the compact mechanism in combination with its aluminum body will get into trouble in really muddy conditions.
The fit is secure and snug as we’re used to from SPD systems.
- Excellent value pedal with lots of adjustability for easy trail riding to aggressive enduro. SPD mechanism works flawlessly with high quality bearing setup
- Rather heavy and not the best mud clearance. Proprietary tool necessary for servicing
Look X-Track En-Rage Plus
The Look X-Track En-Rage Plus has a bigger platform and 2 pins per side, making them more suitable for maximum grip for trail, enduro and downhill riding.
The platform moves from the 63 mm width of the standard En-Rage to 67 mm for the Plus version, adding 30 grams to the overall weight for a total of 450 grams per pair. The non-Plus version wasn’t already lightweight, and these are even heavier.
Two pins at the front makes them less likely to slip when you want to quickly disengage and engage in tricky situations. It’s remarkable what these two pins can do to help you in this respect.
- Fantastic budget-friendly enduro and downhill clipless pedals. Right amount of float for dynamic riding and dual pins per side for easier engagement.
- Heavy and not the best mud clearance. Proprietary tool necessary for servicing
Clipless Pedals Weight Rating
Saving weight is an ever important thing to strive for when buying bicycle products, and of course you want the lightest clipless pedals available. Yet there are a couple things to keep in mind. It’s very difficult to make strong yet lightweight products. The lightest pedals are usually also more expensive than heavier ones. And you have to ask yourself how much you’re willing to pay extra to save 50 to a 100 grams or more.
The lightest pedals like the Crankbrothers Eggbeater 11 and Time XPRO 15 use titanium spindles, and a titanium or carbon body. And in general clipless road bikes, cross country and/or gravel pedals are lighter, simply because they either have a small platform, or no platform at all to add weight.
In the following graph you can find all the pedals mentioned here and their weight ranking. A ranking of 0% means you’re looking at the heaviest pedal. A ranking of 100% means it’s the lightest.
Clipless Pedals Bearing Rating
An important aspect of pedals is their internals and bearing setup. Almost all pedal manufacturers sell bearing kits, and it’s nice that you can rebuild your pedal internals if you need to.
What’s even better is that the quality of the bearings are of such a nature that you either don’t have to rebuild the internals at all, or after years of service. This saves you both time and money, and you simply enjoy your pedals more.
High-end Shimano pedals are known for their longevity and according to my personal experience pedals from Hope are at least just as good if not even better.
In the following graph you can find the bearing ratings in relation to the highest quality setup. The bearing rating is calculated based on the bearing setup and the maximum load it can endure. It’s an approximation of the quality of the setup that does not take into account how well the internals are sealed from outside elements. The setup deemed best receives a 100 percent rating.
Specifications clipless pedals for enduro riding
Name | Price | Weight | Length | Width | Height | Body | Spindle | Bearings and bushings | Pins | float | release | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shimano Deore XT PD-M8120 | 130 USD | 438 | 16.2 mm | aluminium | Cr-Mo | 2 cup and cone bearings, 1 bushing | none | |||||
Shimano Saint PD-M821 | 160 USD | 546 | 16.9 mm | aluminium | Cr-Mo | 2 cup and cone bearings, 1 bushing | 8 | 4° | 13° | |||
Hope Union Clip Pedal – TC | 190 USD | 450 | 92 mm | 70 mm | aluminium | Cr-Mo | 3 cartridge bearings, 1 IGUS bushing | 8 | 4°or 5° | 12° or 13° | ||
Hope Union Clip Pedal – GC | 203 USD | 498 | 103 mm | 84 mm | aluminium | Cr-Mo | 3 cartridge bearings, 1 IGUS bushing | 14 | 4°or 5° | 12° or 13° | ||
Chromag Pilot | 156.95 euros | 520 | 110 mm | 87 mm | aluminium | Cr-Mo | 3 cartridge bearings, 1 IGUS bushing | 8 | 12° | |||
Chromag Pilot BA | 164.95 euros | 595 | 110 mm | 105 mm | aluminium | Cr-Mo | 3 cartridge bearings, 1 IGUS bushing | 10 | 12° | |||
Crankbrothers Mallet E | 179.99 USD | 419 | 94 mm | 75 mm | aluminium / stainless steel | Cr-Mo | Igus LL-glide bearing Enduro MAX cartridge bearing | 12 | 0°or 6° | 10° / 15° / 20° | ||
Time MX 6 | 95 USD | 380 | 19 mm | fiberglass / composite | Cr-Mo | 2 cartridge bearings, 1 bushing | none | 5° | 10° / 13° / 17° | |||
Time DH 4 | 106 USD | 476 | 19 mm | aluminium | Cr-Mo | 2 cartridge bearings, 1 bushing | none | 5° | 10° / 13° / 17° | |||
Time Speciale 8 | 158 USD | 392 | 81.3 mm | 64.8 mm | 19 mm | aluminium | Cr-Mo | 2 cartridge bearings, 1 bushing | 4 | 5° | 10° / 13° / 17° | |
Time Speciale 12 | 290 USD | 404 | 19 mm | aluminium | Cr-Mo | 2 cartridge bearings, 1 bushing | 8 | 5° | 10° / 13° / 17° | |||
Look X-Track En-Rage | 89 USD | 420 | 63 mm | 16.8 mm | cast aluminium | Cr-Mo | 2 sealed cartridge bearings, 1 Glide bearing | none | 6° | 13° | ||
Look X-Track En-Rage Plus | 89 USD | 450 | 67 mm | 16.8 mm | aluminium | Cr-Mo | 2 sealed cartridge bearings, 1 Glide bearing | 4 | 6° | 13° |
Johan van Seijen
FoundeR Restoration.bike
Johan van Seijen is the founder of restoration.bike. His passion for cycling in general, and restoring older bikes turned into a website to share his knowledge with a broader audience. Starting out on his father’s road bike and riding classics as the Amstel Gold Race and Liege Bastogne Liege he has shifted his attention to trail, XC, and gravel riding since. No matter how much he loves writing about everything related to cycling, nothing beats actually using his ever-expanding bicycle collection.
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