In this article I’m going to cover a list of the lightest clipless mountain bike pedals you can find.
To keep things simple, there are roughly 3 categories of mountain bike pedals: XC, trail / enduro, and downhill pedals. The difference between these categories is that the more control you want, the bigger the pedal platform. And as the platform increases, so does the weight.
It means the lightest clipless mountain bike pedals are generally designated for cross country riding. Pedal manufacturers also sometimes include gravel, and trail riding in this category.
When looking at a pedal and where a gain in a lower weight is to be had, there isn’t all that much you can work with. It’s the reason why the lightest pedals feature titanium axles instead of chromoly ones. It also means that it’s really hard to drastically lower the weight.
And just as the jump from a composite saddle to a full carbon is a very expensive one, the jump from a standard aluminum pedal with a chromoly axle to a titanium one is also extremely expensive. And where a carbon shell for a saddle actually changes its nature (it adds more flex and comfort), the same cannot really be said for swapping a chromoly axle for a titanium one.
I’ve looked at over 200 high-end pedals across all cycling disciplines to get to a benchmark weight to compare against. The average weight of a pedal sits around 365 grams, so it’s reasonable to deem a pedal below 300 grams “lightweight”. It’s because it constitutes a weight at least 20 percent lower than average.
With that in mind I came up with the following overview of the lightest clipless mountain bike pedals. Enjoy.
Crankbrothers Eggbeater 11
Among each product category there are always a number of items that jump out, and the Crankbrothers Eggbeater 11 is definitely one of those products.
Before I say anything else about this pedal, let me state that it’s one of the best clipless mountain bike pedals on the market for sure. It’s absolutely stunning, the lightest one by a huge margin, and exquisitely crafted.
And we can talk all day long about the ease-of-use of this pedal versus your standard SPD one, float, release tension, what have you, but the fact is they are too expensive when compared to other titanium offerings.
What sets these Eggbeaters apart from the rest of its namesakes is that everything is made from titanium, meaning the spindle, wings, and body. It ensures it’s the only mountain bike pedal below 200 grams (claimed 179 grams).
They’ve long since taken care of bearing issues, which means the single needle bearing and cartridge bearing still perform smoothly after prolonged use. If I would create the ultimate XC racer, this pedal would probably be on that bike.
That being said, if money is even somewhat of a concern, you’re better off buying the Eggbeater 3, which is a third of its price.
- Leaves the competition in the dust from a weight perspective
- Too expensive
Crankbrothers Eggbeater 3
The Crankbrothers Eggbeater 3 is one of the lightest mountain bike pedals on the market at a claimed weight of 280 grams.
The minimalistic design of these clipless mountain bike pedals is known for its mud-shedding ability, because there’s hardly anything to cling to, and the single glide bearing and cartridge bearing ensures smooth action, with the proper care. Its body and wing are both made from stainless steel, with a chromoly axle.
It’s recommended to use Crankbrothers cleats, which are a tad bit more expensive than the standard Shimano ones.
They offer an industry standard float of 6°, and a release between 15° or 20°. The 4-point engage system, versus the traditional 2 takes a bit of getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, getting in or out of the pedals will feel natural and easy.
The pedal doesn’t have any platform at all, so it’s recommended you use them with carbon shoes.
- Lightweight XC or gravel pedals
- Minimal design requires carbon shoes
Crankbrothers Eggbeater 2
The Crankbrothers Eggbeater 2 is almost similar to the Eggbeater 3, with the same axle, and body. Except the wings are made from stamped steel instead of stainless. And it offers a standard enduro bearing instead of the MAX version of both the 3 and 11.
Naturally pedal manufacturers try to differentiate products in their lineup, and with the Eggbeater 2 they’ve done so in such a way that I would favor the more expensive 3 or cheaper 1 over this pedal. That’s because I deem the better Enduro Max bearing of the 3 worth paying the price for it. Yet opting for the fully stamped steel body of the 1 and just having a stamped steel body instead of a stainless steel one doesn’t really make much difference at all
- Lightweight XC or gravel pedals
- Minimal design requires carbon shoes. Not distinctive enough compared to the Eggbeater 3 or 1
Crankbrothers Eggbeater 1
The Crankbrothers Eggbeater 1 lowers the cost even more by replacing the stainless steel body with a stamped steel version. They are the entry level version of these types of pedals.
Considering the fact that the ride quality is very similar to each other pedal in the Eggbeater lineup, they offer the best value-for-money by far, for a pedal still below 300 grams (at 290).
- Best value-for-money Eggbeater pedals
- Minimal design requires carbon shoes
Crankbrothers Candy 11
The Crankbrothers Candy 11 is similar in almost all aspects to the Crankbrothers Eggbeater 11. It means that the same pros and cons apply to this pedal.
Obviously the platform of this pedal differs, because this pedal actually has one, where the Eggbeaters are meant to be ridden with carbon shoes. I would argue the size of the platform, which is very minimal, still places this pedal into the XC category compared to other pedals with bigger platforms and pins. But these pedals perform just as adequate for trail riding.
There’s no tension adjustment, but instead float and release is configured using different cleats. Another thing you will need to take into consideration is that you have to ensure the wings actually support your shoe instead of floating above them. So you’ll need to adjust the position of the cleat in relation to the pedal accordingly. This is nothing new with respect to clipped pedals, but it can impact your pedal experience negatively if not properly set up.
The pedal features a titanium axle with needle bearings and Enduro Max cartridge bearing in an aluminum housing with titanium platform. All nicely decked in black and gold and weighing a claimed 249 grams.
They are as gorgeous as they are expensive and just as with the Eggbeater 11, the weight gain hardly justifies its exorbitant price in comparison to the Candy 7. The Candy 7 has stainless steel wings and a chromoly axle, which adds 70 grams to the overall weight and more than cuts the price in half.
- Gorgeous and extremely lightweight XC, gravel, and trail clipless pedals.
- Finicky to set up. Far too expensive.
Time XC 12
To create a weight of just 248 grams the Time XC 12 uses both a carbon body and titanium axle, which is a unique combination for a pedal.
Where the Eggbeater pedals don’t have any body for debris to cling to, all of the Time mountain bike pedals use their ATAC system. This unique system sheds debris out the front when engaged, which makes this pedal a go-to option for cyclocross or bad weather aficionados.
The carbon body is obviously more prone to wear than an aluminum or steel one, and with a large stack height of 19 mm the chance of a pedal strike is larger. By comparison the Shimano XTR PD-M9100 has a very low stack height of 15.1 mm.
The most important design feature of these XC pedals is the amount of float you have, which sits at the extreme end of the curve (a lot). Besides your standard 5 degrees angular float you also have 6 degrees of lateral float, unique amongst MTB pedals. This is excellent if you often have to deal with knee pain, because the pedal enables you to achieve your natural riding position more naturally. But the feel of movement can be disconcerting to those not used to it, and pedal disengagement is more inconsistent, than with pedals with a more fixed cleat position.
- Fantastic mud-shedding abilities and extremely lightweight. Large amount of float enables natural riding position more easily.
- Very expensive when compared to the XC 8. Largest stack height of all clipless MTB pedals. Large amount of float feels disconcerting and might produce inconsistent pedal disengagement.
Time XC 8
The Time XC 8 is the more budget-friendly version of the titanium XC 12, offering the same carbon body, but with a hollow chromoly axle instead.
With a price less than half that of the XC 12, it’s hard to not opt for these pedals, considering the fact the chromoly axle only adds 40 grams to the overall weight of 286 grams.
It offers exactly the same pedal characteristics and is still a very lightweight pedal for XC, gravel, and trail riding, with its floaty feel, and excellent mud-shedding ability.
- Fantastic mud-shedding abilities and extremely lightweight. Large amount of float enables natural riding position more easily.
- Largest stack height of all clipless MTB pedals. Large amount of float feels disconcerting and might produce inconsistent pedal disengagement.
Look X-Track Race Carbon Ti
The Look X-Track Race Carbon Ti excel at the weight level and are great-looking pedals that offer standard SPD cleat engagement.
The combination of a carbon body and titanium spindle means the pedals only weigh 290 grams. Of all the pedals offering titanium axles, these ones feel like the price hike is the most reasonable for those who’re serious about shedding as much weight as possible. They are still very expensive but not two or three times as much as its non-titanium counterparts.
There’s no denying that since its inception the SPD system has been known for its ease-of-use and these pedals excel in that department. Engagement is so quick that before you know it you’re good to go.
And although the Time XC pedals might be known as best-in-class with respect to mud-shedding, these pedals perform admirably in that department as well. 2 sealed cartridge bearings are used across the entire X-track lineup.
Although it uses a standard SPD interface, it does not use a standard dust seal, for which you’ll need a special tool to remove.
Another difference between these pedals and Shimano ones is that they offer a bit more float, 6 degrees versus Shimano’s 4.
- Standard SPD interface, with a bit more float versus Shimano pedals. This lightweight titanium version is pricey but reasonable for weight weenies.
- None
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.
Clipless Pedals Adjustability Rating
The better you’re able to tweak and finetune the pedal to your personal preference, the more enjoyment you can get out of your ride.
When looking at pedal adjustment a couple of factors need to be considered, the most important factor is the ability to adjust the spring tension of the retention mechanism. Crankbrothers‘ pedals are notorious for lacking in this respect, hence they score as low as they do in this metric. Shimano pedals feature somewhere in the middle and HT prove to be the most adjustable.
Then there are a number of other factors which all add up to the overall score. These are the ability to adjust float, adjust release tension, and, when applicable, configure the amount of pins. Keep in mind that float and release tension are cleat-dependant. Pedals always come with cleats, but it could be that your specific configuration requires an optional cleat purchase.
Theoretically a score of 0% would be possible. A pin-less flat pedal has no adjustability. With clipless pedals, there’s always some adjustment available, with a score of 100% reserved for those pedals offering the most adjustability you could ask for.
Specifications lightest clipless mountain bike pedals
Name | Price | Weight | Length | Width | Height | Body | Spindle | Bearings and bushings | Pins | float | release | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crankbrothers Eggbeater 11 | 499.99 USD | 179 | 32 mm | 75 mm | 15.2 mm | titanium | titanium | Enduro sealed needle bearing Enduro MAX cartridge bearing | none | 0°or 6° | 10° / 15° / 20° | |
Crankbrothers Eggbeater 3 | 149.99 USD | 280 | 32 mm | 75 mm | 15.2 mm | stainless steel | Cr-Mo | Igus LL-glide bearing Enduro MAX cartridge bearing | none | 0°or 6° | 10° / 15° / 20° | |
Crankbrothers Eggbeater 2 | 99.99 USD | 285 | 32 mm | 75 mm | 15.2 mm | stainless steel / stamped steel | Cr-Mo | Igus LL-glide bearing Enduro cartridge bearing | none | 0°or 6° | 10° / 15° / 20° | |
Crankbrothers Eggbeater 1 | 59.99 USD | 290 | 32 mm | 75 mm | 15.2 mm | stamped steel | Cr-Mo | Igus LL-glide bearing Enduro cartridge bearing | none | 0°or 6° | 10° / 15° / 20° | |
Crankbrothers Candy 11 | 499.99 USD | 249 | 67 mm | 74 mm | 13.5 mm | titanium / aluminium | titanium | Enduro sealed needle bearing Enduro MAX cartridge bearing | none | 0°or 6° | 10° / 15° / 20° | |
Time XC 12 | 317 USD | 248 | 19 mm | carbon | titanium | 2 cartridge bearings, 1 bushing | none | 5° | 10° / 13° / 17° | |||
Time XC 8 | 137 USD | 286 | 19 mm | carbon | Cr-Mo | 2 cartridge bearings, 1 bushing | none | 5° | 10° / 13° / 17° | |||
Look X-Track Race Carbon Ti | 220 USD | 290 | 60 mm | 16.8 mm | carbon | titanium | 2 sealed cartridge bearings | none | 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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