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Road bike pedals

The most common road systems use a single-sided clip-in mechanism with a wide contact area with the sole, so the force when you accelerate is distributed over a large area instead of being concentrated on a small point. You can usually adjust the release tension of the binding mechanism with an adjustment screw, which is particularly relevant for beginners who first need to get used to clipping in and unclipping in a controlled way.

Because the shoe and pedal are firmly connected, clipping in when you set off takes a little practice at first.

The matching cleats – the counterparts to the pedal that are attached to the shoe – have different shapes depending on the manufacturer, which is why the pedal and shoe should usually come from the same system provider or at least from compatible manufacturers to avoid problems when switching.

Tip: When you switch from flat to clipless pedals, first set the release tension to the lowest level and practise in a safe environment before you ride in normal traffic.