Race pedals test 2023: 7 lightweight clickies for touring riders and racers

We tested these 7 lightweight clipless pedals:

1. Crankbrothers Eggbeater 3
2. Ritchey WCS XC
3. Time ATAC XC8
4. Hope Union RC
5. HT Components Leopard-M2
6. Xpedo M-Force 8 Titanium
7. Shimano XTR PD-M9100

Click to go to the individual rating

Feet, hands, bum - these are the three points of contact between rider and bike. While grips and saddle are rather loose contact surfaces, clipless pedals allow man and machine to literally merge. In combination with a stiff Shoe the power from the legs is fed into the cranks with maximum efficiency.

That's why not only racers but also touring bikers swear by this combination. There is a wide range of pedals on offer. But the basic principle is always the same: the cleat engages and is released again with a short, snappy turn of the foot. However, the models differ massively in the details.

Whether it's a clipless or classic SPD system, titanium or steel axle, plastic or aluminium body, it's not least a question of personal taste. We have tested seven of the particularly lightweight pedals on the market in the laboratory and in practice, but in view of the different personal preferences, we have refrained from giving them a rating.

Crankbrothers Eggbeater 3

The Crankbrothers Eggbeaters have almost become icons of simplicity. The clasp technology is ingeniously purist and offers almost no opportunity for mud to stick. The titanium version is 100 grams lighter but costs three times as much as the tested steel version.

Entry and exit work perfectly and from all four sides. The hardness is fixed. The release angle can be changed from 15 to 20 degrees by swapping the cleats from left to right. However, the wide setting requires extreme foot rotation when releasing.

• Price: 149 Euro
• Weight: 280 g + cleats 35 g
• Release force¹: 5 Nm

Ritchey WCS XC

If you were asked to feel blindfolded which is the Ritchey and which is the Shimano pedal, you would only be able to guess. The Ritchey clickies are very similar to the Shimano classics. However, this is not a shortcoming, on the contrary: the WCS are as sophisticated and robust as the legendary XTR models. Steel axle, aluminium body, hard-wearing, top sealed bearings, large adjustment range. Top!

• Price: 139 Euro
• Weight: 309 g + cleats 50 g
• Release force¹: 5 to 18 Nm

Time ATAC XC8

The ATACs from the French pedal manufacturer have a lot in common with the Eggbeaters, despite their different looks. They have proven themselves in races for many years, but still have exotic status. Their clamping mechanism works in a similar way to the US classics, but has an adjustable release hardness. That is practical.

The shoe also stands up well on the plastic body. The lateral play can be adjusted via the cleats. 12 or 17 degrees, depending on the side of the shoe on which the standard cleats marked L and R are fitted. If you prefer 10 degrees, you need to fit the ATAC Easy Cleats. The function of the pedals is impressive and is reminiscent of the feel of the Eggbeater.

• Price: 169 Euro
• Weight: 292 g + cleats 43 g
• Release force¹: 5 to 10 Nm

Hope Union RC

The English parts manufacturer Hope is known for its exquisitely styled high-end parts. The race pedals also emphasise this premium claim. The Union RC, which appear somewhat bulky at first glance, are crafted with great attention to detail. The body is made of CNC-machined aluminium and the axles are made of titanium.

The pair is supplied with two versions of the company's own cleats, which have different release angles. The cleats are quite bulky and fill up the mounting area of the sole, which can become clogged more quickly in muddy conditions. The click mechanism works excellently. Crisp, precise, Shimano-like.

• Price: 185 Euro
• Weight: 322 g + cleats 57 g
• Release force¹: 6 to 10 Nm

HT Components Leopard-M2

The Taiwanese company's pedals are better known to insiders, but they have already helped riders like Nino Schurter, Kate Courtney and Aaron Gwin to World Cup success. The workmanship is at its finest. The pedal bodies are made of milled aluminium and the axles are made of steel.

The clamping mechanism with the snap-in mechanism at the front is a little peculiar, which takes a little getting used to when getting on. However, engagement and disengagement work perfectly. HT offers four cleat variants to customise the lateral clearance. The pedals are available in various colours.

• Price: 130 Euro
• Weight: 307 g + cleats 63 g
• Release force¹: 7 to 10 Nm

Xpedo M-Force 8 Titanium

Lightweight construction in perfection: The filigree-looking Xpedo M-Force weighs in at just 216 grams thanks to the titanium body and titanium hollow axle. Nevertheless, they are designed for hardcore use on the race track and have three elaborately sealed bearings on each side. The open mechanism means that dirt has little chance of sticking. Clicking in and out is pleasantly smooth. Practical: The M-Force are SPD-compatible.

• Price: 299 Euro
• Weight: 216 g + cleats 62 g
• Release force¹: 5 to 15 Nm

Shimano XTR PD-M9100

With the text on the Ritchey pedals has already said most of what you need to know about the Shimano clickies. Because, as written, they are almost technical twins. But only almost.

The body of the current XTR is designed with rounded surfaces to minimise dirt adhesion. Clicking in and out is a delight. Top: Three millimetre shorter axles are also available as an option to compensate for the Q-factor (due to boost cranks).

• Price: 175 Euro
• Weight: 310 g + cleats 50 g
• Release force¹: 6 to 13 Nm

* We measured the release hardness in the laboratory with the weakest and hardest spring tension.

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