road.cc People's Choice: Your favourite pedals revealed

We got a big response to our People's Choice poll for your favourite pedals. People feel strongly about their choices, and can back them with good reasons. The responses make great reading.

We've aggregated the responses into pedal types, as even the most popular single response was for a pedal that's actually available in several models made from different materials to tailor the weight and price.

The envelope, please:

5 Shimano Combination Pedals — 6% (M324 £28.49)

This category includes all pedals that have a Shimano SPD mechanism for two-bolt cleats on one side, and a flat platform for normal shoes on the other. The most popular version is Shimano's M324, a design that's been around for years, but remains popular because it does the job so well. "Perfect as I have space for only one bike," as commenter whars1 put it.

Want something a bit posher? Try the A530 Touring Pedals

Read our review of the Shimano M324 pedals

4 Look Keo — 15% (Keo 2 Max £49.99)

Look's single-sided system isn't as popular as when it was almost the only game in town, but still put up a strong showing. Look makes many versions, but the most popular is the Keo 2 Max chromoly, which is widely available for around £50.

VeloUSA explained the choice: "Chosen over the Keo Blade for the simple reason of adjustable versus preset tension and price range. Good solid wide platform, spins smoothly too. On my 3rd set with three different rides."

3 Speedplay Zero — 19% (Chromoly £71.99)

Light, tidy and with adjustable float, Speedplay Zeros are popular with riders who value the ease of entry that comes from a double-sided design, or who find they help with fit-related joint problems.

steviemarco wrote that they're "a bike fitters dream or so I was told by the fitter who fit me". British Cycling team physiologist Phil Burt agrees. He likes the availability of multiple axle lengths and the adjustable float. "What we do with Speedplays is put people on them with quite a lot of float and then dial them in," he says.

fukawitribe likes the float too, writing: "Speedplay Zero - fabulously easy in and out, serviceable and bags of float. Not cheap but excellent value for money IMO."

Read our review of the Speedplay Zero pedals

2 Shimano SPD-SL — 20% (Ultegra £69.49)

Lance Armstrong's legacy in cycling may be deeply negative but these pedals are one good thing he left behind. Shimano allegedly developed the SPD-SL design because Armstrong insisted on using Shimano's Look-licensed pedals instead of the SPD-R design Shimano was promoting at the time.

Armstrong wanted a mechanism similar to Look's, with a broad platform to support the shoe, but lighter, and that's what Shimano delivered. The design's been popular ever since, and Shimano has continued to make it lighter, switching to carbon fibre bodies a few years ago.

The Ultegra 6800 model seems to occupy the sweet sport of value, weight and function. tjm160 wrote: "I treated myself to Shimano Ultegra 6800 to match the Ultegra groupset on my new best bike and am delighted with them. Such straightforward and positive clipping in and out and adjustable too. Far, far better than my previous Shimano 105 PD-5610's. I also purchased the new Shimano 105 5800 pedals for my wet/winter bike. Whilst perhaps better value, they still don't feel as nice as the 6800s."

Read our review of the Shimano Dura-Ace SPD-SL pedals

1 Shimano SPD — 25% (M540 £26.49)

Originally designed for mountain bikes, Shimano's double-sided SPD system is very popular on the road too because you can walk around in the matching shoes.

For commuters and less performance-obsessed riders, thats a big advantage. Even sportive and club riders value the ability to get from bike to coffee without having to duck-walk or wear out expensive cleats.

Two models stood out in the voting, the budget M-520 pedals and the slightly more expensive M-540. If it were our money we'd go for the 540s for their nicer finish and replaceable bearing and axle unit.

PhillBrown calls the 540s "the staple/start of everyones cycling career" while leaway2 goes for the 520s because they're "cheap, long lasting, small".

mcockshoot, who goes for the similar but lighter Ritchey WCS Paradigm pedals, says: "The ONLY reason that I would change now (and even this is doubtful) is if I were to seriously compete and the only shoe/pedal combination was not SPD compatible, e.g., some triathlon shoes don't have the holes for SPD cleats."

Read our review of the Shimano M540 pedals

Want more options? Explore our pedal review archive.