Yes, you can spend hundreds of dollars on a set of pedals. With the extra money, you get lighter weight and sexier materials, but the ultra-affordable LOOK X-Track Pedals have a lot to offer in their mere $50 package.
LOOK X-Track Pedals Features:
- Increased pedal body size for added power transfer
- Standard SPD compatibility (LOOK cleats included)
- LOOK cleats offer 6-degrees of float (more than Shimano)
- Adjustable release tension
- Chromoly spindle
- Stack height: 16.8mm
- Weight: 195 grams (each, actual)
- MSRP: $55
Affordable, reliable SPD pedals
First off, spending $55 on these pedals feels like highway robbery. I haven’t had such a great experience with budget pedals in well… ever. With the X-Track pedals, LOOK didn’t try to go out on their own but instead took the Shimano SPD standard and added their own twist to it. The easiest part to see is the extended platform. It’s not huge, but it does provide more surface area than traditional SPD XC pedals. LOOK has made some additional tweaks to the cleats and their pedal/cleat combo provides 6-degrees of knee-friendly float.
Over the past two years, I’ve had the $50 LOOK X-Track pedals installed on gravel and MTB bikes. And, between the LOOK X-Track and X-Track Race Carbon Ti, I have ridden nearly all my gravel and singletrack miles over that time — Including the 2019 SBT GRVL race (I intend to ride them again this year).
One of the most beautiful things about the X-Track Pedals is the ease of entry and exit. You can adjust the release tension, if you wish, but I kept them in the factory setting (2 clicks in) throughout my testing. With that, I could step in and out with ease. I never experienced a premature release either. That float is really nice to have as well.
It’s great having a little extra surface area both for instances where you don’t step right in and for power transmission. I really like Crank Bros Eggbeater pedals and still have several pair, but it’s hard to overlook the tiny surface area where the shoes and pedals connect — it’s minuscule. With the LOOK X-Track, you get added touch points for added power and control.
Durability has been excellent. The inevitable rock strike at full speed has yet to phase these at all and the bearings remain smooth. Mud performance has been solid as well, but admittedly, I haven’t ridden them in a mud fest.
The Good
- Killer value at $55
- Knee-friendly float
- Perform quite well for budget pedals
- Standard SPD function
The Bad
- You need LOOK cleats for 6-degrees of float
The Bottom Line: LOOK X-Track Pedals
If you need a second set of gravel or mountain bike pedals, these are awesome. Or, if you are on a budget and want to spend money elsewhere, the LOOK X-Track Pedals easily take the cake as some of the best entry-level SPD’s on the market.
Buy Now: Available at JensonUSA
