Touting the lightest clipless bike pedal ever made, today Ultralite Sports LLC of Colorado announced its to-be-released namesake Ultralite pedal system.
They are manufactured in Colorado. Including pedals and cleats, the set weighs just 112 grams — over 100 grams lighter than other pedal systems on the market, the brand touts.
Instead of exposed clip-in areas, these pedals have a one-piece spindle design with independent barrels that secure the cleat. The cleats, which bolt to the bottom of a bike shoe, are made of a lightweight, durable nylon.
With most pedals you step down and press, listening for a click. These pedals are different: You slide the cleat in from the side to attach to the pedal; a spring-loaded barrel snaps to hold it in place.
A company founder noted that in general clipless pedal design has not changed substantially in decades. The rod-like Ultralite pedals are a vast design departure.
There’s no “platform” at all for a shoe to sit on. But the company says this does not matter. “Today’s rigid road shoes allowed us to develop a pedal system that is much more minimalist and lightweight while delivering maximum power and efficiency for everyone from the pros to recreational riders,” said company president and founder Bill Emerson, who is a competitive cyclist.
The pedals are made of anodized aluminum and will cost $315 to $450, depending on the model. (Model specs outlined below.) On display at the Interbike trade show later this month. Available for purchase in November. We can’t wait to take them for a ride!
—Stephen Regenold
