The Best Spin Bike Replacement Pedals + Guide
Use Dual-Sided Spinning Pedals for Safer & More Efficient Indoor Cycling
Cycling is a sport with a long and varied history. One of the most overlooked aspects of this sport are the pedals that come with these bikes. Most people unfamiliar with cycling or just beginning just think that the standard bike pedals that you can use with basic sneakers are what all bikes have.
However, there are other pairs, known as Shimano Pedaling Dynamics (SPD) capable pedals, that fit in a recess in the sole of a shoe. These allow advanced cyclers to customize their experience on the bike to their own taste. However, not everyone can cycle outside, either due to local geography or weather.
Therefore they would have to rely on spin bikes. This led us to ask the question: what are some of the best spin bike pedals available on the market? Which indoor cycling bike pedals are truly top of the line and which are just solid choices? Fortunately, if you were asking the same question (as we’re sure you were. Doesn’t everybody?) we have come up with the answers.
Looking at a variety of factors that we’ll go over near the end of this ultimate buying guide and review, we’ve come up with our top list of the best pedals for spin bikes. These spinning bike pedals include SPD, SPD-SL and Look Delta compatible options. All the indoor cycling bike pedals in this article come with 9/16″ pedal thread. So, they are compatible with almost all the spin bikes on the market. Let’s take a look!
Best Spin Bike Pedals Compared:
| NAME | MAGE | COMPATIBILITY | CLEATS | THREAD | Cage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinning Trio QR Spin Pedal (SPD/SPD-SL/Cage) |  | SPD | SPD-SL | Sneakers | Not included | 9/16" | Included |
| Schwinn Triple-Link Pedals For Indoor Bikes |  | SPD | LOOK | Sneakers | Not included | 9/16" | Included |
| Venzo Sealed CNC Exercise Spin Bike Pedals |  | SPD | LOOK | Sneakers | SPD and LOOK Delta included | 9/16" | Included |
| SHIMANO PD-R540 SPD-SL Bike Clipless Pedals |  | SPD-SL | SPD-SL included | 9/16" | None |
| SHIMANO PD-M520L Clipless Bike Pedals |  | SPD | SPD included | 9/16" | None |
| Stages Cycling Dual Sided Spinning Pedals |  | SPD | Sneakers | Not included | 9/16" | Included |
| Wellgo WPD-E003 SPD Compatible Spin Bike Pedals |  | SPD | Sneakers | SPD included | 9/16" | Included |
| Venzo Fitness Spin Bike Dual-Sided SPD Pedals |  | SPD | Sneakers | SPD included | 9/16" | Included |
| BV Dual-Side SPD Pedals For Spin Bike |  | SPD | Sneakers | SPD included | 9/16" | Included |
| Tbest Nylon Cycling Pedals with Toe Cages |  | Sneakers | Toe-cage | 9/16" | Included |
Editor’s Best Indoor Cycle Pedal Choice!
Our Team at BEMH have already picked and reviewed the 10 best spin bike pedals with toe clips and SPD. But to narrow down your option and bring you the latest good value indoor cycling bike SPD pedals, I created the Editor’s Choice section.
It’s where I regularly update to make sure you are aware of today’s top indoor bike SPD pedals. For this month, I picked the Spinning Trio QR indoor exercise bike pedals.
It’s made by Maddog, the company that top-of-the-line spin bike accessories and clothing including spinning seats, pedals, and other parts. This pair of spin bike SPS pedal is compatible with two types of cleats (Spd and Spd-sl) and also allows regular gym shoes.
Quick Overview of Best Pedals For Spin Bikes:
1. Spinning Trio QR Spin Pedal (SPD/SPD-SL/Cage)
Coming in at number one on our list of the best spin bike pedals are the Spinning Trio QR Spin Pedals. These pedals are different from others on our list, as they are compatible with SPD cleats, SPD-SL cleats, and regular shoes.
This level of flexibility and multi-use ability is fairly rare for these types of clipless spin cycle pedals, as most are usually only compatible with one or two types. On one side there is a snap-in pedal platform surface for you to exercise with your athletic shoes, while the other contains the SPD cleats.
These are really handy if you live with another cyclist who prefers to spin with a different pair of shoes than yourself. Another feature of the sheer adaptability of these pedals is that their float, entry, and release tensions are adjustable on these spin bike clip pedals.
The only real downside to these spd compatible spin bike pedals is the price. At the time of writing, their price is around $139, which is quite a bit for indoor cycling pedals. But other than the price, they can be excellent spin bike pedal replacements for those who wish to use lipless indoor cycling shoes.
Additional Information:
The Spinning Trio QR Spin Pedals weigh about 2.5 lbs each, and are 3 inches long. It is triple sided for SPD shoes, SPD-SL shoes and regular shoes. It is compatible with Shimano SPDs and SPD-SL cleats. All three of float, entry, and release tensions are adjustable.
The Pros:
- It’s adaptability. These pedals can be used in a variety of situations for a variety of riders. You can really customize these pedals to how you want them.
The Cons:
- They are a bit heavy, and also decently expensive at a retail price of $139. You would also need to buy the cycling shoe cleats separately.
2. Schwinn Triple-Link Pedals For Indoor Bikes
Coming in second on our list of the best pedals for spin bikes are the Schwinn Triple-Link Pedals. These are excellent pedals for both beginner and more experienced cyclists.
The Schwinn Triple Link pedals are compatible with three types of shoes: two different spin bike SPD cleats and the normal athletic shoes. The Triple-Link pedals come with a basket that gets clipped on the bike.
If this basket is removed, one side can be used for LOOK Delta cleats while on the other side you can use the MTB/SPD mountain bike pedals. These pedals feature the common 9/16 inches thread size that all the best spin bike pedals do.
The purchase of the Triple-Link pedals come with two baskets and two pedals. They are compatible with regular SPD-cleats and LOOK Delta cleats, but are NOT compatible with Shimano SPD-SL cleats. Again, a hesitation might be the price. At the time of writing, they are $174 from what we can find.
Additional Information:
The Schwinn Triple-Link Pedals weigh about 1 pound each. These spinning bike pedals with SPD elements come with basket but the cleats are not included. So, you will need to purchase your preferred cleats separately.
The Pros:
- These pedals are extremely solid. They will fit a variety of cycles and a variety of cleats. Regular shoes work just as well. Being durable and well-designed, these pedals will also last you a while.
The Cons:
- There have been reports of these pedals creaking shortly out of the box. Not being compatible with SPD-SL cleats is also a downside. The price might also be a con for some.
3. Venzo Sealed CNC Exercise Spin Bike Pedals
1 used from $40.00
The Venzo Sealed Fitness Exercise Spin Bike CNC Pedals are usually used in-studio classes and gyms to serve users with SPD MTB shoes and users with LOOK Delta shoes.
This speaks to how popular they are and there’s certainly a good reason for it. These pedals have two sides which allows you to exercise with both popular types of indoor cycling shoes.
The flat side allow for two-bolt SPD/MTB shoes, while the LOOK Delta shoe option allows for long, more intense cycling workouts from the user. The SPD side is compatible with Shimano SPD cleats. Unfortunately, it is not compatible with SPD-SL cleats.
Overall the Venzo CNC indoor bicycle pedals make for some very good pedals, both if you are looking for replacements or simply looking to upgrade your current spinning pedals. Their price of $80 is also much cheaper than our top 2 options. The main downside to these indoor bike dual side pedals is that they don’t allow riding with regular gym shoes.
Additional Information:
The Venzo CNC Pedals weigh about 1.6 lbs per pedal. They have a 9/16” thread like other top pedals. It is dual sided and compatible with Shimano SH51 and SH56 Cleats. It has two sides, one for SPD shoes and one for Look Delta shoes.
The Pros:
- These are extremely solid pedals, especially for the price. Cheaper than the Schwinn and Spinning Trio pedals, but not suffering in quality, these pedals make sure that those looking for spin bike SPD compatible pedals will find what they are looking for.
The Cons:
- The biggest problem with the Venzo CNC pedals is that they are not as adaptable as the other top pedals. No SPD-SL compatible or adjustments add to that lack of adaptability. Also, they don’t accommodate regular gym shoes.
4. SHIMANO PD-R540 SPD-SL Bike Clipless Pedals
2 used from $49.50
The SHIMANO PD-R540 SPD SL Road Bike Clipless Pedals are excellent, durable pedals for any cyclist looking to get a long life out of some pedals. While not as flashy or good-looking as some of the other pedals out there, the PD-R540 pedals certainly make up for that in performance.
They come with extra-wide platforms, wide bearing placements, quick entry bindings and low profile designs, all which combine to allow you to transfer the power directly to the power.
As the name suggests, these are perfect for those looking at SPD-SL compatible pedals who also don’t want to break the bank.
The downsides of these pedals are that they are solely available to be used for those SPD-SL cleats. This lack of adaptability is a bit of a downside, but they are otherwise excellent indoor spin bike pedals.
Additional Information:
The PD-R540s weigh about 0.7 lbs each and have a 9/16” thread. These are meant solely for SPD SL cyclists. The package includes two spd-sl spinning pedals and Yellow 6-degree float cleats.
The Pros:
- The durability and the price point are the two biggest pros of the PD-R540s clipless indoor bike pedals. The average price is around the $55 range depending on what site you find, making them extremely cheap. Add in how long they will last and you’ve got yourself some spinning pedals for a very, very long time.
The Cons:
- The adaptability is probably the biggest drawback. Only being fit for SPD-SL cleats does make these pedals somewhat more constricted. You can’t use them with regular shoes or SPD shoes.
5. SHIMANO PD-M520L Clipless Bike Pedals
1 used from $54.00
These SHIMANO SPD Clipless pedals maintain the high quality that we have come to expect from the Japanese company. They are of the original type of SPD pedals, so they don’t quite have the same modern look as some of the others on this list.
These pedals are actually quite innovative in how they approach the issue of toe clips. By eliminating toe-clips and integrating the pedal and outsole into a single unified power transfer system, this really changed how the industry made their SPD pedals.
These SPD pedals not only boost power to the pedal, but also the rider’s control over their style of riding, no matter how adventurous they make that ride. The Shinamo PDM520L are prefect for those who solely use two-bolt MTB shoes for indoor cycling.
They are not compatible with LOOK or SPD-SL cleats. They are, however, compatible with other bikes besides spin bikes. In fact, they were original made for MTB (mountain bikes) but you can use them on any bike with 9/16″ thread.
Additional Information:
The SHIMANO SPD Clipless Pedals weigh .4 lbs each. Their dimensions are 7.9 inches long, 3.2 inches wide and 1.6 inches tall. They have a 9/16 inch spindle. We could not find any warranty on these pedals.
The Pros:
- They are classic pedals that make SPD cycling what it is. They are easy to clip in and out, compatible both spin bikes and other bikes, and are extremely durable.
The Cons:
- They are a bit plain to the eye and don’t really do much outside of the SPD capability that they come with. The fact that they aren’t SPD-SL compatible is also unfortunate.
6. Stages Cycling Dual Sided Spinning Pedals
Stages Cycling, unsurprisingly, seems to be rather good at making commercial spin bikes than most companies on the market. The Stages Dual Sided are most certainly no different. These pedals work with cleats and without—you decide whether to clip in or to flip pedals and crank on the wide platform.
One of the cool things about these pedals is how adaptable they are to all bikes, not only spin ones. Road bikes, fat bikes and other bikes are all compatible with the Stages dual-sided cycling pedals.
They are designed with a clipless mechanism on one side and firm durable platform on the other. Quite honestly, there isn’t a lot to say other than the Stages Cycling pedals are extremely solid pedals that will get the job done.
One possible downside is that they are not compatible with SPD SL and Look Delta shoes/cleats. So while these are very good pedals, they are not what you are looking for when trying to find a suitable set with SPD-SL compatibility for a spin bike.
Additional Information:
They are adjustable for both SPD and flat shoes. No SPD-SL capabilities. It is made of chromoly steel in the spindle and durable plastic in the body.
The Pros:
- An extremely solid set of spin bike pedals for those looking for SPD capabilities. They aren’t too expensive at around $89 and will get the job done both with flats and SPD cleats.
The Cons:
- They don’t come with as many cool features as one might find on other pedals such as Spinner Trio. They also don’t have SPD-SL capabilities.
7. Wellgo WPD-E003 Shimano SPD Compatible Spin Bike Pedals
2 used from $49.99
On the flip side, the Wellgo WPD-E003 Shimano SPD Compatible Spin Bike Pedals are designed specifically with spin bikes in mind (unlike Shimano pedals). While it might seem like these pedals weigh an absolute ton at first, this is because of the design philosophy of them.
Shimano SPD compatible cleats are included with the purchase of these WPD-E003 spinning exercise bike pedals, allowing you to get right into the SPD cycling. You can do your indoor spinning exercise with either regular athletic shoes or clip in the SPD cleats for cycling shoes.
The pedals have the advantage of coming with adjustable straps, so therefore you get the boost of your feet staying firm and stable while spinning. If you are just beginning to exercise, these Wellgo indoor exercise bike pedals will last.
However, if you are looking for something somewhat more durable, there are better options. Finally, the WPD-E003 replacement pedals for spin bikes do not come with SPD-SL compatibility.
Additional Information:
The WPD-E003s weigh about 1.76 lbs each. Its thread is 9/16″ and dimensions are 5.9 inches long, 6.7 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall. It is dual sided, one for SPD cleats and one for regular shoes. It is compatible with Shimano SH51 and SH56 Cleats.
The Pros:
- Specially designed for spin bikes, the WPD-E003s do a very good job at what they do. They are comfortable, allowing for both regular shoes and SPD cleats, and have adjustable straps that make the experience customizable.
The Cons:
- They aren’t particularly durable. Reports of them breaking after prolonged periods of use are a bit of a downer. They are also not the greatest for experienced cyclists as they don’t offer much more than the average pedal.
8. Venzo Fitness Spin Bike Dual-Sided SPD Pedals
1 used from $30.00
Another product from Venzo Fitness, these spin bike pedals are definitely another solid choice for those looking for some SPD compatible pedals.
The pedals are specially designed for spin bikes with strong material like a die cast aluminum body and an oversized CNC 9/19” axle holding these babies together better than glue would. These pedals can be ridden and used with both SPD cleats and regular shoes.
Thanks to its large platform, it ensures more riding stability for those who might have some large feet than others. The cleats tension can also be adjusted by the screw on the side of the pedal.
It allows riders to achieve perfect clip in and out feelings and just generally adapt to what kind of comfort they wish for. They are not SPD-SL compatible, which is a downside of these otherwise one of the best indoor cycling bike pedals.
Additional Information:
These stationary cycling bike pedals weigh about 1.8 lbs each. Their dimensions are 7.1 inches long, 4.3 inches wide and 4.3 inches tall. It has an oversized 9/16” thread. These pedals come with a 2 year warranty, which is a pretty nice addition.
The Pros:
- More pedals that are designed specifically for spin bikes, these Venzo pedals do just what they are supposed to. The dual sides means that families can use both SPD cleats and regular shoes depending on the cyclist.
The Cons:
- They are a bit expensive for not doing a ton outside of the box. At a retail price of $109, you might expect some more features. They are also not SPD-SL compatible, which might be a con for some.
9. BV Dual-Side SPD Pedals For Spin Bike
2 used from $19.99
The BV SPD Pedals are very solid pedals for indoor bikes. These are multipurpose pedals containing SPD clipless on one side & toe cages on the other, providing you with the option to ride with either cycling shoes or casual shoes.
One of the most noticeable parts of these pedals is how nice and controlled they feel while on the bike. Good metal grips on the bottom and nylon type straps on the top will keep your feet positioned just right on the pedals.
The BV SPD Pedals are compatible with bikes that allow for 9/16 spindle size, which means that most standard bikes have been considered.
They come with toe straps and straps, so you don’t need any additional purchases with these home spin bike pedals. The only downside is that they are incompatible with SPD-Sl cleats otherwise they are one of the best indoor spin bike pedals.
Additional Information:
These pedals weigh about 1.7 lbs each. The pedal surface is 3.5 inches long, 3.5 inches wide, and .9 inches tall (with the clip 5.3 inches long, 3.5 inches wide and .9 inches tall). The spindle is 9/16 inches.
The Pros:
- You can ride with both cycling and regular shoes on these pedals. These wide pedals will really allow your feet to stay comfortable during any workout. The added straps and toe clips are a nice bonus.
The Cons:
- They don’t fit larger feet/shoes so if that’s what you want, these might not be the best choice. Their incompatibility with SPD-Sl cleats is also a downside.
10. Tbest Nylon Cycling Pedals with Toe Cages
2 used from $20.60
These Cycling Pedals with Integrated Toe Clips & Cages Straps from Tbest round out our list of the best spin bike pedals. These pedals will provide a solid ride for anyone looking to get their gym sneakers a good spinning workout.
The pedals are extremely strong and durable, which is their main strength. They will not let you down in that regard. They do come equipped with toe clips and straps, which allows them to enhance the grip and reduce the chance that feet slide down from pedals.
A nice little option is that you can either release or fasten the buckle on the strap to make your feet positioned just right on the pedals. They are also extremely easy to install on these bikes. Similar to the Shimano Pedals, these are also compatible with bikes other than spin bikes.
Unformateneyly, they are not compatible with SPD-SL, SPD or any type of spinning/cycling cleats. Overall, these are very solid pedals for beginner cyclists, though they don’t provide some of the more versatile features that other pedals on this list do.
Additional Information:
These pedals weigh .8 lbs each. They are approximately 4.4 inches long and 3.1 inches wide. For some reason, their height is not given. The spindle is .06 inches, unlike many of the other pedals on this list.
The Pros:
- Solid pedals that do what they are supposed to. They are extremely solid and durable and will stay on and stay stable once you get on that bike. They can also be used for other bikes if that is desired.
The Cons:
- They are smaller than most pedals, which can be limiting in terms of their audience. They are also incompatible with cycling cleats, which is a con. They also just don’t really do anything special, like others on this list.
Buyer’s Guide to Find the Best Pedals for Spin Bikes:
That’s our list of the best pedals for spin bikes. Now, there are obviously quite a few factors that we took into account when compiling this list and how we ranked them. We’re here to go over a few of those and help you figure out what aspects you would want to look for in these pedals.
Spin bike pedal thread size: Almost 95% of spin bikes are built to fit 9/16″ (around 14.3mm) pedal thread size. But there are some spin bikes that come with 1/2 (12.7mm) pedal thread size. So, before buying a pair of SPD pedals for spin bikes, I highly recommend you to open your bike’s pedal and measure the thread size. It will save you lots of hassle! All the models included in this best pedals for spin bikes review are compatible with 9/16″ pedal thread.
The pedal tension adjustment capabilities: Actually freeing your feet from the pedals/clips requires you to twist your feet. Your control over how hard you need to twist your feet/shoes in this situation is what is known as the pedal tension. Depending on how experienced someone is, this can be an extremely simple and easy process. Or it could be an absolute nightmare that might drive someone away from continuing their path down the cycling mastery route. So, it’s important that your spin bike pedals with clips have a tension-adjustable option. All you need to do to figure out the tension adjustment capability of the pedals is to look for a screw with the plus and minus indicators in the back of the spin bike pedals with clips. This screw helps increase or decrease the tension of the pedals.
The adjustable release angle: Usually to unclip yourself from one of these SPD pedals, you will need to turn your foot outwards. Some of these pedals have the ability to allow you to adjust the release angle degree. This makes for a much easier time for both mounting and dismounting the bike.
The weight of the pedals: The commonly accepted rule is that the lighter the indoor bike pedals are, the easier they are to use. However, this is not always the case. Some of the heavier pedals allow for more durability and strength for the rider.
SPD-SL capability: If you are one of the people who prefer to ride with SPD-SL cleats, then you will obviously want to check if the pedals are compatible with these types of cleats. Many of the dual-sided pedals for spin bikes on this list are not compatible with those cleats, as they are a bit niche.
Are the pedals dual-sided? Do you want the ability to use the pedals with regular shoes and SPD pedals? Perhaps you’ve got a family member who prefers to use regular shoes while you use SPD cleats. These indoor cycle dual-sided pedals usually are better simply because they offer the opportunity for both uses. Of course, this is a general comment and not a universal truth. One should just keep it in mind when shopping for spin bike pedals.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Indoor Cycling Pedals:
Q: Should I Invest in SPD compatible pedals?
A: That depends. Some people are perfectly fine with cycling with their regular shoes. However, others feel that it gives them an elevated and more professional experience on these bikes. Generally speaking, when using spinning shoes with dual-sided spin bike pedals, your feet are safer, you get better power efficiency, and you feel more comfortable.
Q: How much are these spin bike pedals?
A: Again, it depends. Some of the more expensive spin bike pedals with clips can cost more than $120, but most fall under $100. Some might feel like that’s too much, but it simply depends on how advanced you want your cycling to become. In this buying guide and review, we have included a few clip-on pedals for spin bikes that cost as little as $40.
Q: Do these pedals provide a better cycling experience?
A: For those looking to get deeper into the world of cycling, absolutely. The best spin bike pedals give an extra level and allow more intense workouts. However, for those who are simply looking for some cardio workouts that get the job done, then they really don’t make that much of a difference to the rider.
Q: Do all the spin bikes need pedal replacement to clip-on specific cycling shoes?
A: Not at all. Many of the best spin bikes under $2000 come equipped with dual-sided pedals that allow the rider to use regular gym shoes or use a pair of specific spinning shoes. In fact, some of the top-rated spin bikes under $500 also include dual-sided SPD pedals.
Conclusion!
And that’s our list of the best spin bike pedals. Of course, if you like to ride based on power/watt output, I suggest you buy a pair of power-based pedals for your spin bikes. But if simply want to replace your indoor bike’s pedals because they don’t work or fit your shoes, the ones I reviewed in this article are for you. Remember to examine both the bike you have and the pedals you are looking at to make sure that they are compatible. Nobody wants a set of pedals that can’t fit on their spin bike. Now, get out there and start peddling!
Robbie Ferri from “Riding with Robbie” has been cycling for almost ten years. In that time, he has broken World Records, Bikepacked all over the World, and also raced ultra distance at a top-level. Robbie picked up a bike and started cycling when he was about 25 years old and said it was the best thing he ever did. The experiences and the fun he’s had have given him a huge passion for helping inspire others to ride further, farther, and get fitter.
