Time Xpro 10 pedals

Time's new Xpro 10 pedals have some notable improvements over the previous Xpresso range, with a wider pedal body, a redesigned cleat that is really hardwearing, and very easy engagement. I really like them and prefer the engagement system to that of Look or Shimano, my only issue being a peculiar squeaking noise that I was getting (but a road.cc colleague didn't), which Time says it is trying to get to the bottom of...

• Pros: Wide pedal body, light, easy to get in and out of, durable
• Cons: Unexplained squeaking noise that Time is looking into

Although it gives both Shimano and Look's higher-end pedals a run for their money in terms of price, the Xpro 10 is actually the least expensive of Time's three Xpro pedals. While the Xpro 10 has a hollow steel axle and steel bearings, the Xpro 12 (£259.99) has a solid titanium axle with steel bearings and is lighter at a claimed 94g per pedal. The top-end Xpro 15 is a whopping £399.99, weighing just 87g per pedal (claimed) with CeramicSpeed bearings and a hollow titanium axle. Essentially, all three are identical in shape and you get the new carbon fairing on the Xpro 10s, so unless you're really fussy about weight and really want ceramic bearings, they're probably the best to go for.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Time says the carbon fairing on the underside toughens the pedal up and also has aero credentials, although I'd suggest any watt savings are likely to be extremely marginal. Time's patented Iclic engagement system has been improved, and it works by remaining in a looser, more open position when you've clipped out, ready for the next time you clip in, making the process seem effortless.

There isn't quite such a firm 'snap' as you get when clipping into a Shimano pedal (the sound is a bit more subtle, like I perceive most Look-compatible pedals to be), but I think it's easier to 'find' the Time pedal without having to really look down. This is helped by the improved pedal surface area compared with the Xpro's predecessor, now a nice and wide 725mm².

Time's retention system is courtesy of a carbon blade as opposed to a spring as found in most clipless pedals, and this has three adjustment settings to alter the tension. The cleat has a standard three-bolt formation, and Time told me at the launch that it's been toughened up after some reports of the previous versions wearing out a little too fast. I'd concur with this: after a long test period, they're still pretty much intact after lots of heavy use and inadvisable, awkward cleat-walking. Speaking of which, they're not even that awkward to walk in because the surface area of the cleat is pretty large, so they're quite cafe stop friendly. They're left/right-specific, but switching them around actually gives you a slightly wider stance, if you prefer some extra Q factor (the width between your pedals).

> When should you replace your cleats?

The stack height is just 13.5mm, which makes you feel engaged with the pedals and able to eke out every ounce of power. There's also plenty of float when you need it, but out of the saddle I didn't sense any unwanted lateral movement. The float is courtesy of Time's Bioposition technology, which allows for 15 degrees of frictionless lateral movement and some angular float that is designed to move with the natural movement of the ankle, knee and hip joints.

All positive so far, but about a week into testing, and thereafter, I started experiencing an odd squeaking noise. It doesn't appear to affect the performance whatsoever but is just a tad irritating, and I was curious to see if I was the only one. After a month of use I handed them to road.cc editor (and regular Time pedal user) Tony to use for a couple of weeks and... there was no sound from them, just plenty of positive comments. Here's exactly what Time's distributor told me when I put it to them:

"We have heard of this issue before but only on a few occasions, and given how popular these pedals have proven to be it's clear that it's only affecting a small amount of customers. Time have been made aware and are investigating the issue to determine what is the root cause in these small amount of cases. However, from what we have found it would appear the noise is stemming from the interface between the cleats and the pedal body. Given the large platform area of the XPro pedals we feel that with some people's riding style and shoe set-up it's possible for the cleat and pedal platform to cause some friction causing the squeaking noise that you report. We have found that a small amount of Teflon spray to the main pedal platform can often resolve this issue. It's important to stress that this does only seem to be affecting a small amount of users as you have found yourself."

So, just in case you didn't get the message, it's definitely a small number of us who are experiencing the squeakiness! I tried them on multiple pairs of shoes to no avail, and the Teflon spray seemed to stop it for a while only for the noise to return a few days later. So my own anecdotal theory is that it's something to do with excess friction exacerbated by my grinding pedalling action and low cadence putting extra pressure through them (and my super-huge power output, of course).

> Buyer's Guide: 10 of the best clipless pedals

Price-wise, as mentioned before the Xpro 10 is comparable to second tier pedals from the competition. Shimano's latest Ultegra pedals come in at £149.99 (but can usually be found for much less) and Look's Keo Carbon Blades with a chromoly axle have an rrp of £155.99.

Overall, I was impressed with the improvements in Time's new Xpro 10. They're not cheap by any means, but the carbon fairing looks great, clipping in and out is a simple affair, and they're nice and light. I'll try to get to the bottom of the squeaking and update if and when, but based on the testimony of my colleague and most other users, it appears this is only affecting a minority.

Verdict

Expensive yet light and durable pedals with a really nice engagement system