What pedals should I replace my Peloton pedals with?

I have been asked that question numerous times since I wrote my blog post on broken Peloton pedals and the need to replace them periodically (about every 12 months, according to Peloton). You’re a busy person, so I’ll give you the short answer first…

Answer: just about any “delta” or “look”-style pedal will do.

Why these particular pedals? The answer has to do with the Peloton shoes and not the bike. As you can see from the photo, the Peloton shoe has three screw holes for the cleat, arranged in a triangle pattern (a.k.a. a “delta”, which is what gives the delta-style clip its name). So, you need to find a pedal that uses a compatible cleat. You’ll get a pair of cleats in the box with your new pedals, so if you’re the only Pelotoner in the family you are all set. If not, you may need to buy cleats for the other riders, as there can be variations between the different delta-style manufacturers that could necessitate new cleats. Fortunately, cleats aren’t all that expensive if you need to buy them.

On my road bike, I have SPD pedals, which make it easier to clip-in and clip-out and therefore more to my liking for actual road use. Neither of these things is particularly important for Peloton use, at least in my experience. Needless to say, if you’re not using your Peloton shoes, SPD might be an option for you. (If your shoes are SPD ready they’ll have two screw holes side-by-side, close to one another near the centerline of the shoe.)

There aren’t too many variables when buying pedals and cleats, but one you should be aware of is “float“. Float has to do with how much lateral motion is allowed when clipped in, meaning how much your heel can swing in or out before you actually unclip. Float can range from zero to a few degrees of angle. I don’t have any reference information to back me up, but I believe the stock Peloton cleats have zero float — you’re pretty locked-in on those. Whether you want to go with something a bit more permissive is really up to you.

My best advice is to ask at your local bike shop. You could even bring your shoes. Any pedals they sell you will work because the threaded holes on the crank arm is standard, so the fact that you are shopping for pedals for a Peloton bike and not a road bike doesn’t really make a difference.