Time Xpro 12 SL pedals review

If you’re after very light pedals with a very heavy price tag, look no further than the Time Xpro 12 SL. 

Time’s pedal range was revamped in spring 2024, and this is the top-end model with no expense spared.

A luxury and functional spec 

Weighing just 88g per pedal (or 123g combined with cleat and bolts), a carbon pedal body, ceramic bearings and a hollow titanium spindle add up to “the ultimate expression of pedal technology” according to Time, and they certainly look the part too. 

The gold titanium spindle and branding, and the matte carbon finish look great, or as aesthetically pleasing as bike pedals can look anyway. 

Much like Shimano and Look, Time uses a simple three-bolt cleat. 

The patented Iclic cleats offer five degrees of float, but fixed cleats can be purchased separately. 

Interestingly the cleats are asymmetric and left/right-specific. But if you swap them round it still works and offers a small amount of extra Q factor (distance between the pedals).

You can also purchase the pedals with three different spindle lengths that further affects Q factor. I tested the regular version, with 53mm between the spindle and crank arm. 

When the cleats are affixed to your shoes, it’s just a dab of grease and a few turns of an 8mm Allen key to attach the pedals. 

There are no power meter versions. So you’ll have to factor in the weight of mounting a power meter elsewhere on your bike vs the weight saving offered by your luxury pedals. 

Seamless pedal entry and exit 

Time’s patented cleat design is “pre-opened”. In practice, this means clipping out ‘opens’ the cleat to make it easier to clip in next time. By contrast, rivals’ cleats require you to dig in your foot to re-engage.

Therefore, clipping into the Time Xpro 12 SL is remarkably easy. The larger surface area of the cleat also helps. 

Thanks to the pre-opening, the sound when you clip back in is more of a click than a snap. 

The same applies whether you go for the Xpro 12 SL or the much more affordable Xpro 10 (£160 / $160). In other words, you don’t need to spend £440 / $440 to benefit from Time’s nifty pedal engagement system. 

The pedalling experience is excellent, feeling super strong, stiff and stable under load when sprinting or tackling big inclines. No unwanted lateral movement occurred.

Time Xpro 12 SL bottom line 

If you want some of the lightest pedals on the market that are the easiest to get in and out of, the Xpro 12 SL may be for you. 

You can, however, get the same experience when you clip in and out for a fraction of the cost with the Xpro 10. The trade-offs are extra weight and cheaper materials. 

Time Xpro 12 SL pedals spec

Price:	£440 / $440
Stack height:	14.7mm
Contact surface area	725mm-squared
Material:	Carbon body
Weight:	172g (pair)