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The Look X-Track Race pedals offer positive engagement and disengagement, a big platform and a decent weight, but the bearings are not as smooth as some.

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For the X-Track pedals, Look ditches its own cleat designs and adopts an Shimano SPD-compatible design. Even the cleat adjustment uses a 3mm hex key, which is identical to many other SPD-compatible designs.

Engagement is positive with a reassuring click, while disengagement is also easy – the 13-degree disengagement angle gives a gradual resistance increase and a nice click when completed.

With six degrees of float they give a less solid ride feel than Shimano pedals though, and they're also quite noisy as they move. The tension adjustment covers a very wide range from easy but rather vague to what feels strong enough for track riders.

Mud clearance is on a par with Shimano pedals, though one small problem is that overshoes can get trapped when trying to disengage. Even with the same overshoes it isn't a problem I have encountered with other pedals.

The biggest issue, though, is the bearing quality. There's a very distinct tight spot on each revolution. An issue with just one pedal could just be bad luck, but for both to have the identical problem implies an issue either with the bearing alignment or quality.

At £70 the're up against the likes of Shimano's M540 pedals at £63, though at 365g they're a bit heavier – 13g – than those. If weight is a big factor, the Ritchey Comp XC Pedals are 341g, plus they have much smoother bearings – and are cheaper at £62.

The overall performance of the X-Track Race is decent, with the exception of noticeable tight spots in the bearings.

• www.lookcycle.com

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