Leatt Endurance 6.0 Clip in Pedals
385g £139.00

The Leatt Endurance 6.0 Clip in Pedals are a superbly engineered dual sided model with high quality, buttery smooth bearings and excellent weather sealing. I’ve been impressed by their build quality, cornering prowess and rigidity under load. Continent crossing and long-haul off-road tourists might still be better served by Shimano’s XT, given big S’s spares availability and the Leatt are also a little dearer. However, gravel, cross- and cross-country mountain bike racers seeking a refined SPD pedals with equally efficient mud shedding prowess, should take a closer look.

Pros: Solid build quality, excellent power transfer and support, shimano pattern cleat compatibility.

Cons: Good value but a little pricier than some stablished favourites, spares less ubiquitous than Shimano, which could be a consideration on a big tour.

Specification

Arguably what we’d expect from this end of the market materials-wise, but standards of machining and finish are reassuringly high. The main body is available in black, silver or frost bronze anodised finishes. The bodies themselves are made from extruded CNC machined, shot peened 6061-T6. Shot peening is a common practice designed to improve fatigue resistance. Stainless steel bindings with friction busting coating (describe) are another definite plus, especially during the wetter, grottier months where tarnish and taint can strike even sturdy nickel-plated examples.

The cleat mechanism itself is sensibly Shimano pattern, so no issues finding a third-party cleat, or trying to click in, wearing the wrong shoes. Aside from genuine Shimano, ours have been fine with Wellgo and VP. 5 degrees of knee-friendly float is pretty typical, but welcome, nonetheless.

As with Shimano and patterns, tension is set and adjusted using a 3m Allen key. Quad sealing is like Fort Knox, although internals are still user serviceable. Internally, forged CNC machined SNCM220 Chromoly steel spindles turn on needle and industrial roller bearing and an LSL self-lubricating bushing. Not exotic enough? Then look to its Endurance 8.0 sibling, which feature ceramic coated magnesium bodies and titanium axles.

Test Bikes & Contexts

Ours arrived in May and coincided with the rebuilding of my fixed gear winter/trainer. Not the most obvious hosts you might say, and I’d agree something like Shimano M540 or indeed, the wallet friendly 520 is a better fit for this breed.

However, the need to climb out of the saddle, consequently placing a fair loading on the pedals, not forgetting the need to pedal when cornering means fixed is a good test of this prowess. More obvious candidates have been Ursula and Denise (my gravel build) to test their off road, mud shedding prowess. During the first two weeks while bedding in the fixed, I stuck to the Shimano RX6 with Leatt cleats to test their compatibility with genuine Shimano and other homages. I was initially surprised to discover release wasn’t as intuitive, dare I say instantaneous with SPD patterns- thankfully I hadn’t left releasing to the last, possible instant. Typical of most contemporary designs, the traditional pedal spanner’s redundant- just a lick of assembly grease, 8mm Allen key and 10nms if you’re employing a torque wrench.

Performance 4/5

I’ve defaulted to Shimano’s XT and 540 for a good while now, so the standard by which I judge others. Now, these run the humble, but smooth ball bearings. I was immediately struck by how much smoother the Leatt Endurance 6.0 were by comparison. Arguably, this isn’t surprising, given the higher bearing specification and corresponding price differential, but noteworthy just the same. Powering away on the fixed, the rigidity was also very apparent and became more so when climbing aggressively out the saddle, with my full 70kilos dancing on the pedals.

No creaks, groaning, or similar. Again, not that I’d expect this, but I’ve had some seals squeak slightly, particularly on wet rides. Obviously 165mm crank arms and a relatively lofty bottom bracket height undoubtedly help, but there’s no coasting when cornering. I’ve never come close to grounding a pedal, whether tackling a roundabout, or winding descents at 25mph. Familiarity and some basic checks done, I switched to Denise, my gravel build for some mixed terrain fun, not least as I was needing to bond with the bike again, following a puncture plague that struck on three successive outings. Rim tape and tube integrity proved the culprits, in case anyone wondered.

Much the same story in terms of stiffness and hardpack performance. Accelerating hard, the smooth bearings and stout axles made for super-efficient power transfer. Hitting the green lanes, hardpack and unmade roads, this song remained the same, cleat engagement and release, dependably quick, though no issues when pulling hard on the upstroke. This has also been the case using shoes with Wellgo and Shimano cleats.

Rains came, leading to boggier trails and though mud shedding prowess doesn’t rival Time’s ATAC, its reassuringly good, falling away from the cleat mechanisms for easy re-engagement/release. I’ve had no issues tackling some decidedly abandoned dirt roads and forest tracks aboard Ursula, where ruts, holes and deep puddles could present at a split second’s notice.

While the bodies are relatively narrow for optimal efficiency, they’re surprisingly supportive. I’ve found the Shimano SH RX600, which are stiff soled but designed with some walking and running in mind, the best fit. These FLR F70 Pro MTB M250 arguably had the best power transfer, but given a few hours trail action, their less forgiving sole was more apparent. At the other extreme, though a little warm for booties, I’ve found the Shimano MW702 a good paring with the Endurance 6.0, in all contexts.

If you’re prone to hotspots, or want a bit more surface area, say for scooting, unclipped through more technical sections, models with platforms such as Leatt All Mountain 6.0 might be a better bet. There is a slight weight penalty, but this could be worth paying if you’re not the most comfortable with cross country race models. Similarly, if you’re prone, or vulnerable to knee trouble, I’d point you towards Time ATAC, since they have superior float but again, horses for courses.

Care/Durability 4/5

Anodised finishes are pretty tough but with regular entry and release, there’s only trace wear on the outer edge and very much in keeping with the Shimano XT given similar mileage, riding contexts and conditions. I’ve swerved the jetwash and would suggest you do, too, since despite belt n’ braces sealing, seals are not designed to be blasted with that kind of force. Stainless steel clat mechanisms remain unblemished and I see no reason why this should change. Being user-serviceable, packing with fresh grease annually gives bearings and other components the best chance of long and productive lives. Spares are available (parts and prices).

Value 3.5/5

£139.99 is hardly small change but the specification is commensurately high. However, it rivals that of Shimano’s flagship XTR, which also features a Teflon coated cleat mechanism, sealed cartridge bearings and arguably better spares backup and I would plump for the XTR for ultra marathon, continent crossing stuff, on this basis. Hope Technology Union Race Pedals are a bit steeper at £160.

They feature CNC machined bodies available in a choice of 6 anodised colours. These also employ stainless cleat mechanisms and three cartridge bearings and a norglide bush for smooth long-term durability. A Q factor of 55mm will also spark the attentions of competitive riders (not just mountain bikers). They also feature stainless steel cleats with 4-5 degrees of float and are made here in the UK. However, interestingly, they also employ their own, dedicated cleat, which will be a turn off for some.

Time XC10 are £150 and feature carbon fibre bodies and the marque’s legendary mud shedding cleat mechanism, coupled with oodles of knee-friendly float. Arguably a cross, cross country mountain bike, or gravel racers option with an obvious weight advantage, the bodies might not fare so well in a major tumble or hitting that rock with your name on it.

Then of course, there’s the Crank Brothers Candy 3 are £149.99 and offer a wider platform area, coupled with the brand's legendary, mud shedding “eggbeater” mechanism, though less ubiquitous than big S, still have fans amongst the cyclo cross fraternity. Internal bearings are needle roller, the outers cartridge, axles are forged Cro-Moly steel and the units themselves come with a 5-year warrantee. However, while SPD cleats are not the only fruit, spares availability won’t rival big S and its homages either, which might be a consideration in the back of beyond, assuming you didn’t carry some replacements.

Summary

The Leatt Endurance 6.0 are a very solid and well-engineered pedal that are very smooth, well-sealed and competent across various genres of riding, not simply cross-country mountain biking, or gravel. Whether they are better than Shimano XTR is debatable and I’d go for big S, were I looking to do epic tours and similar blue yonder stuff, only on the grounds of spares availability. However, this applies to all Shimano patterns, not levelled at Leatt specifically.

Verdict 4/5 Well engineered and very competent SPD pedal with wider horizons than gravel and cross-country mountain bike racing.

Michael Stenning

Leatt.com

PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2025

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