Launched at Eurobike 2009, Time’s I-Clic pedal system looks broadly similar to the French manufacturer’s RXS design but has an ingenious composites cleat retention and release system in place of the steel jaw and spring construction of the latter.
The body and axle of the I-Clic Fibreflex pedals shown, the least expensive and heaviest of the four models at £82.99 and 260g per pair respectively, follow RXS practice, the body moulded in fibre-reinforced plastic and the axle plus bearings retained by an external sleeve.
“Clic and ride” is the idea behind the I-Clic cleat retension design, with the use of a composites leaf spring a weight-saving bonus. When the pedal is empty, a latch trigger holds the retention jaw open against the spring. As the cleat is inserted, the trigger is depressed to release the spring-loaded jaw and trap the cleat. Since the jaw is open as the cleat is pressed downwards, the entry pressure needed is significantly reduced.
Twisting the cleat releases it in familiar fashion and , as the jaw is pressed backwardsby ramps on the cleat, the trigger springs upwards to restrain the jaw ready for the next entry. Needless to say, it is inadvisable to depress the trigger – accessible from above – by any means other than a cleat attached to a shoe.
Cleat release tension is adjustable via a small screw on the side of the pedal. The composite cleats are compatible with all three-bolt shoes soles using the original Look arrangement, provided they do not have too tight a curvature to the underside. Their mounting holes are offset, each to one side by 1.25mm, allowing the rider some extra compensation for pedal tread or “Q” factor.
