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“For cyclists who know safer doesn’t mean slower.”
Powerful. Lightweight. Built for safety.
Bythlon Pedal System
Why choose between safety and performance? Bythlon eliminates the trade-off with a high-performance system trusted by pros and accessible to newcomers. We believe that you're at your best when you're safe and comfortable on your bike. Bythlon establishes a secure connection between you and your bike — without ever locking you to it.
Experience a safer ride with Bythlon. If it's not for you, return it for a full refund.
Details
Complete set of pedals, cleats, and mountain hardware
Compatibility
3-bolt, road cycling shoes
WEIGHT
Pedal weight: 5 ounces (144 grams)
Cleat plate weight: 1.5 ounces (43 grams)
Materials
Pedal body: Polyamide (PA) glass fiber compound
Axle: Chromium Molybdenum (Cr-Mo) steel
Cleat: PA body and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) tips
Size
Pedal width: 3.5 inches (89 mm) by 3.2 inches (84 mm)
Axle length: 3.5 inches (89 mm)
30-days easy returns
FAQ
Like a traditional clipless system, the cleat and pedal connect to hold your foot securely in the right position for efficient power transfer. Unlike a traditional clipless system, there is no locking mechanism and no twisting release. To disengage, you just lift your foot upward, the way you would naturally step off the bike.
That’s great! We’re not here to tell you to give up something that works. But if you’ve ever clipped out awkwardly, taken a fall, or hesitated in traffic, Bythlon offers a safer alternative without sacrificing the power transfer and secure feel you’re used to. You might be surprised how good “unclipping” can feel.
The short answer is it does not contribute to your power. It’s a little more nuanced and you can learn more about your pedal stroke from GCN, Dylan Johnson, or us.
Research consistently shows that active pulling up during the upstroke actually reduces cycling efficiency. The upstroke primarily serves to unweight the pedal rather than actively pull up. Professional cyclists demonstrate "smoother" pedaling with better upstroke unweighting (as you can with Bythlon), but their power advantage comes from the downstroke, not from pulling up.
Sources: Coleman & Hale (1998), Mornieux et al. (2008), Korff et al. (2007)
Flats are great for casual rides, but they’re not built for performance. You lose efficiency, your foot can slip during hard efforts, and you’re constantly repositioning. Bythlon gives you the stability and power transfer of clipless without the locking so you get the best of both worlds: freedom when you need it, control when it counts.
Traditional clipless pedals lock you in, and if you need to react quickly, pulling up instinctively can drive you forward into a crash. When you find yourself in a pickle, Bythlon lets you disengage naturally by lifting straight up, reducing the chance of falling and giving you the ability to eject from the bike when you need to.
The system also provides float to reduce joint strain, helping protect against both sudden impact injuries and long-term overuse pain.
Bythlon is for all cyclists, from beginners to pros. If you're happy with your current pedal setup, there's no pressure to switch, cycling (and your pedal stroke) is best when you're safe and comfortable. Bythlon offers all the efficiency as traditional pedal systems but without the risks associated with being locked to your bike. For riders prioritizing safety and efficiency, Bythlon gives cyclists the confidence of a stable connection and the efficiency of clipless pedals, without the risks of being locked to the bike.
No problem. If it’s not for you, just email us within 30 days of your pedals being delivered. We offer hassle-free returns and genuinely appreciate you giving Bythlon a try!
Why they switched
and what keeps them riding
Five years ago, a driver who wasn’t paying attention left Darlin with permanent nerve damage in her back and neck. She could’ve been paralyzed. She fought her way back to the bike and today she’s winning crit races across the country. Here's what she had to say about our pedals:
"I’m literally living the pedals, they are amazing. Super easy to use and safe as well. I have been promoting them on a Facebook page geared towards cyclists. Hopefully the word of mouth will help you guys."
Rick has completed more ultra endurance events than we can count, from 100 mile ultras to double Ironmans. He's not one to backdown to setbacks, but he rather avoid them, so he rides with Bythlon to stay safe and keep moving toward his goals. Here's what he had to say about Bythlon:
"Ride felt great. I kept my normal training pace and on the open road I forgot I was riding anything different. No issues sitting, standing, or in aero, and I feel safe and confident. I have already been telling local tri coaches about them and I am planning to share more with my community."
Whitney has racked up an incredible list of endurance achievements, including 10 Ironmans, 33 half Ironmans, and countless other events. Even with over a decade of clip-in experience, she knows the “stop and slow fall” all too well. That is why she gave Bythlon a try:
"I kept my usual pace on gravel and pavement and felt secure the whole time. Easy to get out of when I needed, yet efficient for putting power into the stroke. Perfect for routes with lots of stops or mixed terrain, and a great option for any cyclist who does not want to feel locked in. I am so glad I have this option now."
Sally is a multi-sport athlete and four time World Marathon Majors finisher who trains and races across Indonesia. Whether she's focused on running marathons or weightlifting, she chooses Bythlon to keep her cycling workouts safe and her training on track. Whether navigating busy streets or open roads, Bythlon gives her the confidence to focus on performance without the risk of being locked in.
Chemo treatments left Jo with painful joints that made clipping in and twisting out of SPD pedals nearly impossible. Here’s what she had to say about our pedals:
“Game changers! Easy to engage and release, no loss of power—I climbed two 7% grades without issue. I thought I’d go back to SPDs once I got stronger, but honestly, these are staying on permanently. Truly awesome.”
Why they switched
and what keeps them riding
Chemo treatments left Jo with painful joints that made clipping in and twisting out of SPD pedals nearly impossible. Here’s what she had to say about our pedals:
“Game changers! Easy to engage and release, no loss of power—I climbed two 7% grades without issue. I thought I’d go back to SPDs once I got stronger, but honestly, these are staying on permanently. Truly awesome.”
Sally is a multi-sport athlete and four time World Marathon Majors finisher who trains and races across Indonesia. Whether she's focused on running marathons or weightlifting, she chooses Bythlon to keep her cycling workouts safe and her training on track. Whether navigating busy streets or open roads, Bythlon gives her the confidence to focus on performance without the risk of being locked in.
Five years ago, a driver who wasn’t paying attention left Darlin with permanent nerve damage in her back and neck. She could’ve been paralyzed. She fought her way back to the bike and today she’s winning crit races across the country. Here's what she had to say about our pedals:
"I’m literally living the pedals, they are amazing. Super easy to use and safe as well. I have been promoting them on a Facebook page geared towards cyclists. Hopefully the word of mouth will help you guys."
Rick has completed more ultra endurance events than we can count, from 100 mile ultras to double Ironmans. He's not one to backdown to setbacks, but he rather avoid them, so he rides with Bythlon to stay safe and keep moving toward his goals. Here's what he had to say about Bythlon:
"Ride felt great. I kept my normal training pace and on the open road I forgot I was riding anything different. No issues sitting, standing, or in aero, and I feel safe and confident. I have already been telling local tri coaches about them and I am planning to share more with my community."
Whitney has racked up an incredible list of endurance achievements, including 10 Ironmans, 33 half Ironmans, and countless other events. Even with over a decade of clip-in experience, she knows the “stop and slow fall” all too well. That is why she gave Bythlon a try:
"I kept my usual pace on gravel and pavement and felt secure the whole time. Easy to get out of when I needed, yet efficient for putting power into the stroke. Perfect for routes with lots of stops or mixed terrain, and a great option for any cyclist who does not want to feel locked in. I am so glad I have this option now."
