Asking for an 'expresso' is a great way to identify coffee snobs at a cake stop - the aghast facial expression is a real giveaway. But there is also a legitimate use for the word: 'Xpresso' is the name of French brand Time's range of lightweight road pedals.
I've been testing the Time Xpresso 12, which sits second from top in the range, for over 18 months now so this review is long overdue. In a nutshell, these are excellent pedals - with perhaps just one minor caveat.
Let's start with the good points: they're exceptionally lightweight. The Xpresso 12 I tested weigh in at just 158g for the pair, which is quite ridiculously feathery. Whether you'll feel a performance benefit is debatable, but when I paired these with lightweight shoes I did feel noticeably light-footed compared to my standard pedals and hefty (if otherwise lovely) Dromarti shoes.
The entire Xpresso range uses a carbon blade for clipping in rather than a standard spring. Time aren't the only brand to employ this method - Look do something similar, for example, and the Mavic Zxellium are even lighter - but this iClic system, as Time call their execution, works well. Clipping in and out is simple and feels secure, and you can adjust the tension to one of three settings via an adjustment screw on the side of each pedal.
They're also robust. In my experience that light weight doesn't come at the expense of durability, although I've seen reviews questioning the longevity of the bearings. I've actually spoken to the author of one such review, and when I mentioned the pedals had served me well over several thousand km his retort was "Put another thousand on them."
It's taken the best part of eight months but I've now done that, and can report that the pedals are still bearing (ha...) up well. Obviously most of my riding is done in dry weather on relatively good roads, but I've also thrashed them through Flanders and the Rapha Hell of the North - and, despite my best efforts, it has also rained on me once or twice. So far, all good.
The one part of the pedals that is showing signs of wear after almost two years' use are the body plates. I haven't noticed any effect on performance, but they're definitely looking a bit tatty from repeated contact with cleats while clipping in and out. Fortunately, you can pick up replacement plates for about £25, after which the pedals will be looking good as new again.
The titanium axles and carbon/aluminium body are likewise lightweight but they provide a solid platform. It's worth noting though that Time specify a rider weight limit of 90kg for these pedals. While the cleats (standard three-hole fitting; 33 grams apiece, if you're wondering) will likely wear out over the space of a season's riding, I wouldn't say the rate of attrition is any worse than other brands.
I did at one point find myself plagued for a few rides by an intensely irritating creaking sound from my right pedal, but I managed to resolve it by tightening my cleat bolts and cleaning the pedal surface.
The Xpresso 12 are, as mentioned earlier, at the top end of the range with an RRP of £225 - although you can generally find them for considerably less if you shop around. They come in an attractive tin, which I would suggest using to store coffee in for purposes of irony. But if you can live without the tin and don't mind a few extra grams, a descending scale of more affordable versions are available; the good news is that even the budget options are lighter than your average treadle.
The only negative I can find is that there's a sharp outside edge to these pedals which has on more than one occasion drawn blood when I've lost concentration while wheeling the bike along. It's possible Time have deliberately weaponised the Xpressos, for use in Ben Hur-style sabotage during crits and the like; but if you're mostly using them for sportives and general peacetime duties, I suspect you'll be happier to take the edge off with a bit of sandpaper.
Alternatively, keep them nice and sharp: they might just come in handy next time some pedant corrects you at the coffee stop.
Time Xpresso 12 pedals, £225 - www.time-sport.com
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