By the time you’re sweating through a 3,000-foot XC slog, every gram on your bike feels like a tax. OneUp Components knows this better than most, and their new XC Clip Pedals make a pretty compelling argument that you don’t have to sacrifice pedal performance to shed weight where it counts.
At just 303 grams per pair and a 26.8mm measured binding thickness, OneUp is claiming the thinnest dual-sided MTB clip pedal on the market right now. That’s not a marketing footnote, that’s a spec that actually means something when you’re threading your way through a granite minefield on a hardtail.
Why Thickness Actually Matters on XC Pedals
Platform height directly affects pedal strike frequency. Lower body, less carnage. When you’re grinding out lap after lap on a course littered with rocks and roots, a pedal that sits 14.4mm off the crank face is going to save you more than a few choice words mid-ride.
Deven McCoy
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OneUp’s ultra-thin profile keeps your foot closer to the axle centerline, which means more consistent power transfer on technical rocky climbs, the kind where you’re trying to maintain momentum without losing your line or your skin. It’s a subtle thing until it isn’t.
OneUp’s Custom SPD-Compatible Binding System
Rather than just bolting on an off-the-shelf SPD mechanism and calling it a day, OneUp engineered its own binding system from scratch, which wasn’t without issues, but they have done their homework and addressed some of the sticky issues that their Clip Pedal had at launch. The release-tension range is wider than on traditional SPD setups, and the cleat fit is noticeably more secure, especially during big doses of human wattage.
Deven McCoy
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The 12° release angle with 5° of float is a proven sweet spot: enough movement to keep your knees happy on long days, firm enough to keep you from accidentally releasing mid-sprint. Integrated cleat ramps on the binding make for a consistent, predictable release every time. No hunting around, and no surprise exits.
OneUp Components
Every pair ships with cleat spacers so you can fine-tune the stack height for your shoes. Small detail, big deal for riders who’ve chased fit issues across multiple setups.
Built to Last and Easy to Service
OneUp kept the XC Clip’s internals smart and practical, as expected from OneUp. You get an inboard Igus bushing paired with two outboard cartridge bearings on a chromoly steel axle with black ED coating, all sealed up with a double-axle seal. It’s a robust system that punches well above its weight class for durability.
Deven McCoy
What’s particularly clever here is that the XC Clips share a rebuild kit with OneUp’s Wave and Clip Pedals. If you’re already running something from the OneUp pedal lineup, your parts bin just got more versatile. A Pedal Bearing Nut Tool is included in the box, so home mechanics can handle servicing without a trip to the shop.
Specs at a Glance
Deven McCoy
- Weight: 303g per pair
- Body Thickness: 14.4mm
- Binding Thickness: 26.8mm
- Platform Size: 75mm x 68mm (W x L)
- Stance Width: 55mm
- Float: 5° (12° release angle)
- Cleats: OneUp SPD-compatible + 1mm spacers
- Internals: Igus bushing + 2 cartridge bearings
- Axle: Chromoly Steel, Black ED coating
- Colors: Black, Bronze, Dark Blue, Dark Green, Grey, Purple
Pricing
US: $159.99 \ CAD: $218.99 \ UK: £142.99 \ EU: €159.99
First Look Verdict
OneUp has always been good at identifying what a pedal actually needs to do and building exactly that – nothing more, nothing less – just look at their first entry into clip pedals. The XC Clip Pedals fit that philosophy perfectly. The weight is competitive, the thickness is genuinely class-leading, and the price is right. Out of the box, the XC Clip feels already broken in. The cleats are welcomed into the binding with warm arms, and the release and float are as you’d expect. They just feel premium, and after quite a few miles, there’s been no hint of the issue the Clip Pedals faced with binding-release variability.
Deven McCoy
For XC racers, marathon grinders, weight-weenie trail riders, and gravel heads who want a clipped-in option that doesn’t compromise on clearance or performance, these are going straight onto the radar. I’ve got a set on the bike, and I’m putting in the miles, so stay tuned for the full review coming soon.