AliExpress Just Did It Again...
00:12:10Trace Velo

AliExpress Just Did It Again...

Trace Velo

July 13, 2026

Watch on YouTube
Description

At just 180g for the pair and costing less than £50, these AliExpress ROCKBROS pedals are not only 22% lighter than Shimano Dura-Ace PD-R9100 pedals, they're also around 70% cheaper.

Sounds too good to be true right?

In this video I take a detailed look at their design, compare them directly with Shimano's 105, Ultegra and Dura-Ace pedals, and explain why I think they may have one major weakness.

The interesting part? I've already tested a very similar set of ultralight carbon composite pedals with titanium axles from a brand called Onirii. They were brilliant to ride, until they wore out in a way I wasn't expecting. So can these carbon composite road bike pedals from ROCKBROS avoid the same fate, or is history about to repeat itself?

We'll cover:
- ROCKBROS 180g SPD-SL compatible pedals
- Weight comparison vs Shimano 105, Ultegra & Dura-Ace
- Long-term durability concerns
- Why cheap carbon composite pedals wear out
- Bearing quality and cleat engagement
- Genuine Shimano vs third-party cleats
- Whether they're actually worth buying

These pedals were purchased with my own money. Nothing in this video was sponsored or provided for review, so everything you see is my honest opinion after riding and comparing them.

If you're looking for the lightest road bike upgrades on a budget, hopefully this helps!

Links to the AliExpress sellers I personally used:
(These are affiliate links, they won’t cost you any extra, but I get a little kickback from AliExpress, which helps out!)

RockBros Pedal
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4SQJ3zz

Time Dupe Pedal
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3GhKDkL

Onirii Pedal
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3h2nP7v

Timestamps:
00:00 – RockBros carbon pedals
00:56 – Design, cost, weight
02:39 – Similar Onirii pedals that failed
04:59 – Should you avoid them?
07:11 – Rider weight limit
08:32 – Another lightweight pedal option
10:00 – Bonus clip

Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - http://www.go2dev.co.uk

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tracevelo/

Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com

Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.

In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!

Keywords: aliexpress pedals,rockbros pedals,shimano pedals,dura ace pedals,spd sl pedals,road bike pedals,lightweight bike pedals,lightest road pedals,lightest shimano pedals,carbon pedals,titanium pedals,bike weight weenie,road bike upgrades,cycling tech,shimano dura ace,shimano ultegra,shimano 105,trace velo,aliexpress cycling,cheap bike parts,budget cycling,bike tech,bike review,cycling review,road cycling,clipless pedals,onirii carbon pedals

AliExpress Ad
Vacation Sale

AliExpressVacation Sale

ROCKBROS Road Bike Lock Pedal Carbon Fiber Lightweight Faster Self-Locking Pedal Aluminum Alloy SPD Lock Pedal with Lock Cleats

ROCKBROS Road Bike Lock Pedal Carbon Fiber Lightweight Faster Self-Locking Pedal Aluminum Alloy SPD Lock Pedal with Lock Cleats

Created: July 13, 2026

The reviewer discusses the ROCKBROS road bike pedals, noting they are lightweight (180g per pair), cheap (under 50 quid), and made from carbon fiber reinforced polymer with titanium axles. They are Shimano compatible and offer good initial build quality, easy clipping, and adjustable tension. However, the reviewer expresses concern about long-term durability based on a previous experience with similar AliExpress pedals (Oniri PD-06) that developed excessive play after 5,000-6,000 km due to wear on the composite retention clip and front impact area. The reviewer has ridden the ROCKBROS pedals for 500 km without issues but predicts they may fail similarly.

AI-Summary

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight at 180g per pair, lighter than Shimano Dura-Ace
  • Very affordable, costing less than 50 quid
  • Shimano compatible cleats included
  • Good build quality initially
  • Wide stable pedal platform
  • Easy to clip in and out
  • Adjustable release tension
  • Pedals drop to vertical position for easy starting

Cons

  • Concerns about long-term durability based on similar AliExpress pedals that developed play after 5,000-6,000 km
  • Composite material may wear at the front impact area and rear retention clip over time
  • Potential for the pedal to become unusable due to excessive play

Creator Links

ROCKBROS Road Bike Lock Pedal Carbon Fiber Lightweight Faster Self-Locking Pedal Aluminum Alloy SPD Lock Pedal with Lock Cleats

ROCKBROS Road Bike Lock Pedal Carbon Fiber Lightweight Faster Self-Locking Pedal Aluminum Alloy SPD Lock Pedal with Lock Cleats

aliexpress.com
aliexpress.com#1005010062023249Affiliate · Trace Velo
aliexpress.com
aliexpress.comSupport MyBikePartsAffiliate · MyBikeParts
🇺🇸$66.07
🇩🇪€57.99
🇬🇧£49.39
5.0 (15)
Checked about 4 hours ago