
AliExpress Just Did It Again...
Trace Velo
July 13, 2026
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
Parts Mentioned
ROCKBROS Road Bike Lock Pedal Carbon Fiber Lightweight Faster Self-Locking Pedal Aluminum Alloy SPD Lock Pedal with Lock Cleats
Created: July 13, 2026The 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


ONIRII PD-06 Road Bike Carbon Lock Pedals Bicycle SPD Self-Locking Steel/Titanium 6 Degree Pedal with Locking Plate for Road NEW
Created: September 06, 2024The reviewer discusses the ONIRII PD-06 pedals, noting they are very light (180g) and cheap (under £50), but expresses concern about durability based on experience with similar pedals that wore out after 5,000-6,000 km due to the carbon composite retention clip and frontal engagement area wearing. He suggests they may have a limited lifespan but still considers them worth considering for weight savings.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Extremely lightweight at 180g per pair, lighter than Shimano Dura-Ace
- Very affordable, costing less than £50
- Good build quality initially, with silky smooth bearings
- Easy to clip in and out, with adjustable release tension
- Wide stable pedal platform
Cons
- Potential durability issue: carbon composite may wear out after 5,000-6,000 km, similar to previous Oniri pedals
- Frontal engagement area shows signs of wear after only 500-600 km
- No specified weight limit; may not be suitable for riders over 100 kg
- Spindle width is wider than Shimano standard (55mm vs 52mm), affecting stance
- Included cleats are heavier and may increase pedal wear
Creator Links

ONIRII PD-06 Rennrad Carbon Lock Pedale Fahrrad SPD Selbstsichernder Stahl/Titan 6-Grad-Pedal mit Verriegelungsplatte für StraÃe NEU - AliExpress 18


165g ultra light Road Pedals Carbon Ti Tianium road bicycle bike pedals with cleats
Created: July 13, 2026The reviewer discusses the Rock Bros 165g ultra light road pedals, noting they are the lightest Shimano-compatible pedals available, weighing 180g per pair (though the title says 165g, the transcript says 180g). They cost under £50 and are 22% lighter than Shimano Dura-Ace while costing 70% less. The reviewer has ridden them for 500 km without issues, but expresses concern about long-term durability based on a previous pair of similar pedals that developed wear after 5,000-6,000 km, becoming unusable. They note early signs of wear on the front engagement area after 500-600 km. Despite this, they consider the pedals worth it for the weight savings and low cost.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Extremely lightweight at 180g per pair
- Very affordable (under £50)
- Great build quality, wide stable platform
- Easy to clip in and out, adjustable release tension
- Bearings smooth out of the box
- Includes cleats, hardware, and Allen keys
Cons
- Potential durability issue: front engagement area shows wear after 500-600 km
- Previous similar pedals became unusable after 5,000-6,000 km due to wear
- No specified weight limit; reviewer suggests caution for riders over 100 kg
- Spindle width is wider than Shimano standard (55mm vs 52mm), affecting stance
- Included cleats are heavier (57g) and may increase pedal wear; recommended to use Shimano cleats
Creator Links

165g ultra light Road Pedals Carbon Ti Tianium road bicycle bike pedals with cleats





