LOOK invented the clipless pedal back in 1985. The pedal’s instant success on the road is well documented, with Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond using them to take first and second place at the Tour de France that year. Since then the clipless revolution has taken over cycling. While LOOK continues as an industry leader on the road, their mountain bike offerings have not been as accepted. LOOK now aims to recreate their road success in the dirt with the QUARTZ.  

The QUARTZ pedals feature a glass fiber-reinforced polyamide body that provides a platform around the clipping mechanism. By using a glass fiber-reinforced body LOOK is able to increase the durability and lower the weight when compared with platforms constructed from aluminum. Also in an effort to increase durability, the QUARTZ pedals spin on chromoly steel axles with no weight limit. An open-axle line and wire spring design are used for easy mud shedding and positive entry and release. They are available with grey or red pedal bodies.

The QUARTZ pedals are quite large in appearance. Much of the bulky appearance is due to the open-axle design that provides plenty of room around the wire spring retention system. With the increased size of the cage, LOOK seems to have located the sweet spot between lightweight cross-country pedals and larger, all-mountain trail options. The design makes clipping in almost foolproof, while the additional contact surface area adds an extra bit of foot stability. 

Clipping in is quick and easy, and, like with other wire spring designs, requires just stepping down on the pedal. The action has a positive feel with a muted “click” to let the rider know they are locked in. The LOOK QUARTZ pedals come with a series of shims (0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm) that go between the cleat and the sole of the shoe. The shims come in a variety of heights to accommodate various traction block heights of different shoes, protect the shoe’s sole and to provide different release tensions. For example, our pair of SIDI Dragon 3 SRS shoes would use the 1- and 0.5-mm shims (1.5 mm total) for a standard release. For easier release, 2.0 mm shims would be used. LOOK has created a shim-to-shoe chart on their website for reference. 

Once clipped in the QUARTZ have a positive feel, holding the foot firmly in place with no side-to-side foot rocking. The cleats provide 15 degrees of float. Unlike the other wire spring designs, the QUARTZ’s float has bit of resistance due to its tight interface with the pedal body. It is not a lot of resistance and one’s feet always find their natural position without the ice-skating feeling of other models. We never experienced any unwanted movement or side-to-side play, reinforcing the feel of a direct connection with the bike.

280 grams; $110; lookcycle.com