iSSi Trail III Pedal Review: An All-Around Solid Pedal

The iSSi Trail III pedal is a fully serviceable, high-performance Shimano SPD-compatible clipless pedal. Utilizing a mid-sized pedal body for added support, stability and protection creates a great feel against your shoe. Available in 8 colors, from bright popping Hi-Vis Yellow to the standard black and silver, there is sure to be a color to fit your bike or new build. With the ability to service all 3 sealed cartridge bearings and spindles using service kits readily available from your local shop or your favorite online store (ever heard of WorldwideCyclery.com?), riders will be sure to enjoy mashing on these pedals for a long time. To top off the customization factor, there are even longer spindle kits to fit everybody's style and needs! With 4 degrees of float and a 14.6 degree angle of release, the Trail IIIs offer a confident platform that keep your feet glued to your bike. Feel like getting drifty to up the steeze factor? The Trail IIIs allow riders to adjust the tension and include a nifty indicator to let you know how close to the maximum or minimum tension you are, so you can adjust exactly to your liking.

Does the bike world really need another pedal company to mix things up? Are there any benefits to the iSSi pedal over other SPD-compatible style pedals? Well, to start, the price of this pedal and the quality you get is very impressive. At $120 retail, this is on par or better than most pedals on the market that offer smooth bearings, full serviceability, and tons of colors! Do you want a longer spindle, whether it's for your fit, to make sure your shoes clear your cranks better, or get that little bit of downhill advantage? There are 3 different spindle lengths to choose from. Coming stock at 52.2mm spindle length with a +6 (58.2mm) and a +12 (64.2mm), there is no reason this pedal cannot be suited to fit every rider’s wants and needs.

Setup is straightforward and easy. An 8mm hex key to install on the crankset, slap on your cleats in the desired position, and off you go! I ride with the cleats over the ball of my foot for fit. I also had two sets of shoes, one with my old SPD cleats, and the other with the new cleats that came included with the iSSi pedals. Not once did I notice the change between the different cleats; both worked great all the time. Adjusting the tension is also made easy with the small indicator above the tension bolt, sporting a + and - to indicate where you are relative to the max and min. Setting the tension on the easy side allows for getting in and out for corners or the occasional crash scare.

After a few months of use, the bearings are still extremely smooth, like a baby’s bum. There are little signs of usage in the form of paint wearing through, but that’s typical of any pedal. There have been no issues with the pedals in terms of performance. All in all, a great price, interchangeable spindles, fully serviceable bearings, and lots of colors to match or clash with your bike make for an awesome value!