11th October 2024: The update included 2 new reviews from Favero and Crankbrothers
The pedals you choose for one of the best gravel bikes will likely depend on your background. Gravel has its roots in Road and Cyclocross. As such, many riders from these categories will already use one of the best clipless pedal systems. With the recent influx of beginners and mountain bikers flocking to fat-tyred - drop bar bikes, many of these riders might not be familiar or comfortable with a clipless system and prefer to use flat pedals.
There is no right or wrong answer, a good strapline for gravel cycling as a whole you could say. Select what feels comfortable and we have tried to cover all the bases with this guide.
I have selected 6 of the best pedal systems we have reviewed that will work well on any gravel bike. This includes the mud-shredding Time Atac XC 2 and of course Mr Reliable the Shimano PD-M520. There are also pedals for the more niche ends of the spectrum. For the racers, power pedals might be on your list of requirements and for that, the Favero Assioma Pro MX-2 scored highly. For my fellow backpackers, and for those looking to cycle at a more leisurely pace, we have the Crankbrothers Stamp 3 flat pedal.
Whatever pedal system you feel most comfortable selecting, consider one of the best gravel or flat pedal shoes to match.
At just over 300 grams, the Crankbrothers Candy is renowned for shedding mud well without adding unnecessary weight to your gravel bike. Bonus, they come in an array of nice colour options.
The choice for gravel pedals with a power meter is limited but Favero Assioma Pro MX-2s represent far higher value for money over the Garmin Rally XC200.
Balancing performance with value whilst maintaining high durability and serviceability. The Crankbrothers stamp pedals offer a really well-rounded package, that is less likely to destroy your shins.
Shimano's PD-M530s remain popular due to their blend of price and performance
(Image credit: Paul Grele)
Shimano PD-M520
Best gravel bike pedals for value and functionality
Our expert review:
Specifications
Pedal type: double-sided, clipless
Weight: 380g
Colors: silver, black/silver, white/silver
Reasons to buy
+
Affordable
+
Easy-to-adjust cleat tension
+
Sealed bearings keep dirt and water at bay
Reasons to avoid
-
Not the lightest - 380 grams per pair
Probably the most popular choice among gravel riders based on their great value and functionality, Shimano's PD-M520 are the go-to clipless MTB pedal. The SPD design here stands for Shimano Pedaling Dynamics and is a 2-bolt cleat system for off-road use, not to be confused with SPD-SL which is the three-bolt road cycling system.
The pedals, like most in this guide, are dual-sided, which means, unlike some road cycling pedals, you can clip in on both sides, which is particularly handy for off-road use. The cleats provided are compatible with shoes that feature a 2-bolt fixing, although this is pretty universal for off-road clipless shoes. These will feature a recess in the tread where the metal cleat fits, so it's easy to walk around off the bike without a protruding cleat getting in the way.
The mud shedding ability of the M520's is one of the key improvements over the previous version of Shimano's SPDs. They have a good space for mud or debris to pass through between either side of the axle housing and the SPD mechanism.
These budget clipless pedals have sealed cartridge bearings to reduce dirt and water ingress, as well as adjustable cleat tension so you can make it easier to clip out which can be pretty useful for technical riding where you might need to dab or put a foot down in a hurry.
Our tester felt well connected during pedalling and there was no hint of being thrown out of the pedal over rough ground, or when powering up a slope whilst out of the saddle. The system is really durable and reliable. It is also incredibly versatile and able to suit many disciplines of cycling - a classic, rightly so!
Time's ATAC XC's feature a handy mud clearing mechanism
(Image credit: Rachel Sokal)
Time ATAC XC 2
Best for pain-free knees and muck-free mechanism
Our expert review:
Specifications
Construction: "glass filled" plastic body
Weight: 297g (pedals), 44g (cleats and bolts)
Adjustability: 10° with ATAC Easy cleats (included), 13 or 17° with ATAC cleats
Reasons to buy
+
Inbuilt float allows movement on the bike and is friendly to knees
+
Mud clearing mechanism
+
Durability of pedal
+
Easy to service
Reasons to avoid
-
Cleats can wear quickly
-
No tension adjustment on this model
Time has been making off-road pedals for over 20 years when it first released its ATAC system. Compared to other systems, the cleats engage by pushing in a forward motion. Not only is this more natural for your foot making clipping in easier, it also pushes muck through and out of the pedal meaning the mechanisms keeps clear.
The other big advantage of Time's pedals is the float in the system. This means you can move for comfort and weight-shifting when riding, without your foot coming off the pedal. Swap the cleats between left and right pedals and you can increase the release angle and float even more.
The XC 2s are the entry level pedal in the off-road collection. The 'easy-cleat' system is simple to clip out of so great if you're not confident or have lots of stop-starting on your rides.
The Candy 1 is offered in a variety of bright colors if black isn't your thing
(Image credit: Rachel Sokal)
Crankbrothers Candy 1
Best gravel bike pedals for choice of colors
Our expert review:
Specifications
Pedal type: double-sided, clipless
Weight: 302g (pedals), 42g (cleats)
Colors: black, red, blue, pink
Reasons to buy
+
Mud clearing
+
Colour options
Reasons to avoid
-
No tension adjuster
-
Expensive cleats to try out different float and release options
The Candy 1 has a generously sized platform pedal around the Crankbrothers minimal cage mechanism. Our tester found that this combination gives reassuring foot support alongside the excellent mud shedding abilities of the pedal.
The included cleats have a release angle of 10 degrees and float of 6 degrees which makes for a comfortable and easily-escapable hold. The pedal itself doesn't have any tension or other adjustment but you can change the float and release angle by using a different cleat (15 or 10 degree release, 0 or 6 degree float); unfortunately the cleats cost about half as much as the pedals do.
Oh, and they come in four different colours which might be that little extra that you want from your pedal.
The off-road X-Track Race pedals from the French brand Look are a good option for gravel riders seeking a clipless pedal with plenty of adjustability. These feature six degrees of float, and the cleat retention angle is 13 degrees, making them one of the best gravel bike pedals for customized fit.
The X-Track pedal range uses the same 2-bolt SPD cleat design as Shimano, with a pair of Look cleats included with each set of pedals. Like Shimano's cleats, there's a multidirectional release option as well as the standard heel-out release.
In our review, the only negative we could find was that they were more prone to clogging with mud than more open clipless pedal designs. Durability is great, with little wear over years of use.
The Favero Assioma Pro MX-2 power pedals are one of the stand-out performers from our testing this year, across all categories. Scoring 5 stars out of 5 is not easy and something we shy away from, as nothing is perfect.
However, there is very little to fault in the Assioma's. They represent far greater value than the Garmin Rally XC200s, mostly due to their rechargeable battery. They are just as reliable and accurate with our testing against both a turbo trainer and an SRAM Red AXS crank proving this.
I hate to mention the cost but in this case, it is fundamental to a decision. If you had to choose, you would always choose Garmin for its renowned quality. In this case at nearly double the cost (if brought directly from Favero) you would be silly not too.
The stock grub screws aren’t doubled-sided – if you mash one it’ll need drilling out
With a 100x100mm body, the Stamp 3 is a decent size for gravel riding, where lower bottom brackets mean pedal strikes are likely. At 16mm thick, and with a slightly concave shape they feel immediately comfortable.
10 adjustable pins let you tune the grip level, ideal for gravel where out-and-out grip is less important and you might want to protect your shins.
The Crankbothers are one of hundreds of flat pedals in the market, of which many do a really great job. These Stamp 3s seem to balance the value with the performance really well. Certainly, on a nine-day bikepacking trip with 7+ hours per day in the saddle they served me well. Durability is high and service kits can be purchased later down the line, which is reassuring.
Honorable Mention
Wahoo Speedplay Zero Pedals: You might be wondering why on earth Speedplay pedals have made it onto this list, as they're predominantly seen as road cycling pedals. They can, however, make for an excellent choice for riders who prefer non-technical terrain like long, easy gravel roads, where speed is more of a priority than off-the-bike walkability.
Several top riders on the US gravel racing circuit choose Speedplay pedals for their efficiency and adjustability. If you don't need to dismount at all, then using this combination shouldn't be a problem, and enables you to maximise power transfer where marginal gains like these really count.
We have a dedicated team of testers here at Cycling Weekly, whose job is to review a whole range of cycling products and to write objective reviews of their experience of using them day in day out in a whole range of conditions.
With huge experience, they're really well placed to compare products, identify their strengths and weaknesses and bring you an honest, unbiased assessment of how they perform.
When it comes to testing the best pedals for off-road riding we look at a variety of factors. These include easy of use, comfort, stability and durability, which are important considerations for any bike pedal. We also look at factors specific to gravel riding, such as clearance and how well the pedal sheds mud and grime. Given that the best gravel pedals are available across a range of price points we also assess value for money.
Meet the testers
Paul Grele
Paul reviews both bikes and equipment for Cycling Weekly and has 40 years of riding under his belt across a variety of disciplines including road riding, commuting, a self-supported Land's End to John o' Groats trip, XC mountain biking and several Polaris Challenge two-day events. Naturally for a reviewer he loves bike and kit design and has even fillet brazed a couple of framesets himself.
Rachel Sokal
Rachel has been writing about and reviewing bike tech for the last 10 years. While her first riding love is mountain biking ,where she's been European and UK 24hr Champion on more than one occasion, she's not just confined to the trails and regularly rides - and occasionally races - on gravel and road too.
How to choose the right gravel pedals
What pedals should you use on a gravel bike?
Should you use clipless or flat pedals? Are clipless pedals more efficient?
Whether you choose to run clipless pedals (confusingly named as these are the ones that you actually clip into) or flat pedals on your gravel bike will largely be determined by the kind of riding that you've done previously.
Many riders coming from a road background will be used to clipless pedals, although may need to make the switch over to the 2-bolt MTB style pedals and shoes from the 3-bolt design of road cycling shoes and pedals. Many riders that come from a MTB background will stick with their two-bolt clipless pedals. If you're new to cycling or plan on bikepacking with a lot of adventures along the route, platform pedals will make life easier.
There are merits and drawbacks to clipless and platform pedals. Clipless pedals give better power transfer, as you can effectively pedal through the whole pedal stroke while you're clipped in. These can also offer a more secure platform for your feet over loose or technical terrain, and are preferred by many for climbing.
Clipless pedal systems do have potential drawbacks though, especially when the trails become really technical and you need to either unclip really quickly or dab a foot. In such cases, flat pedals are undoubtedly better. In really muddy conditions, they can become clogged, along with the shoe-mounted metal cleat, which can make engagement (and sometimes disengagement) more difficult or even impossible. Flat pedals allow you to tackle this technical MTB-style riding with more ease, where you can easily dab or ride through mucky patches without having to worry about clearing out your pedals for them to work.
Somewhere in the middle, you'll find clipless pedal designs with supportive cages like on the Crankbrothers Candy or Shimano MT530 pedals, which gives you a bigger, more stable pedal while still being able to clip in too.
Can you use road pedals on a gravel bike?
Yes, but perhaps not without drawbacks.
Riders coming from a road cycling background may be tempted to stick with their favorite road and shoe combo for gravel. After all, you're still riding on the road, but with a bit less pavement.
There are good reasons why only one road pedal made our list. Almost all road pedals are one-sided, which means it's much harder to get clipped in quickly if you need to unclip due to impassable mud or obstacles.
Additionally, many gravel events can turn into muddy affairs—look no further than Grinduro Scotland or the red clay roads of Oklahoma's Mid South gravel race for scenes of roads turned into quagmires. Mountain bike pedals clear mud much better than road pedals. Likewise, mountain bike shoes are much easier to walk in that slick-soled road shoes.
That said if you're riding or racing in dry conditions then a lightweight dual-entry road pedal like the Wahoo Speedplay model is an option.
Can I use flat pedals on a gravel bike?
Short answer is, Yes, but let me expand on who they might work for.
Flat pedals are heavily associated with Mountain Bike riding and specifically more technical terrain. The sentiment that flat pedals will allow you to put your foot down quicker in an emergency is a bit of a myth. I have had crashes clipped and on flat pedals and in all of the scenarios I was having that accident regardless. Just take a look at the current crop of top World Cup Downhill riders, nearly all of them are clipped in.
Aside from personal preference, there is a whole host of reasons why there is a growing number of people using flat pedals on gravel bikes. One of the biggest reasons is the rise of Bikepacking and a more party-paced atmosphere around group rides. Flat pedal shoes more than the pedals themselves, allow for more flexibility. When Bikepacking it means you don't need to carry an additional pair of shoes. You can jump on and off to see the sights and set up camp with no need to change or walk like a penguin.
Sure, for the more adventurous who are riding their gravel bikes on mountain bike trails and routes. Speaking from experience you will have to get off and walk your bike at some point. Doing that in a flat or hiking shoe is a lot easier and more comfortable.
What are the best size pedals for gravel riding?
You'll notice quite a range of pedal sizes across clipless and flat pedals, from tiny mechanism-only systems like the Crankbrothers Eggbeaters to designs with supportive platforms around the cleat mechanism, and then of course much larger flat pedals.
Larger pedals can give you more to contact with the pedals, which can be really useful if you're just learning to clip in and need a bit more support. These can also reduce the likelihood of experiencing hotspots on the soles of your feet, which are more common when you use a smaller pedal body with a shoe featuring a sole that isn't very stiff over a long duration in the saddle.
How much do the best gravel bike pedals cost?
How much you need to spend entirely depends on what level of performance and durability you're seeking. With many entry-level options listed here, you really don't need to spend a fortune on pedals.
If you choose to work your way up through the pedal series that these brands offer, expect to save a few grams thanks to the more lightweight materials employed.
Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.
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