The best gravel bike pedals you choose for one of the best gravel bikes will likely depend on your background. Gravel has its roots in both 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-tired, drop-bar bikes, many of these riders may not be familiar or comfortable with a clipless system and prefer to use something more familiar, such as one of the best flat pedals.
You could say there is no right or wrong answer; a good strapline for gravel cycling as a whole. As one of the three contact points with your bike, it is essential you select what feels comfortable and works for you. We have tried to cover all the bases with this guide, but if you're unsure, please refer to the 'How To Choose' section at the bottom.
From our extensive testing of a wide range of pedals, I have selected six of our top-rated pedal systems that will work well on any gravel bike. This includes Mr Reliable, the Shimano PD-M520, which takes the overall honours. There are also pedals for the more niche ends of the spectrum. Power pedals might be on your list of racers' requirements; for that, the Favero Assioma Pro MX-2 scored highly. For my fellow bikepackers and those looking to cycle more leisurely, we have the Crankbrothers Stamp 3 flat pedal.
Whatever gravel pedal system you feel most comfortable selecting, consider one of the best gravel shoes or flat pedal shoes to match.
The choice of gravel pedals with a power meter is limited, but the Favero Assioma Pro MX-2 represents far better value for money than the Garmin Rally XC200.
I found the Crankbrothers Stamp pedals to balance performance with value whilst maintaining high durability and serviceability, offering a really well-rounded package.
Clipping in is incredibly intuitive and keeps the mechanism free of mud. This, in combination with a knee-friendly float system, makes the Time Atac ideal for gravel.
Shimano's PD-M530s remain popular due to their blend of price and performance
(Image credit: Paul Grele)
1. Shimano PD-M520
Best gravel bike pedals for value and functionality
Our expert review:
Specifications
Pedal type: Double-sided, clipless
Material: Spindle - Chromoly, Body - Aluminium
Cleat type: Shimano SPD
Weight: 380g/13.4oz
Adjustability : Pedal float, Cleat fore, aft and side to side
Q-Factor: 55mm/2.1"
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. SPD design stands for Shimano Pedaling Dynamics and is a 2-bolt cleat system that helps with mud clearing and is not confused with SPD-SL, the three-bolt road cycling system.
Like most in this guide, the pedals are dual-sided. This means that, 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 with a 2-bolt fixing, although this is 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 M520s 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. They also have 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 while 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!
Adjustability: 6 - 14 degree float, Cleat fore, aft and side to side
Q-Factor: 53mm/2"
Reasons to buy
+
Durable, quality build
+
Reliable, positive engagement and disengagement
+
Shimano SPD cleat compatible
Reasons to avoid
-
More prone to clogging than more open designs
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 Candy 1 is offered in a variety of bright colors if black isn't your thing
(Image credit: Rachel Sokal)
3. Crankbrothers Candy 1
Best gravel bike pedals for choice of colors
Our expert review:
Specifications
Pedal type: double-sided, clipless
Material: Spindle - Chromoly, Body - Composite
Cleat type: Crankbrothers
Weight: 394g/13.8oz
Adjustability: Float dependant on cleat type, Standard - 0, 6 or 15 degree, Easy release 0, 6 or 10 degree
Q-Factor: 52mm/2"
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.
Adjustability: 4-degree float, Cleat fore, aft and side to side
Q-Factor: 52mm/2"
Reasons to buy
+
Light
+
Very accurate
+
Long battery life
+
Low stack height
Reasons to avoid
-
Nothing
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 strike a good balance between value and performance. 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.
Time's ATAC XC's feature a handy mud clearing mechanism
(Image credit: Rachel Sokal)
6. Time ATAC XC 2
Best for pain-free knees and muck-free mechanism
Our expert review:
Specifications
Pedal type: Double-sided, clipless
Construction: Spindle - Chromoly, Body - glass fibre reinforced composite
Cleat type: Time ATAC
Weight: 297g/10.4oz
Adjustability: 10° with ATAC Easy cleats (included), 13 or 17° with ATAC cleats
Q-Factor: 54mm/2.1"
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.
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 and 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 gravel pedals, we look at a variety of factors. These include ease of use, weight, comfort, stability and durability, which are essential considerations for any bike pedal. We also consider factors specific to gravel riding, such as clearance and how well the pedals shed mud and grime. Given that the best gravel pedals are available across a range of price points, we also assess value for money.
Our testing conditions and duration will vary slightly depending on who is testing the pedals and where they are testing them. However, a pedal test will generally take several months to complete, especially if the durability of the pedal is called into question. This allows our reviews time to get the pedals and cleats set up and, if required, adapt their riding and fit accordingly. This period also allows for working out any issues with fit, which are not always straightforward.
For more information on the Cycling Weekly team and How We Test products, visit our dedicated guide.
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 they 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 an 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.
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 favourite road and shoe combo for comfort and reliable fit. After all, you're still riding on the road some of the time.
There are good reasons why only one road pedal made our list as an Honourable Mention. 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 than slick-soled road shoes.
That said if you're riding or racing in dry conditions, a lightweight dual-entry road pedal like the Wahoo Speedplay model is a suitable 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.
Frequently asked questions about the best gravel pedals
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 to designs with supportive platforms around the cleat mechanism and then, of course, much larger flat pedals.
Larger pedals can give you more 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.
It can be very course-dependent and who is in the field; however, the large majority of pro-gravel riders are now using SPD or similar type pedals. Most of the field uses Shimano, Crankbrothers, Time and Look, depending on their sponsors.
I say depending on who is in the field, this is because the 'Pro' gravel field is still reasonably fluid, and we still see a number of World Tour road riders dabbling to get their off-road kicks. Riders like Matej Mohorič and current Gravel, Cyclocross and ex-Road World Champion Mathieu van der Poel, to name a few. Amongst these riders we still use of Road style or SPD SL/look Keo compatible pedals. As I said this can be course dependent also, with no ruling on the percentage of 'gravel' required in the classification of the race, some course still feature long sections of tarmac surfaces where a stiffer road shoe could save watts.
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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 first 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.
Michelle is on maternity leave from April 2025 until spring 2026.
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