Clipless pedals are the most popular type of pedals for gravel bikes, allowing you to engage the pedal with cleats mounted on the soles of your gravel bike shoes. This gives a better power transfer than flat pedals, enabling you to power smoothly through the entire pedal stroke, including the upstroke.

These typically come in two types: SPD-style MTB pedals with metal, two-bolt cleats, or SPD-SL road-style pedals with plastic, three-bolt cleats.

With the exception of the fastest, smoothest gravel races, where riders know they won’t need to unclip for the duration, SPD-style pedals are by far the best option for gravel riding.

These MTB-style clipless pedals offer easy entry, with the ability to clip in on both sides of the pedals, and the smaller metal cleats are both far more durable than plastic road-style cleats, and recessed within the shoe for easier walking off the bike.

You can adjust the release tension on most SPD pedals via screws, making them either really easy to disengage from (good for technical riding and muckier conditions) or firmer for a more secure engagement, especially when putting the power down and sprinting, for example.

You can adjust the release tension of the cleat using the small screw at the rear of the pedal (one each side, because they’re double-sided). Some riders prefer the additional security that comes from increased release tension, but if you’re just starting out you may want less tension.

Trail pedals

Trail pedals are similar in functionality to SPD-style clipless pedals, but also add a platform or cage, increasing the size of the contact area with the foot.

This larger pedal design yields several benefits: not only can it help reduce painful hotspots sometimes caused by more minimal pedal styles, but it can also give you greater purchase on the pedals as you clip in.

When it’s muddy or you’re riding technical features, it’s not always easy to clip in straight away. You might even want to keep unclipped, yet rest on the platform of the pedal if you’re likely to need to dab a foot. Here, the trail pedals help you keep pedalling, providing extra support compared to a minimalist clipless pedal.

Flat pedals

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Some riders prefer a flat pedal for gravel riding, which you can team up with grippy flat MTB or casual shoes. These can be particularly handy if you’re planning on tackling more technical terrain, are riding in muckier conditions, plan on doing a fair bit of hike-a-bike or are relatively new to riding.

Flat pedals are very simple to use, so are perfect for those who are new to gravel riding, because they can inspire more confidence when tackling rougher terrain than cycling with cleats.

For more technical riding, being able to move your feet off the pedals to dab or shift weight can be really handy, so you quite often find riders who have come from a mountain biking background prefer to use flat pedals for gravel riding. Check out our guide to the best mountain bike pedals for many rugged options.

In really mucky conditions, clipless pedals can become clogged with mud, which makes clipping in and out harder. For this reason, some riders switch to flat pedals during the winter months.

Some more extreme gravel rides or bikepacking trips might involve hike-a-bike sections where it’s impossible to ride, so you have to walk alongside your bike. If you anticipate there being long sections of hike-a-bike on your ride, flat pedals might be a good idea, because it’s likely to be easier to walk in flat shoes than shoes with cleats.

What else do you need to consider?

Float

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Pedal float describes the degree to which your foot can twist from side to side while clipped into clipless pedals. Certain manufacturers, such as Crankbrothers and Shimano, offer cleats with different levels of float.

A greater level of float gives you more movement through your ankles, knees and hips, and can be beneficial for riders who tend to suffer from knee problems when riding. A bike fit can determine the ideal amount of float for you.

Easy release

Some cleats also come in easy-release options, which means you can disengage from the pedal more easily through different directions, which can be reassuring if you’re nervous about being clipped in. Look out for these from brands including Shimano, Look and Crankbrothers.

Pedal pins

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If you’re running flat pedals, the combination of pedal and shoe sole will determine how much grip you have, and hence how secure you feel on the pedals. For more grip, look out for flat pedals with more pronounced pins, or consider MTB flats with grippy rubber-compound soles, such as the Five Ten Trailcross shoes.

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