{"id":58590,"date":"2024-01-17T09:59:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T08:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/14289717-42c2-45b0-b525-f0854dfbde82"},"modified":"2024-01-17T11:00:55","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T10:00:55","slug":"best-gravel-bike-pedals-2024-9-sets-of-pedals-for-gravel-riding-rated-and-reviewed","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/best-gravel-bike-pedals-2024-9-sets-of-pedals-for-gravel-riding-rated-and-reviewed\/","title":{"rendered":"Best gravel bike pedals 2024 | 9 sets of pedals for gravel riding rated and reviewed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clipless or flat, minimal or caged support: we help you choose the best gravel bike pedals <\/p>

By Katherine Moore\n <\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 17 January 2024 at 08:59 AM<\/p>

\n\n

As one of the few components that don\u2019t come as standard with a new bike, pedals are likely to be one of the first investments you\u2019ll need to make if you\u2019re new to gravel riding.<\/p>

With so many options on the market, which gravel bike pedals should you choose?<\/p>

Clipless vs flat pedals<\/a>, single- or double-sided, platform or minimal, here we list the gravel bike pedals that earned the approval of our exacting testers at BikeRadar.<\/p>

Carry on reading after our recommended products for our gravel bike pedals buyer\u2019s guide. We explain the different types of pedals and what they\u2019re best for, so you know everything you need to choose which gravel pedals will be best for your gravel bike setup<\/a> and budget.<\/p>

Best gravel bike pedals in 2024, as rated by our expert testers<\/h2>
Shimano PD-M520 pedals<\/h3>

<\/div>
The Shimano PD-M520 pedals are cheap and reliable. – Oliver Woodman \/ Immediate Media Co<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u00a336.99 \/ \u20ac48 \/ $50 \/ AU$71 as tested<\/li>
374g per pair<\/li><\/ul>
A rare combination of great value, consistent performance and durability earn Shimano’s entry-level M520 clipless pedals a five-star rating.<\/p>
A popular option for mountain biking, gravel riding and commuting<\/a> alike, the pedal shares the same mechanism for entry and release as the pricer Shimano XT and XTR models, but with different materials adding a little weight.<\/p>
Despite the M520’s great durability, should total failure occur, replacements are delightfully reasonable, with some online prices as low as \u00a320.<\/p>
Read our full Shimano PD-M520 pedal review<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
<\/div>
Ritchey Comp XC<\/h3>

<\/div>
$\"Ritchey$
A marker helps set equal entry and release tension on each side. – Katherine Moore \/Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u00a355 \/ \u20ac65 \/ $70 as tested<\/li>
341g per pair; cleats 52g<\/li><\/ul>
The Ritchey Comp XCs are stylish and svelte SPD pedals with a cageless design. Costing half as much as the brand’s elite WCS XC pedals, these gravel bike pedals are top value and serviceable.<\/p>
The Comp XC works with standard SPD cleats and are easy to clip in and out of. Tension adjustment is also straightforward.<\/p>
They come in an array of colours, but the paint is susceptible to scuffing.<\/p>
Read our full Ritchey Comp XC review<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
<\/div>
Shimano PD-ME700<\/h3>

<\/div>
$\"Shimano$
The platform is similar to that on flat mountain bike pedals, but with dual-sided entry. – Katherine Moore \/Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u00a355 \/ \u20ac65 \/ $66 as tested<\/li>
480g per pair; cleats 53g<\/li><\/ul>
The Shimano PD-ME700 are SPD pedals that give more foot support than narrower gravel bike pedals.<\/p>
A larger surface area does make them heavier than some competitors.<\/p>
Their quality build and serviceability means they could last years and years at a reasonable cost.<\/p>
Entry and release tension is widely adjustable on the pedal body and the PD-ME700 gives a sensible degree of float.<\/p>
Read our full Shimano PD-ME700 review <\/a><\/li><\/ul>
<\/div>
Shimano PD-M530<\/h3>

<\/div>
$\"\"$
Shimano’s PD-M530 pedals provide the same shoe stability as the XT and XTR trail pedals but at a much, much lower price. – James Huang\/BikeRadar<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u00a339.99 \/ \u20ac47 \/ $48 \/ AU$70 as tested<\/li>
458g per pair; cleats 55g<\/li><\/ul>
The budget-priced Shimano M530 is a trail-style pedal that has a substantial platform.<\/p>
The mechanism is as good as anything Shimano produces. The pedal is hardy, very easy to use and adjust. They need very little in the way of maintenance.<\/p>
If you do want to give them a service<\/a>, the simple cup and cone bearings are simple to navigate.<\/p>
These gravel bike pedals are a little weighty compared to more expensive rivals at 458g a pair ( 55g in cleats). The money saved and the fact these last an age makes them fit and forget favourites for year-round use.<\/p>
Read our full Shimano M530 pedal review <\/a><\/li><\/ul>
<\/div>
Shimano PD-M8100 XT Race pedals<\/h3>

<\/div>
$\"\"$
Great performance from a mid-range pedal from Shimano. – Mildred Locke \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u00a3104.99 as tested<\/li><\/ul>
Shimano’s SPD pedals are, pretty much, the benchmark clipless pedal, and their cage-less XT Race pedals perform as well as their pricier XTR Race pedals, in our experience.<\/p>
The SPD system offers decent adjustment of retention tension, via a small Allen bolt that pre-loads the spring mechanism, meaning you can have them fairly loose for easy exit, or tight for a really secure feel. In their current form, the pedals shed mud well, though a quick scuff-kick generally clears more persistent mud, when needed.<\/p>
We’ve not had issues clipping into the mechanism. Bearings seem smooth, reliable and serviceable too.<\/p>
Time ATAC XC4<\/h3>

<\/div>
$\"Time$
Time deserves more recognition for its gravel bike pedals. – Katherine Moore \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u00a361 \/ \u20ac69 \/ $79 \/ AU$119 as tested<\/li>
291g per pair; cleats 44g<\/li><\/ul>
The Time ATAC XC4s are among the lightest gravel bike pedals and shed mud effectively.<\/p>
It didn’t take long to become comfortable with Time’s own cleat engagement system. Once clipped in to the ATAC XC4, you’re unlikely to accidentally slip out and there’s an adequate amount of float.<\/p>
However, these gravel bike pedals only work with Time cleats.<\/p>
Unlike on Shimano pedals, where you can tweak the entry and release tension with an Allen key, you have to buy different cleats to alter the force required to clip in and out. Otherwise they are serviceable.<\/p>
Read our full Time ATAC XC4 review <\/a><\/li><\/ul>
<\/div>
Garmin Rally XC<\/h3>
<\/div>

$\"\"$
Power measurement is accurate, but these expensive pedals are relatively heavy. – Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u00a3619.99 (single-sided) \/ \u00a31,060 (dual) as tested<\/li>
446g per pair<\/li><\/ul>
Garmin’s latest pedal-based power meter<\/a> proved reliable and accurate in our testing, suggesting these are a wise choice for riders looking to get valuable training data while out on their gravel bike.<\/p>
Given they’re a pedal-based system, they’re easily swapped between bikes, further improving their utility for those who may also be jumping on a mountain bike<\/a>. You can also swap the pedal body to work with road cleats, making them some of the most versatile pedals around.<\/p>
We like the use of a Shimano cleat, so if you’re already using SPD shoes and pedals, you won’t need to worry about having separate shoes for different bikes.<\/p>
The pedals are deeper than regular SPD pedals, so if you suffer from rock strikes it might be worth bearing this in mind. Functionally, though, they feel and operate identically to Shimano’s excellent pedals, with the addition of decent power measurement, plenty of battery life and seamless integration with a Garmin bike computer<\/a>.<\/p>
While a pair are fairly pricey, the single-sided option will give you a reasonable guide to your power performance.<\/p>
<\/div>
Also consider<\/h2>
The following pedals scored fewer than four stars, but are still worth considering if they suit your needs and budget.<\/p>
LOOK X-Track Race Carbon<\/h3>

<\/div>
$\"Look$
The X-Track Race Carbon pedals’ performance is high-level, but so is the price. – Katherine Moore \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u00a3114 \/ \u20ac114 \/ $140 as tested<\/li>
352g per pair; cleats 54g<\/li><\/ul>
Shoe engagement is easy with the LOOK X-Track Race Carbon if you’re used to Shimano SPD pedals. LOOK’s top-of-the-range off-road pedals are readily serviceable too.<\/p>
However, the X-Track Race Carbon pedals are rather chunky and expensive. These racy gravel bike pedals are ill-suited to going off the beaten track because the sharp edges could gouge your ankles as you push your bike uphill.<\/p>
Read our full LOOK X-Track Race Carbon pedals review<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
<\/div>
Crankbrothers Candy 1<\/h3>

<\/div>
$\"Crankbrothers$
The Candy 1 pedals are cheerfully coloured and fairly cheap. – Katherine Moore \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u00a357 \/ \u20ac60 \/ $60 as tested<\/li>
303g per pair; cleats 46g<\/li><\/ul>
The Crankbrothers Candy 1 gravel bike pedals are light, simple to service and rarely clog up with mud.<\/p>
However, you have to switch cleats to change entry and release tension and the engagement system itself might be foreign to SPD habitu\u00e9s.<\/p>
Read our full Crankbrothers Candy 1 pedals review <\/a><\/li><\/ul>
<\/div>
Gravel bike pedals buyer’s guide: what to look for in gravel pedals<\/h2>
Double-sided entry<\/h3>
$\"\"$
Double-sided entry pedals enable you to clip in from either side. – Laura Dow \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Many gravel bike pedals feature double-sided entry, or even four-sided entry in some cases, making engagement with the pedal really easy, especially compared to single-sided road bike pedals<\/a>, for example.<\/p>
As you\u2019re more likely to be on and off the bike when riding off-road compared to on the road, being able to re-engage with your pedals and ride away with ease is even more important. It’s also an essential cyclocross skill<\/a>.<\/p>
The same applies in cross-country<\/a> mountain biking and several pedals in this list have ‘XC’ in their name, referring to that strand of off-road riding.<\/p>
Mud clearance<\/h3>
$\"\"$
If your riding often includes muddy sections, consider a more open design to aid mud shedding. – Andy Lloyd \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
If you ride throughout the year in conditions that get wet and muddy, you should consider how well your pedals shed mud<\/a> \u2013 as anyone who’s done cyclocross racing<\/a> will already know. More open designs are optimised for mud clearance, which helps them to resist getting clogged up with debris and mud.<\/p>
Walkable cleats<\/h3>
$\"\"$
A recessed cleat makes walking around in your cycling shoes easy. – Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Recessed cleats that fit into a hollow in the shoe\u2019s sole make walking off the bike much easier, and are typically preferred for gravel riding<\/a>, where you\u2019re more likely to find yourself off the bike, navigating around technical obstacles, through gates or even just enjoying some coffee stops.<\/p>
These recessed cleats are typically found with SPD-style pedals, from manufacturers such as Shimano, Look and Crankbrothers.<\/p>
Durability<\/h3>
$\"Tom$
Shimano pedals are easy to service. – @mattgrayson_photo – http:\/\/instagram.com\/mattgrayson_photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>
You should check how serviceable the pedals are before you purchase, because that could make the difference between them lasting a year or two, or decades.<\/p>
Shimano typically uses cup and cone bearings, which you can easily service<\/a>. Many other brands use sealed bearing systems, which are replaceable. Some pedal service kits are more readily available than others. <\/p>
Materials<\/h3>
$\"Time$
Pedals are made from a range of materials, including plastic, carbon and titanium. – Ian Linton \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
As you explore up through the budget ranges of pedals on offer, you\u2019re likely to find differing materials and a focus on weight saving, just as you would with saddle rails, for example. <\/p>
At higher tiers, you might find titanium options rather than steel, for example the Crankbrothers Eggbeater pedals. <\/p>
What type of pedal should you use?<\/h2>
Clipless pedals<\/h3>
$\"\"$
Shimano XT SPDs are a popular clipless pedal choice. – Matthew Loveridge \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Clipless pedals are the most popular type of pedals for gravel bikes<\/a>, allowing you to engage the pedal with cleats mounted on the soles of your gravel bike shoes<\/a>. This gives a better power transfer than flat pedals, enabling you to power smoothly through the entire pedal stroke, including the upstroke.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
Road or MTB pedals for gravel riding\u00a0<\/h4>
If you\u2019ve paid attention to professional gravel racing, you may have noticed some pros use road pedals.<\/p>
These pedals have a larger platform than mountain bike pedals. Some claim this offers a more stable pedalling platform. Road pedals also tend to be lighter than mountain bike pedals and open up a wide range of shoes.<\/p>
This may make them an attractive option for gravel racing<\/a>. However, mountain bike pedals are generally advantageous for gravel riding because they use smaller, walkable cleats<\/a>.<\/p>
While professionals may race on gravel courses, which are probably as demanding as \u2013 or less than \u2013 Paris-Roubaix, we bet most gravel riders will take on more challenging terrain, where being able to walk without damaging your cleats is a clear advantage.<\/p>
Trail pedals<\/h3>
$\"\"$
Trail pedals add a cage to the more basic clipless style. – Andy Lloyd \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
When it\u2019s muddy or you\u2019re riding technical features, it\u2019s 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\u2019re likely to need to dab a foot. Here, the trail pedals help you keep pedalling, providing extra support compared to a minimalist clipless pedal.<\/p>
Flat pedals<\/h3>
$\"\"$
A flat pedal will enable you to run any type of shoe, although grippy MTB shoes often work best. – Ian Linton \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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\u2019re 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.<\/p>
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<\/a>.<\/p>
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<\/a> for many rugged options.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
Some more extreme gravel rides or bikepacking<\/a> trips might involve hike-a-bike sections where it\u2019s 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\u2019s likely to be easier to walk in flat shoes than shoes with cleats.<\/p>
What else do you need to consider?<\/h2>
Float<\/h3>
$\"\"$
Hope uses proprietary cleats, and pedals come with both a 4-degree and 5-degree float option. – Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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.<\/p>
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<\/a> can determine the ideal amount of float for you.<\/p>
Easy-release<\/h3>
$\"Close$
Easy-release cleats can be reassuring if you’re nervous about clipping in and out. – Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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\u2019re nervous about being clipped in. Look out for these from brands including Shimano, Look and Crankbrothers.<\/p>
Pedal pins<\/h3>
$\"\"$
The Slim Jim Nylon pedals feature user-replaceable 3mm pins, for added grip. – Max Wilman \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
If you\u2019re 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.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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Also consider<\/h2>The following pedals scored fewer than four stars, but are still worth considering if they suit your needs and budget.<\/p>

Gravel bike pedals buyer’s guide: what to look for in gravel pedals<\/h2>

What type of pedal should you use?<\/h2>

Also consider<\/h2>
The following pedals scored fewer than four stars, but are still worth considering if they suit your needs and budget.<\/p>