Gravel biking has taken cycling into a very exciting new era. Having a do it all bike has made it very exciting for many riders. You can choose the road or the trail without changing your bike halfway through the ride.
Gravel biking has left a lot of unanswered questions for many. With it being in between mountain biking and road cycling, many cyclists are unsure of which direction to turn when it comes to components and accessories.
We are often asked about gravel bike pedals and what you should or shouldn’t use. In this article, we’re going to be telling you everything you need to know by discussing the following:
Table of contents
What Kind Of Pedals Do You Use On A Gravel Bike?
When it comes to gravel biking, there doesn’t tend to be a rule book on what you should or shouldn’t use. Gravel biking is different for everyone. For some, it’s lots of off-road trails and adventures into the wilderness, and for others, it’s lots of time on the tarmac.
We see all kinds of different pedals being used on gravel bikes. The most common type gravel riders favor is the SPD system. This is what many riders call mountain bike cleats, which are also commonly used on spinning bikes.
SPDs are perfect because they lock your feet in properly and provide roughly 5 degrees of float. Not only that, but they are great for walking on and also can work efficiently even when completely caked in mud.
Related Reading: Gravel Bike vs Road Bike
Gravel Bike Pedals Quick Picks
| Manufacturer/Model | Best For | MSRP | Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shimano Deore PD-M520 | Off-Road | $50 | Check Prices>>> |
| Race Face Aeffect | Casual Riding | $120 | Check Prices>>> |
| Shimano PD-EH500 | Single-Sided | $80 | Check Prices>>> |
| Crankbrothers Eggbeater 1 | Upgrade | $80 | Check Prices>>> |
| Look X-Track Rage | Overall | $80 | Check Prices>>> |
What are the Best Pedals for Gravel Bikes?
Let’s take a look at some of our best gravel bike pedals next. We have picked one we believe will suit all users and different styles of gravel bike riding.
Best For Off-Road
Shimano Deore PD-M520
Brand: Shimano
MSRP: $30
Rating: 9/10
Shimano makes incredible bike components, and they are a sign of quality. One of the most common pedals you will come across with the Shimano name on it is the Deore PD-M520. These pedals are often called mountain bike clipless pedals and require special SPD clipless pedal shoes to be used properly.
What makes them ideal for a gravel bike and best for off-roading is that they are double-sided and incredibly easy to clip in. They are very durable and designed for off-road riding as you can use them in heavy dirt, and they are very hard wearing in case you drop the bike or hit any rocks.
Key Features
- Great value for money at $30
- Double-sided to quickly in quickly and easily
- Excellent level of quality coming from Shimano
- Made to be very durable
- Weight 380g
Pros
- Cheap to buy
- Come in different colors
- Are not affected by dirt easily
- Double-sided and quick to clip in
Cons
- Need special clip-in shoes
- Not the lightest at
Bottom Line
The Shimano PD-M520 is one of the most common pedals you will find on gravel bikes, and we can see why. They are perfect for off-road riding, and it’s very easy to clip on quickly, which helps start on a steep hill.
Best For Casual Riding
Race Face Aeffect Pedal
Brand: Race Face
MSRP: $120
Rating: 8/10
Race Face has brought us a lot of excellent mountain biking components over the past decade, but a lot of what they have made is also perfect for gravel biking. One of our favorite products of theirs is the Aeffect Pedals. Not only do they look fantastic, but they are very practical.
The Aeffect pedals are ideal for the rider who wants to do some casual gravel riding in flat shoes. Not only can you wear any flat shoes you want with them, but they are perfect if you need to do any hike a bike. They also have an incredibly grippy surface and are very lightweight for such a large platform.
Key Features
- Great for riding in general shoes
- Come in three different colors
- High quality and will last for multiple seasons
- Very grippy platform pedals
- Strong pedal body
- Lightweight at 380g for such a large platform
Pros
- Large wide platform
- Lightweight for flat pedals at 380g
- Colors to choose from
Cons
- Not clipless gravel pedals
- Not the cheapest
Bottom Line
The Race Face Aeffect is an excellent pedal that you can use for casual gravel riding. Not only do they look great, but they also offer a wide platform and a lot of grip. They are perfect if you want to go gravel riding but in your own shoes, not cycling shoes.
Related Reading: 7 Best Gravel Bike Shoes
Best Single Sided SPD Pedals
Shimano PD-EH500
Brand: Shimano
MSRP: $80
Rating: 9/10
The PD-EH500 is the second set of pedals on this list from Shimano, and it’s ideal if you are looking for a mix between a flat pedal and a clip-in pedal. Not only do they give you both options, but they look excellent and are great value for money. They can be used with an SPD clip-in or even with standard pedals.
They call these single-sided, although you have two options. One for clipping in and another to use as a flat pedal. They are very popular amongst the touring community and often favored by gravel riders and bikepackers. Perfect if you want to clip in on the road and also might want to hit a sketchy trail and have your foot free.
Key Features
- Flat and clipless options
- Shimano Pedals Quality is excellent
- Fair weight at 383g
- Good value for money
Pros
- Both clip-in and flat
- Great for gravel riding
- It can be used with normal and cycling shoes
Cons
- Not very lightweight
- They need rotating to the correct side when you start pedaling
Bottom Line
Suppose you often struggle with swapping over your pedals depending on your footwear, so why not make it easy for yourself with the PD-EH500? We love that they give you more than one option, and they weigh pretty much the same as a standard set. The PD-EH500 is ideal for someone who wants both flat or clipless pedals.
Best Upgrade
Crankbrothers Eggbeater 1
Brand: Crankbrothers
MSRP: $80
Rating: 8/10
If you are looking to upgrade your pedals and want more performance out of your bike, heading to the Crankbrothers team is a pretty good place to start. The Eggbeater is a pedal that has been around for a long time and is favored by off-road cyclists everywhere.
It’s a great way to upgrade for many reasons. Firstly it is four-sided for clipping in. Secondly, it’s about 25% lighter than anything else on this list up until now, and finally, they look absolutely incredible. You also have many different cleats to choose from with Crankbrothers and even colors.
Key Features
- Four-sided clip-in ability
- Lightweight and easy to use at 280g
- Come in many different colors
- Crankbrothers pedals are some of the best gravel pedals
- Lots of cleat options to suit
- Good value for money
Pros
- Good value
- Lots of options for color
- Great for clipping in quickly
- Lots of cleat options
Cons
- Warranty void for using other brand cleats
- Clip-in shoes are required. Only SPD 2 bolt compatible
Bottom Line
The Crankbrother’s Eggbeaters are pedals that have been around a while, and although you won’t see them often with riders, they are a great choice. They also offer lighter versions of the Eggbeater, which are half the weight but can cost up to $600. We recommend these as they are the best value for money.
Related Reading: Exploring New Trails Near Me
Best Overall
Look X-Track Rage
Brand: Look
MSRP: $80
Rating: 10/10
If you’re looking for the best possible gravel pedal and want to be on SPD clip-in, consider the X-Track Rage from Look. Look is a top supplier of pedals, and the X-Track is a great example of what they can do.
Weighing in at 400g, they are not the lightest, but they do offer a huge platform for your feet. They clip in using the standard SPD clip-ins and support the foot surrounding this point. It’s an incredible pedal to ride with and is the choice of many pros.
Key Features
- Excellent support system on a wide platform
- Double sided clip in
- They look excellent
- Weight of 400g
Pros
- High quality
- Good to look at
- They perform great with lots of support
Cons
- Not cheap
- Quite heavy
Bottom Line
If you plan to take your gravel bike on some very challenging trails and want the ability to clip in, these are the pedals for you. They offer a huge amount of stability and support and are going to keep your feet solid no matter how rough the terrain is. You might also want to check out the Look X Track Race here.
Gravel Bike Pedals Buyers Guide
It can be very challenging when it comes to picking the right gravel bike pedals for you. Here are the questions we recommend you ask yourself to ensure you get the perfect pedals for you.
What’s Your Budget
The first thing you are going to want to consider is the amount that you are going to spend. You don’t need to spend much to get a good set of pedals. The PD-M520 is a great example of that, but the more you spend, the longer they last, and the better they will perform.
To Clip In Or Not To Clip In?
Gravel riders tend to either use flat or clip-in pedals. If you want to be able to clip in, we recommend pedals that have the ability. If you are unsure, go for a pedal that can do both.
Do They Look Good Enough?
Gravel pedals come in all colors. One thing most brands will offer is different color variants. We recommend picking a pedal that suits your bike or one you generally enjoy the color of.
Buy Branded
I have been lucky enough to ride a lot of pedals since I started gravel riding, and I have noticed that the bigger the brand, the better the pedal. Big brands like Look, Shimano, and Crankbrothers just offer a pedal that rides better, lasts longer, and performs better.
FAQ’s
Are Flat Pedals Good On A Gravel Bike?
Flat Pedals are a great way to go on a gravel bike. They might not give you the advantages of being clipped in, but they are excellent for very rough trails where you might need to get off and walk or need to get your foot off the pedal quickly. You also don’t require specialist shoes making a saving there too.
Can I Use Road Pedals On A Gravel Bike?
In fact, many gravel cyclists use road pedals instead of mountain bike pedals. If you have a gravel bike that you mainly use on the road, then road pedals improve the experience. I have often equipped a gravel bike with road bike pedals for long-distance cycling, where I will mainly be on the road.
Should I Wear Mountain Bike Shoes For Gravel Riding?
Mountain bikes shoes are probably your best bet for gravel riding. It’s very similar terrain and unless you prefer flat pedals you don’t have a huge amount of other options.
Read More: Gravel Cycling Clothing: What to Wear