The best gravel bike pedals for your needs are one of the first things you’re going to have to choose when you buy a new gravel bike (opens in new tab). Of course, if you’re an experienced graveler or MTB rider, you’ll probably already have your favourite. But if you’re new to gravel, you’ll need to find a set-up which works for you – here are our top picks of best pedals for off-road riding
Choosing the best gravel bike pedals can actually be surprisingly personal, with different riders opting for a number of varying styles and brands.
We know it sounds really obvious, but as one of your main contact points with the bike, pedals are, well, really important. The difference they make to the way you ride, your confidence and comfort in the saddle is huge – not to mention how confident you feel mounting and dismounting.
Before you go out and purchase, you will need to consider what kind of riding you do and if you have a preference for clipping into your pedals or not. If your riding is all about speed, we would fully recommend clipless pedals. But for more relaxed riding you can get by just fine on a set of flats – as we found on a two-week bikepacking trip around Hungary and Slovakia.
Your pedals must also be compatible with the type of shoes that you have. Check out our pick of the best gravel shoes here (opens in new tab) for a few of our favourites.
Our pick of the best gravel bike pedals
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Below is our pick of the best gravel bike pedals, from budget clip-in or clipless pedals to flats. Read on for more tips on what to look for and consider when choosing your pedals for your next gravel adventures (opens in new tab).
(Image credit: Rachel Sokal )
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 sharing abilities of the pedal.
The included cleats have a release angle of 10 degrees and float of 6 degrees which makes for a comfortable…