Best pedals for gravel bikes: Our expert picks and buyer's guide

Between bike and rider, there are just three contact points and only one of them is responsible for turning your effort into forward motion: the humble pedal. Yet despite its crucial role, the pedal is often one of the bicycle’s most overlooked components.

Canyon bikes come without pedals, so the right pedal choice is the final piece of the puzzle when setting up your new gravel bike. And not all pedals are created equal. So when the surface is unpredictable and no two rides look the same, what makes the best gravel bike pedals for you?

The freedom gravel riding offers is a major part of its appeal and that freedom extends to what pedals you choose to run on your gravel adventures.

Broadly speaking we see gravel pedals fall into three categories: Clipless, flat and hybrid. Clipless pedals mechanically connect shoe and pedal for greater efficiency and control, while flat offer a simple, stable platform and prioritise off-bike comfort. Hybrid offer a mixture of the two in a double-sided pedal.

The pedal system you choose plays a significant role, influencing not only comfort and control on the bike, but what kind of footwear you can use too.

Slow, exploratory rides over technical terrain or high-speed racing on fast gravel roads, what all of gravel riding has in common, is loose, uneven ground. Whether you’re racing flat-out on the Canyon Grail or heading out for long, adventurous rides and bikepacking trips on the Canyon Grizl, staying in control starts with the right contact points between you and the bike.

Whether you choose a clipless, flat or hybrid pedal ultimately depends on how you ride, the terrain you encounter most often and how much time you expect to spend off the bike.

Gravel pedals need to work reliably in mud, dust and debris, both on and off the bike which is why road-specific clipless systems like SPD-SL are rarely used away from tarmac. Instead, gravel systems like SPD use a smaller two-bolt cleat that locks into a spring-loaded mechanism in the pedal.

They take some getting used to, but once clipping in and out becomes instinctive, the benefits are hard to ignore. Securely connected to the pedal it allows force to be applied more consistently throughout the pedal stroke, resulting in smoother power delivery and measurable gains in efficiency and control.

While shoe stiffness, durability, and walkability vary depending on their intended use, the system improves durability, and ensures more consistent engagement when conditions get dirty. And with the cleats recessed within the shoe’s sole, they make walking easier too.

This balance of efficiency and versatility on and off the bike is why SPD-style pedals have become the default choice for many gravel and cyclocross riders.

To get the most from an SPD-style pedal setup, your shoes matter just as much - gravel-specific options like the Canyon Tempr CFR Off-Road shoes are engineered to balance efficient power transfer with durability and walkability across mixed terrain.

Most riders begin on flat pedals – and for good reason. Their simple design offers a stable platform rather than a fixed connection, giving you the freedom to move your feet naturally. You don’t need to plan every stop, and you can instinctively dab a foot if the terrain gets tricky. 

Though they might lack some efficiency, flat pedals have their own advantages. Flat pedals work with virtually any shoes, making them ideal for beginners who aren’t ready to clip in or invest in specialised footwear. Then there’s those rides where the walking matters as much as the riding. On long bikepacking trips or rides with extensive hike-a-bike sections, flat pedals can eliminate the need to carry a second pair of shoes. Paired with flat-pedal-friendly shoes like the Canyon Scampr, this setup offers confident grip on the bike and easy walkability off it – ideal for bikepacking and adventure-focused gravel rides. 

As the name suggests, hybrid pedals take the best of both, combining a clipless SPD mechanism on one side with a flat platform on the other, offering a versatile solution for riders who want flexibility from a single pedal setup.

This dual-purpose design is particularly appealing for gravel riders who mix riding styles or use one bike for multiple roles such as commuting, touring and off-road riding. It also suits riders who are new to clipless pedals, as the flat side offers an easy fallback on technical terrain or when confidence dips.

When riding with flat pedals, the most effective power is produced on the downstroke, as you push the pedal away from you. Once the pedal passes the bottom of the stroke, much of that force is lost because your foot is no longer actively driving the pedal.

Being clipped in however, keeps the pedal engaged through the full 360° rotation, reducing dead spots and maintaining smooth cadence – especially at higher speeds or over long rides. This improved power delivery can lead to higher average output, less fatigue, and better bike control, particularly on rough or unpredictable terrain.

As gravel cycling has evolved, more off-road specific pedal designs have been introduced, with each system prioritising different performance attributes you’ll need to consider.

• Terrain and riding style – how and where you ride the most should guide your choice. Fast, hardpacked gravel for example favours efficient power transfer above all else, while loose, technical or muddy conditions demand good mud clearance and easy engagement.
• Experience level and clipping confidence – if you’re new to riding clipped in, simpler, more forgiving or adjustable systems can make the learning curve less intimidating and build confidence more quickly.
• Walkability and off-bike comfort - gravel riding often involves walking, whether that’s over rough ground or just spending time off the bike on long adventures. Pedals that work with recessed cleats and treaded shoes make this easier, while flat pedals work with normal shoes for maximum comfort off the bike.
• Float and release tension – each systems offer your foot a range of lateral movement while clipped in and differ in how easily it disengages. The right balance can improve comfort and reduce strain, while the wrong setup can feel restrictive or cause discomfort over long rides.
• Durability, mud clearance and maintenance – designs with good mud clearance and serviceable bearings will last longer and perform more consistently, even when conditions deteriorate with some designs offering more cleat attachment points for ease.

Most brands offer a range of models at varying price points, each tuned to suit specific budgets, and priorities. Despite this variety, the majority of gravel pedals fall into a small number of proven design approaches, each emphasising particular strengths – whether that’s efficiency, durability, mud clearance, or ease of use.

For riders looking to maximise performance and track progress over time, power meter pedals can be a worthwhile investment. By using sensors built directly into the pedals, these systems measure the power you produce in watts, giving an objective insight into how hard you’re working every time you ride.

Power data is particularly valuable for structured training, allowing you to monitor improvements, target specific power zones and pace efforts more accurately during races or long events. Long established in professional road cycling, power meters have become increasingly common in competitive gravel riding too.

Choosing the right gravel pedal comes down to how you ride. The recommendations below pair naturally with Canyon’s range of gravel bikes, helping you find a pedal that delivers the right balance of performance, reliability, and value to suit your riding style. 

• Best overall SPD pedals for most gravel riders: Shimano’s SPD M520 pedal is a very reliable, affordable option with great adjustability that will suit almost any rider on any kind of ride. 
• Best clipless pedals for gravel racing and performance: Shimano’s XTR pedal offer more premium, lightweight pedals with higher quality bearings. Whilst slightly heavier, the XT is a more durable option. 
• Best flat pedals for gravel adventures: Crankbrothers Stamp pedals offer a stable, confidence-inspiring platform with excellent grip. Their low-profile design improves ground clearance while remaining comfortable and predictable for mixed-use riding. 
• Best power meter pedals for gravel riding: If you want to track your power, the Garmin Rally XC200s power meter pedals robust and offer accurate tracking for training and pacing. 
• Best pedals for muddy and wet gravel conditions: If you ride in frequently muddy conditions or race cyclocross, Crankbrothers Eggbeater or the TIME ATAC pedals are great choices with excellent mud clearance.

With so many designs available, there are a few common mistakes that are easy to avoid if you know what you’re looking for.

• Compatibility: One of the most frequent mistakes is choosing the wrong cleat system. Pedals, cleats and shoes form a system, and all three need to match before committing to a new setup. 
• Mud clearance: While many pedals perform well in dry conditions, not all cope equally when mud and debris start to build. This usually only becomes obvious when clipping in or out becomes difficult. 
• Durability: It’s tempting to prioritise weight savings, but lighter pedals can come with compromise. For gravel riding especially, reliability often matters more than saving a few grams.

As with most bike maintenance, regular care goes a long way, especially when mud, grit, and water are par for the course. When choosing pedals, opting for serviceable designs allows bearings and internal parts to be maintained or replaced, extending their lifespan rather than requiring a full replacement. 

Applying grease to the pedal threads on installation helps prevent seizing and corrosion, whilst keeping your pedals clean will help prevent premature wear and reduces the need for more involved maintenance down the line. At the same time, it’s best to avoid pressure washers, as they can force water past seals and strip grease from bearings, dramatically accelerating wear.

Keeping pedals lightly lubricated with a multi-purpose product like GT85, will help repel moisture and contamination for ongoing protection.

Choosing the right pedals is the final step to dialling in your gravel bike and matching the right pedal to your Canyon will elevate your riding experience and performance across the full spectrum of gravel.

But because pedals have such a direct impact on how a bike feels and performs, no single system will excel in every situation. Fortunately, as one of the easiest components to swap out, owning more than one set of pedals could significantly increase your bike’s versatility, letting you adapt it to different rides, seasons and terrain.

So, whether you prioritise maximum power transfer, reliable mud clearance or simple, confidence-inspiring ease of use, the best pedals will match how and where you ride, helping you pedal with greater confidence, comfort and control as you ride towards your goals.

If you’re still deciding which gravel bike best fits your riding style – from fast, race-focused setups to long-distance adventure and bikepacking – our gravel bike buying guide and the Grail vs Grizl comparison are a good place to start. Tools like the Bike Finder and Bike Comparison can also help you narrow down the right bike for your needs.

And that’s a wrap. From bike to pedals, the right setup turns every gravel road into an invitation to explore.