Pedals for gravel bike

[TheJimi]

Apologies for the really inane question, but I've recently ordered an Arkose D3.

I don't want cleats, so that narrows me down to flat pedals. Do any of you guys with gravel bikes use flats?

If so, could I please have some recommendations?

Cheers

[Blink982]

I’m using spd (again) but when I first got my gravel bike I used Raceface Chesters which were recommended by a work colleague that rides enduro races. I will put them back on for bike packing. They’re reasonably light and we’re grippy with my outdoor trail shoes but I must admit I’m an spd convert now but there may be occasions when using cycling shoes isn’t suitable.

[Roastie ITR]

I don't ride gravel, but when I race cyclocross I use the Shimano GR500 flat pedals. Never had any issues in any muddy races etc

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-gr500-flat-mtb-pe...

[TheJimi]

Probably worth noting that I'll be spending most of my time either on the road or light gravel trails.

[jimmy156]

Whats the aversion to SPD's?

I went for these on my gravel bike... best of both worlds? And means you can always switch to clipping in in the future if you want to.

Shimano pd-eh500



ETA: despite thinking i would like the versatility, i have only ever used them clipped in!

[TheJimi]

I've never had a road bike before, and obviously, I've also never tried SPD before either.

The simply answer is that I can't be bothered with the learning curve of both using a dropbar bike for the first time and SPDs.

I realise that makes me sound like an idiot.

[jimmy156]

TheJimi said:

I've never had a road bike before, and obviously, I've also never tried SPD before either.

The simply answer is that I can't be bothered with the learning curve of both using a dropbar bike for the first time and SPDs.

I realise that makes me sound like an idiot.

Those above come with cleats that clip in and release more easily than "standard cleats." They are also MTB style cleats, not road cleats, so fewer points of contact and also easier to clip out of.

I had never ridden clipped in before this (or ridden a drop bar bike either!) but have yet to had an un-clipping accident (i've gone and jinxed it now though!) and honestly wouldn't want to ride without SPD's now

ETA those pedals above would allow you to ride the flat side until such a time that you wanted to try riding clipless. They are about £50 IIRC

[TheJimi]

Right, the combination pedals appear to make a lot of sense.

I've found these - https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m324-combination-...

The flat side looks a bit grippier than the ones posted above.

[Handbag]

TheJimi said:

Right, the combination pedals appear to make a lot of sense.

I've found these - https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m324-combination-...

The flat side looks a bit grippier than the ones posted above.

My other half has those on his bike and he loves them. They're also serviceable which is a bonus.

I've got the Shimano XT T8000 pedals on my gravel bike as they have a wider platform when not using the spd cleats, they're brilliant, very grippy but more expensive:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-xt-t80...

[Imad]

I use these

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/crank-brothers-doubleshot...

On my Canondale Slate and they have been great. Clip in and out real easy and the flat side is a really good size for pedaling without clips. The shimano one you posted - it looks like the contact area is too small on the non-clip side.

[Mannginger]

jimmy156 said:

Whats the aversion to SPD's?

I went for these on my gravel bike... best of both worlds? And means you can always switch to clipping in in the future if you want to.

Shimano pd-eh500



ETA: despite thinking i would like the versatility, i have only ever used them clipped in!

I went for these as well. Swapped out from my SPD-SLs on my Specialized Creo Evo. Main reason being I bought my better half a bike and my road bike is on the trainer. So the e-bike has become a bimbler with the missus and a tourer/explorer for me on my own. When I'm bimbling / canal paths / lunch out I just wear normal clothes / shoes so the flat side is perfect. When I'm out for a proper ride / tour myself I now just clip in using the SPDs.

Perfect use case for me

[TheJimi]

Mannginger said:

jimmy156 said:

Whats the aversion to SPD's?

I went for these on my gravel bike... best of both worlds? And means you can always switch to clipping in in the future if you want to.

Shimano pd-eh500



ETA: despite thinking i would like the versatility, i have only ever used them clipped in!

I went for these as well. Swapped out from my SPD-SLs on my Specialized Creo Evo. Main reason being I bought my better half a bike and my road bike is on the trainer. So the e-bike has become a bimbler with the missus and a tourer/explorer for me on my own. When I'm bimbling / canal paths / lunch out I just wear normal clothes / shoes so the flat side is perfect. When I'm out for a proper ride / tour myself I now just clip in using the SPDs.

Perfect use case for me

Just to update the thread - I went for these EH500s.

Thanks for the feedback folks, I wasn't expecting to get much input on what I thought was a pretty inane question!

[defblade]

TheJimi said:

Just to update the thread - I went for these EH500s.

Thanks for the feedback folks, I wasn't expecting to get much input on what I thought was a pretty inane question!

You won't regret it. It's nice that while you're learning cleats, if you miss clipping in you can still carry on pedalling for a bit on the flat side until you've got time/space/stability to have another go; also I find if I'm approaching anything sketchy (eg potential traffic conflict on road, or a dodgy looking surface off road), I'll often clip one foot (usually my left) out in advance so I feel I have an instant response if I need to get a foot down (although I rarely/never do, it's 99% a confidence thing).
I'm rural now, so any trip to the shops is a proper ride, but when I lived in town, I also liked being able to jump on wearing trainers. But I still like the pedals enough for the reasons above to not be thinking about changing them.