jonathanf2

I'm looking for a decent pair of clipless pedals for gravel. I prefer a 1 sided SPD pedal with the other side flat for those times I need to be unclipped like on narrow single track. Most the pedals I've found are a bit too wide for my taste (seems optimized for MTB riding) and I've had my pedals scrape the ground on road curves. Also many SPD pedals seem quite heavy, so I wouldn't mind something that's at least sub 300g for the pair if possible. Thanks for any recommendations!

Polaris OBark

I prefer XTR trail pedals. These are double-sided, but if you have to unclip, they are still rideable.

On another bike (my touring bike), I have FUNN Mamba one-sided clip pedals. The other side is flat with pins. They sound like what you are asking for. I find them slightly narrow, but maybe that too might suit you. There are two sizes. Getting below 300g isn't going to be easy.
https://www.funnmtb.com/products/mamba-s/

jonathanf2

Yeah, I'm having a more difficult time finding the right pedals for my gravel bike. I've tried quite a few, but none really hit the mark. I'd really like a lightweight narrow platform style SPD pedal that's somewhat lightweight. I'm currently using cheap nylon SPD pedals right now and they comes in at 340g, but I'm surprised there aren't other variations on pedals that are tailored towards gravel riding. The lightweight SPD pedals are seem more road oriented (1 sided similar to SPD SL/Look Keo) and the platform style SPD pedals seem overbuilt to suit MTBs.

BJack312

You might want to check out the Shimano PD-EH500 pedals. They are SPD on one side and Flat on the other. I have a set on my Stages smart bike in case someone without bike shoes want to ride.

Koyote

That part is a tall order. Even XTR Race pedals are a tad over 300g -- and the type of pedals you're after will be heavier.

jonathanf2

Actually I think I might have just found the pedals! They're Xpedo single-sided SPD pedals and come in at sub 300g. Though I can't seem to find them sold in the US, but they can be purchased from AliExpress.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832688682928.html?

I'm currently using the Xpedo magnesium alloy Look Keo pedals on my road bike and they work great. They come with a sealed bearing axles and the overall quality is quite nice. The build on the SPD pedals looks to be similar to my road pedals. I believe the Xpedo line is Wellgo's more premium set of pedals. I'll probably order a set, though I'll still check to see if there are any local sellers.

lasauge 

PD-ES600 is what you're looking for if you want light, tough, clipless pedals with great ground clearance that aren't pure road pedals. I use mine for gravel riding that often goes into singletrack and they're great, have held up just fine in spite of many rock strikes and scrapes. They don't have a platform, but in my opinion if you don't have the skills to be comfortably clipped in on rough terrain, you're not a rider who needs to care about saving a relatively small amount of weight at your pedals - get pedals that suit your riding needs as your top priority, there are much better places to look for weight savings.

jonathanf2

I've looked at those and they don't really appeal to me, They remind me of my SPD-SL pedals I have laying around. I might as well ride those to get better foot retention and carry my cleat covers with me when walking.

chaadster

I’m not sure I follow what you’re saying here, particularly vis-a-vis your OP, but maybe the 286g Shimano A600, which has an extended body (compared to ES600) might be of interest.

I’ve had them for many years, used them for winter gravel riding, and like them, although they’re not really suited for pedaling on the underside, unclipped, if that’s what you want to do.

It’s almost easier, because of the pedal weighting, to just hit the topside with the shoe toe and stay out of the clip, at least that’s what I’ve found with my stud-mount equipped Northwave Celsius Arctics. I can’t recall exactly, since I don’t need to ride unclipped very often, but the unclipped grip between that shoe and pedal is pretty decent.

unterhausen

I had some of the single sided pedals and pedaling on the flat side was less than ideal. Cleats hit the pedal.
I'm not sure why I got them anyway, I clip in on single track. I just make sure it's easy enough to clip out.

mstateglfr 

I have the Shimano A530 pedals on my gravel bike and also on my commuting bike because they are the two bikes I ride with my kids on in town rides and I will often wear running shoes.
They weigh 380g and are no longer made, but the EH500 model already mentioned replaced the A530 and is improved in that it offers pins.

The A530 has been great for me- I think each set is 6 years old and both were purchased used. 0 thought and 0 maintenance is how I determine if a pedal is great.



Interesting that Wellgo owns Xpedo, I didnt realize that and learned it from your ali link. Looks like you found some pedals that fit your wants.

mstateglfr 

I have the old model of this, A600, on my main road bike. They chip paint if you look at them sternly and are terrible to use unclipped since there is no platform side. I wouldnt want to ride 1mi in them unclipped, much less ride 100 feet of sketchy singletrack unclipped.
Agree that there are better places to look for weight savings...and if the OP wanted to stay clipped in the whole time then es600 or A600 pedals would be great since the A600 weigh 290g.

msu2001la

I'm late to this thread - but if anyone is considering XTR pedals they should google "XTR pedal seal" and read about this issue. I have a pair of XTR pedals that I got in 2020 and one of the seals is failing on them already. They still work fine and I've not noticed any bearing issues, but I'm sure it's coming.

XT's are half the price, only 32g heavier and are pretty much bomb proof. I've had a pair of XT's on another bike for at least 6 years and they still work perfectly. I will likely buy XT's for all my bikes moving forward.

staehpj1

Probably not what you are looking for, but when I use an spd on one side pedal that has a cage or a platfom on the other it is the Shimano PD-M324 SPD. I only use the one sided spd cage on the other for bikes I might ride with non dedicated bike shoes, something I very seldom do. the 324 are heavier than you desire and have a cage rather than a platform. They are a decent pedal. I have had a set on a beater bike in the past and currently have them on my folding bike.

staehpj1

I am not necessarily suggesting others should do as I do, but I am presenting this as food for thought.

My personal experience is that the times when folks "need to be unclipped like on narrow single track" are the very time I mosr desire the security of being clipped in. I really feel much more secure on technical stuff if clipped in. I have found that with practice it takes no longer to put a foot dow from a clipped in pedal, but it is much easier to lose footing on a non clipped in on when going over rough terrain or tough obsticles. I like single release cleats set the release up fairly tight, but if necessary to feel safe using a multi release cleat and setting the pedal release mechanism up loose might allow staying clipped in.

For me the cage side of the pedal is just for when I want to wear non bike specific shoes.

Again just food for thought.

sarhog

I’m a big fan of Crank Brothers eggbeaters. Have them on all my bikes, road, mountain, and gravel. They’re all sub 300g too. Eggbeaters

Polaris OBark

You can poke the seals back in place with a tiny eyeglass-type flat screwdriver blade. I warrantied a pair before I came across that. I agree it is a design flaw, but at least there is a simple solution.

XTs have a higher stack height, which bothers my previously busted ankle a lot. But for most people, XT is probably the sweet spot. I have trail rather than race XTR pedals, FWIW. The cage can really help if you need to be unclipped for something sketchy.

Caliwild

Not exactly what you're looking for but I'm fond of the Look X-track pedals since they can be used with SPD cleats...

Fentuz

i was going to mention that; several reviews point out that for both types, trail or XC, the XT range is bearly heavier than the XTR range. Xt and xtr are equally good at clipping in mud.
the difference is what they call stack, the pedal thickness. But, that’s a couple of millimeters which most people cannot notice (people get used to the garmin spd stack which is much thicker).


personnaly; I like the XT, they work well, clip well and firmly, don’t jam (unclip quickly when needed).
the M540 are good too.

on my other bike, i run old M520 from the part bin and I run 1side with the shimano platform. This has 2 advantages: i can obviously pedal with on side as flat pedal but also, thanks to gravity, the clipless side is always up so it is easy to find and clip in.

UnCruel 

Origin8 Dual Sport SPD comes in at 295g per pair.

msu2001la

I have two CX bikes with identical saddle heights/placement, one with XT and one with XTR and I can confirm that the difference in stack height between the two is not perceptible for me.

I can also confirm that the M540 is a great option. They're a bit heavy, but they work just as well otherwise as XT/XTR's.

The only time I struggle with Shimano SPD's is in CX races that require running in sand. The sand gets packed in around the cleats on my shoes, and makes it difficult to clip back in. I'll sometimes have to knock my foot against the side of the crank/pedal a few times to knock the sand out, then it'll clip in. This is a super specific CX race situation though... and probably would be a factor with any pedal. (Also possible that different shoes might shed packed sand better than my SIDI's).

redlude97

Crankbrothers will still clip in for this specific type of issue, I tried racing them for a season but hated the feel and the bearings failed after a couple months and I went back to shimano SPD.

jonathanf2

Just reporting back. I've decided to keep my current budget nylon SPD pedals. They're not the lightest at 340g, but being nylon I've scraped them on rocks and other surfaces and they manage to stay looking decent (unlike alloy pedals when they get scruff'ed). I've opted to buy some lightweight single sided Wellgo Xpedo SPD pedals that come in at 245g for those times I'll be predominantly riding road or light gravel.

Canker

You might want to try Time pedals next time you get curious. They have the mud/sand/whatever shedding ability of cranksbothers but are also super reliable.