Are you interested in bike races? You can get the best cyclocross pedals for your long-distance rides within a highly affordable range.
Are you a racer or a mountain rider? For bike racings, you must be searching for a pedal that can easily lock in your shoe to avoid any danger of a difficult path while riding your bike. The cyclocross pedals are the best pedals for this purpose. They are not only helpful in mountainous trails, but you can easily hang your bike in mud, sand, rocky areas, etc., without the issue of jammed or heavy pedals.
I found these cyclocross pedals as the best companion in extreme environmental conditions while riding my bike. The pedal connection and my shoe were solid and convenient that the shoe will not slip from the pedal’s surface. But whenever I wanted to release my foot from the pedal, I did not face any difficulty. This padel is well known for its two-way function. Some of the best cyclocross pedals are as follow;
Cyclocross Pedals Top Picks
A list of cyclocross pedals that I found leading, among others, are mentioned here.
1. SHIMANO PD-M540 SPD Pedals – Cyclocross Bike Pedals
This Shimano pedal is designed for difficult paths, but it does not mean that you can not use it on the road. You will have the best experience after riding this bike because of its high comfort to your feet. No matter how long you ride your bike, with the help of this pedal, you will feel your feet in their normal position. It would cause no stress or strain on your feet, and you can easily ride your bike on rugged and rough paths as well.
These pedals are fluorine-coated. Fluorine coating helps in providing a dirt-free surface to your pedal. If you fluorine-coated in ice, this coating would repel water droplets or ice flakes. If you are riding a bike in a desert area, it will help in repelling sand particles. Hence, any sort of dust, dirt, or grease would not affect your cyclocross pedal if they have fluorine coating. It increases your pedals’ durability and avoids discomfort while racing in competition.
This M540 cyclocross pedal contains 8mm of the spindle. At the same time, the M520 version of it includes a spindle of 15mm in length. You will find them similar to each other in working, but the only difference is the weight. This M540 pedal is lighter in weight in comparison to the M520 pedal. My bike seems to fly whenever I use this pedal because of its less weight. I do not need to put more effort into it while riding.
- Good for knees
- Highly affordable
- Durable
- Less weight
- Practice required
Hence, if you are interested in these pedals, you must know that they perform flawlessly. You will need some practice to get used to it, but once you start riding your bike, these pedals will allow your knees to get high comfort. Forget all the knee pains and ride your bike as long as you want to. Its durability level is high, and it is within the range of your affordability. Its less weight will not let you get tired quickly.
2. MZYRH Mountain Bike Pedals – Best Cx Pedals
For any cyclocross bike, I recommend these mountain pedals because of their impressive results. Its anti-skid pins will allow you to have a proper grasp of the pedals. While fast paddling, there is always a threat of foot slippage from the pedal. This slippage is the cause of losing your balance and ultimately a reason for any more enormous harm. These pedals do not allow any slippage with the help of their anti-slip cleat design.
Racing bikes are all about the least weight. The lesser would be the weight of your bike; there are high chances of winning the race. This pedal weighs only 0.45lb, which is almost 0.2 kg. These pedals will not be increasing the weight of your bike in any way. Other types of pedals take more time in installation, unlike these pedals. You will see the letter ”L” on the left pedal and the “R” letter on the right pedal. You can install them by yourself.
Aluminum alloy is a significant component in its composition. The strength of this aluminum alloy makes it more robust and sturdier. You would not face any issue of pedal wear and tear because of its material. It increases the durability of these pedals used for cyclocross bikes. No matter how harsh the area is, you will not face any hurdle in your rides because of these pedals.
- Nice looks
- Durable
- Reasonable price
- Sturdy appearance
- Clicking voice
In short, these pedals have the plus point of their appearance. I first bought them because of their excellent color scheme and sturdy build. Although my experience with them was not bad, the first impression they had on me was perfect because of its appearance. I will suggest these pedals to you if you are highly concerned about efficiency as well as looks.
3. Crankbrothers Eggbeater 3 Pedals
As the name suggests, this cyclocross pedal looks like an eggbeater. But do not beat eggs with it because it has another essential function to perform. These pedals are the best companions for mountain riders. Their durability will not let you alone amid mountains. Its eggbeater style does not allow any dirt or sand to block it, but its wide opening releases the soil without causing trouble.
It is made up of stainless steel. Its makeup provides excellent strength to your pedal. It gets easily fixed with the bike, and you will not face any loosening of these pedals while riding. You can make powerful strokes on the pedal with no tension of its wear and tear. These pedals allow you to move your bike faster for a more extended period and with no pedal issues.
These pedals are competition-oriented. Their build-up is highly suitable for the competitions. You are more likely to win the match if you are using these pedals. These pedals are highly compatible with the race tracks. Even if you slip off from your bike, there is significantly less possibility of damaging these pedals. You will not notice any dent or breakage in these pedals.
- Nice color
- Reasonable price
- Long-lasting
- Good for knees
- Easy clipping
- Needs lube job
In short, these pedals comes in pair. Even if you are using these pedals clumsily, they are of solid build. I found these Crankbrother “eggbeater” pedals easier to clip than the “Candy” pedals. Even if I notice any issue in their working, I applied a lube for its proper working and outstanding efficiency. You would not see mud or any dirt in the pedals to avoid tension during the bike riding.
4. RaceFace Atlas Bike Pedal
This pedal is well known for its concave width. I did not have to put a lot of effort into paddling because of its less weight. Its less weight is due to the thin size of this pedal. While racing, it takes lots of action for the riders to padel for a long distance. If the size and the pedal’s weight were much, it would constitute its weight in the bike’s weight. A rider can’t ride a heavy bike for a long time.
But this pedal has the advantage that it does not increase the bike’s weight too much. As its name suggests, this pedal is always ready to face a race with no worries. You can get this padel in different colors as the three best colors, i.e., blue, black, and green color pedals, are available on Amazon. Females are more interested in bright colors like green or blue. They can quickly get their favorite colors for these pedals.
These pedals have a great width, which provides the best platform to rest your foot easily on. It can cause an issue if your shoes are not appropriate for bike riding. Try to get grippy shoes that can easily relax on the pedal and do not slip easily. The slippage of the shoe on these pedals can disturb your balance and can be dangerous in many ways. So try to get proper shoes for these pedals.
- Less weight
- Grippy
- Great design
- Wide platform
- Noise issue
Hence, it is a good pedal, but I found some issues with these pedals. After riding for almost a year, I could hear a noise from the padel. It is not a big deal if you know how to take care of it. A lube job is vital for such parts. This noise can be the reason for the improper greases in the padel. Proper greasing can eliminate this noise issue.
5. Venzo Multi-Use
These pedals perform a dual function. Mostly you need an adjustable shoe to have a proper grip of your pedal while riding. These pedals do not need any gripping shoes. They have enough grip to hold your shoe as well in the racing competition. The surface of these pedals gets to the sole of your shoe and forms a tight bond. No matter how fast you ride on the tricky path, you will not face the issue of imbalance.
It contains sealed bearings to provide better friction while riding on mountainous areas. These bearings will not let your bike slip on the slippery ways and will provide better resistance. These pedals are more compatible with sealed bearing instead of ball bearings. Sealed bearings contain lubricant inside them, while ball bearings need continuous lubrication for their proper working.
To avoid the hassle of lubricating your pedals, again and again, you must rely on these sealed bearing pedals. You do not need to worry about the release of these pedals. As firmly you can clip in your pedals, you can release your pedals as quickly according to your wish. The aluminum material used in them makes them more reliable and durable. I found these pedals less fragile and a little heavier because of their sealed bearings and their sturdy makeup.
- Easy clipping
- Dual-action
- Long-lasting
- Heavy
In short, these pedals are more commonly chosen by everyday riders. Being a mountain rider is not a hard and fast rule to use these pedals. As an average person, you do not need to change your shoe every time before riding them. But you can take the best rides through these pedals by wearing slippers as well. Their comfort makes them more admiring.
6. Crankbrothers Candy Clip-In
You can find a color variety if you are interested in these cyclocross pedals. Lots of exciting color pedals of your interests are only a click apart. Crankbrothers has its name in the best cyclocross pedals. Candy clip-in is one of its best versions among many. Wherever you will hear the name of cross-country racing competitions, you will find different versions of these Crankbrother pedals. It contains a longer spindle for its proper fitting.
No matter how big your bike’s wheel is, it can move them with the same efficiency. From the studier wheels of racing bikes to the lightweight wheels of any bike, these pedals are highly admired for their proper and efficient working. It contains an outer and an inner bearing to provide excellent resistance to your bike from any slippage or on a tricky track.
This pedal contains a pair of left and a right pedal which weighs almost 335 grams per pair. You can easily use them for your racing competitions without the worry of increased weight. Its aluminum body makes it more long-lasting and durable and has a life of almost five years. Even the wings of these pedals are made up of stamped steel.
- Durable
- Sturdy
- Variety of colors
- Cleats issues
In short, these pedals are highly cheap with a great warranty. But the warranty of these pedals also varies. If you are using these bikes for cross-country race competitions, they can wear down more quickly than the warranty limit. But if you are using them on simple and smooth roads, you do not need to worry about the warranty limit. You can even exceed its warranty limit if you are taking proper care of these pedals.
7. ROCKBROS MTB Pedals
Rockbros pedals are best for rocky areas. If you are a resident of rocky regions, these pedals are best for your bike. The surface of this pedal is solid, as it is made up of nylon fiber. You would not see any wear and tear issue no matter how much you use it on more challenging routes. It can easily absorb any shock, which makes it more perfect for rocky or mountainous areas.
The central rod present in these pedals makes it more stable and helps your foot to rest comfortably on it. You can easily take rides no matter how muddy or dirty these pedals are. Muddy pedals are the reason for most of the injuries during competitions. No matter how muddy these pedals are, you would not face any slippage issue or the danger of any severe damage.
If you are worried about the bulky size of your foot, do not worry. These pedals provide a broader platform for any foot size of rider. With the average size of the foot and the bulky feet, they are highly admirable. You can provide movement to your foot on the pedals instead of keeping them still in one place. Its easy installation will save your time as well as your energy.
- Waterproof
- Long warranty
- Easy installation
- Lightweight
- Well made
- Bearing issues
In short, these pedals are killer pedals. You would get the best results out of it. You can notice a striking difference between your prior ridings and then the ridings with these bike pedals. Feet are the real asset of the racing competitions. Due to its excellent grip, you will not sore your feet or any other mishap during the match. These pedals would not be the reason for any accident during the competition.
Buyer’s Guide
To buy cyclocross pedals, you must look into some important things. You need to focus on the given points for an excellent performance of your bike without any troubles.
1. Material
You must check the material of your cyclocross bike pedals before buying them. The more water, ice, or dirt-resistant your cyclocross pedal would be, the better they will work. These races can be held in any area or any season; you must prepare yourself to ride your bike in any condition. Even if your pedals have a fluorine coating, always prefer those pedals. Fluorine coating helps in preventing the mud or ice from sticking to your pedals.
2. Durability
You must not compromise the durability of these cyclocross pedals. The best material of the pedals can increase the durability or the lifetime of your pedals. Durability is the primary key during the competition; if you face a wear and tear issue while racing, you can be at more loss. Aluminum material or stainless steel are the primary sources of increased durability. MZYRH Mountain Bike Pedal is highly durable for its Aluminum alloy.
3. Weight
I would prefer lightweight pedals. For long-distance races, bikes with high weights can become a burden. You must go for the pedals with less weight. Less weight never means that the material of the pedal would be compromised. The material must be sturdier and long-lasting, while the weight should not exceed. MZYRH Mountain Bike Pedals contain only 0.45lb of weight. This pedal is highly admired for its less weight and long durability.
4. Affordability
The given pedals are all highly affordable, and you can buy them at reasonable prices. But if you are looking for some other cyclocross pedals, you must look for the price range. It does not mean that only the expensive pedals would last longer. Much cheaper and good-quality pedals can also be found among the given names of the pedals, with no compromise in their durability and working.
Summing It Up
Selecting the top three cyclocross pedals is always a difficult task. But if I were given an opportunity to choose any three best pedals among them, these given pedals would have been my first choice.
SHIMANO PD-M540 SPD Pedals, with an 8mm long spindle of this pedal, is one of the best cyclocross pedals. It contains a fluoride coating on it, which does not allow any dirt or ice particles to act as a hurdle during your racing competition. It is highly similar to its older version, with a slight difference in spindle size. This pedal is less in weight and does not lower your bike’s speed.
MZYRH Mountain Bike Pedals are well known for rides on the mountains. It has a low weight of about 0.25 kg, which makes paddling faster. There are high chances for you to win with these pedals during competition. The aluminum alloy used in its makeup makes it stronger and more durable. With a high warranty limit, you can enjoy your rides on difficult paths.
Venzo Multi-Use pedals are used for multi-purposes. Not only mountain riders but a common delivery man can also get these pedals for his daily errands. This pedal performs the dual function of providing grip of its pedal and gripping the rider’s shoe. No matter how simple the shoe you are wearing, even the shoe without any grip, you can use them easily on these pedals. It contains a sealed bearing, which does not need continuous lubrication but contains enclosed lubricant.
To conclude, these three picks are the best cyclocross pedals for me. I mostly prefer these pedals during my long-distanced ridings. Some of them are best for only riding on challenging tracks, while others can use them for problematic and straightforward pathways. You must keep your need in your mind while selecting these pedals, whether buying these pedals for competitions or daily usage. You can find different variety of pedals within an affordable range.
If these weren’t enough, check out these pedals from Amazon also:
- DURABLE:Rugged nylon fiber surface+high strength Cr-Mo spindle bike pedals, which has shock-proof, abrasion and corrosion resistance
- SIZE:4.30(L)*3.94(W)*0.98(H)inches,0.79bls each pair,moer fitted to the soles,big tread bicycle pedals provide a more comfortable ride experience,make...
- Easy To Install:CR-L for left; CR-R for right. Sealed bearing bicycle pedals protect spindles from water and dust which will cause noise and other...
- Anti-Skid Nail:Anti-skid nails on each side provide more secure on the pedals and hold your feet in place. Even if they are covered with a thick layer...
- Standard: 9/16" spindle fits for BMX, MTB, Mountain Bike, Hybrid bike, Old School, Cruiser, Cyclocross Bike, Dirt Jumper, Folding Bike, Road Bike-...
- [ SEALED BEARING ] - Standard 9/16 inch threading, 100% Cr-Mo spindle with sealed bearing, performs well on the road or the trail.
- [ SOLID MATERIAL ] – Attractive design in high strength AL6061 aluminum alloy material, providing the bike pedals more durability. Oxidizing process...
- [ WIDE PLATFORM ] - This pair of bicycle pedals size 4.00x4.60x1.01 inches and weight 0.43lb each. Wide platform provides a more comfortable riding...
- [ ANTI-SKID PINS ] - 24pcs replaceable stainless-steel hexagon head bolts for an greatly enhanced grip. Non-slip platform maximizes your efficiency at...
- [ EASY TO INSTALL ] – International standard 9/16 inch screw thread, diameter 14mm, suitable for most of the road bike, mountain bikes, BMX bikes,...
- For Bike Type: BMX, MTB, Mountain Bike, Hybrid bike, Old School, Cruiser, Cyclocross Bike, Dirt Jumper, Folding Bike, Road Bike- Touring, Track Bike,...
- Material: Aluminum Alloy
- Type: Pedals - Flat/Platform
- Universal Use: 9/16 inch Spindle
- Package: One Pair of Bike Pedal
- Material: The bike pedals is made of high strength aluminum alloy and carbon fiber bearing, which saves as much weight as possible.
- Sealed Bearing: Designed with sealed bearing, it can protect the cycling pedals spindles from water and dust, let you enjoy riding whatever you want...
- Great Grippy: There are 12 anti-skid nails on each MTB pedals, which will offer great grip and control, effectively prevent your shoes from sliding...
- Easy to Install: The bicycle pedals is easy to install. It is marked with right and left sign, L for left pedal, R for right pedal.
- Universal Bicycle Pedals: Our bike pedals is Standard 9/16" spindle fits for most bikes, BMX, MTB, mountain bike, hybrid bike, cruiser, cyclocross...
- STURDY & DURABLE: Rugged nylon fiber surface+high strength Cr-Mo spindle bike pedals, which has shock-proof, abrasion and corrosion resistance
- GREAT GRIP: Anti-skid nails on each side provide increased security on the pedals and hold your feet in place. Even if they are covered with a thick...
- WIDE PLATFORM & LIGHTWEIGHT: 4.1" wide platform and 0.8lb ultralight ergonomic design pedals with high speed hardened bearings for long ride comfort...
- Sealed bearing protect spindles from water and dust and other problems, let you enjoy cycling in raining or climbing UNIVERSAL: Standard 9/16" spindle...
- Serviceable, pedal refresh kit