Guides
Pedal buying guide
Updated · Independent guide · 7 picks compared
Quick answer
Double sided bike pedals with a clipless mechanism let you clip in on either face, so you never have to flip the pedal before you engage. The Shimano PD-M520 is the default double-sided SPD pedal, and Crankbrothers Eggbeater and Candy pedals go further with four-sided entry. If you meant a pedal that clips in on one side and is flat on the other, see clipless pedals for hybrid bikes.
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Chosen from current models on manufacturer specs, compatibility and design — not sponsored placements. Amazon buttons open a search for the exact model.
Best for: Commuting, touring, gravel, spin bikes and first clipless pedals
The benchmark double-sided SPD pedal: a clip-in mechanism on both faces, tension adjustment and a recessed 2-bolt cleat you can walk on. SM-SH51 single-release cleats come in the box.
Best for: Riders who want the M520's function with less weight and better sealing
Same SPD cleat and double-sided layout as the PD-M520, in a lighter body with better bearing sealing. A sensible choice for wet commuting and year-round gravel.
Best for: Cross-country and gravel racers
Shimano's race-level double-sided SPD pedal is slimmer and lighter than the M520 and M540, with the same SM-SH51 cleat. The XTR PD-M9100 is the step above.
Best for: Cyclocross and muddy gravel
Four ways in and an open wire mechanism with little for mud to pack into. No tension screw; the Standard cleat gives 6° float and a 15° or 20° release. See the Eggbeater 1 page.
Best for: Gravel and XC riders in less stiff shoes
The Eggbeater mechanism with a small platform around it for extra shoe support, keeping four-sided entry and the same cleats. See the Candy 1 page.
Best for: Weight-conscious XC and gravel riders on SPD-style cleats
A minimal double-sided XC pedal on a titanium spindle. It comes with Xpedo's SPD-style XPT cleats and fits any 2-bolt shoe; heavier riders should check the titanium spindle's weight limit or take the chromoly M-Force 8. See the M-Force 8 Ti page.
Best for: Road riders who want double-sided entry
The only mainstream road system with double-sided entry: the retention spring sits in the cleat, and float adjusts from 0° to 15°. Uses a 4-hole cleat, with a 3-hole adapter for standard road shoes.
Swipe sideways on mobile. "—" means not applicable or not confirmed by the manufacturer.
| Model | Cleat system | Entry | Float | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shimano PD-M520 | Shimano SPD (2-bolt) | Double-sided | 4° | All-round | Check price |
| Shimano PD-M540 | Shimano SPD (2-bolt) | Double-sided | 4° | Commuting, gravel, XC | Check price |
| Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 | Shimano SPD (2-bolt) | Double-sided | 4° | XC, gravel racing | Check price |
| Crankbrothers Eggbeater 1 | Crankbrothers (2-bolt) | Four-sided | 6° | Cyclocross, mud | Check price |
| Crankbrothers Candy 1 | Crankbrothers (2-bolt) | Four-sided | 6° | Gravel, XC | Check price |
| Xpedo M-Force 8 Ti | Xpedo XPT (2-bolt, SPD-style) | Double-sided | 6° (XPT cleat) | XC racing, gravel | Check price |
| Wahoo Speedplay Zero | Wahoo Speedplay (4-hole) | Double-sided | 0–15° adjustable | Road | Check price |
On a clipless pedal, double sided means you can clip in on either face. That is how most mountain bike, gravel and commuting clipless pedals work, and it is what this page covers.
The phrase gets used for three other things too, so check which one you want:
For the full picture of clipless systems, start with our clipless pedals guide.
A double-sided pedal is always ready: whichever way it stops, there is a mechanism facing your foot. You step down and you are in.
Single-sided road pedals hang tail-down, so you have to hook the front lip with your cleat before pressing down. That is fine on open roads, but slower at traffic lights, on steep restarts and in technical terrain. Crankbrothers goes one step further with four-sided entry: its open wire mechanism engages from almost any angle.
Pick the cleat system first, then decide how much platform you need.
Almost every double-sided clipless pedal uses a 2-bolt cleat, so you need shoes with a 2-bolt channel: mountain bike, gravel, touring or casual cycling shoes. The cleat sits recessed in the tread, so you can walk.
The cleats are not interchangeable between brands:
Two-sided Shimano pedals give a solid, defined click and adjustable tension. Four-sided Crankbrothers pedals are quicker to enter and shed mud well, but have no tension adjustment; you set release by which foot the cleat goes on.
Minimal pedals such as the Eggbeater, XT PD-M8100 and M-Force 8 rely on a stiff sole for support. If your shoes flex, or you ride long days, a pedal with some body around the mechanism (Candy, or the platform pedals on our dual sided platform page) spreads the load.
Open designs clear mud best. That is why Eggbeaters are common in cyclocross. Shimano’s race pedals are slimmer than the M520 and clear better too.
Every pedal here uses a 9/16” thread, which fits two- and three-piece cranks on adult bikes. The left pedal is reverse threaded.
Shims and spare bolts for awkward shoe soles are in cleat hardware.
Usually, clipless pedals with a clip-in mechanism on both faces, such as Shimano SPD mountain bike pedals. Some people also use the term for pedals with a clip on one side and a flat platform on the other; those are on our hybrid clipless pedals page.
Yes. You can clip in without looking at the pedal, which makes restarting at junctions and on climbs much easier. Pair them with multi-release SM-SH56 cleats if you use SPD.
Wahoo Speedplay is the main one: its lollipop pedals are double-sided and take road shoes via a 3-hole adapter. Shimano SPD-SL and Look Keo road pedals are single-sided.
They fit any bike with a 9/16" pedal thread, which covers almost every adult bike. Install the left pedal counterclockwise; see which pedal is reverse threaded.
No. Both bolt to 2-bolt shoes, but each pedal needs its own cleat. Shimano SPD cleats fit SPD and SPD-compatible pedals; Crankbrothers pedals need Crankbrothers cleats. See the cleats guide.