The Acros clipless pedals are designed for mountain bikes, featuring a large cage and adjustable Q-factor. The first pedals of the German headset specialists come with some thoughtful details and a plain black finish. But what are the advantages of MTB pedals on a gravel bike? We put them to the test to find out.
Acros is a German brand from our neck of the woods, and they’ve got plenty of expertise when it comes to headsets and bottom brackets. So, you would think that Acros know a thing or two about keeping things spinning smoothly. If you want to know more about the brand, we recommend checking out our behind the scenes look (available here). But what happens when headset and ball bearing specialists build clipless pedals and who are they for? Read on to find out!
Pragmatic model name, thoughtful details: the Acros clipless pedal
Nomen est omen: with the pragmatically named € 119.95 clipless pedal, Acros offer pedals that have been designed around the proven Shimano SPD system. As such, they’re compatible with all SPD cleats, which means that swapping pedals is easier and getting spare parts is uncomplicated. The float and release angle are therefore 4° and 13°, respectively, the same as all SPDs with standard cleats.
Since they were designed for mountain bikes, the cage is comparatively large and the pedals are quite heavy, too, at 470 g – the heaviest pedals on test. Heavy duty! The cage has two pins at the front of each side to provide extra grip for your shoes. As a result, you can also cruise to the supermarket in your casual sneakers and still have a pleasant and secure footing. The pins are screwed into the pedal from the back, which means they remain easy to unscrew even if they get damaged by striking the ground. Due to the large pedal cage, this can happen easier than you think when pedalling through a corner. The relatively open design means the Acros clipless pedals offer the best self-cleaning of all the SPD pedals on test.
Acros set out to make their pedals beginner-friendly, using plastic skid plates on the rear of the pedals to make it easier to get clicked in. This is especially helpful for riders who are new to clipless pedals, as it makes it easier to find the mechanism with the cleat, since you simply have to slide your feet forward over the skid plate. Once you’re clicked in, the connection feels very tight, which is typical for SPD pedals, though the spring preload tension can be adjusted. The standout feature of the pedals is that the axle length can be changed, allowing you to adjust the Q-factor from 52 mm to 57 mm. To do so, the pedals simply have to be opened on the side and there’s a sleeve that has to be placed from the inside to the outside. It’s quick and easy – provided you have the right tools – allowing you to adjust the pedals to suit your preferences.
| Brand | Model | Weight | Price | System | Float | Release angle | Q-factor | Stack height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acros | Klickpedal | 474 g | 119,95 € | SPD | 4° | 13° | 52 mm / 57 mm | 16,8 mm |
Our conclusion on the Acros Clipless Pedals
The Acros clipless pedals rely on the proven SPD system and score highly in terms of beginner-friendliness, customizability and versatility. However, the mountain bike design with its large cage is heavy and increases the risk of striking the pedals on the ground. If you’re looking for a versatile pair of pedals for everything from adventure rides, bikepacking, to trails, everyday life or commuting, the Acros clipless pedals are a good choice, offering some clever features.
Tops
- adjustable Q-factor as standard
- 2-in-1 character thanks to the pins/very convenient
- best self-cleaning SPD system
- clever features
Flops
- very big cage for gravel riding – easy to get hung up while cornering
- HEAVY
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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: How do mountain bike pedals perform on a gravel bike? We found out with the Acros clipless pedals in our gravel pedal group test. Read on for all the details.
