Xpedo CXR – An Off-road Pedal Made For Mud

Just about everyone has an SPD compatible pedal these days. Shimano’s cleat system is the standard for most off-road pedals, save for Crank Bros Eggbeater/Candy/Mallot, Time ATAC, and the defunct Speedplay SZR and Time Cyclo gravel pedals. But not all pedals are created equally, which is where Xpedo‘s CXR pedal comes in. Originally created almost 10 years ago as a cyclocross pedal, it has cult following for any riding where muddy conditions are a factor. This makes it perfect for gravel, and you might just want to consider it as an upgrade for your upcoming season.

I first saw the CXR Pro on the Raleigh RXC (yes, I noticed it too) of Robert Marion of the American Classics Pro Cyclocross Team years ago. If you have seen any pictures of me in our product review articles, you can figure out why The Beard was one of my favorite riders on the pro cyclocross scene in the mid to late-2010’s. We actually became good friends, which is how I got set up with a pair of his personal CXR Pro pedals.

The Pedals

Looking at them, you’d be mistaken to think that they are just another pair SPD pedals, because they are far from it. Marion played a key part in the design of the pedal, providing feedback on what he needed for racing cyclocross. The front hook the cleat engages into is a bit larger than what you typically find on other SPD’s to make it easier to find the pedal and lock in during remounts. The pedal body has an open design, which helps with shedding mud that might have accumulated around the cleat when off the bike. The pedal is weighted to hang at about a 45 degree angle when not clipped in, making it easier to find when making quick remounts onto the bike.

All of this combines to make a pedal that is fast in the worst conditions. In cyclocross, gravel, or even mountain biking for that matter, any time you are messing around trying to find your pedal and get clipped in, is time and momentum you are losing. In a cross race, those seconds can mean the difference between staying on a wheel, and dropping off the back. In gravel, knowing you can clip back in quickly might get you back on the bike sooner on a walk up climb.

The CXR uses Xpedo’s Posi-Lock spring retention system, which is adjustable on either side using a standard 3mm hex key, allowing you to dial in release tension. For cyclocross, the pedal comes with a rather low tension, keeping you locked in while racing, but allowing quick exits. For gravel, you can increase the tension by giving the screw a few turns to the right for a more locked in feel.

There are two versions of the CXR, regular and Pro. The only difference between the two is the titanium spindle used on the Pro to save some weight, about 50g. Both use a 6061 forged aluminum body, the same retention system, and three sealed bearings to keep the grime out. The entire system is serviceable too. Xpedo currently sells replacement bearing kits at $25, replacement end caps for $12, and even replacement/upgrade titanium axle kits for $120.

While Xpedo has their own cleats, CXR’s are also SPD compatible. The cleats look a little different, but the the general shape where it counts is the same. Xpedo says their cleats work the best (and I would agree). You get a set with the pedals, and can buy more from Xpedo for $24. There is even a road version that uses a three bolt adapter that bolts into your shoe, and allows you to mount the two bolt cleat to it.

On the Dirt (and Road)

Mounting the CXR’s are standard for pedals these days, with an 8mm hex key. Add a little bit of grease to the threads, maybe a washer if needed for your crank, and thread them on. Add the cleats to your shoes, adjust the tension screws, and you are on your way.

Clipping in, I couldn’t tell much of a difference between any other two-bolt style pedal I’ve ridden. Once in, regardless of the release tension, my foot felt locked into the CXR. The only difference I felt was when actually releasing out of the pedal. For cyclocross, I went with a lighter tension, so I could get out easier for quick dismounts, while gravel had a higher tension to stay locked in when things get rowdy.

The CXR has a bit of a platform built into the pedal body along the axle that provides stability. It has enough clearance to get locked in, even with crud caked in your treads, but still enough to provide the additional contact area. Whether seated and driving watts through the pedals, or standing for a climb or sprint, I never felt any instability or wobble in the pedal/cleat interface when using the Xpedo cleats.

I ended up using them initially for cyclocross and later gravel, and no matter how muddy and dirty the race was, getting back in the pedals was never an issue. When stepping back in, pushing in on the front of the pedal clears the mud out the front. The open design of the center and back, cleared the mud out when stepping down to lock in. The only other pedal I felt had this much mud clearance were Crank Brothers, which lack the adjustability of the CXRs.

My Personal Pedals

To be honest, I’ve been running the CXR Pro’s off and on for years. Other pedals have come in from Time, Look, Speedplay, and Ritchey, but I’ve gone back and forth between my Crank Brothers Eggbeater 11’s and the Xpedo CXR Pro when I’m not reviewing pedals. It took the CXR Pro a little bit to break the bearings so they spin a little more freely, but once they did, that’s when they start to get that 45 degree droop. Other than that, the only wear I have seen is a little bit of the blue and black finish.

Going back to the the pedals I rotate through, It’s quite a contrast there. Both are their brand’s top end pedals with titanium axles, but the CXR Pro comes in a claimed 66 grams more. That’s about 0.15 lbs more, and you are getting more stability and adjustability in your release (yes, you can adjust release angle with Crank Brothers, but not release tension). The Xpedo’s are a shocking $305 less. Talk about bang for your buck over the Eggbeaters.

The CXR can help you add a splash of color to your bike. The standard version is available in black, blue, orange, red, along with a special oil slick color. The Pro is available in blue and black, and adds splashes of gold with the spindle and end cap. At 245g for the Pro, 295-300g for the regular CXR, they are also pretty competitive in weight. The other thing that sets them apart is the price. The base CXR in standard colors start at $125. For the special oil slick, which adds 5g, they will run $165. For the Pro with the titanium spindle, they jump up to $195. The 50g savings in weight also adds some stiffness to the axle, but also adds a weight limit of 187 lb. I weight a little more than that, and have not had any issues, but proceed with caution if you are over the limit.

Xpedo might not be the first name you think of in pedals, but the CXR will add something special to your bike, especially for those muddy days. The competitive weight, great performance, and affordable price point makes them a great upgrade to your cyclocross, gravel, or mountain bike.

www.xpedo.com