Gravel racing has evolved into something entirely its own. Speeds are edging closer to those of road racing, but the terrain still demands the reliability and durability of mountain bike gear. Somewhere in that gap is where LOOK Cycle sees the future of gravel pedals.
With the launch of the X-One-G, the French pedal mainstay is introducing a race-focused pedal designed specifically for gravel riding. And before you ask…no, it’s not just an XC MTB pedal with the word “gravel” added to it.
LOOK designed the new gravel pedal to deliver the stability and power transfer of a road pedal while maintaining the predictable release and durability riders expect off-road.
The result is a pedal that sits right between two worlds: road efficiency and off-road practicality. After spending some time riding them, I can see this design becoming the new go-to for many gravel and road bikes.
A Pedal Built for Gravel
LOOK’s new gravel pedal ecosystem now consists of three families: the X-One-G (and X-One-G-Ti) for racing, the X-Track as the all-around option, and the X-Venture aimed at adventure and bikepacking riders.
The X-One-G is the race-day weapon of the lineup.
At first glance, the pedal resembles LOOK’s well-known X-Track platform (also my go-to pedal). But look closer, and the differences start to show. The body has been slimmed down and optimized around a single-sided SPD-compatible entry system, a choice that helps reduce weight while giving the pedal a cleaner, more aerodynamic profile.
That streamlined layout also improves mud shedding and keeps stack height low.
According to LOOK, the X-One-G platform was developed alongside professional riders, including Simon Pellaud and Russell Finsterwald, who helped refine the pedal through extensive field testing in real race conditions.
A Wider Platform for More Power
The biggest story here is the platform. The X-One-G features a 650 mm² contact surface paired with a 67 mm-wide platform, giving riders noticeably more support underfoot than many traditional mountain bike pedals (even the X-Tracks).
That wider interface spreads load across the shoe and stabilizes the connection between rider and bike. When you’re standing on the pedals trying to bridge a gap or punch up a loose gravel climb, that extra support becomes immediately noticeable.
The pedal remains SPD-compatible, meaning it works with standard two-bolt cleats used on most gravel and mountain bike shoes.
Retention tension can be adjusted between settings of 5 and 10, allowing riders to fine-tune engagement depending on personal preference or race conditions.
LOOK pairs the pedals with a cleat system that provides 6° of float and a 13° release angle, balancing pedaling efficiency with enough movement to stay comfortable during long rides.
Narrow(ish) Q-Factor
All of the LOOK gravel pedals have the same 53mm Q-factor, which puts them on the narrow side of the spectrum. Most XC/MTB clipless pedals check in at 55mm, with ‘narrow’ options often measuring 51 or 52mm. The LOOK pedals use a Q-factor that is 1mm wider than the Shimano XTR version and 2mm wider than the narrowest configuration of the WTC DEL.
Two Versions, Same Platform
LOOK offers the X-One-G in two versions.
The flagship X-One-G-Ti features a titanium axle, bringing the weight down to just 121 grams per pedal. That puts it firmly in the territory of some of the lightest off-road race pedals available.
For riders who prefer durability over chasing grams, LOOK also offers the X-One-GMAX, which uses a chromoly spindle and weighs 143 grams per pedal. Both share the same machined aluminum body and platform design.
Internally, the pedals rely on a bearing system consisting of two ball bearings and a plain bearing, protected by seals to keep out dust and grit. It’s a proven layout (one that I took across Iceland in the RIFT MTB with my X-Tracks), and that should handle the kind of abuse gravel riding tends to dish out.
X-Venture
The X-One-G doesn’t exist in isolation. While the X-One-G targets race-day performance, the X-Venture pedals lean hard into versatility, built for riders who split their time between gravel roads, singletrack detours, and fully loaded bikepacking routes.
The X-Venture lineup moves away from LOOK’s older “trekking” category and instead embraces the growing adventure and bikepacking segment. Both pedals feature a hybrid design with one clipless SPD-compatible side and one flat platform, giving riders the option to clip in for long gravel miles or flip the pedal over for stability and control when terrain becomes unpredictable.
At the top of the adventure range sits the X-Venture+, which uses an aluminum body and molded pins on the flat side to increase traction when riding unclipped. The platform measures 77mm wide, providing a stable base for technical riding or sections where you need to put a foot down often, while the clipless side maintains the same adjustable retention system seen across LOOK’s off-road lineup.
The pedal weighs roughly 190g per pedal and uses a chromoly axle with a dual-ball-bearing and plain-bearing system for durability in harsh conditions.
The Standard X-Venture
The standard X-Venture takes a slightly more affordable approach with a composite body and a larger 84mm support platform, prioritizing comfort and stability for long-distance riding. At around 200g per pedal, it offers a durable and relatively lightweight option for riders who spend more time exploring than racing. Both pedals feature the same adjustable retention between 5 and 10, a 53mm Q-factor, and compatibility with LOOK’s X-Easy cleat.
Together, the X-Venture pedals round out LOOK’s gravel offering by addressing the other side of the discipline. Not every ride is about race pace. Sometimes it’s about wandering down a trail just to see where it goes, and that’s exactly the kind of riding the X-Venture platform was designed for.
Pricing & Availability
- X-One-G-TI: €299 / £275 / $365 USD
- X-One-G-MAX: €179 / £165 / $225 USD
- X-Venture: €49.90 / £45 / $60 USD
- X-Venture+: €74.90 / £75 / $99 USD
Ride Impressions
Out on the bike, the X-One-G pedals feel familiar—but not identical—to LOOK’s X-Track platform. If you know me, you know I ride the LOOK X-Track pedals for pretty much everything. They are my go-to and have never steered me wrong or caused me a DNF (like some other companies I won’t mention)… but I digress.
The first thing I noticed is that the clips are on one side (duh!), which took some getting used to. I’m very accustomed to getting on my gravel bike and not really thinking about clipping in, sorta like my cyclocross bike. But this is the first time I really had to, and it threw me for a loop during the first couple of remounts.
Fresh out of the box, the pedals don’t really “fall” like a road pedal. They kinda stay where you leave them. The bearings are stiff/fresh, but after a few rides, they broke in and fell into place just like a road pedal does (weighted so that they’re in a natural place for you to clip in). That said, when you do clip in, you use a slightly toe-forward technique (to catch the front) rather than a push-down, though both work. I found the process annoying at first, but it became second nature after a solid week on the pedals.
More Snap
The second thing that caught me off guard was the engagement. It’s sharper and more defined in the X-One-G pedals. There’s a distinct click when clipping in, and the retention spring feels slightly firmer overall. The best way to describe it is somewhere between a road pedal and a mountain bike pedal. You get the positive snap and solid feel of a road system, but with the predictable release you want off-road.
Once clipped in, the platform feels extremely stable. The wider contact area gives the shoe a solid base, especially when pushing hard. Sprinting, climbing out of the saddle, or accelerating out of loose corners all feel very direct. All I could think of is when this platform would be available for the X-Track mountain bike pedals. Because, after riding them both side to side, I find myself preferring the X-One-G. Not only for the platform, but for that extra engagement.
Yes – they are a terrible cyclocross pedal (one-sided pedals are not a ‘cross racer’s friend), but they clear mud just like the X-Tracks, or better. There is no second set of springs and bits for the mud to get stuck in. Plus, the alloy body is robust; it can take a few good hits (my review set did), and it lowers the frequency of pedal strikes in off-road situations.
Only For Gravel?
No, I 100% see the X-One-G pedals as a big hit with the all-road or “no-road-shoes” crowd of riders as well. The weight and the platform of the X-One-G are enough to pique some roadies’ interest. Plus, the ability to actually walk around some of the sights you see in off-road shoes is another.
Final Thoughts
I didn’t expect to like the X-One-G pedal as much as I did. I originally billed it as a grey area pedal, something that few might seek out. But now, I’m feeling like this is an excellent design, and might be on every SPD-style gravel racer’s new kit list.
Performance-wise, the X-One-G delivers the efficiency and stability of a road pedal while keeping the durability and release characteristics of an MTB system. Paired with some of the newest and lightest gravel shoes and kit out there, these will be a slick addition to any gravel rig.
Shortcomings?
Yes, the single-sided entry takes a little getting used to. But once the habit forms, the pedal’s lighter weight, wider platform, and positive engagement make a compelling case. Plus, rarely in gravel racing do you need to jump back on the bike full-on ‘cross style to catch a group. But if you do, just be happy you’re not in road shoes!
These pedals are fairly similar to the new DEL Gravel Race pedal from Wolf Tooth Components. Both offer one-sided, race-focused, SPD-compatible performance. The DEL though, has the edge on the X-One-G if you want an adjustable Q-factor, and an edge in weight with the pair of DEL pedals coming in at a claimed 217g.
The price is a bit heavy, $225 isn’t a bargain pedal price, especially when you compare them to the new OneUp XC Clip pedals. But if you’re looking to be on the cutting edge of all things gravel, the X-One-G is worth a look.
We’ll circle back with a full review after some of the gravel season has done its worst on our review pedals, but as of right now, my X-Track has some stiff competition.
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