Dual-Sided Power Pedals Built for Trails, Dirt, and Precision
If you ride gravel, mountain bike, or cyclocross, you know how harsh the terrain can get. Rocks, mud, dust, water—every pedal stroke is an invitation for dirt to find every crack, and components built for smooth roads often don’t hold up. That’s why when I first clipped into the Favero Assioma PRO MX-2, I felt something different: these pedals aren’t just road meters with a rugged paint job. They’re purpose-built for the off-road grind.
Let’s go deep into what sets these pedals apart, what it means for your riding, and whether they’re worth the investment.
What the Assioma PRO MX-2 Actually Is
At their core, the MX-2 pedals are dual-sided power meters. That means you get power output from both left and right legs independently—no guesswork about imbalance or dominance. But that’s just the baseline.
What elevates them:
Designed for Dirt: Fully sealed stainless steel spindle housing keeps sensors, electronics, and battery safe. The body (pedal shell) is crafted from 6061-T6 aluminum, strong but fairly light. Mud, rocks, even small creek crossings—they laugh it off.
Split Architecture: The electronics are isolated from the body. When stuff gets banged or worn out, you can replace parts of the pedal body without replacing the power sensors or battery—smart for long-term use.
SPD Compatibility: They use Shimano SPD clipless interface, hardened to about 800 HV surface hardness, which makes them durable for muddy off-road use. Heel-toe clipping in messy terrain won’t wear them out fast.
Why Accuracy + Durability Matter
Dual-sided power measurement already gives you actionable data: left vs right, pulling power, imbalances. But if the reading wobbles when you hit rocks, or the pedal bends, 60 watts difference in the reading is useless. That’s why:
- These pedals offer ±1% accuracy, even when using oval chainrings or during sprints. That level is rare outside top-tier road PMs.
- They have IP67 waterproof rating. That means rain, mud, even water splashes won’t kill them (assuming your seals are good). Crucial when you’re riding through wet roots or needing to cross small streams.
- Battery life of around 60 hours per charge is very generous. You don’t want to be swapping batteries every weekend or skipping rides because your meter’s dead.
Real-World Ride Stories: What It’s Like Out There
I’ve used them in a few scenarios now—so here are what the pedals feel like in actual dirt:
Trail rides with drop-offs & roots: These pedals stayed tight and responsive. Despite hitting drops that jar your ankles, the cleats held, and the pedal body didn’t flex noticeably.
After heavy rain: Mud everywhere. When getting home, wiping them down, there was no rust, no water intrusion (sensor still solid, no false readings).
Gravel pace efforts: Big power surges, climbs, sprinting: the readings are consistent. I saw changes in left/right output when the terrain tilted, that helped me correct my pedal stroke mid-ride.
These aren’t just “you’ll have cool power data” pedals; they are “useful feedback on rough, changing terrain” pedals.
Technical Highlights from the Spec Sheet
Here’s a breakdown of what tech you’re getting. If you care about the numbers, these are worth knowing:
| Feature | MX-2 Spec |
|---|---|
| Power Measurement | Dual-sided (both left & right pedals) |
| Accuracy | ±1%, even with oval chainrings / sprints |
| Voltage / Connectivity | Bluetooth & ANT+ support, works with most bike computers & Favero app |
| Pedal Body | 6061-T6 aluminum — rugged & replaceable parts |
| Axle & Spindle | Stainless steel, fully sealed housing |
| Cleat Compatibility | Shimano SPD (SM-SH51/SH56) + Favero’s cleats included |
| Weight | ~194g per pedal (power unit) |
| Stack Height | 11.2 mm (low stack, more efficient shoe-pedal interface) |
| Battery Life | At least 60 hours per charge |
| Protection Rating | IP67 water/dust resistance |
| Warranty & Origin | 2 years, made in Italy |
Who Gets the Most Out of These Pedals?
These are not “beginner or casual weekend ride only” pedals. To unlock their value, you need to ride enough, value data, and be okay investing in gear. But for the right rider, these are excellent. Here’s who benefits most:
Gravel & Cyclocross Riders — You ride in mixed terrain, care about power over inconsistent surfaces. You’ll appreciate the durability and grip of SPD + accurate dual-leg data.
Mountain Bikers — Even if most of your riding is technical, you’ll want power accuracy for climbs, effort control, and knowing what performance trade-offs your setup has.
Multi-Discipline Cyclists — If you switch between road, gravel, CX and want one set of pedals that adapts (since the body is modular), these offer a lot of flexibility.
Coaches / Data-Focused Riders — If you’re looking for L/R balance, Platform Center Offset, etc., these give meaningful feedback that helps adjust technique or gear.
If you ride less than once a week or don’t care about power metrics, you might not fully use everything—they’re premium.
Trade-Offs & What to Consider
No gear is perfect. Here are some considerations:
Price: These pedals are expensive. You're paying for rugged construction + dual-sided measurement + durability + accuracy. Expect them to cost significantly more than single-sided power meters or mid-range pedals without dual sensors.
Weight: They’re heavier than lightweight road pedals. ~194g each is decent, but when you add both, it's extra rotating mass. If you climb steep hills, that adds up.
Maintenance: While split architecture helps, and parts are replaceable, the axle or sealed spindle may need care. Cleaning muck off, avoiding contaminants, keeping cleats well-tended all help.
Battery charging: Magnetic connectors are convenient, but you’ll need to charge regularly if you ride long weekends (though 60h is generous). Don’t forget them or you’ll be without power unexpectedly.
How These Compare to Alternatives
If you’re comparing against other dual-sided power pedals, here’s where the MX-2 shines, and where others might pull ahead:
| Compared To | Where MX-2 Wins | Where Others Might Be Better |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin Rally, PowerTap, etc. | Better trail / off-road durability, often lower price, more modularity. | Some other models may have lighter body (esp. road-only pedals), or more robust software ecosystem in certain platforms. |
| Single-sided meters (e.g., single-leg SPD meters) | You get full leg power, balance data, smoother pedaling analysis, better for serious training. | Single-sided are cheaper, lighter, and enough maybe for less committed riders or budget constraints. |
| Crank-based power meters | No crank-disassembly; pedals are easier to swap between bikes; less drivetrain interference in some setups. | Crank meters can be more protected (less exposed to rocks/mud), sometimes more accurate in certain high-torque scenarios. |
Final Verdict: Are These Worth It?
If I were picking power pedals for trail, gravel, or mixed riding, here’s why I’d buy the Assioma PRO MX-2:
- It gives me rugged, reliable accuracy—I don’t worry about mud, rain, or drops wrecking sensors.
- I value dual-leg measurement. It’s helped me notice imbalance when climbing hills, which I can correct with technique or bike setup tweaks.
- The modular body means I don’t need separate pedal sets for road vs off-road. That flexibility saves money and gear-space.
- The battery life is great. I ride long weekends, and knowing I won’t run out mid-ride brings peace of mind.
If you ride often, care about your training, love data, and want something built to survive real trails—not just smooth roads—the MX-2 is a worthy investment.
If you ride very casually, or want cheapest entry into power meters, you might get enough from single-sided or simpler pedals. But for what it delivers, the PRO MX-2 is a high-end tool that delivers real value.