How to Choose Rally Footpegs

Ready for one simple and easy bike mod that will make a massive difference in your riding? It’s time to choose rally footpegs: although it sounds like an insignificant detail, good footpegs can completely change the way you ride and the way your bike handles.

“In my experience, you can spend thousands of euros on a fancy titanium exhaust or other bling, but that will never make you a better rider. Footpegs may seem like a simple thing, but that’s the very first mod I do on all my bikes because they make a massive difference in your riding. Rally footpegs are wide enough for better balance and riding long distances, while the grip keeps your feet in the right position without slipping.

I love riding the bike standing on the balls of my feet, because this gives me extra body suspension travel through the ankles. This is why footpegs are very important to me – stock pegs are usually too small for long hours riding standing up, whereas the rally footpegs are much wider and grippier. They don’t stress your feet as much, and they don’t destroy your boots. Another awesome thing is, these footpegs are extremely durable. Normally, sand destroys stock footpegs very quickly, but the rally footpegs are still as good as new despite all the desert racing I’ve done so far.” – this is what Amine Echiguer, winner of the Rallye du Maroc Enduro Cup, had to say.

If the pros prefer rally footpegs, so should you. But how do you choose rally footpegs that will work best?

Rally Footpeg Material

One of the first things you should look at when comparing aftermarket rally footpegs is the material they’re made from. As an example, steel pegs are good, but they tend to be a bit heavier (although it doesn’t matter much at that low point on the bike), and steel will wear quickly. If the footpeg is a one-piece with the studs (which is the case with most OEM footpegs) and the studs are not replaceable, they will give you less and less grip. You can sharpen them, but eventually, they will wear out and you’ll need to buy new pegs.

Titanium footpegs are light and they won’t wear. However, they are typically very expensive, look rugged, and the sharp edges and studs are as dangerous as they look. Titanium footpegs will tear the soles of your boots in no time. Additionally, it’s near impossible to find rally-sized titanium footpegs on the market.

Aluminum footpegs are the best option, but keep in mind that not all aluminum is made equal. There are a lot of aluminum alloys out there: usually, the cheap aluminum footpegs are made from 6061 T6, which is not as strong and durable as 7075 T6 (here at Cross Country ADV, we use 7075 T651). 7075 is more than 1,5 times stronger compared to 6061.

Manufacturing Process

Another factor to consider when choosing rally footpegs is how they were made. Ideally, you want your footpegs CNC-machined from a solid billet rather than assembled from two separate parts (e.g. when the mounting part of the footpeg is fixed to the footrest part with a bolt).

Next, look at the thickness of the material. Cheap aluminum footpegs are thin-walled as manufacturers try to save on material: 100% of the cheap aluminum footpegs (usually made in China, e.g. NiceCNC) are made from 6061 T6 and have half of the material in them compared to Cross Country ADV footpegs. If the material is thinner, the footpegs will be weaker, and if you’re racing or riding somewhere remote, just imagine how much of an issue it’s going to be if you break the footpegs during a crash.

Even if you only ride on tarmac, and even if your bike simply tips over in a parking lot with no speed, those cheap footpegs will break. What s cheap? Anything under 150 EUR/USD, when it comes to rally-sized footpegs, is cheap – and most likely won’t last you very long.

When shopping for rally footpegs, the best combination you should look for is this:

– CNC machined from a solid billet

– made from 7075 T651 aluminum alloy

– thick-walled everywhere, especially at the mounting part

– equipped with replaceable steel studs

And that’s why we designed our footpegs that way: studs in the Cross Country ADV footpegs are natural finished CrMo4 Allen head grub screws (M04*12 DIN 913-45H). This material is durable but won’t tear the soles of your boots, especially because we put them densely on the pegs – 24 screws in 3 rows – and they are easily replaceable (you can find these kinds of screws in any shop).

These are the images of our Alpinestars Tech8 Enduro and Tech 10 Boot soles:

Each pair of boots were seriously used and abused over the course of two years riding enduro, racing rallies, training, motocross, and just about everything in between.

You can see the difference in sole wear:

In addition to solid materials and manufacturing processes, the Cross Country ADV rally footpegs are moved back and lower a little. Usually, if you move the center of gravity of the footpegs backward and lower, it will give you more control on the rear wheel. We also made the footpegs wider and longer which improves control and leaves you more space to correct if you are riding on harder terrain.

You can stabilize the rear of the bike easier, ride comfortably in a standing position for hours, and your feet rest better when you’re sitting as the rally footpegs give your feet more support with a larger surface area.

Need more help to choose rally footpegs for your bike? Shoot us a message and we’ll be happy to help!