Sitting about halfway between the Candy 1 and the Candy 11 is the Candy 7. It’s the Crank Brothers pedal that probably appeals to most people and works best for the most riding.

The Candy 7 shares a shape and body with the top-of-the-line Candy 11. The difference is that the titanium bits are replaced with stainless steel. There’s the SCM 435 chromoly steel spindle, the 17-4PH stainless steel wings. Otherwise, the pedal functions identically. You have the same retention system shapes (they call them “wings”), the same 300 series stainless steel spring, the same 6061-T6 aluminum body, the same customizable traction pads on the sides (these are 1mm and 2mm thick, and can be swapped out, or left off completely).

The pedal body is still 65mm front-to-back. It’s still 16mm top-to-bottom. And the Q-Factor is still 52mm.

Bearings are sealed and well-protected. As with many of their pedals, the inner bearings are Igus LL-glide bearings and the outer a super-durable and smooth Enduro cartridge bearings. Even with all this material, the pedals weigh only 320g per pair.

In terms of setting up the cleats, know that Crank designed theirs to offer two different release points. Array the cleats one way, and you shoe will release at fifteen degrees. Array the other, and it will release at 20 degrees.

The Crank Brothers Candy 7 Pedals are the sweet spot choice for cyclocross, cross-country, epic, enduro, and so on.