The pedal bodies use aluminum construction with steel engagement mechanisms rated for impact resistance beyond what road platforms need to handle. At 222 grams per pedal, they're roughly 50 grams heavier than high-end SPD pedals without power measurement, a trade Garmin made prioritizing durability over weight for riders hitting technical singletrack. The system carries a 105-kilogram rider weight limit and IPX7 water resistance, which means submersion to one meter for 30 minutes—more than enough margin for stream crossings and wet trail conditions.

The Rally 100 series doesn't trigger Garmin's Cycling Dynamics metrics, which require dual-sided measurement to track where force applies through the pedal stroke and how left-right balance shifts. If you decide those metrics matter after running the XC100, the upgrade pedal adds a power sensor to the right side without replacing the left. The right pedal communicates with the left, the left talks to your head unit, and you get independent leg power plus the full dynamics suite. That upgrade path keeps the initial investment lower if you're testing whether power-based training works for your riding.

The pedals ship with Garmin cleats equivalent to Shimano's SH51 multi-release design, and they're compatible with both SH51 and SH55 cleats if you're already running SPD shoes. Release tension adjusts via the standard screw mechanism, though some riders find the vertical release lighter than Shimano's XT or XTR pedals even when tightened fully. The platform itself handles engagement cleanly with the positive click you'd expect from quality SPD hardware.

One consideration for gravity-focused riding: the power meter shuts off after four minutes without pedal rotation. On long descents where you're coasting or not pedaling, the system goes to sleep and needs a backpedal or half-stroke to wake up. Field calibration through your head unit takes a few seconds, but it's an extra step after descents that run longer than four minutes without touching the pedals. For cross-country, gravel, and trail riding where you're pedaling more consistently, it's not an issue.

Installation follows standard pedal procedures with 34-newton-meter torque spec on both sides. The left spindle uses reverse threading like any pedal, wrench flats accommodate a standard pedal wrench, and the process takes the same amount of time as swapping regular pedals. If your bike's chainring sits close to the crank arm, washers are included to adjust Q-factor from 53mm to 55mm, maintaining clearance without impacting power measurement. Pairing with Garmin Edge computers happens through ANT+, though Bluetooth works with third-party head units and training apps including Zwift, TrainingPeaks, and TrainerRoad.