The perfect mountain bike flat pedals will enable you to really feel assured by offering nice traction, predictable mobility, and a supportive platform to journey on. A poor pedal alternative could cause your ft to slide round, including threat to each journey.
As one of many contact factors between you and your bike, pedals are a seemingly easy however vital part for stability and management. Like your grips or your saddle, pedals play an vital position in how you’re feeling in your bike – your ft might be on the pedals for practically your whole driving time, so it’s key to seek out the best flat pedals that give you the results you want, your sneakers, and your driving fashion. And, as a result of most mid to high-end mountain bikes don’t include pedals, you’ll must discover a pair.
Whereas most pedals share the identical fundamental design, there are various delicate variations that affect the texture. Small adjustments within the dimension, form, and profile of the platform, or the kind of pins and the way they’re patterned, can have giant impacts on how effectively the pedals give you the results you want and the way protected you’re feeling on the bike. Because of the big selection of aesthetics, colours, and platform sorts obtainable, pedals are additionally a comparatively low-cost technique to customise your bike and add some private aptitude.
We spent months testing 13 of the highest pedals obtainable throughout all worth factors and analyzing them primarily based on the platform (dimension, form, pin structure, aesthetics, and end), traction/grip, mobility (repositioning the ft), serviceability, and weight. The appropriate set of pedals for you is dependent upon your foot dimension, the sneakers you journey in, the terrain you journey on, and your driving fashion, however we’ve chosen our favorites general and those who excel in particular methods like traction, mobility, innovation, and worth primarily based on these classes.
Our prime suggestions are listed under, adopted by the perfect of the remainder, that are all nonetheless worthy selections. To match the fashions we examined at a look, take a look at our comparability chart. When you need assistance deciding what to purchase, check out our shopping for recommendation or our FAQ part for solutions to widespread questions.
Editor’s Notice: This Information was up to date on June 26, 2024, with new content material that was initially posted on our sister website, BikeRumor.com.
The Finest Mountain Bike Flat Pedals of 2024
Finest General Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
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Usable platform dimension (L x W, measured)
Small (examined): 105.5 x 97.3mm. Giant: 115 x 105mm. -
Thickness (Min/Max)
12.5/14mm -
Pins per aspect
11 -
Profile
Twin concave -
Measured weight
377 g
-
Twin concave platform + central pins = above common grip and dependable traction -
Uncommon stability of nice mobility and above common grip -
Stunning machining and a focus to element -
Simple service and available substitute components -
Low weight
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Very costly -
Q-factor is on the narrower aspect
Finest Funds Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
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Usable platform dimension (L x W, measured)
112 x 105mm -
Thickness (Min/Max)
13.2/18.6mm -
Pins per aspect
10 -
Profile
Convex -
Measured weight
368 g
-
Nice worth -
Stable mobility and constant grip in most foot positions -
Composite platform hides scarring -
Simple service -
Light-weight
-
Common traction -
No further pins included -
Patrons regret for dearer previous pedal purchases -
On the thicker aspect
Runner-Up Finest Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
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Usable platform dimension (L x W, measured)
111.3 x 106.3mm -
Thickness (Min/Max)
11.8/12.5mm -
Pins per aspect
10 -
Profile
Concave -
Measured weight
381 g
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Nice grip and locked in really feel by means of concave profile and tall pins -
Skinny, gentle, well-designed platform -
Lifetime guarantee, crashes included -
Simple, gentle service (clear and regrease) course of
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Common foot mobility; the Atlas is for riders who prioritize traction -
Comparatively excessive worth level
Finest Convex Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
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Usable platform dimension (L x W, measured)
114.6 x 102.3mm -
Thickness (Min/Max)
8.3/12mm -
Pins per aspect
10 -
Profile
Convex -
Measured weight
389 g
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Stable, reliable grip -
Forgiving to foot positioning -
Skinny, beveled platform with common dimension footprint -
Versatile convex platform -
Constant efficiency throughout all classes at a average worth level
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Concave pedal fanatics could balk on the convex profile, however it’s comparably grippy and price a strive.
Finest Mountain Bike Flat Pedals for Traction
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Usable platform dimension (L x W, measured)
115.4 x 109.7mm (roughly, factoring out extension to axle as nonusable width) -
Thickness (Min/Max)
14.2/16mm -
Pins per aspect
12 -
Profile
Concave -
Measured weight
496 g
-
Unimaginable, finest in school grip -
Sensible pin placement -
Giant platform with dependable grip in all positions -
Simple Companies
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On the heavier aspect -
Comparatively costly -
Low mobility for foot repositioning
Runner-Up Finest Mountain Bike Flat Pedals for Traction
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Usable platform dimension (L x W, measured)
100.5 x 99.3mm -
Thickness (Min/Max)
16/17.4mm -
Pins per aspect
10 -
Profile
Concave -
Measured weight
424 g
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Excessive quantity of traction and exact really feel -
Clear design — they appear nice -
Normal pins that you’ll find at a ironmongery shop -
Simple Service -
Average worth level
-
Smaller platform dimension is not going to be for everybody
Most Progressive Flat Pedal Design
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Usable platform dimension (L x W, measured)
128.2 x 95.2mm -
Thickness (Min/Max)
16mm -
Pins per aspect
18 -
Profile
Flat -
Measured weight
524 g
-
Steady, supportive, and comfy, as marketed -
Elevated confidence at velocity and environment friendly weight switch when cornering -
Progressive and distinctive method in a comparatively stagnant house -
Most suitable option in case you have large ft or expertise foot ache after driving.
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Adjustment interval required -
“Clumsy” really feel in very energetic, slower velocity technical terrain
Better of the Relaxation
Environmentally-Pleasant Manufacturing
-
Usable platform dimension (L x W, measured)
103.9 x 104.5mm -
Thickness (Min/Max)
15.7/17.8mm -
Pins per aspect
11 -
Profile
Twin concave -
Measured weight
385 g
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Forgiving to foot positioning and simple mobility -
Twin concave platform offers an distinctive really feel underfoot with dependable traction -
Comparatively light-weight -
Extra environmentally pleasant manufacturing course of (much less waste) with magnesium than with aluminum our bodies
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Not a standout by way of outright grip; not a “sticky” really feel -
High loading pins
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Usable platform dimension (L x W, measured)
100.5 x 101mm -
Thickness (Min/Max)
14.5/17.2mm -
Pins per aspect
10 -
Profile
Concave -
Measured weight
375 g
-
Nice, finest in school traction — when you find yourself in the best place -
Comparatively affordable $120 price ticket
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Inconsistent grip relying on foot place and problem discovering the candy spot -
Not for riders in search of rotational float and simple repositioning -
Not the simplest to service
-
Usable platform dimension (L x W, measured)
110.2 x 105.2mm -
Thickness (Min/Max)
14.5/18.8mm -
Pins per aspect
14 -
Profile
Concave -
Measured weight
448 g
-
Common sized platform -
Above common grip -
Excessive concavity -
Flawless high-polish end
-
Delicate to foot place -
Low mobility — simple to get “caught” on -
High loading pins
-
Usable platform dimension (L x W, measured)
Small (examined): 95.3 x 101.8mm, Giant: 114 x 11mm -
Thickness (Min/Max)
11.0/13.4mm -
Pins per aspect
10 -
Profile
Concave -
Measured weight
353 g
-
Lightest pedal in our take a look at -
2 sizes of platform obtainable -
Common efficiency throughout platform and on path classes
-
Distinctive service course of; you’ll adore it or hate it -
Common on path efficiency (traction and mobility) at a excessive worth level
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Usable platform dimension (L x W, measured)
112.7 x 103.3mm -
Thickness (Min/Max)
18/20.4mm -
Pins per aspect
10 (8 metallic, 2 mounted composite studs) -
Profile
Concave -
Measured weight
400 g
-
Bigger platform -
Common efficiency throughout all classes -
Very inexpensive
-
Very fundamental design and aesthetics -
No excellent options or efficiency differentiators -
Some composite pins that can not be changed
Comparability Chart
How We Examined the Finest Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
Our biking editors have been reporting on the newest biking information, know-how, and merchandise for over a decade. Our staff is made up of passionate riders who span all disciplines of biking and have their fingers on the heartbeat of the trade. For our purchaser’s guides, we’ve sought out certified people to check and evaluation merchandise aspect by aspect to type the premise for our comparisons and proposals.
Our mountain bike flat pedal evaluation creator, Paul Clauss, is a gifted mountain biker who has been driving nearly his whole life. Hailing from northern Vermont, Paul has nice entry to high quality, technical path driving with ample roots and rocks that make for excellent flat pedal testing circumstances. He’s a mechanical engineer with expertise working with 3D printing and CNC manufacturing processes on quite a lot of merchandise, together with bike frames and parts. This background offers him distinctive perception into bike parts and applied sciences and a very good potential to tease out the delicate efficiency variations between the merchandise he checks. On this position, Paul will get to mix his discerning tastes and love for writing into detailed evaluations that can hopefully enable you to discover the perfect merchandise on your wants. Along with pedals, Paul has additionally just lately examined the finest flat pedal sneakers and dropper seatposts, together with various different product classes.
After scouring the marketplace for the perfect mountain bike flat pedals obtainable in 2024, we rounded up a various collection of 13 fashions for side-by-side testing and comparability. Every mannequin was examined in circumstances starting from moist to dry with equal components climbing and descending. Usually, fashions had been swapped out mid-ride for back-to-back comparability. A pair of well-broken-in 5 Ten Freerider Professional sneakers was used with the entire pedals examined for consistency on Paul’s Santa Cruz Bronson and Chromag Wideangle hardtail mountain bikes. Every mannequin was judged on various efficiency traits, together with platform, traction/grip, foot mobility, serviceability, and weight to find out our favorites.
Shopping for Recommendation: How one can Select the Finest Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
Relating to selecting a pair of mountain bike flat pedals, there are quite a lot of choices. Particular person preferences and desires differ, after all, however fortunately so do the pedals we examined. As certainly one of your key contact factors on the bike, there are just a few variables to think about to assist choose the perfect flat pedals for you.
Platform Measurement
Your shoe dimension and pure tendency in the direction of in/out-toeing will contact numerous configurations and dimensions of platforms otherwise. When you’ve got very giant ft, you’ll probably profit from the help offered by a bigger platform, whereas a smaller platform may fit higher for smaller-footed of us. When you like to hold your ft off the surface of the platform, pentagonal or rectangular shapes could give higher help for the surface of your foot than a hexagonal form. In case your ft are sore after driving, take into account how your foot engages the pedal when you find yourself in your pedaling place on the bike and search for a dimension and form that optimizes help all through your foot.
Pedal Sizes
It stands to motive that folks with smaller ft could not want the identical dimension platform as these with bigger ft, so some flat pedals are supplied in several sizes with the purpose of offering choices for various foot sizes. A number of manufacturers, like Crankbrothers and Wolf Tooth, provide their pedals in each small and huge sizes. For instance, Crankbrothers recommends the small model of their Stamp 7 pedal for riders with shoe sizes between 5 and 10 US, and the big model for riders with sneakers between 10 and 15 US. Wolf Tooth has a to-scale printable dimension comparability on their web site, which riders can use to find out the perfect match of the WaveForm pedals for his or her shoe’s soles. Different manufacturers make quite a few fashions that always have different-sized platforms for a similar motive. Like anything, it comes down to private desire.
Q-factor
You might also need to take into account the Q-factor. Q-factor refers back to the width of your stance on the bike – technically it’s the distance between the pedals on the exterior of the cranks. Relying on how shut the inside fringe of the pedal platform sits in relation to the surface of the crankarm can change the efficient q-factor in your regular driving place. When you’ve got large hips or are inclined to take a really large stance, a wider q-factor could also be extra snug. When you journey cumbersome sneakers or a body with giant chain stays or seat stays, a wider q-factor might help you cut back rubbing your foot on the cranks and body.
Profile: Concave vs Convex
You’ll additionally need to take into account the platform profile – flat pedals could also be concave, convex, or flat. Like anything, preferences differ, however most riders want one or the opposite. Concave pedals are thicker on the main and trailing edges and thinner alongside the axle. This creates a melancholy in the course of the pedal for the only of the shoe to sink into. Examples of concave pedals embody the Deity TMAC, Chromag Dagga, Race Face Atlas, and Nukeproof Horizon Professional Enduro, which additionally occur to be among the grippiest fashions we examined.
Convex pedals are barely thicker on the axle and thinner on the main and trailing edges. This has the alternative impact of concavity, because it promotes the shoe’s sole flexing barely over the pedal to realize most grip. Normally, we’ve discovered that the convex design permits for considerably simpler foot mobility, because the pins are simpler to launch from the only of the shoe when repositioning. Each the OneUp Parts Aluminum and the PNW Loam Alloy have convex profiles.
Completely flat profiles are considerably uncommon, however the distinctive Pedaling Improvements Catalyst is an instance.
Traction and Grip
The traction offered by a pedal is dependent upon the platform dimension/form/profile, the pin structure, and the kind of pins. Pin top and placement differ throughout pedals – some depend on pins positioned across the perimeter, and a few embody central pins. Some pedals assist you to alter the pin top by including or eradicating washers, whereas others don’t. The mixture of those totally different platforms and layouts adjustments how a lot effort it’s essential spend retaining your ft on the pedals whereas driving tough terrain. The rubber compound and tread design of the soles of your mountain bike sneakers are additionally an element relating to grip.
The quantity of traction you need from a pedal is dependent upon your driving fashion and preferences. Whereas an excellent grippy pedal is likely to be nice for driving quick downhill trails, it is likely to be very delicate to foot place and grip so effectively that it’s tough to reposition your foot – there are pedals that present an excessive amount of grip. The correct quantity of grip is particular person to the terrain you journey and your driving fashion – if you end up struggling to reposition or rotate your ft repeatedly to really feel like you might be in the best spot on the pedals, you may need to strive a pedal with a bit much less general grip however with a pin sample, profile, and form that enables for higher mobility and is much less delicate to foot place. Riders coming from clipless pedals will need to pay particular consideration to rotational float if they’re desirous about a flat pedal that feels just like clipping in.
Serviceability
Any time you journey your bike, your pedals put in some critical work. Not solely do they help a lot of your weight at just about all instances, however any time they’re spinning, the interior parts like bearings and bushings are doing their job. Given their location on the finish of the crank arms, beneath your ft, and near the bottom, they might even be subjected to impacts with trailside obstacles. Arduous impacts can harm pedal pins, scratch the pedal physique, and even bend the spindles. Regardless of being a sealed system, water and dirt from the path could make their manner into the internals. After all, how typically you journey, the way you journey, the terrain the place you journey, and the climate circumstances wherein you journey will play a job in how rapidly put on and tear happens in your pedals.
Luckily, most high quality flat pedals are designed to be serviced pretty simply to maintain them working easily. Fundamental service procedures usually solely contain just a few easy instruments to tug the spindle from the pedal physique for easy cleansing and regreasing. Most manufacturers promote bearing and bushing substitute kits and spindles so you’ll be able to rebuild your pedals ought to one thing bend or put on out. Spare pins are sometimes, however not all the time, included with new pedals so you’ll be able to change broken ones or those who have fallen out, and substitute pin kits are cheap and sometimes simple to seek out. Usually, you’ll find an tutorial video to information you thru the method. That mentioned, if you’re not sure of your mechanic expertise or don’t have the instruments to do it your self, most good bike retailers can service your pedals for you.
Worth
In comparison with many different issues in mountain biking, pedals are a comparatively cheap part. And that’s a very good factor since you’ll be able to’t journey a motorcycle with out them. Nonetheless, the fashions we examined differ in worth fairly dramatically from $55 as much as $200. It is going to rely on how a lot you journey and the way a lot abuse you place them by means of, however it’s truthful to anticipate {that a} pair of pedals ought to final a few seasons or longer if taken care of correctly. Not surprisingly, the dearer fashions are sometimes comprised of higher-quality supplies, and so they usually provide greater general efficiency than the least costly choices. When you journey each day and have particular efficiency expectations of your pedals, then it’s in all probability finest to spring for a dearer pair to fulfill your wants. When you journey much less continuously, much less aggressively, or just can’t justify shelling out the massive bucks for the high-end fashions, the cheaper composite choices nonetheless carry out admirably at a fraction of the worth.
Regularly Requested Questions on Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
The flat vs. clipless debate is among the largest within the sport of mountain biking with most riders leaning strongly somehow and a few individuals switching between kinds relying on the kind of driving they’re doing. It actually comes down to private desire, and there are execs and cons to every fashion.
Flat pedals are sometimes the primary kind of pedal that folks journey after they begin out mountain biking, and plenty of riders select to proceed driving them as their expertise progress for numerous causes. Because the connection to the pedal is a results of the interface between the pedal platform, pins, and the only of your sneakers, it’s a lot simpler to take away/change your foot on the pedal when wanted. Trendy pedal designs have giant platforms that present wonderful stability and management, and plenty of shoe/pedal combos present an almost locked-in really feel over tough terrain. Flat pedals additionally assist riders construct robust approach for bike dealing with, notably with rear wheel lifts or bunny hops. The right approach for these strikes will not be counting on utilizing your ft to raise the pedals however utilizing your whole physique to maneuver the bike. You’ll discover that almost all trials riders, free-riders, and dust jumpers use flat pedals. That is partly as a consequence of approach, partly to allow them to alter their foot place on the fly, and partly to mitigate threat.
Clipless pedals, alternatively, depend on a mechanical connection between the only of your shoe and the pedal. This connection retains your ft positioned optimally for pedaling and prevents your ft from getting bounced off the pedals in tough terrain. Additionally it is claimed to be extra environment friendly when pedaling, though some individuals will debate this as a result of the pedal connection signifies that you should utilize your leg energy all through your complete pedal stroke, each pushing down and pulling up. For that reason, you’ll discover that ALL street racers, and MOST mountain bike racers, use clipless pedals, notably XC racers. For downhill or enduro racing, the argument in the direction of clipless is probably going much less about pedaling effectivity and extra about being locked into the bike on tough terrain – whether or not you might be pedaling by means of it or not. There’s a studying curve, nonetheless, as clipping out of clipless pedals requires a deliberate twisting of the foot. Usually, whereas studying to make use of them, awkward crashes and tip-overs are fairly widespread.
That is a person desire and is dependent upon your driving fashion. The extent of grip you’re feeling when driving flat pedals is impacted by the form, dimension, stiffness, and rubber compound on the only of your driving sneakers. The profile, dimension, and pin structure of the pedals – how does your shoe interact with the pedal platform? The peak and diameter of the pins. Normally, taller and narrower/sharper pins will give a extra “locked in” feeling, notably with extra spacing between the pins – however this enhance in stress on particular person pins could make repositioning your foot tough.
If potential, strive quite a lot of shapes, profiles, and pin layouts together with your favourite driving sneakers to seek out what works finest for you. Hop in your mates’ bikes and attempt to dash over tough sections to check pedal grip together with your sneakers and foot positioning all through your pedal stroke beneath excessive stress – it will guarantee you might be testing the vertical and lateral grip of your sneakers on the pedals.
Normally, the grippiest pedals are these designed purely for gravity driving, such because the Deity TMAC, Chromag Dagga, and Nukeprood Horizon Professional. These pedals sometimes have lengthy, sharp pins, concave profiles, and huge platforms to optimize the connection to the only of the shoe.
All of the pedals on this take a look at use both 6 or 8-mm Allen (Hex) keys or a 15-mm Spanner/Pedal Wrench. You’ll need the suitable software on your pedals and a small quantity of normal bicycle meeting grease.
When putting in pedals, do not forget that the left pedal is reverse threaded – flip counterclockwise into the crank arm to put in. All of the pedals on this take a look at have clear markings to point their aspect. A simple technique to bear in mind that is that you simply all the time rotate pedals ahead (in the direction of the entrance of the bike when the bike is standing) to put in. Most pedals mark proper and left pedals to assist keep away from putting in them on the unsuitable aspect. If you’re struggling to get the threads to catch, don’t pressure it, or you’ll be able to threat damaging the threads in your crank’s arms.
Flat pedals are a easy half however do require easy, rare upkeep. Using flat pedals, you’ll be able to usually anticipate to exchange pins to keep up traction and repair bearings/axles to maintain them spinning easily.
Some pedals use customary grub screws for pins that you’ll find at your native ironmongery shop. Others use custom-made pins that you’ll want to order from the pedal producer. If you end up smacking roots and rocks typically, you could need to take into account the convenience of changing pins when choosing pedals.
Putting in pins is simple – unscrew the outdated ones and screw within the new ones. Recessed or sunken pin heads might help you keep away from needing to take away bent or broken pins with vise grips, and a very good brush will enable you to take away dust packed into pins. Some pedals include substitute pins, whereas others don’t. Most pins use a small hex key (1 to 3mm) or a Torx head (T10 or T15) for elimination/set up. We advocate utilizing a small quantity of thread locker when putting in pins to make sure they don’t fall out, like Blue Loctite.
When your pedals will not be rotating easily, it’s time to service/change the bearings/bushings and axle. For many pedals on this take a look at, rebuild kits are offered by the producers, and directions are sometimes very simple to seek out on-line. It is a comparatively simple strategy of eradicating the pin, checking bearings/bushings, and cleansing/regreasing/repacking or changing as essential.
Any fashionable mountain bike flat pedal shoe will work effectively with these pedals. Flat pedal sneakers are constructed with flat soles, grippy rubber, and tread patterns to optimize the grip offered by widespread pin patterns and pedal designs. When buying flat pedal sneakers, take into account regular sneaker match and your desire for a stiff or mushy sole. A stiffer sole is likely to be extra supportive and cut back foot ache on longer rides whereas a softer sole could give a greater general grip, notably when on the lookout for excessive management at slower speeds. Keep in mind that not all flat pedal sneakers are created equal by way of the grip that their rubber compound or tread sample supplies, and which will additionally have an effect on your connection to the pedals.
Your ft function an vital contact level in your mountain bike, and a very good pair of flat pedal mountain bike sneakers present grip, stability,…
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