As one of many contact factors between you and your bike, pedals are a seemingly easy however essential element for stability and management. Like your grips or your saddle, pedals play an vital position in how you are feeling in your bike – your toes will probably be on the pedals for practically your entire driving time, so it’s key to search out the correct flat pedals that give you the results you want, your footwear, 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.
A very good mountain bike flat pedal will aid you really feel assured by offering nice traction, predictable mobility, and a supportive platform to experience on. A poor pedal selection may cause your toes to slide round, including danger to each experience. Whereas most pedals share the identical primary design, there are a lot of refined variations that impression the texture. Small adjustments within the measurement, form, and profile of the platform, or the kind of pins and the way they’re patterned, can have giant impacts on how nicely the pedals give you the results you want and the way protected you are feeling on the bike. Because of the wide selection of aesthetics, colours, and platform sorts obtainable, pedals are additionally a comparatively low-cost approach to customise your bike and add some private aptitude.
We spent months testing all kinds of the highest pedals obtainable throughout all value factors and analyzing them primarily based on the platform (measurement, form, pin format, aesthetics, and end), traction/grip, mobility (repositioning the toes), serviceability, and weight. The correct set of pedals for you is determined by your foot measurement, the footwear you experience in, the terrain you experience on, and your driving fashion, however we’ve chosen our favorites total 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 most effective of the remaining that are all nonetheless worthy selections. To match the fashions we examined at a look, try our comparability chart. In the event you need assistance deciding what to purchase, check out our shopping for recommendation or our FAQ part for solutions to widespread questions.
The Greatest Mountain Bike Flat Pedals of 2023
The Greatest Mountain Bike Flat Pedals of 2023
Greatest Total Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
- MSRP
$200 - Usable Platform Measurement (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 grams
-
Twin concave platform + central pins = above common grip and dependable traction -
Uncommon steadiness of nice mobility and above common grip -
Stunning machining and a focus to element -
Straightforward service and available substitute components -
Low weight
-
Very costly -
Q-factor is on the narrower facet
Greatest Funds Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
- MSRP
$60 - Usable Platform Measurement (L x W, measured)
112 x 105mm - Thickness (Min/Max)
13.2/18.6mm - Pins Per Aspect
10 - Profile
Convex - Measured Weight
368 grams
-
Nice worth -
Strong mobility and constant grip in most foot positions -
Composite platform hides scarring -
Straightforward service -
Light-weight
-
Common Traction -
No additional pins included -
Patrons regret for dearer previous pedal purchases -
On the thicker facet
Runner-Up Greatest Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
- MSRP
$180 - Usable Platform Measurement (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 grams
-
Nice grip and locked in really feel via concave profile and tall pins -
Skinny, mild, nicely designed platform -
Lifetime guarantee, crashes included -
Straightforward mild service (clear and regrease) course of
-
Common foot mobility – the Atlas is for riders who prioritize traction -
Comparatively excessive value level
Greatest Convex Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
- MSRP
$145 - Usable Platform Measurement (L x W, measured)
114.6 x 102.3mm - Thickness (Min/Max)
8.3/12mm - Pins Per Aspect
10 - Profile
Convex - Measured Weight
389 grams
-
Strong, reliable grip -
Forgiving to foot positioning -
Skinny, beveled platform with common measurement footprint -
Versatile convex platform -
Constant efficiency throughout all classes at a reasonable value level
-
Concave pedal fanatics could balk on the convex profile, but it surely’s comparably grippy and price a attempt.
Greatest Mountain Bike Flat Pedals for Traction
- MSRP
$172 - Usable Platform Measurement (L x W, measured)
115.4 x 109.7mm (roughly, factoring out extension to axle as non-usable width) - Thickness (Min/Max)
14.2/16mm - Pins Per Aspect
12 - Profile
Concave - Measured Weight
496 grams
-
Unbelievable, greatest at school grip -
Sensible pin placement -
Giant platform with dependable grip in all positions -
Straightforward Service.
-
On the heavier facet -
Comparatively costly -
Low mobility for foot repositioning
Runner-Up Greatest Mountain Bike Flat Pedals for Traction
- MSRP
$136 - Usable Platform Measurement (L x W, measured)
100.5 x 99.3mm - Thickness (Min/Max)
16/17.4mm - Pins Per Aspect
10 - Profile
Concave - Measured Weight
424 grams
-
Excessive quantity of traction and exact really feel -
Clear design – they give the impression of being nice -
Commonplace pins that you’ll find at a ironmongery shop -
Straightforward Service -
Average value level
-
Smaller platform measurement is not going to be for everybody
Most Revolutionary Design
- MSRP
$150 - Usable Platform Measurement (L x W, measured)
128.2 x 95.2mm - Thickness (Min/Max)
16mm - Pins Per Aspect
18 - Profile
Flat - Measured Weight
524 grams
-
Secure, supportive, and cozy, as marketed -
Elevated confidence at velocity and environment friendly weight switch when cornering -
Revolutionary and distinctive method in a comparatively stagnant area -
Best option you probably have huge toes or expertise foot ache after driving.
-
Adjustment interval required -
“Clumsy” really feel in very lively, slower velocity technical terrain
Better of the Relaxation
- MSRP
$120 - Usable Platform Measurement (L x W, measured)
100.5 x 101mm - Thickness (Min/Max)
14.5/17.2mm - Pins Per Aspect
10 - Profile
Concave - Measured Weight
375 grams
-
Nice, greatest at school traction – if you end up in the correct place -
Comparatively affordable $120 price ticket
-
Inconsistent grip relying on foot place and issue discovering the candy spot -
Not for riders searching for rotational float and simple repositioning -
Not the best to service
- MSRP
$180 - Usable Platform Measurement (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 grams
-
Common sized platform -
Above common grip -
Excessive concavity -
Flawless excessive polish end
-
Delicate to foot place -
Low mobility – simple to get “caught” on -
High Loading Pins
- MSRP
$180 (silver version we examined: $190) - Usable Platform Measurement (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 grams
-
Lightest pedal in our check -
2 sizes of platform obtainable -
Common efficiency throughout platform and on path classes
-
Distinctive Service Course of – you’ll like it or hate it -
Common on path efficiency (traction and mobility) at a excessive value level
- MSRP
$55 - Usable Platform Measurement (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 grams
-
Bigger platform -
Common efficiency throughout all classes -
Very reasonably priced
-
Very primary design and aesthetics -
No excellent options or efficiency differentiators -
Some composite pins that can not be changed
- MSRP
$130 - Usable Platform Measurement (L x W, measured)
94.6 x 104mm - Thickness (Min/Max)
14.4/17mm - Pins Per Aspect
11 - Profile
Twin Concave - Measured Weight
425 grams
-
Straightforward to reposition toes -
Clean, managed rotation across the axle -
Sized down, twin concave platform for smaller toes
-
Decrease grip -
Common total efficiency
Comparability Chart
Why Ought to You Belief Bikerumor?
At Bikerumor, we’ve been reporting on the newest biking information, expertise, and merchandise for over a decade. Our staff is made up of passionate riders that span all disciplines of biking and have their fingers on the heart beat of the trade. For our purchaser’s guides, we’ve sought out certified people to check and overview merchandise facet by facet to type the idea for our comparisons and proposals.
Our mountain bike flat pedal overview writer, Paul Clauss, is a gifted mountain biker who has been driving virtually his complete life. Hailing from Essex Junction, VT, 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 a wide range of merchandise together with bike frames and parts. This background provides him distinctive perception into bike parts and applied sciences and a very good means to tease out the refined efficiency variations between the merchandise he assessments. On this position, Paul will get to mix his discerning tastes and love for writing into detailed critiques that may hopefully aid you discover the most effective merchandise to your wants.
After scouring the marketplace for the most effective mountain bike flat pedals obtainable in 2023, we rounded up a various number 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 have been swapped out mid-ride for back-to-back comparability. A pair of well-broken-in 5 Ten Freerider Professional footwear was used with all the pedals examined for consistency on Paul’s Santa Cruz Bronson and Chromag Wideangle hardtail mountain bikes. Every mannequin was judged on numerous efficiency traits together with platform, traction/grip, foot mobility, serviceability, and weight to find out our favorites.
Shopping for Recommendation: Easy methods to Select Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
In terms of selecting a pair of mountain bike flat pedals, there are plenty of choices. Particular person preferences and desires range, after all, however fortunately so do the pedals we examined. As one in all your key contact factors on the bike, there are a couple of variables to contemplate to assist choose the most effective flat pedals for you.
Platform Measurement
Your shoe measurement and pure tendency in the direction of in/out-toeing will contact varied configurations and dimensions of platforms in a different way. If in case you have very giant toes, you’ll possible profit from the help offered by a bigger platform, whereas a smaller platform may match higher for smaller-footed people. In the event you like to hold your toes off the skin of the platform, pentagonal or rectangular shapes could give higher help for the skin of your foot than a hexagonal form. In case your toes are sore after driving, think about how your foot engages the pedal if you end up in your pedaling place on the bike and search for a measurement and form that optimizes help all through your foot.
Pedal Sizes
It stands to purpose that individuals with smaller toes could not want the identical measurement platform as these with bigger toes, 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, supply their pedals in each small and enormous 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 massive model for riders with footwear between 10 and 15 US. Wolf Tooth has a to-scale printable measurement comparability on their web site, which riders can use to find out the most effective match of the WaveForm pedals for his or her shoe’s soles. Different manufacturers make quite a few fashions that always have totally different measurement platforms for a similar purpose. Like anything, it comes down to private choice.
Q-factor
You may additionally need to think about 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 outdoors of the cranks. Relying on how shut the interior fringe of the pedal platform sits in relation to the skin of the crankarm can change the efficient q-factor in your regular driving place. If in case you have large hips or are likely to take a really large stance, a wider q-factor could also be extra comfy. In the event you experience cumbersome footwear or a body with giant chain stays or seat stays, a wider q-factor may help you scale back rubbing your foot on the cranks and body.
Profile: Concave vs Convex
You’ll additionally need to think about the platform profile – flat pedals could also be concave, convex, or flat. Like anything, preferences range, 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 midst of the pedal for the only real of the shoe to sink into. Examples of concave pedals embrace the Deity TMAC, Chromag Dagga, Race Face Atlas, and Nukeproof Horizon Professional Enduro, which additionally occur to be a few of 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. Typically, we’ve discovered that the convex design permits for considerably simpler foot mobility, because the pins are simpler to launch from the only real of the shoe when repositioning.
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 determined by the platform measurement/form/profile, the pin format, and the kind of pins. Pin top and placement range throughout pedals – some depend on pins positioned across the perimeter, some embrace central pins. Some pedals will let you alter the pin top by including or eradicating washers whereas others don’t. The mix of those totally different platforms and layouts adjustments how a lot effort that you must spend conserving your toes on the pedals whereas driving tough terrain. The rubber compound and tread design of the soles of your footwear can be an element with regards to grip.
The quantity of traction you need from a pedal is determined by your driving fashion and preferences. Whereas a brilliant grippy pedal is perhaps nice for driving quick downhill trails, it is perhaps very delicate to foot place and grip so nicely 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 experience and your driving fashion – if you end up struggling to reposition or rotate your toes commonly to really feel like you’re in the correct spot on the pedals, you may need to attempt a pedal with a bit much less total grip however with a pin sample, profile, and form that permits 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 occupied with a flat pedal that feels just like clipping in.
Serviceability
Any time you experience your bike, your pedals put in some critical work. Not solely do they help a lot of your weight at nearly all instances, however any time they’re spinning, the inner parts like bearings and bushings are doing their job. Given their location on the finish of the crank arms, beneath your toes, and near the bottom, they could even be subjected to impacts with trailside obstacles. Laborious impacts can injury 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 experience, the way you experience, the terrain the place you experience, and the climate circumstances during which you experience will play a task in how shortly put on and tear happens in your pedals.
Fortuitously, most high quality flat pedals are designed to be serviced pretty simply to maintain them operating easily. Fundamental service procedures typically solely contain a couple of 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 possibly can rebuild your pedals ought to one thing bend or put on out. Spare pins are sometimes, however not at all times, included with new pedals so you possibly can change broken ones or those who have fallen out, and substitute pin kits are cheap and usually simple to search out. Usually, you’ll find an tutorial video to information you thru the method. That stated, in case you are uncertain 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 element. And that’s a very good factor since you possibly can’t experience a motorcycle with out them. Nonetheless, the fashions we examined range in value fairly dramatically from $55 as much as $200. It would rely upon how a lot you experience and the way a lot abuse you place them via, but it surely’s truthful to anticipate {that a} pair of pedals ought to final a pair seasons or longer if taken care of correctly. Not surprisingly, the dearer fashions are usually comprised of higher-quality supplies they usually typically supply greater total efficiency than the least costly choices. In the event you experience day-after-day and have particular efficiency expectations of your pedals, then it’s in all probability greatest to spring for a dearer pair to satisfy your wants. In the event you experience much less incessantly, much less aggressively, or just can’t justify shelling out the large bucks for the high-end fashions, the cheaper composite choices nonetheless carry out admirably at a fraction of the worth.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
The flat vs. clipless debate is likely one of the largest within the sport of mountain biking with most riders leaning strongly by some means and a few individuals switching between types relying on the kind of driving they’re doing. It actually comes down to private choice, and there are professionals and cons to every fashion.
Flat pedals are sometimes the primary kind of pedal that individuals experience once they begin out mountain biking, and lots of riders select to proceed driving them as their expertise progress for varied causes. For the reason that connection to the pedal is a results of the interface between the pedal platform, pins, and the only real of your footwear, it’s a lot simpler to take away/change your foot on the pedal when wanted. Trendy pedal designs have giant platforms that present glorious stability and management and lots of shoe/pedal combos present an almost locked-in really feel over tough terrain. Flat pedals additionally assist riders construct robust method for bike dealing with, significantly with rear wheel lifts or bunny hops. The proper method for these strikes just isn’t counting on utilizing your toes to raise the pedals however utilizing your complete physique to maneuver the bike. You’ll discover that the majority trials riders, freeriders, and grime jumpers use flat pedals. That is partly as a result of method, partly to allow them to alter their foot place on the fly, and partly to mitigate danger.
Clipless pedals, however, depend on a mechanical connection between the only real of your shoe and the pedal. This connection retains your toes positioned optimally for pedaling and prevents your toes from getting bounced off the pedals in tough terrain. It is usually 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 all the 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, significantly 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’re pedaling via 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 choice and is determined by your driving fashion. The extent of grip you are feeling when driving flat pedals is impacted by: The form, measurement, stiffness, and rubber compound on the only real of your driving footwear. The profile, measurement, and pin format of the pedals – how does your shoe interact with the pedal platform? The peak and diameter of the pins. Typically, taller and narrower/sharper pins will give a extra “locked in” feeling, significantly with extra spacing between the pins – however this improve in stress on particular person pins could make repositioning your foot tough.
If attainable, attempt a wide range of shapes, profiles, and pin layouts along with your favourite driving footwear to search out what works greatest for you. Hop in your pals’ bikes and attempt to dash over tough sections to check pedal grip along with your footwear and foot positioning all through your pedal stroke beneath excessive stress – this may guarantee you’re testing the vertical and lateral grip of your footwear on the pedals.
Typically, the grippiest pedals are these designed purely for gravity driving just like the Deity TMAC, Chromag Dagga, and Nukeprood Horizon Professional. These pedals usually have lengthy, sharp pins, concave profiles, and enormous platforms to optimize the connection to the only real of the shoe.
All of the pedals on this check use both 6 or 8mm Allen (Hex) keys or a 15mm Spanner/Pedal Wrench. You will want the suitable software to your pedals and a small quantity of common 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 check have clear markings to point their facet. A straightforward approach to keep in mind that is that you just at all times rotate pedals ahead (in the direction of the entrance of the bike) to put in. Most pedals mark proper and left pedals to assist keep away from putting in them on the mistaken facet. In case you are struggling to get the threads to catch, don’t power it or you possibly can danger damaging the threads in your cranks arms.
Flat pedals are a easy half however do require easy, rare upkeep. Driving flat pedals, you possibly can typically 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, it’s possible you’ll need to think about the benefit of changing pins when deciding on pedals.
Putting in pins is simple – unscrew the previous ones and screw within the new ones. Recessed or sunken pin heads may help you keep away from needing to take away bent or broken pins with vise grips and a very good brush will aid you take away grime 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 removing/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 are usually not rotating easily, it’s time to service/change the bearings/bushings and axle. For many pedals on this check, rebuild kits are offered by the producers and directions are usually very simple to search out on-line. This can be a comparatively simple means of eradicating the pin, checking bearings/bushings, and cleansing/regreasing/repacking or changing as mandatory.
Any fashionable mountain bike flat pedal shoe will work nicely with these pedals. Flat pedal footwear 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 footwear, think about regular sneaker match and your choice for a stiff or gentle sole. A stiffer sole is perhaps extra supportive and scale back foot ache on longer rides whereas a softer sole could give a greater total grip, significantly when searching for excessive management at slower speeds. Keep in mind that not all flat pedal footwear are created equal when it comes to the grip that their rubber compound or tread sample supplies, and which will additionally have an effect on your connection to the pedals.
