We’ve searched the web to bring you the best mountain bike pedals for commuting by bike. Bike Pedals are a critical part of any bike, in fact, they are the means by which you transfer the energy from your body into your mountain bike’s engine to propel you along the trail. For beginners and well-established riders alike, bike pedals form one of the three essential contact points where the body and your bike meet and this implies that a great pedal must offer a suitable interface plus an element of control. Today’s mountain bike pedals are available in a broad range of sizes, styles, designs and shapes, a phenomenon that makes the prospect of finding the best mountain bike pedal a hard task. This article is written t simplify that for you
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Here Are The Best Mountain Bike Pedals
Before things started getting intricate, mountain bike pedals used to always be flat and they served their purpose. The pedals give you a large surface to place your feet while riding and also work as a step when climbing on or off a bike.
It does not matter if you are barefooted or wearing regular shoes as you will still be able to ride the bike without any challenges with flat pedals. The terrain also does not matter as the best flat pedals have all you need to give you the best biking experience.
Red Mountain Bike Pedals
Red has different symbolic meanings and is a visually distinctive color that you may want to add to your bike to always catch the eyes of people you come across. You would not have to compromise on quality with red bike pedals as they are also made with high quality materials. Expect to enjoy the same grip and stability that you get from other pedals with this one with a bold color.
VP-Vice Pedals VP Components Mountain Bike Pedals
If you are a mountain biker who values serviceability, durability, and comfortability, then this particular pedal should be your ultimate choice. Simply put, it is an incredible all-round trail flat.
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Its massive platform provides more than enough room for even some of your bulkiest shoes. The grip is impressive too, and you’ll never lose your footing even when you will be riding on rough sections of trail. It has twelve pins on every side, which are more than sufficient to bite into any shoe and keep you grounded. What’s more, the VP is fully rebuildable, and you can achieve this through the available rebuild kit. Again, you can choose to drop off a whopping 70 grams from the set with the available Forged Titanium Axle upgrade kit. It is relatively cheaper, yet offers superb performance.
- Durable and light weight/ CNC machined aluminum bodies
- Superior grip low profile platform
Also available in other colors on merchant websites below:
Advanced RockBros 4 Bearings Mountain Pedals Platform
Despite being reasonably light, the RockBros is exceptionally durable and also boasts of big platforms with a secure grip. Its advanced four lubricated and sealed bearings, as well as its antiskid nails design, ensures better and comfortable grip.
Regarding durability, the aluminum alloy material and the Cr-Mo spindle ensures that the pedal will always withstand all types of abuses along the trail. The pedals are highly versatile and are suitable for old school, folding bike, road bike, mountain bike, dirt jumper as well as BMX bike.
- Smooth: Advanced 4 lubricated sealed bearings improve the overall feeling. The bike pedals provide a smooth minimal resistance experience and have no wobble or endplay.
- Stable: Anti-skid nails design for grip gives better traction. Large platform flat pedals with plenty of surface area brings great stability in any riding condition.
Orange Mountain Bike Pedals
Orange is a high visibility color. What this means is that you can easily spot your bike with its orange pedal in a crowded place or can be kept an eye on when riding in trails. As you may have already guessed, these pedals have enhanced grip systems that ensure you always remain in control. Manufacturers of these pedals know that it is usually experienced and adventurous riders that go for orange bike pedals and so do not compromise on anything when making them.
Aluminum Mountain Bike Pedals – Wolf Tooth Waveform
The Wolf Tooth Waveform pedal is exactly as you picture it to be; a large pedal with a concave platform design and teeth (adjustable traction pins) that provide grip on the most rugged and challenging terrain you may find yourself riding on.
Previous users of this pedal have noted that it is stable during rides, especially when going downhill, a time you need to secure your foot. It also handles sand and mud very well, and can cary the biggest of shoes. But while the pedals are big, they do not appear to add bulk to the bike.
When using the Wolf Tooth, you would not have to worry about buying another pedal for a long time because it is strong and can withstand repeated impacts against stones, curbs, or any other objects you may come across. What do you expect from something made from high-grade aluminum and sealed with cartridge bearings.
If you are a demanding rider who rides in trails and so values grip, as well as want a bike pedal that will last, don’t look past the Wolf Tooth Waveform Aluminum pedal.
Reasons to Buy
- Made to be used for a long time
- Provides excellent grip and comfort
- You can get them in other colors
- Not affected by impacts
Reasons to Avoid
- Highly priced
- Unnecessary for casual or occasional riders.
ROCKBROS Lightweight Orange Mountain Bike Pedals
Looking for a high visibility pedal to add to your bike? Go for the lightweight ROCKBROS pedals. This pedal is much more than a fancy addition to your bike as they perform very well on both paved roads and off-road trails. They can also handle moderate mud and water conditions.
Made of nylon composite, this pedal is also strong. It has good grip provided by its 12 replaceable pins. Reviews indicate that heavy impact can loosen some pins but replacing them is no hassle. This allows you to use the pedals for as long as you want to without having to change them without planning to.
Don’t break the bank for a high visibility pedal when you can go for this budget-friendly one that is dependable for everyday use.
Reasons to Buy
- Pedal is lightweight
- Vibrant orange color for high visibility.
- Pedal is not costly
- Each pedal has 12 replaceable pins for solid grip
Reasons to Avoid
- Not good for extreme conditions
- Heavy impact will affect it
SHIMANO PD GR500 Pedal MTB/BMX, Unisex Mountain Bike Pedal
Shimano is synonymous with quality engineering and you can expect nothing less from the Shimano PD-GR500 pedals. Though tailor made for both MTB and BMX riders, this pedal is very versatile. It prioritizes function over aesthetics with a clean and practical design.
Do we need to mention that they are durable? The pedal performs reliably on different terrains, delivering solid control and smooth power transfer. They feel sturdy and provide decent grip, even on challenging terrain.
The Shimano pedal is ideal for a beginner or slightly advanced rider. What you get is a solid and dependable pedal without having to break the bank.
Reasons to Buy
- Quality Shimano product
- Platform is large for stability
- Pins are replaceable
- Good value for money
Reasons to Avoid
- Pedal is heavy
- Not as aesthetically pleasing as other options
Tan Mountain Bike Pedals
Tan mountain bike pedals are unique. They appear natural but are quite stylish in a subtle way. You could say that anyone choosing to have one is either trying to pass a message of simplicity or has chosen a color that stands out and blends naturally with any other color and design that a bike would have. Don’t worry about the pedals lasting as they are also made from strong materials and come in clipless and flat designs.
Race Face Atlas
This is a lightweight but robust aluminum body pedal that comes in different colors, however, you will be making a bigger statement by choosing the tan version. They are visually appealing aren’t they? Don’t get carried away by its appearance as this pedal is also very strong and functional.
Made from 6061-T6 aluminum, the pedal has a wide platform that provides support and pins that hold your shoes firmly while riding. You may think this will make it feel uncomfortable but it feels just natural even during steep climbs and descents. The pedal further has a thin-profile design for minimal contact with obstacles.
Other than the regular cleaning, all you need to maintain this pedal is the occasional pin replacement. With this, you won’t have any problems even when using it in wet and muddy conditions.
The Race Face Atlas pedals are a top choice for riders seeking to add some style to their bike.
Reasons to Buy
- Strong but still lightweight
- Design is thin
- Wide platform for excellent support
- Stylish tan color
Reasons to Avoid
- Pins can be uncomfortable
- Highly priced
Gold Mountain Bike Pedals
If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance and personality to your bike, a gold pedal will do the trick. Don’t worry about functionality because this pedal will serve you as much as any other pedal will. They are made with durable lightweight materials like aluminum or titanium to balance aesthetics with ruggedness. The gold pedals are also anodized to resist wear and maintain their look even after a rough ride.
Spank Spoon100 Pedals
Add the elegance of gold to your bike with the Spank Spoon100 pedals. Designed for riders with smaller feet and smaller bikes, you get exceptional grip and control of your bike with this compact pedal that has 20 pins per pedal.
Previous users of this pedal have written about how their feet always remain planted on the pedal. They also love to talk about how smooth and responsive the pedals are when being used in rocky conditions. Riders with big feet may have something different to say but one thing that is certain is that it is perfect for finesse-oriented control.
Like all pedals, this one would require the occasional pin replacement. Other than this little bit of maintenance, nothing else is required to keep it in good condition. The forged aluminum it is made from ensures it remains in top shape even when used frequently and intensely.
The Spank Spoon100 pedal is an excellent mix of style and function. It is a must have for those looking to add flair to their bike.
Reasons to Buy
- Beautiful gold finish
- Platform is compact
- Each pedal has 20 pins for outstanding grip
- Strongly made with aluminum
- Pedal is lightweight
Reasons to Avoid
- Not for riders with large feet
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Bronmixc Mountain Bike Cycling Bike Pedals
Here another fantastic mountain pedal that is not only ultra-thin in size but equally light in weight. It has four sealed bearings, which together with an enclosed design, prevent dust, water, and other debris from entering its rotating shaft thus increasing its service life.
Its sixteen replicable skid-proof pins provide sufficient grip to prevent skidding while improving the non-slip effect, a factor that makes you adapt to the wild bike ridings. Its unique triangular structural construction, as well as the CNC integration, strengthen its overall structure, making it suitable for mountainous roads.
- [ SEALED BEARING ] - Standard 9/16 inch threading, Cr-Mo spindle with sealed bearing, performs well on the road or the trail.
- [ SOLID MATERIAL ] – Attractive design in high strength AL6061 aluminum alloy material, providing the bike pedals more durability. Oxidizing process on surface enhances abrasion resistance and reduces scratches.
How To Choose The Best Mountain Bike Pedals
As always, there are a couple of essential factors that should guide you towards finding the best available pedal out there.
CLIPLESS OR PLATFORM (FLAT PEDALS): WHICH ONE IS BETTER?
When choosing your mountain bike pedal, the first factor you’ll have to consider is whether you want a clipless or a flat pedal. A significant number of entry-level mountain bikes are equipped with flat pedals designed from either metal or plastic. Flat pedals offer a variety of advantages, including:
- They are highly affordable.
- You don’t need to have special shoes to use them since any boots featuring a flat bottom will do the job.
- It’s relatively more comfortable to bail off your bike if need be.
Platform pedal technology has undergone tremendous improvements in recent times, with the shape, the pins, and their overall grip becoming performance-oriented. On the other hand, clipless mountain bike pedals boast of a unique cleat that is attached to a mountain bike-specific shoe to provide the rider with an excellent connection and touch.
Some of the advantages they offer include:
- They are efficient since the energy gets transferred to the entire pedal stroke.
- They are relatively smaller than their clipless counterparts, and this means they can make riding through those rocks much more comfortable.
- What’s more, clipless pedals will always keep your feet attached to your bike even on bumpy descents.
COMBO PEDALS:
These types of pedals guarantee the advantages of both pedal types because they offer a broad platform and an incredible clipping mechanism. They are incredibly versatile and ideal for all kinds of terrains. This implies that they are an excellent choice for individuals who intend to use their mountain bikes for a wide variety of activities.
Other factors to consider:
- Durability: You’ll always want to invest in a device that can serve you for an extended period. A great mountain bike should withstand the abuse of multiple scratches and rock bumps along the road.
- Weight: Of course, lighter is usually better. However, lighter pedals are known to break after a relatively shorter span.
- Adjustability: This mostly applies to clipless pedals where you may want to customize specific settings such as tension and float settings.
Conclusion
Choosing mountain bike pedals has been a straightforward job. It requires you to have relevant knowledge and a proper understanding of biking technology. Perhaps that’s why we started by giving the fundamental factors that you’ll have to know. From there, you can now assess all your options, based on your pocket and your needs. We have provided you with some of the most reliable, affordable, durable and efficient mountain bike pedals to choose from.