The Best Mountain Bike Pedals

Buying Guide

The right mountain bike pedals can make a world of difference when navigating gnarly trails. The two main categories are clipless, which attach the cyclist’s shoe to the pedal, and flat or platform pedals.

With clipless pedals, the underside of the bike shoe binds to the pedal, so the feet cannot slip off easily. This takes some getting used to for new riders, but once you do, clipless pedals are the most secure and efficient way to ride a mountain bike. (The word “clipless” sounds counterintuitive since the shoe clips into the pedal, but historically it makes sense — clipless pedals replaced the old toe clip strap system professional cyclists used 40 years ago. )

With flat and platform pedals, the rider can easily put their foot down on the ground when they want to. This is reassuring, especially if the ground is wet or slippery. Flat mountain bike pedals also do not require you to purchase clip-in mountain bike shoes, so you can wear a pair of shoes you already own.

Flat pedals for mountain biking are usually made with pins, or small spikes, to prevent the rider’s shoes from slipping off the pedal at a crucial moment.

Many of these flat pedals are made from metal or composite materials like plastic or nylon. The latter are less expensive and may be a good choice for beginners. Experienced cyclists may opt for clipless mountain bike pedals, but they need mountain bike shoes with two-bolt cleats (clipless road bike shoes and cleats have three-bolt patterns) to go with the pedals.

• Metal flat pedals are sturdier and hold up better when they hit rocks. Nylon and plastic are less durable.
• Metal is also stiffer, which can provide better power transfer during your ride.
• Larger pedals distribute force more evenly.
• The platform should not be larger than the shoe, so be sure to check the measurements and compare them to the shoe before buying.
• Clipless pedals come with two components: the pedal itself, and the matching cleat, which is attached to a cycling shoe. All you need to mount the cleats to your shoes is a hex wrench.