Best Mountain Bike Pedals 2022

For MTB, pedals are more than vital. Unfortunately, we know that the marketplace supplies a big pool of options. Selecting the very best mountain bike pedals from these countless options can be challenging.

However, the right mountain bike pedals will change how you ride, make you feel more secure on your bike, and help you succeed over rough terrain with confidence.

This isn’t a vast buyer’s guide for mountain bike pedals. Instead, our team has looked at countless reviews, product posts, and recommendations that the industry loves and trusts. We’ve laid out all the options for you to make some educated decisions.

Mountain bike pedals are a personal choice. There are generally two options for mountain bike pedals; flat and clipless. If you’re not familiar with these options, don’t worry. We’ve explained each type below.

Flat pedals are our personal favorites for mountain biking, especially if you’re a new rider. They provide killer grip with strategically positioned pins around the pedals. We recommend using these with flat mountain bike shoes like Adidas Five Tens.

If you’re looking to start with flat pedals, here are a few things to look out for:

• Size: When it comes to mountain bike pedals, size is essential. If you have a larger foot, buy larger pedal platforms. Also, the larger the pedal, the bigger the chance for pedal strikes on roots and big rocks, so be cautious. 
• Material: Pedals get pounded during trail rides. The latest trend is composite pedals, which are cheaper. If you like to switch up your pedals each year, these are great options. Aluminum or metal pedals are more expensive but may hold up better on the trail and last a bit longer.

Clipless pedals use an attachment to connect the sole of your shoe to the mountain bike pedal. You will also need shoes that support clipless pedals like Adidas Five Ten HellCat to use the clipless system.

Unlike flat pedals, you can not freely move your foot around the pedal when you ride clipless. However, the benefits are you can pedal more efficiently by using your entire leg muscles pedaling up and down. This makes the rider feel more connected to their mountain bike. Clipless is the recommended pedal for many cross-country riders and long-distance pro cyclists.

For more info on how to use clipless pedals, check out this article.

Mountain bike pedals might look small, but they are more important than you can imagine. Good mountain bike pedals make a massive difference in your ride experience. Unfortunately, mountain bikes typically do not include pedals when purchased. That’s because mountain bike pedals are a personal choice and specific to your riding style.

Consider your riding style and overall riding terrain when choosing mountain bike pedals. Do you want a flat, platform pedal or a clipless pedal?

If you’re new to mountain biking, you may want to consider flat pedals as your starting point for a few reasons:

1. Trial and error: If you don’t know your riding style yet, you can try flats out to see how you like it. 
2. Bailing easily: As a new rider, you will be unsure of your ability on the trails, thus needing to step off your bike more frequently.
3. Foot placement: In general, a pedal should sit just under the ball of your foot. However, as a new rider, you may want to experiment with foot placement to see what you like the best. We’ve even seen riders pedaling with more of their heels for extra power for climb techniques.

If you’re a more seasoned rider searching for a solid, foot-pedal connection, a clipless mountain bike pedal is your choice. There are plenty of advantages to using clipless mountain bike pedals once you’re ready. For example:

1. Pedal efficiency: Because of the high-energy pedal stroke, every fast rider we know is clipped into their bike. 
2. Foot placement: Once clipped in, your feet do not move. They stay on the pedals perfectly, even through the rough stuff. One less thing to think about while you’re riding.
3. No more shin strikes: Flat pedals can bash your shins if you’re not careful or slip on sketchy terrain. While clipped in, this rarely happens.

There is, of course, a hybrid pedal that includes clipless on one side and flat on the other. There is also a new player in the mountain bike pedals game, Magped. Check out their magnetic mountain bike pedals. Now on to our list in no particular order.

$169.99 – Buy Now From Crank Brothers

• Optimal surface area
• Minimal profile 11mm-13mm thin
• Concave platform for secure foothold
• 10 adjustable pins per side for grip
• Premium bearings & seal system
• Grease port for easy maintenance

$115.59 – Buy Now From Cain Reaction

Developed by mountain bike legend Sam Hill and long-time mechanic Jacy Schumilak, these MTB pedals are engineered for maximum performance. Using all the proven internal parts of the Horizon Pro pedals, these signature enduro pedals spin on high-quality DU bushings with two sealed cartridge bearings.

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• Material: [body] CNC machined aluminum, [axle] 4140 CroMo steel
• Removable Pins: 22
• Spindle Diameter: 9/16in
• Includes: 1 allen wrench, 2 replacement pins
• Dimensions: 105 x 105 x 17mm

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• Material: nylon, fiberglass
• Removable Pins: yes
• Dimensions: 16mm
• Claimed Weight: 13.3oz (376g)
• Recommended Use: commuting, downhill

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F20 pedals come equipped with heat treated cromoly spindles for durability as well as three cartridge bearings and a norglide bushing for long life. Made in the UK, the F20 features replaceable hollow-pins for grip and a concave platform.20 replaceable pins per pedalFeatures three bearings and bushings for smooth operation and durability.

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F20 pedals come equipped with heat treated cromoly spindles for durability as well as three cartridge bearings and a norglide bushing for long life. Made in the UK, the F20 features replaceable hollow-pins for grip and a concave platform.20 replaceable pins per pedalFeatures three bearings and bushings for smooth operation and durability.

$102.99 – Buy Now From Cain Reaction

F20 pedals come equipped with heat treated cromoly spindles for durability as well as three cartridge bearings and a norglide bushing for long life. Made in the UK, the F20 features replaceable hollow-pins for grip and a concave platform.20 replaceable pins per pedalFeatures three bearings and bushings for smooth operation and durability.

$148.99 – Buy Now at Chain Reaction

Designed for enduro riding, the Mallet E LS Pedals from crankbrothers will give you the extra edge. Featuring longer spindles for enhanced control and optimised clearance, they’re equipped with 6 adjustable pins per side, traction pads, and a ribbed body, guaranteeing a slip-free and stable platform.

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• MTB Clipless Pedal: For downhill, enduro, trail riding, freeride or XC
• Max confidence: Large platform offers stability and control in all conditions
• Precision made: CNC’d from 6061 alloy for durability, strength and low weight
• SPD mechanism: Uses tried-and-tested Shimano design with cleats included
• Durable axle: Uses 9/16″ CrMo axle with sealed cartridge bearing and DU bushing

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Ideal for urban jaunts and cycle touring adventures, the PD-EH500 offers the convenience and efficiency of two types of pedal in one. One one side is an SPD pedal for use with SPD / 2-bolt cleat compatible cycling shoes. On the other side is a grippy flat platform for use with everyday shoes.

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• The SAINT PD-M820 is a SPD Pedal Ideal for Downhill & Enduro: Top of the line SPD pedal for aggressive mountain bike riding and racing
• Rugged and Durable High Performer: Sturdy construction designed to take a hit and perform in all conditions
• Enhanced Stability and BIke Control: Wider contact area between foot and pedal for more support and stability when wearing All Mountain style shoes
• Thinner Pedal Body: Results in lower stack height for stable pedaling and improved clearance
• Grip Even When Unclipped: Four height adjustable pins per side for improved grip when not clipped in

$179.99 – Buy Now From Crankbrothers

• Durable alloy body
• Durable cast steel wings
• Integrated traction pad technology to optimize the shoe/pedal interface (included)
• Ribbed body for better traction when unclipped
• Chamfered edges to reduce rock-strikes
• Hex alloy endcap and bashguard
• 4-sided entry / superior mud shedding
• Customizable float & release angle
• Premium bearings & double seal system