Looking for the best mountain bike pedals? This blog post features reviews and comparisons of the top mountain bike pedals on the market.
Good mountain bike pedals are an essential part of your mtb set-up. They provide the crucial connection between you – the rider – and the bike itself. Without pedals you wouldn’t be able to hit the trails, right?
But what are the best mountain bike pedals? Unfortunately, I can’t really answer that question for you because we all have our own personal preferences and ride styles (flats vs clipless for example).
But in this post, I’ve compiled a list of the top mountain bike pedals on the market to help you get started. You can browse pedal choices based on factors such as footprint size, grip, weight, and price.
Ready to ride? Let’s dive into the world of mountain bike pedals and find the perfect match for your riding style!
Best Mountain Bike Pedals At A Glance
Best flat pedals
- Two Wheeled Wanderer favorite: Scarab Chromag Pedals
- TWW runner-up: Wolf Tooth Waveform
- Best large platform flat pedal: Crankbrothers Stamp 7 Large
- Best thin profile flat pedal: OneUp Components Aluminum
- Best downhill flat pedal: Chromag Dagga
- Rider favorite: Spank Oozy Reboot
- Best composite budget-friendly pedals: e*thirteen Base
Best Clipless pedals
- Two Wheeled Wanderer favorite: Shimano 8120 Trail
- TWW runner-up: Time Speciale 8
- Rider favorite: Crankbrothers Mallet E
- Best downhill clipless pedal: Shimano Saint
- Best magnetic pedals: Hustle Avery REMtech
- Best ultralightweight clipless pedals: Crankbrothers eggbeater 2
- Best budget-friendly clipless pedal: Crankbrothers Candy 1
Types of Mountain Bike Pedals
Before I dive into the best mountain bike pedals, it’s important to consider the pros and cons to the different types of mountain bike pedals:
- Flats
- Platform clipless
- Clipless
- Magnetic
Flats
Flat mountain bike pedals are essentially just a platform for your feet. You are not clipped into your bike.
They typically have metal pins that provide grip for the rubber on the soles of your shoes.
Some flat pedals are also concave, allowing you to really press into the pedal for more stability and traction.
Flat pedal pros
Flat pedal cons
Platform clipless
Platform clipless pedals are kind of a mix between flat pedals and true clipless pedals.
They have a clipless cage in the center for your cleat and they also have a modified platform to provide support and grip.
Some platform clipless pedals will have grippy metal pins while others do not.
Platform clipless pros
Platform clipless cons
Clipless
True clipless pedals are low profile and basically just provide a small interface for your cleats to clip into.
They’re good for cross-country pedaling where support and grip aren’t super necessary, but they’re not great for rowdier riding.
Clipless pedal pros
Clipless pedal cons
Magnetic
Magnetic pedals are the newest type of mountain bike pedals on the scene.
Instead of a fixed clip-in system, they have a magnetic interface that is easier to ‘clip’ in and out of.
You get the large, grippy platform of a flat pedal and the anchored connection of a clipless pedal (although they won’t be as secure as actually clipping in).
Magnetic pedal pros
Magnetic pedal cons
Read next: Not sure whether to go flat or clipless? Read the pros and cons of both and learn which style might be best for you.
Best MTB Pedal Comparison Table
| Pedal | Platform | Weight/pair | Footprint (mm) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Chromag Scarab | Flat | 15.2 oz | 110 x 108 | $163 |
| 2. Wolf Tooth Waveform | Flat | 13.2 (sm); 13.5 oz (lg) | 105 x 99 (sm); 112 x 106 (lg) | $200 |
| 3. Crankbrothers Stamp 7 Large | Flat | 13.2 oz | 114 x 111 | $180 |
| 4. OneUp Components Aluminum Pedal | Flat | 13.6 oz | 115 x 105 | $144.50 |
| 5. Chromag Dagga | Flat | 1 lb 0.9 oz | 120 x 115 | $172 |
| 6. Spank Oozy Reboot Pedals | Flat | 13.1 oz | 100 x 100 | $125 |
| 7. e*thirteen Base Pedals | Flat | 13.8 oz | 100 x 110 | $55 |
| 8. Shimano PD-M8120 XT Trail | Clipless | 15.5 oz | 55 x not specified | $130 |
| 9. Time Speciale 8 | Clipless | 13.8 oz | Not specified | $158 |
| 10. Crankbrothers Mallet E | Clipless | 14.8 oz | 94 x 75 | $180 |
| 11. Shimano Saint | Clipless | 1 lb 3.3 oz | 55 x 97 | $160 |
| 12. Hustler Avery REMtech | Magnetic | 1 lb 10.4 oz | 95 x 120 | $219 |
| 13. Crankbrothers Eggbeater 2 | Clipless | 9.6 oz | 32 x 75 | $100 |
| 14. Crankbrothers Candy 1 | Clipless | 10.4 oz | 67 x 74 | $60 |
Best Mountain Bike flat pedals
1. Chromag Scarab Pedals
Two Wheeled Wanderer favorite
- Great for: Trail, enduro, downhill
- What I like: Concave platform for extra grip and stability, lots of pin placements
- What I don’t like: On the heavier side for everyday pedals, pin replacements are expensive
The Chromag Scarab pedals have been my go-to flat pedals for many seasons. I love the concave design that really allows you to press your feet into the pedals for maximum grip and traction.
The platform is also wide enough so you feel nice and stable, but not so wide that you lose track of where your feet are on rowdy downhills.
There are 42 different pin placements, with 10-11 pins typically used by the average rider per side. But with so many placement options, you can really customize these pedals to your feet and riding style.
The pins are replaceable if/when they get smashed up by rocks. My only complaint is that $15 seems pretty steep for little metal pins.
2. Wolf Tooth Waveform Pedals
TWW Runner-Up
- Great for: Trail, enduro, downhill
- What I like: Concave platform for extra grip and stability, lightweight, comes with 6 extra pins, five-year warranty, machined and assembled in the US.
- What I don’t like: Expensive
Aside from their $200 price tag, the Wolf Tooth Waveform pedals are pretty on point.
They’re designed to match the shape of your shoe with strategically placed pins (11 on each side), a ridged center spindle, and a dual concave shape for maximum traction and grip.
They also have tapered edges to (hopefully) deflect rocks and trail obstacles as you’re bombing downhill.
The only downside is that $200 is a lot for pedals! But they do come with a 5-year warranty and they are machined and assembled in the US (as opposed to Asia like most bike components).
3. Crankbrothers Stamp 7 Large
Best large platform flat pedal
- Great for: Trail, enduro, downhill
- What I like: Concave platform for extra grip and stability, lightweight, good for big feet, fun color choices, bearing service kit available
- What I don’t like: Concave design isn’t as pronounced as Chromag Scarab pedals.
For riders who wear a shoe size of US 10-15 (EU 43-49), the Crankbrothers Stamp 7 features one of the largest footprints out of any mountain bike pedal on the market.
Of course, it also has all the other great features you would expect like a concave design, optimal pin placement, and a lightweight aluminum platform.
If you like this pedal, but don’t have big feet, it also comes in a small/normal size.
Crankbrothers Stamp’s are the pedals we recommend at our Ladies AllRide Coaching clinics!
4. OneUp Components Aluminum Pedal
Best thin profile flat pedal
- Great for: Trail, enduro
- What I like: Thin leading-edge profile for avoiding rocks and obstacles, good for big feet
- What I don’t like: “Subtle concave” design really isn’t concave, only one size
If avoiding pedal strikes is a priority when choosing a mountain bike pedal, check out the OneUp Components Aluminum pedal.
With a minimal 8mm leading edge and a max 12mm width, it’s a low-profile pedal that will help you smoothly glide over rocks and roots.
Like the Crankbrothers Stamp pedal, this one also has a large footprint, but it only comes in one size so if you have small feet you’re out of luck.
5. Chromag Dagga
Best downhill flat pedal
- Great for: Downhill
- What I like: Long pins for optimal grip, (slight) concave design, huge platform
- What I don’t like: I can’t even imagine getting a pedal strike with these things…, thick profile, heavy, not versatile for all styles of riding
For the downhillers and bike park rats, the Chromag Dagga pedals are specifically designed for rowdy gravity-fed riding.
Created in collaboration with pro-rider Chris Kovarik, they are burly, grippy, large, and ready for anything you throw your bike (and yourself) at.
Just don’t get a pedal strike….
6. Spank Oozy Reboot Pedals
Rider favorite
- Great for: Trail, enduro
- What I like: Crank bootie-compatible, good design, great colors
- What I don’t like: Not as innovative as other pedals, fewer pins
Great design, affordable price, crank bootie-compatible, and fun colors are just a few reasons why the Spank Oozy Reboot pedal is a rider favorite.
It’s a great all-around pedal that you can take out on cross-country rides or shred at the bike park. It may not be as innovative as some of the other pedals on this list, but it’s a perfect middle-of-the-road option.
Spank is a mountain bike component company based out of Taiwan that is committed to sustainability and protecting our oceans.
7. e*thirteen Base Pedals
Best composite Budget-friendly pedals
- Great for: Trail
- What I like: Great entry-level pedal, good grip, lightweight, affordable
- What I don’t like: Composite material not ideal for more aggressive riders or technical terrain
If you’re just starting out with mountain biking or you’re switching over to flats a composite pedal like these e*thirteen Base pedals are a great choice.
Composite material isn’t as strong as metal, but if you’re not planning on charging hard or your budget doesn’t allow for aluminum pedals, then it’s a good choice.
The Base pedals have 11 pins on each side for great grip and a fairly large platform for stability.
If you’re shopping around, the Race Face Chester Pedals are very similar to the e*thirteens and another great choice for a budget-friendly composite pedal.
Best Clipless Mountain Bike Pedals
8. Shimano PD-M8120 XT Trail
Two Wheeled Wanderer Favorite
- Great for: Trail, enduro
- What I like: Relatively low profile, lightweight for a clipless pedal, large supportive platform, versatile for gravel riding
- What I don’t like: Some riders have reported that Shimano’s quality has declined over the past few years.
The Shimano PD-M8120 XT Trail pedal (despite its terrible name…) tops the list of best clipless mountain bike pedals because it’s a great all-around pedal.
It’s relatively lightweight for a clipless pedal but it still features a pretty large platform for support when bombing down trails.
It does lack the grippy pins you’ll find on more DH-designed pedals, but overall it’s a versatile pedal for most riders and riding styles.
There have been some reports and comments that Shimano pedals aren’t as good as they used to be. I haven’t noticed this, but it is something to consider.
9. Time Speciale 8
Two Wheeled Wanderer Runner-up
- Great for: Trail, enduro
- What I like: Great design, easy to clip in and out of, 3 pins for a bit more grip, micro-adjust the tension
- What I don’t like: Some riders won’t like the ‘float’ of Time pedals.
When I first started mountain biking, I rode on Time clipless pedals and I really liked them. I don’t use clipless pedals anymore for mountain biking (personal preference), but I still think Time makes some of the best pedals out there.
The Time Speciale 8 pedals will have more ‘float’ than SPD pedals, which may not be every rider’s cup of tea. But if you want to be able to shift your feet slightly while remaining clipped in, they may be a good option for you.
10. Crankbrothers Mallet E
Rider favorite
- Great for: Trail, enduro
- What I like: Large platform, float puts less stress on the knees, this model has been around for many years, concave platform for traction and stability, versatile, 4-sided cleat entry
- What I don’t like: Some riders won’t like the ‘float’ of Crankbrothers pedals (although you can buy a 0% float kit)
The Crankbrothers Mallet E (enduro) mountain bike pedal has been around for a while, so it’s seen many iterations and improvements. As such, it’s become a rider favorite among the mountain biking crowd from cross-country pedalers to bike park shredders.
With a large platform, adjustable pins, and a concave structure, it provides a ton of support and grip for your feet.
The eggbeater style of Crankbrothers pedals does allow for some ‘float’, meaning your feet can shift around a bit without unclipping. Some riders don’t like this feeling.
11. Shimano Saint
Best Downhill clipless pedal
- Great for: Downhill
- What I like: Wide supportive platform, adjustable tension settings, designed to shed mud and dirt
- What I don’t like: Heavy
The Shimano Saint is an aggressive pedal for aggressive riders. This is the pedal my brother uses and he’s 6’5, 200+ lbs, and a very strong rider.
The Saint is designed for gravity-fed fun in all riding conditions including slick, muddy days but it also does well for enduro riding if you don’t mind adding a pound in pedal weight.
12. Hustler Avery REMtech
Best magnetic mountain bike pedal
- Great for: Enduro, downhill
- What I like: Innovative magnetic cleat system, 100+ lb pull force per pedal helps with acceleration, easier to ‘clip’ in and out of than true clipless pedals
- What I don’t like: Very heavy, expensive
Magnetic pedals, like the Hustle Avery REMtech, are kind of the new cool kid on the block when it comes to the best mountain bike pedals.
Instead of a traditional cleat, they have a magnetic platform that works with a magnetic cleat.
The benefit of a magnetic system is that you can more easily ‘unclip’ from your pedal, but you still have the advantages of being attached to your bike (better acceleration, less foot movement, less fatigue, etc…)
The drawbacks to magnetic pedals are that you don’t really do one pedal super well. You’re not fully clipped in and you don’t have the full grip and traction of a flat pedal.
The Hustler Avery pedal is also really heavy at over 1.5 lbs per set, which is heavier than pretty much any other flat or clipless pedal.
13. Crankbrothers Eggbeater 2
Best ultralightweight clipless pedals
- Great for: Trail, cross-country
- What I like: Super lightweight, 4-sided entry, versatile for gravel and road riding
- What I don’t like: Not good for enduro or downhill riding, wings can get bent if smashed into rocks
For the lycra-clad mountain bikers out there (just kidding! but not really…) the Crankbrothers Eggbeater is the perfect pedal. It’s ideal for long, pedaly cross-country rides where you just want to lay down the miles and power.
Unlike most clipless pedals, it has 4 cleat entry points (most only have 2) so you don’t have to fumble around trying to get clipped in.
There are definitely drawbacks to this style of pedal, though. The wings can get bent if you smash them into rocks and the small, low-profile design doesn’t provide much support for chunky downhills.
There are several different models and price points for the Eggbeater, but I think the Eggbeater 2 is the best deal.
14. Crankbrothers Candy 1
Best budget-friendly clipless pedals
- Great for: Trail, cross-country, entry-level riders
- What I like: Lightweight, decent platform size, affordable price, 4-sided cleat entry
- What I don’t like: Composite material isn’t as durable as metal, you pay for what you get
I don’t recommend skimping on quality mountain bike pedals, but if your budget doesn’t warrant a $100+ pair the Crankbrothers Candy 1 pedal is a decent option.
It’s made from composite material, which is cheaper than metal but doesn’t hold up as well to use and abuse.
It does have a large-ish platform for support on downhills, but you may find grip to be lacking.
Mountain bike pedal considerations
Before pulling the trigger on a pair of mountain bike pedals, here are some considerations to think about:
Platform type
The biggest thing you’ll want to take into consideration when shopping around for mountain bike pedals is what platform you’re going to commit to:
- Flats
- Clipless
- Magnetic
Each has its pros and cons and there’s no one right answer. I prefer to ride on flats because I think they have made me a better rider and I’m more willing to give high-stakes obstacles a try.
Some riders prefer clipless because your feet stayed glued to the pedals and it’s better for acceleration and efficiency.
Also, remember that you can also switch between both systems. Use flat pedals for downhill days and clipless for longer cross-country pedals.
Or give magnetic pedals a try since they kind of fall in the middle of both!
Read next: Not sure whether to go flat or clipless? Read the pros and cons of both and learn which style might be best for you.
Material
There are two main materials when it comes to mountain bike pedals:
- Aluminum/alloy
- Composite
Aluminum pedals will be stronger, more durable, and more expensive.
Composite pedals are cheaper, but can actually break if hit with enough force. They’re also heavier than aluminum for what you get in a pedal.
If you’re just starting out as a mountain biker, composite pedals are great. But if you’re already progressing or want to take your riding to the next level I recommend aluminum.
Weight
I’m not the mountain biker who counts ounces, but maybe you are? Most pedals will range between 12-ish ounces to a little over a pound for the pair.
Metal pedals will be lighter than composite pedals and cross-country or enduro pedals will be lighter than beefy DH pedals.
Don’t buy a DH pedal if you’ll only be doing cross-country riding and don’t buy a lightweight cross-country pedal if you plan on getting rowdy.
Size & shape
There’s actually quite a bit of variability when it comes to the size and shape of mountain bike pedals.
Size: Some mountain bike pedals will come with two size options, so be sure to check what shoe size they recommend for each pedal size.
Other mountain bike pedals, like my favorite Chromag Scarab pedals, have different pin placement options so you can adjust the pin arrangement to fit your shoe/foot size.
Shape: I personally like a pedal that has a bit of a concave shape so you can really press your foot into the depression for extra grip and traction. Other mountain bike pedals will be flat across the top.
Shape varies even more widely for clipless pedals. Platform clipless pedals will have more support than simple eggbeater-style pedals.
Replacement pins & Rebuilt kits
All pedals should have pins that are replaceable. If they don’t, keep looking. You don’t want to have to buy a pair of new pedals every time your pins wear down – that would get expensive!
Pin replacement kits should be available for any pedal. Just google your pedal name and model + ‘pin replacements’.
Many brands are now also providing bearing and spindle rebuilt kits. I had to rebuild my Race Face Atlas pedals twice (which is why I didn’t recommend them here….).
It’s nice to be able to fix your pedals without shelling out money for a new pair, but rebuild kits still cost ~$40-50.
Float
Float refers to the amount of movement – or swivel – your cleat has when clipped into the pedal.
More float is easier on the knees and allows you to move your feet around a bit for a different stance (or by accident) without getting unclipped.
The downside of more float means you have less time to unclip – which could be bad news in some situations.
Crankbrothers and Time pedals tend to have more float than SPD pedals, but all pedals vary slightly. Crankbrothers does have a 0% float standard release cleat kit that you can buy separately.
Price
Lastly, the price will probably play a factor in your mountain bike pedal decision. Pedals can range from $50 for low-end composite pedals to $200+.
I don’t recommend getting the cheapest of the cheap, but since the pedals are (literally) the biggest contact between you and your bike, it’s a good idea to invest in some good pedals.
Final thoughts
This round-up includes some of the best mountain bike pedals on the market, but it’s important to remember that there is no one right pedal for everyone.
The best option really comes down to personal choice, your riding style, budget, and whether your rock flat or clipless shoes.
Take some time to do research, shop around, and hopefully, you’ll land the perfect pair!
RELATED POSTS
Looking for some more gear recommendations and reviews? Check out these related blog posts:
Do you have a favorite pair of mountain bike pedals? Which ones and what do you love about them? Do you ride flats, clipless, or both? Leave a comment below!
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