Flats

Black Mountain bike pedals

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

  • Don’t need to unclip from bike
  • Versatile for all types of riding
  • Build confidence on harder terrain
  • Better for learning how to jump

Flat pedal cons

  • Feet can slip off pedals
  • Some argue they are less efficient
  • Pedal strikes = bloody shins
  • Wear out shoes faster than clipless