Bike pedals are like car accelerators. Without them, there would be no easy way to transmit power from your legs to the crankset to power the drivetrain. And that means propelling a bike from point A to B would be simply difficult if not impossible.
Although they’re an important part of a complete cycling system, bike pedals have different builds, come from different brand, have different sets of features, fit on different kinds of bikes, and they have different price tags.
So a better question would be what are the best mtb pedals to choose this year?
In this guide, we help you choose the right set of pedals that you can attach to your mountain bike. We’ve included 9 sets from top brands. We believe they are the best to invest in because they can enhance your riding experience and because they are durable. And they come at a price that won’t break the bank.
Contents
Top Rated Inexpensive Mountain Bicycle Comparison Chart & Rating
Preview | Type | Material | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat (Platform) | Forged SCM 435 Chromoly Steel | 345g | |
| Clipless | - | - | |
| Platform | Aluminum and Chromoly | 472g | |
| Flat | Nylon Fiber + Cr-Mo | 365g | |
| Platform | Nylon composite material | 0.79lb | |
| Flat | High Strength Aluminum Alloy | 0.45lb | |
| Platform | Aluminum pedal body and chrome-moly steel axle | 383g | |
| Flat | Lightweight Aluminum Alloy | - | |
| Platform | - | 455g |
Best MTB Pedals Reviews - We Picked Cheap & Affordable MTN Bicycle Pedals
1. Crank Brothers Stamp Flat Bike Pedal
Having been in the pedals game since 1997, constantly upgrading its models for better performance year after year, Crank Brothers know exactly how to enhance reliability for a better riding experience.
Their Stamp Flat is an upgrade and a replacement of the 5050 model, a more reliable option that what they’ve had up their sleeves before.
At its best, Stamp Flat promises a smooth riding experience on different trails while standing up to just about any kind of abuse.
Coming in 13 different color schemes in the same price range, there’s no doubt that the brothers have spoilt you for choice as far as the aesthetic goes.
The pedal is made of forged 6061-T6 aluminum, placing it on the list of the most durable options in the market. You get a 100mm x 100mm foot surface area, which is enough to slap each food on and ride just as comfortably as you’d wish. And at 345 grams per pair, these are some of the most lightweight bike pedals on the market.
Stamp Flat assume a lower profile, which, in addition to lowering the number of pedal strikes, enhances clearance. The nine pins positioned on each side of the pedal are easy to adjust, so they give you the flexibility you need to achieve a better balance and space for shoe movement.
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2. Shimano PD-M520L MTB Sport Pedals
If you’re in the market for bike pedals that you can use for long distance cycling, the Shimano PD-M520L may be an option to consider.
They are basic yet durable, lightweight yet sturdy, reasonably priced yet as valuable as the high-end options on the market.
Granted, Crank Brothers Stamp Flat bike pedal is a real deal. But it’s quite an expensive product. Which means that if you can’t afford to fork the asking price, the Shimano PD-M520L would be a perfect alternative.
While it’s an entry-level model, the pair features a cleat retention system, which offers an increased performance for road bike cycling as well as mountain bike riding.
As much as these pedals are clipless, you do have to clip into them if you must get an utmost pedaling experience. And given that the design includes cleats, it’s important to invest in the best bikes shoes that can easily fix to the cleats.
To ensure the PD-M520L pedals remain as easy to clean as possible, Shimano gives them an open binding design, which easily sheds away mud instead of allowing it to stick. The unclipping tension, which you can adjust with the Allen key, is easy to manage, allowing you to attach yourself to your mountain bike with ease.
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3. Wellgo Alloy BMX Mountain Bike Pedals
Whether you’re an entry-level biker or an experienced mountain bike cyclist, it only makes sense to invest in pedals that can give you an outstanding riding experience. Wellgo Alloy BMX is a good choice, not because it doesn’t break the bank but because the build quality is so up to standard that it can easily cut it for you.
One of the attributes that makes Wellgo Alloy BMX standout from the competition is the quality build. Like Crank Brothers Stamp Flat, these pedals are made of high-grade aluminum, which means they can take a beating and work just fine.
BMX is 109 by 106 by 25 millimeters in dimension, giving enough surface area for your feet. Plus, there are screw sets on each pedal and their job is to keep the sole of your cycling shoe in place no matter how fast your cycle your mountain bike.
At 540 grams per pair, Wellgo Alloy BMX is heavier than Stamp Flat by Crank Brothers. Still, the weight isn’t too much for your legs to handle. And that means that while Stamp Flat is a better alternative to easy pedaling, the BMX, too, doesn’t compromise on performance.
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4. RockBros Mountain Bike Pedals
Talking of inexpensive bike pedals, the RockBros are an option to consider if you’re in the market for reasonably lower price pedals. These aren’t just suitable for commuting. They should even hold up well on mountain biking where you’re riding through bumps and smashing rocks.
At 385 grams per pair, these pedals weigh the same as Crank Brothers Stamp Flats. Given that they’re more lightweight than Wellgo Alloy BMX, they can offer a more decent grip on your shoe without adding too much grams to the overall weight of your mountain bike.
Easy to install and use, with only 0.4 pounds of weight on each side, these RockBros pedals lets you ride your bike with ease by simply applying the least energy possible when pedaling. Plus, they’re multipurpose, which means they’re good for daily commuting the same way they ware for mountain biking.
When it comes to design, these one are made of rugged nylon fiber, a high strength material that’s not only abrasion resistant and shockproof but also waterproof.
The labelling of the pedals is something hard not to notice, especially because it’s a feature that many options simply don’t have. With this feature, it’s easy to know what side of the crank the pedal will fit, which makes the whole process of installation easy and straightforward.
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5. FOOKER MTN Bike Pedals
Whether you’re on a tight budget or you’re simply in the market for affordable bike pedals, you might want to consider FOOKER. They are robust like Crank Brothers Stamp Flat, lightweight like RockBros pedals, and inexpensive like Shimano PD-M520L.
FOOKER bike pedals feature a nylon composite build, a material known for comfort and stability. Not only does the nylon makes you feel more comfortable when stepping on the pedals, but it also provides a better grip on shoes so you never have to worry about skidding.
When it comes to size, FOOKER has sufficient surface area to accommodate your bike shoes. To be precise, each pedal is 4.3 inches long and 3.94 inches wide. That’s around 17 square inches per pedal, which is more than enough surface area to accommodate your foot.
Each pedal weighs about 0.8 pounds, which is twice the weight of RockBros. Still, they are easy to install, use, and replace. Plus, the manufacturer labels them properly, so it’s easy to know which pedal to fix to which side of the crank.
There’s an anti-ski nail on each pedal. Added to increase friction between the pedal and a rider’s biking shoes, they ensure zero slippage and provide maximum safety so you can ride comfortably and get home in one piece.
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6. Mzyrh Mountain Bike Pedals
As an avid cyclist, I always want nothing more than an amazing riding experience. And when it comes to bike pedals, it means settling for only pair that can pack the punch. After trying Mzyrh pedals on the mountains and in the city streets, I’m more than willing to admit that they’ll cut it for you, too.
Made of high strength aluminum alloy and weighing just 0.9 pounds per pair, what you get for the price is a pair of durable pedals that won’t add weight to your bike. In fact, these are some of the best alternative to FOOKER Composite, which records a total weight of 1.6 pounds per pair.
One of the things I love about these bike pedals is their versatility. While products like Wellgo Alloy MBX and FOOKER Composite are specifically for mountain bikes, Mzyrh are so flexible that you can fix them on the cranks of exercise bikes, folding bikes, BMX bikes, and road bikes.
With a dimension of 4.1 inches long and 3.58 inches wide, you get enough surface area to place your cycling shoes. And given that their grips are promising, you can be sure of a comfortable ride without worrying about either of your feet slipping from the pedal.
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7. Shimano PD-EH500 Bicycle Pedals
I’ve always admired Shimano because of their high quality bikes. When they branched out to make the best cycling shoes, they did quite play by the book as far as quality is concerned.
And when it comes to bike pedals, this cycling brand is a ninja that knows how to make its stuff. In fact, their PD-EH500 pedals are highly rated, making them among the best options to consider.
One of the best things about this model that you also find in the PD-M520L option is the versatility aspect. Whether you want to go clipless with your regular walking shoe or you would rather use the step-in design with SPD compatible cycling shoes, that’s completely up to you to decide.
You get 28.52 square inches of surface area, which is large enough to accommodate your regular street sneakers or SPD cycling shoes.
As if that’s not enough, the PD-EH500 bike pedals can fit different types of bikes. This flexibility gives you the freedom to fit these pedals on commuter bikes, mountain bikes, street bikes, and even road bikes.
As far as design is concerned, these pedals feature aluminum construction, a material known for being lightweight and durable. In fact, a pair weighs just 383 grams, which means they are easy to install and easy to use.
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8. GPMTER Bike Pedals
Your current pedals need replacement. You’re itching for a quick upgrade. But you’re on a budget and can only afford to pay for the most inexpensive pedals. What do you do?
Well, rather than going for cheap, mediocre pedals that will only last for so long, consider the GPMTER. They are high quality, reasonably priced, and built to last.
As much as these pedals are cheap, the brand invests time and resources to make sure they’re durable. Made of aluminum alloy casting, this pair is so strong that it can take a daily beating and work just fine.
Whether you’re riding in dirty trails or in the rains, these are dust resistant and waterproof enough to stand up to the elements.
No one likes bike pedals that slip. And fortunately, these aren’t the type. Completely non-slip, with ball bearing that perfectly optimize every pedal stroke, these should hold your cycling shoes in position the entire time, even if you’re pedaling fast or riding in extremely wet conditions.
Unlike many bike pedals designed just for mountain bikes, these ones are in fact universal, so you can fit them on any bike. From folding bikes and road bikes to electric bikes and exercise bikes, feel free to fix them on whatever kind of ride you have and use them to hit the road.
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9. SHIMANO PD-M530 Mountain Pedals
The PD-M530 is one of the best bike pedals in Shimano’s lineup. And it comes to the market at almost half the price of the PD-EH500 model. The build is high quality, which means that, for the price, you’re getting a set that will last for years even before you even think of an upgrade or a replacement.
Like PD-M520L, this model features a mud-shedding design, which is quite handy when riding on dusty trails during rainy season. That it easily flushes out mud and debris means easy and less cleanup, ready for the next bike touring adventure.
Even with a smaller surface area than we’ve seen with the PD-EH500 and PD-M520L, you still get enough space for your cycling shoes, hence the ability to pedal with efficiency, as your feet remain stable throughout the ride.
The rest is a better riding experience without necessarily taking your eyes off the road.
As far as weight is concerned, the PD-M530 pedals don’t fall in the lightweight spot. But they aren’t so heavy either. At 453 grams per pair, they should still be easy to pedal. So your cycling performance shouldn’t suffer one bit.
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Once you have the best mountain bike pedals installed, you can be certain of an exceptional riding experience every time you want to ride your bike.
