Pedals are the small contact point that quietly shapes every ride, and the choice between flat and clipless changes how connected and confident you feel on the trail. Flats let you put a foot down instantly and suit riders learning technical terrain, while clipless pedals lock you in for efficient power and security on rough ground. The best mountain bike pedals come down to grip, platform size, durability, and how well they match your shoes and your riding. These picks are research-based, spanning both pedal types and a range of budgets.
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Quick Verdict
For flats, the OneUp Components Composite is the best all-around value, while the Race Face Chester is the budget favorite. For clipless, the Shimano PD-M520 is the easiest entry point, and the OneUp Clip is the premium pick that blends platform feel with SPD security.
Why Trust This Guide
These picks are research-based, drawing on independent testing of grip, platform size, durability, and clip mechanism across flat and clipless pedals, with sources cited. We have not field-tested every model ourselves and base the rankings on reviewer consensus and manufacturer specifications. The aim is a fair shortlist for both pedal styles and a range of riders.
Key Takeaways
- Flat pedals suit beginners and technical terrain; clipless reward efficiency and security.
- All MTB pedals use a standard thread, so any pedal fits any crank.
- Flats need grippy, sticky-rubber shoes; clipless need stiff shoes and matching cleats.
- Bigger platforms suit bigger feet; many flats come in two sizes.
- Shimano SPD is the most common clipless standard and the easiest to learn.
How We Picked the Best Mountain Bike Pedals
We weighed grip and stability, platform size, durability against rock strikes, clip-in feel for clipless models, and value, drawing on independent testing.1 Because flat and clipless serve different riders, we picked standouts in each category rather than forcing a single ranking. Pedals also depend on shoes, so pair these with the right footwear from our guide to mountain bike shoes.
1. OneUp Components Composite: Best Flat Overall
The OneUp Components Composite is the flat pedal most reviewers crown as the best all-around value. Its convex platform loaded with replaceable pins gives confidence-building grip, and the composite body keeps the price and weight down.
Why It Stands Out
The convex shape and well-placed pins deliver standout grip and a planted feel, at a price that undercuts metal pedals, which makes it the value benchmark. For most riders, flat or curious, it leads. The thin profile helps dodge rock strikes.
Worth Knowing
A composite body is tough but not quite as durable as forged aluminum over years of strikes. It comes in a single size that suits most, but very large feet may prefer an alloy option.
Get the OneUp Composite for the best grip-per-dollar in a flat pedal. Skip it if you want the ultimate durability of metal.
2. Race Face Chester: Best Budget Flat
The Race Face Chester is the budget flat that punches above its price, a nylon-bodied pedal with a wide platform and replaceable pins. It is light, affordable, and a common first upgrade for new riders.
Why It Stands Out
It offers a large, grippy platform and many color options at a low price, giving beginners solid footing without a big spend. For value and color choice, it is the pick. The light nylon body is easy to live with.
Worth Knowing
Grip is good but a notch below pinned metal pedals, and some riders swap the pins for more bite. The nylon shrugs off strikes but shows wear over time.
Choose the Chester for an affordable, capable first flat pedal. Skip it if you want maximum grip or a metal body.
3. Crankbrothers Stamp 7: Best Premium Flat
The Crankbrothers Stamp 7 is the premium flat pick, an aluminum pedal with a thin, concave platform and adjustable pins. It comes in small and large sizes so you can match the platform to your foot.
Why It Stands Out
The wide, concave aluminum platform and adjustable pins deliver excellent grip and stability, and the two sizes let you fit it to your shoe, which is a real advantage. For a premium flat, it is the standout. It held up well to strikes in testing.
Worth Knowing
It sits at a high price for a flat pedal, and the performance gain over the OneUp Composite is modest for many riders. Pick the size that matches your shoe.
Get the Stamp 7 for a premium, properly sized aluminum flat. Skip it if value matters more than the last bit of refinement.
4. Shimano PD-M520: Best Clipless for Beginners
The Shimano PD-M520 is the classic entry point into clipless riding, a simple, reliable SPD pedal with double-sided entry. It uses the same SPD mechanism as Shimano’s pricier pedals at a much lower price.
Why It Stands Out
Double-sided entry makes clipping in easy to learn, the SPD system is the most common and forgiving standard, and the simple bearings are easy to maintain. For a first clipless pedal, it is the pick. It also works on a gravel or commuter bike.
Worth Knowing
It has no platform around the cleat, so it offers less foot support than trail-oriented clipless pedals. Beginners should set the release tension low while learning.
Choose the PD-M520 to learn clipless reliably and affordably. Skip it if you want a supportive platform around the cleat.
5. Shimano Deore XT PD-M8120: Best All-Round Clipless
The Shimano Deore XT PD-M8120 is the do-everything clipless pedal, pairing the trusted SPD mechanism with a supportive cage around the cleat. It suits trail, enduro, and aggressive cross-country riding on one setup.
Why It Stands Out
The wider, longer platform adds shoe contact and a planted feel while keeping the predictable SPD engagement, so it handles long climbs and rough descents alike. For one clipless setup to do it all, it leads. Shimano’s reliability is a known quantity.
Worth Knowing
It costs more than the M520 and is more than casual riders need. The added cage support is most appreciated on technical terrain.
Get the XT M8120 for a versatile, supportive clipless pedal. Skip it if you want the cheapest entry point or pure XC minimalism.
6. OneUp Clip: Best Premium Clipless
The OneUp Clip is the premium clipless pick that blends platform stability with SPD-compatible engagement. Its low-profile body, large platform, and wide adjustability make it a favorite for riders who like to fine-tune their setup.
Why It Stands Out
It combines a stable platform with standard SPD cleats and more adjustability than most, including tunable pins and float, for a planted, customizable feel. For a premium clipless pedal, it is the standout. The low stack height boosts control.
Worth Knowing
It is a premium-priced pedal, and the adjustability is more than a casual rider will use. It uses SPD cleats, so existing SPD shoes work.
Choose the OneUp Clip for a customizable, platform-style clipless pedal. Skip it if you want the simplest or cheapest clipless option.
Mountain Bike Pedals at a Glance
| Pedal | Type | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| OneUp Composite | Flat | Grip and value | Best flat overall |
| Race Face Chester | Flat | Affordable, light | Budget flat |
| Crankbrothers Stamp 7 | Flat | Sized, adjustable | Premium flat |
| Shimano PD-M520 | Clipless | Simple, reliable | Clipless beginners |
| Shimano XT PD-M8120 | Clipless | Platform support | All-round clipless |
| OneUp Clip | Clipless | Adjustable, low-profile | Premium clipless |
Flat vs Clipless: Which Should You Choose
Flat Pedals
Flats let you put a foot down instantly, which builds confidence on technical terrain and suits beginners, jump riders, and anyone who values quick bailouts. They pair with grippy, sticky-rubber shoes. The trade-off is slightly less pedaling efficiency and feet that can bounce off on very rough ground.
Clipless Pedals
Clipless pedals lock your shoe to the pedal for efficient power and a secure connection on rough descents, which experienced riders often prefer. They need stiff shoes and matching cleats, and learning to clip out takes practice. Set a low release tension while you learn.
Matching Shoes and Cleats
Flats require grippy flat-pedal shoes, while clipless needs stiff shoes and the right cleats, usually SPD for Shimano and many others. Never ride flats in running shoes, which slip off the pins. Choose pedals and shoes as a system, not separately.
Platform Size and Fit
Bigger feet benefit from larger platforms, and many flats come in two sizes so you can match the pedal to your shoe. All pedals use a standard thread, so any pair fits your cranks. Match width to your shoe for the best control.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best mountain bike pedals?
It depends on whether you want flats or clipless: the OneUp Components Composite is the best all-around flat, while the Shimano PD-M520 is the easiest clipless pedal for beginners. For premium options, the Crankbrothers Stamp 7 flat and OneUp Clip clipless stand out. The best choice matches your skill level and riding style.
Should beginners use flat or clipless pedals?
Many beginners start on flats because you can put a foot down instantly, which builds confidence on technical terrain, then move to clipless once comfortable. Flats also forgive mistakes while you learn bike handling. There is no rule, though, and some riders go clipless early with low release tension.
Do all pedals fit all mountain bikes?
Yes, mountain bike pedals use a standard thread size, so any pedal threads into any standard crank regardless of brand. The difference is the pedal type and platform, not compatibility. Just make sure to thread each side correctly, since one is reverse-threaded.
What shoes do I need for each pedal type?
Flat pedals need flat-pedal shoes with sticky rubber soles for grip on the pins, while clipless pedals need stiff-soled shoes with compatible cleats, usually SPD. Never use running or casual shoes, which slip and lack support. Buy pedals and shoes as a matched system.
What is SPD?
SPD stands for Shimano Pedaling Dynamics, the most common clipless standard, using a small metal cleat that clicks into the pedal. Many brands make SPD-compatible pedals and cleats, so it is a flexible, widely supported system. It is also the easiest clipless system for most beginners to learn.
How do I maintain mountain bike pedals?
Keep the bearings greased and replace worn or bent pins on flats, while clipless pedals benefit from an occasional rebuild with the maker’s kit. Shimano SPD pedals are known for needing little service. Clean off mud and check the mechanism so clipping in stays smooth.
How long do mountain bike pedals last?
Quality pedals typically last several seasons with proper maintenance, depending on how hard and how often you ride. Replaceable pins and rebuild kits extend their life considerably. Bearings are the usual wear point, and many pedals are serviceable.
Are expensive pedals worth it?
Premium pedals add durability, adjustability, and refined feel, but solid budget options like the Race Face Chester and Shimano PD-M520 perform well for most riders. Spend more if you ride often or want specific features. For beginners, an affordable pedal is a smart starting point.
Sources
- Independent mountain bike pedal testing on grip, platform size, durability, and clip mechanism (OutdoorGearLab, BikeRadar, Treeline Review, Bikerumor), plus manufacturer specifications.
