I have to say that choosing the best mountain bike pedals in tons of products on the market is not an easy task. You will need to consider many related factors and features of these pedals to find out the most suitable item for your own.
Pedals are important parts of all bikes and it affects how comfortable you feel when riding on your bike.
The article below will lead you to the list of 15 best mountain bike pedals in 2020 so you can save much time in picking your match. Let’s get started.
Best Mountain Bike Pedals Comparison Chart 2020
The biggest difference of mountain bike pedals is their shape, or in another word, their type. Are they clipless or flat pedals? Along with that are the weight and material. You can refer to the comparison table below to choose the best item for you.
What Are The Best Mountain Bike Pedals To Buy?
Do you prefer the clipless pedals or the flat pedals? Or are you looking for the best mountain bike pedals for beginners? In fact, there are varied types of pedals and each one matches different requirements. So I have some best options for specific needs for you.
- Best Overall: SHIMANO PD-M530 Mountain Bike Pedals
- Best Budget: VX Series Mountain Bike Pedals
- Best for Beginners: DMR V-Twin Mountain Bike Pedals
- Best for Trail Riding: Shimano PD-M520 Mountain Bike Pedals
- Best for Road Bike: Shimano SPD PD-ES600 Mountain Bike Pedals
- Best on Amazon: Crankbrothers Mountain Bike Pedals
- Best Flat: DMR Vault Brendog Mountain Bike Pedals
- Best Clipless: SHIMANO PD-M8020 Mountain Bike Pedals
- Best for Downhill: Funn Mamba Mountain Bike Pedals
- Best for Grip: HT PA03A Mountain Bike Pedals
- Best for Big Feet: SHIMANO XTR PD-M9020 Mountain Bike Pedals
Top 15 Best Mountain Bike Pedals Reviews In 2020
Referring to a detailed review might be the fastest way to learn about a product. Let’s see what are the differences between the 15 best mountain bike pedals in the following review.
SHIMANO PD-M530 Mountain Bike Pedals
I consider these Shimano PD-M530 mountain bike pedals as the best clipless MTB pedals for beginners since these are really easy to clip in and out. They come with the mid-sized platform cage so clipping in is much easier than the ones without a cage.
Also, these best mountain bike pedals 2020 provides a better interface between pedals and your feet. As a result, you will feel more stable and comfortable while riding. Thus, I highly recommend this product if you are looking for a starting point with clipless pedals.
What makes these pedals stand out from other competitors is their price. This item is the cheapest option of Shimano pedals as well as the small-platform pedal category. In comparison to other same-range pedals like Crankbrothers Candy 7, which costs twice, these Shimano PD-M530 are still better.
The only drawback of these pedals is their weight. In this mini size, they are truly heavier than your imagination.
Pros
- Great price
- Bombproof
- Good pedals for beginners
- Easy to control and install with the SPD system
- Intelligent design for mud-shedding
- Wide range gear step and smooth shifting for stable speed
Cons
- No flat portion
- It needs better bearings
- It’s quite heavy
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | 0.6 x 0.6 x 0.4 inches |
| Weight | 3.52 ounces |
| Shipping Weight | 1.4 pounds |
| Color | Black |
| Type | Clipless |
| Brand | SHIMANO |
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Shimano PD-M520 Mountain Bike Pedals
With these dual platform pedals for mountain bike, you could learn how to use the clipless pedals easily. Unlike the road pedals which just have a single-sided platform, you are able to clip in both sides of this PD-M520 effortlessly.
Another strong point of this model is durability which makes it one of the best mountain bike pedals for trail riding. They are bombproof and made of very durable material.
Along with this is the open design that makes these things be able to shed mud easily. Thus, you don’t need to clean them frequently like other pedals.
So why are they not the best overall pick when they’re lighter and more affordable than the PD-M520? The reason is its platform is not solid like the M530 so some people might not prefer it.
Pros
- Affordable
- Bombproof mechanism
- Open design avoids dirt and mud
- A pair of Shimano SH51 cleats included
- Very lightweight
- Dual side for ease of clipping in
Cons
- It doesn’t support for the real shoes
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | Not available |
| Weight | 380g |
| Shipping Weight | 1.2 pounds |
| Color | Black; Silver |
| Type | Clipless |
| Brand | SHIMANO |
SHIMANO PD-M8020 Mountain Bike Pedals
These Shimano Deore XT M8020 Trail MTB pedals stand out from other models of Shimano as well as other products on the market by its mud shedding ability and its protrusions.
These pedals come with a unique shape that might be not optimal for comfort and supporting your feet but it offers more efficient protection for the mechanism. Thus, if you are looking for some pedals that could work well on rough surfaces and trail riding, this M8020 is the way you go.
In addition, you will get higher quality materials and features in this M8020 version. These come with a larger platform than M530 and M520, metal bearings that mean they are more durable, lighter, and work greats in the mud.
Pros
- Wide platform for better stability
- Sealed mechanism is durable
- SPD compatible
- Comes with the SM-SH51 cleats
- Attractive design
Cons
- You will need some tools to install these pedals
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | 7.9 x 3.2 x 1.6 inches |
| Weight | 3.52 ounces |
| Shipping Weight | 1.3 pounds |
| Color | Black |
| Type | Clipless |
| Brand | SHIMANO |
VX Series Mountain Bike Pedals
These best bike pedals come with fully SPD compatible cleats that mean you could find out the replacement at an affordable price effortlessly.
Along with that is the SPD interface which is larger than some more expensive models like Shimano M530 and Shimano M520 pedals. Thanks to this large, double-sided platform, you could feel more comfortable and stable when riding.
Also, it is easy for you to clip into both sides of these pedals. Thus, if you are a beginner, you can consider it as a great starting point.
The most attractive thing about these pedals is its price. It’s much cheaper in comparison to the high-end quality.
Pros
- Entry-level pedals
- SPD compatible
- Comes with a heat-treated axle
- High-quality materials
- Features great cleats
- Easy to clip in and out
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Quite heavy
- It’s quite small for big feet
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | 6.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches |
| Weight | 1.2 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 1.2 pounds |
| Color | Black |
| Type | Clipless |
| Brand | VX |
Crankbrothers Mountain Bike Pedals
The most outstanding part of these Crankbrothers Mountain Bike Pedals is the upgrade bearing construction. They come with two types of bearings that make them very durable.
With the cartridge bearing outside, these pedals are always glossing and it’s really suitable for low-speed. On the inside of these pedals is the sealed bearing which keeps them clean and lasts longer. Also, cleaning these pedals is not a matter thanks to the double-sealed design.
Another noticeable point in these Crankbrothers Mallet pedals is the shape. It’s designed in the concave platform so you will have more contact points with the pedals. These points are placed in front, mid, and real of the pedals which boost the stability and provide better grip.
Pros
- Multiple colors to choose
- Ideal for grip thanks to adjustable pins on each side
- Comes with stable platform for downhills
- Premium materials of stainless steel and aluminum
- Serviceable with the cartridge bearings
- Cleats and shims included
Cons
- A little bit heavy
- Quite difficult to clip
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | 8 x 8 x 8 inches |
| Weight | 1.05 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 1.4 pounds |
| Color | Black; Green; Red; Black/ Blue; Black/ Gold; Black/ Silver; Light Blue; Loic Bruni Signature; Raw&Black; Raw&Red |
| Type | Clipless |
| Brand | Crankbrothers |
SHIMANO XTR PD-M9020 Mountain Bike Pedals
This high-end version of Shimano will bring you the best entry ability and exit ability. Also, it is the best weight saving model from Shimano mini-platform line. In the comparison to the M530 and M520 versions, these pedals are much lighter.
In terms of ease of entry, you could get into these components very fast. Thus, you could transfer the power from your legs to the bike sooner. The M9020 model comes with the axle body and little cage so the entry level will be kept simply.
On the other hand, you will get many benefits when riding these pedals because of the ease of exit. With the SPD mechanism, it is easy for clipping in and clipping out in seconds.
Pros
- Easy to install and adjust
- Large surface is ideal for normal shoes and big feet
- Comfortable with the extra platform
- Easy to clip in and out
- Serviceable
- Light in weight
Cons
- It collects a lot mud than other competitors
- The cleats are quite thick
- Pricey
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | 9 x 5 x 2 inches |
| Weight | 1.25 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 1.4 pounds |
| Color | Black |
| Type | Clipless |
| Brand | SHIMANO |
DMR V-Twin Mountain Bike Pedals
If weight is not a matter with you, these DMR V-Twin mountain bike pedals might not be a bad choice since except they’re heavy in weight, there are seemingly no defects on these pedals.
These DMR pedals offer an ideal interface for your feet that is customizable more easily than other products on the market. Along with that is the wide platform that gives you a comfortable and stable feeling.
In addition, you might be interested in the adjustability of these pedals. They come with a great engagement mechanism that allows you to adjust the tension from low to high by 15 clicks. Moreover, the pin platform is also adjustable.
Pros
- Large platform for extra stability
- Adjustable grip with 7 tuneable pins per side
- SPD compatible
- Bearing system is serviceable
Cons
- Heavy
- Vulnerable mechanism
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | 10.2 x 5.2 x 1.8 inches |
| Weight | 1.89 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 1.9 pounds |
| Type | clipless |
| Color | Black |
| Brand | DMR |
HT PA03A Mountain Bike Pedals
The HT PA03A might not be the most stylish model on the market but it will give you an interesting riding experience with the large-sized platform, sealed bearings, and well-spaced pins on each side of the pedals.
Firstly, they come with a large platform that has the dimensions being 107mm x 105mm, much larger than most other pedals on the market. Thanks to this feature, they are very stable when you put your foot on the pedals.
Furthermore, you will definitely enjoy the sealed bearing design of these pedals. This bearing makes these pedals really comfortable when riding. Also, you don’t have to worry about the dirt and mud getting stuck to the pedals since they’re extremely easy to clean.
These HT PA03A pedals come with 10 pins on each side, which help them grip really well. Moreover, the pins have a moderate height that makes you feel comfortable to ride.
Pros
- Lightweight but very strong and durable
- Cheap price
- Super large platform
- Gives you great grip with 10 pins per side
Cons
- A little bit thick
- The design is quite scruffy
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | 107 x 105 x 18 mm |
| Weight | 345g |
| Shipping Weight | 1 pounds |
| Color | Red |
| Type | Flat |
| Brand | HT |
DMR Vault Brendog Mountain Bike Pedals
This model from DMR is made of high-quality material and well-built. They are equipped with a sealed bearing like other pedals but the noticeable point of this model is the added DU bushing.
Thanks to these features, even when they get dirty, you still can wash them effortlessly. Also, the durability of these pedals is much better than most other rivals.
In terms of platform, these pedals come with the flat platform and the concave shape. That means the middle of the pedals is lower than the 2 sides. Moreover, the platform is made of durable material so it’s hard to crack even when you use these pedals for a long time.
Pros
- Durable with 6061 alloy body
- Heat-treated steel axle
- Easy to remove the pins with the offset platform
Cons
- Heavier than other products
- Slightly pricey
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | 5.5 x 9.8 x 1.2 inches |
| Weight | 1.32 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 1.3 pounds |
| Color | White |
| Type | Flat |
| Brand | DMR |
Burgtec Burg MK4 Mountain Bike Pedals
While most other flat pedals on the market come with the alloy platform, these Burgtec Burg MK4 Mountain Bike Pedals are designed with the glass fiber and nylon platform. Even though this type of platform looks quite firm and unstable, it’s really light in weight and comfortable when riding.
The nylon platform has a 1mm of concavity cutaway in the center that is slightly deeper than other products. Thanks to this feature and great traction pins, these pedals offer perfect grip like premium pedals.
In short, if you are looking into some flat pedals for budget, these Burgtec Burg MK4 Mountain Bike Pedals will give you much high-end functionality at an affordable price.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Comfortable to use on long-distance rides
- Suitable for most cyclists
- Removable pins
Cons
- Smaller pins are not ideal for grip like metal versions
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | Not available |
| Weight | 376g |
| Shipping Weight | Not available |
| Color | Navy Blue |
| Type | Flat |
| Brand | Burgtec |
Deity TMAC Mountain Bike Pedals
The most outstanding feature of these Deity TMAC mountain bike pedals is the flat symmetrical platform. Thanks to this unique shape design, though these pedals might not be the lightest or the most high-end option, they still offer the best comfort and grip.
Along with that is the deep concave platform that makes the edges of these pedals 2.5mm higher than the center. All these details not only make these pedals easy and comfy to use but also increase the gripping ability.
Another thing that I highly rate about this item is the attractive outside design. Many high-priced pedals like Shimano just have one color to choose but this cheapy model comes in a variety of “sexy” colors.
Pros
- Wide platform space
- Provide great grip
- Multiple colors to choose
- Comfortable to ride in long time
Cons
- Quite pricey than rivals
- Lightly heavy and thick
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | 9.4 x 5.9 x 1.6 inches |
| Weight | 1.1 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 1.1 pounds |
| Color | Ano purple; Red; Blue; Green; Powder coat white; Bronze |
| Type | Flat |
| Brand | Deity |
HT Supreme ANS10 Mountain Bike Pedals
What sets these pedals apart from others is the low platform and a slim body. With the body dimensions being just 100mm x 100mm, these pedals are nearly perfect for almost riders.
Also, the no edges shape is very beneficial for maintaining stability even on rough surfaces.
In terms of platform, these HT Supreme ANS10 pedals come with a great low-profile platform that is high-rated by many customers. The center’s height is just 16.6mm so these pedals could offer the best grip levels.
The only drawback of this product is the bearing quality. The sealed bearings are easy to scratch.
Pros
- Comes in a wide range of colors
- Concave profile and big platform offer ideal interface
- Adjustable and removable pins for the most suitable traction
- Attractive design
Cons
- Expensive
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | 5.75 x 4.75 x 2.5 inches |
| Weight | 374g |
| Shipping Weight | Not available |
| Color | Red; Black; Marine Blue; Grey; Orange; Yellow; Green; Purple; Oil Slick |
| Type | Flat |
| Brand | HT Components |
Funn Ripper Mountain Bike Pedals
These clipless pedals are really versatile when they have the shape being akin to the flat pedals. Thus, based on your own riding need, you could set up these pedals as clipless or flat effortlessly.
If you prefer good lateral support, these pedals will definitely match your requirement. There are 4 ideal pins on each side of the pedals that not only come in well size and space but they are also replaceable.
Moreover, you will get the ease of clip-in and clip-out with the special mechanism called ‘Angular Engagement System’. This kind of mechanism is compatible with SPD cleats so you could find out the replacement easily at affordable prices.
Pros
- Many colors to match your favor
- Shimano-Style SPD cleats for ease of replacing
- Angular engagement for better grip
Cons
- You cannot adjust the height
- Quite pricey
- A little bit heavy
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | 4.8 x 5 x 3.8 inches |
| Weight | 1.43 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 1.6 pounds |
| Color | Black; Blue; Grey; Red; Orange; Green |
| Type | Clipless |
| Brand | Funn |
Funn Mamba Mountain Bike Pedals
These Funn Mamba pedals come in a bigger size than the Ripper version, with the platform dimensions of 105mm x 100mm. Thanks to this design, these pedals offer extra stability and comfortable riding experience.
Like the Ripper pedals, these things also have a narrow body like the flat pedals. Thus, you could use them as flat pedals as well.
Additionally, the clip mechanism of these pedals is also useful in boosting the versatility. You could change the double sided platform into one sided shape effortlessly with these Mamba pedals.
Pros
- Comes in 7 different colors to choose
- Very versatile
- Ideal for downhills
- SPD compatible
Cons
- It’s quite large
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | Not available |
| Weight | 1.1 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 1.4 pounds |
| Color | Blue; Red; Gold; Pink; Purple; Green; Orange |
| Type | Clipless |
| Brand | Funn |
Shimano SPD PD-ES600 Mountain Bike Pedals
These pedals are not only excellent mountain bike components but they are also very suitable for road bike. If you are looking for something versatile for both road bicycle, urban bike, and light commuter, these SPD PD-ES600 will be the way you go.
The reason that makes these pedals versatile and multi-functional is their weight and one-side design. You cannot find out the other products that are lighter in weight than this PD-ES600 version. The total weight of a pair of pedals is just 279 grams.
Along with that is the light action binding which is really beneficial for you to clip in and out effortlessly.
Pros
- The lightest option of Shimano
- Durable and high-quality materials
- Perfect for both mountain bikes and road bikes
- Shimano SM-SH51 cleats included
Cons
- Clipping in is quite time-wasting
Product Specs
| Item Dimensions | Not available |
| Weight | 279g |
| Shipping Weight | 15.2 ounces |
| Color | Black |
| Type | Clipless |
| Brand | SHIMANO |
The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Best Mountain Bike Pedals In 2020
Type of pedals
There are two priority types of pedals on the market that are flat pedals and clipless pedals. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
In terms of flat pedals, they are popular components in the 90’s due to the basic design and functions. They are simply a platform for you to put your foot on and contact with your bike. generally, they will offer a large space interface and extra stability. They are suitable for technical terrains.
On the other hand, the clipless pedals are more modern. This type of pedals matches a specific bike and shoes. Also, you will get more efficiency and security when choosing the clipless pedals.
Size of pedals
You could choose the large-sized pedals, medium pedals, or mini-sized pedals depending on your riding needs, skill-levels as well as your weight.
The large pedals will suit gravity riders since the larger these pedals are, the heavier you feel under your foot. However, this size will bring you more support and a better interface when riding.
The small platform pedals will be beneficial in protecting the mechanism and still give you good contact points between your shoes and your bike. Also, with the mini size, they are lighter in weight so everyone could handle them easily.
If both large-sized and mini-sized pedals are not suitable for you, it’s high time to look for the medium pedals. They have the lighter and smaller platform than large pedals but offer better grip than small-sized pedals.
FAQs
How do I choose mountain bike pedals?
There is a wide range of factors that affect your pedals choice. You shoud consider their weight, size, type of platform (flat or clipless). Also, some functions like adjustability, mud shedding ability, durability, and the materials are what you need to know before purchasing a pair of mountain bike pedals.
Should I use clipless pedals on mountain bike?
Yes, you should do that if you want to boost the pedal efficiency and the control under your foot. Clipless pedals will help you transfer the power from your shoes to the pedals better than the flat pedals.
Do I really need mountain bike shoes?
No, it isn’t necessary at all. Mountain bike shoes are just useful when you are professional and you want more comfort in your riding experience. If you are a beginner, normal shoes still work well with your mountain bike.
Can you ride clipless pedals with normal shoes?
Yes, you can use these pedals on normal shoes. However, it might be not comfortable and effective on long-distance rides.