Bike Pedals

Your choice of bike pedals will depend on where, how far, and how often you ride your bike. As a general rule, cross-country mountain bikers, dedicated cycle commuters, and road riders tend to choose clipless bike pedals. Most freeriders tend to use wide platform pedals. Casual, occasional riders are best served with simple platform bike pedals.

Clipless Pedals

Clipless pedals increase the power in your pedal stroke by locking your foot in position and allowing you to both push and pull with each stroke.

• Most clipless pedals are SPD® (Shimano® Pedalling Dynamics) compatible, which fit Shimano-style cleats.
• It takes a bit of practice to correctly set the cleat position on your shoe. This was especially critical with earlier models which had no float. However, newer designs incorporate a certain amount of float that helps alleviate the chance of knee and ankle problems associated with a misaligned cleat.
• The amount of float (measured in degrees) is the amount of sideways play or movement between the pedal and cleat. A little bit of float is a good thing since it allows your joints to follow a natural pedal stroke.
• In general, the easier it is for you to disengage from your pedals the more comfortable you'll feel on the bike. Many pedals include a foot tension adjustment; this helps control how much sideways force you need to apply to your pedal before your foot will disengage. Experienced mountain bikers like tight pedals so they don't unclip in rough terrain.
• Some clipless pedals incorporate a binding system with a relatively wide platform, great for cross-country riding when you want to stand on the pedal through a technical section.
• Many mountain bike-specific pedals are designed to prevent mud and dirt from clogging up the pedal / cleat system.

Clipless Road Pedals

Clipless road pedals differs from conventional clipless pedals in several ways:

• Many road pedals are “one sided” (they only engage on one side). This is done to maximize clearance and weight.
• Their high clearance helps riders minimize the chance of grinding the pedal on the ground when pedalling through sharp turns. If you've experienced the sensation of “bottoming out,” you'll know that at best, you'll scare the heck out of yourself; at worst, you'll take a really nasty fall.
• They are also designed to keep the foot as close as possible to the spindle. This is called the stack height. As a general rule, the lower the stack height, the better.
• Finally, since road rides tend to last much longer than mountain bike rides, you may want to consider a bike pedal with ample float. This can enhance your riding comfort, and reduce strain on your joints.

Platform Pedals

There are essentially two styles of platform pedals. The basic model is what most people visualize when they think of a bike pedal. The second model is a larger, wider, freeride platform pedal. You may notice a large difference in price between seemingly identical platform pedals. This is usually attributed to a few basic features.

• The overall quality of the craftsmanship and materials. The platform can be made out of aluminium or steel. As a general rule, the lighter the pedal, the more expensive it is.
• The quality of the spindle (the part that attaches to the crank arms). Precision-machined chromoly spindles are more rigid and durable than simple steel spindles.
• Sealed bearings are also an expensive feature. Sealed bearings offer a smoother more consistent spinning pedal. Traditional open bearing sets can feel stiff and clunky. They are also more susceptible to damage from water, grime, and grit.
• Removable studs. Higher end pedal offers, small removable studs that can be replaced as they wear out or are lost.