Mountain bike pedals are the addition that everyone loves but fears getting. They’re cheap and definitely boost your performance and the look of your bike. Over the years, there has not been many changes to mountain bike pedals and they have managed to stay true to the task based on the task that you would like them to achieve. Each of the mountain bike pedals is built to help you conquer the many terrains that your bike is going to encounter. There are those that are built to help you on a down gradient, the platforms and the clipless.
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In most cases, it is the user who gets to decide what pedal is best for them and how they would like to use it. Luckily, even if you have a couple of different pairs for the different challenges that you’re going to face, you won’t have to run to the bike repair shop for every installation. In most instances, the pedals are built to be easy to install and use. As such, you should not shy away from buying an extra pair if the need arises.
Buying the Best Mountain Bike Pedals
Almost each and every one of the high quality mountain bike pedals in the market is a great buy for a variety of reasons. The only differentiating factor is usually how the pedal is able to cater to your needs. Before going ahead to look at some of the best options that you have in the market and those that have been widely used by professionals and free riders alike, here are a couple of things that you need consider when in the market for a set of mountain bike pedals.
Platform or Clipless
Honestly put, this is an ongoing debate. In fact, it has been going on for as long as both of these designs have been in the market. Clipless pedals tie down the foot and reduce slippage and prevent shin banging. Ultimately they also help improve your performance greatly. This is the reason why they are very common among the professional circles.
On the other hand, you have the platforms. They happen to be quite common in leisure riding. After all, tricks like tail whip are impossible to get done when you have your foot chained down to the pedal. While they do increase the chances of slippage, they do have their own perks. For instance, those that fear coming into a red-light, forgetting to unclip as they come to a stop and crashing, with platforms, this does not have to be the case. Nevertheless, the choice of having either the platform or clipless pedal would purely be the rider’s choice based on the use of the bike. But, to be on the safer side, you’re better off equipped with either of the options.
Durability
There is no question that your pedals will take quit the beating. The terrain is not kind and if you’re in the market for a set of pedals, it is easy to assume that your technique of riding isn’t any softer either. You need a pedal that will not crack when bashed against a tree trunk which happens quite often to even take a big hit when you wipe out. Even the best and most durable of pedals will usually need to be replaced after a couple of years especially if you happen to be the heavy rider. Nonetheless, this does not mean that you should slack and getting something lower because that would only mean you replace much sooner.
Cleaning
As much as you want your pedals being durable, you don’t want them to be clingy to dirt, grime and mud. You want them to look good even in the long run. Hence, durability and cleaning go hand in hand. There are those that are better at holding grim and others tread a thin line between being re-greased after cleaning or not. But the goal should be to get the best mountain bike pedals that shed the mud and do not require you to be too “handsy” with them.
Adjustability
Freedom of movement while pedaling is very critical. Which is why adjustability becomes a very critical factor. The pedals should let your foot move naturally within the process and also if they happen to be the clipless, they should also allow you to click out of them relatively easily. The importance of adjustability becomes even more of an issue when you happen to have prevalent knee problems. It would also be a good idea to have pedals that are able to cater to a couple of needs. Say cross country riding as well as downhill riding. This way, you won’t have to keep buying sets upon sets of the best mountain bike pedals.
Now that you have a clue of what you ought to be looking for when it comes to buying great pedals for your use, how about a couple of samples of the best that the pedal market has to offer. These are not only popular pedals but have been largely used and have great customer feedback. Hence, they would be a great fit even for some of the newer riders that might not understand the technicality of pedals but would like something worthwhile either way.
4 Mountain Bike Pedal Reviews
Shimano PD-M530 MTB SPD Pedals
When it comes to pedals, Shimano is the brand everyone waits for to announce their next big thing. While there have been a couple of other pedals released after the SPD, none have been able to match up to what these pair offers and the immense positive response if proof that they not only deliver but that they’re also able to impress. They have been intricately built to meet the needs of even the most demanding riders. However, before going any further, you should know that these are clipless.
The set is made of an alloy of aluminum and metal. This gives it a lightweight yet very durable characteristic that has the potential of lasting for ages no matter how brutal the use happen to be. They have an adjustable entry and release which allows for riders with varying shoe sizes to make use of the pedal and uses a pedal wrench type of 15mm. There is a lot that one has to weight in when it comes to the beauty of SPD pedal and the look of the pedal is definitely in its favor. It would be hard for you to overlook that.
Just to prove how strong and durable these pedals are, they come with a one year warranty which allows you to sit pretty knowing that you have the best product the market has to offer. The pedals can be put to a wide range of biking uses like mountain biking, winter commuting and Cyclocross.
If you’re looking for a top of the line, proven, and immensely durable set of mountain bike pedals that are far and beyond worth the value of money you spend on them, then there is no single shred of doubt that the Shimano SPD pedals are your kind of pedals. With your purchase, you also get two shoe clips which is an enormous advantage especially for those that have not mastered the art of clipping.
Expectedly for this kind of pedal, the price might be a little steep but it is going to be worth every single little penny that you spend. It makes it way much easier for you and it is a purchase you will hardly ever regret.
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VP Components VP-Vice Pedals
If you find the likes of Shimano and RockBros to have an intimidating look and you’re not comfortable with how busy they look, the VP components VP-Vice pedal also offers you another option to get one the best mountain bike pedals there is with all the benefits of the others which include wide and positive customer reviews but, with a simpler and less intimidating design. Even though simple, the design still works just as well which could be the reason for its popularity with such a huge number of users.
The pedal comes in a collection of four colors and you’re free to choose the one that you find most befitting for you. You also get a durable yet lightweight natured pedal made from CNC machined aluminum bodies. This proves to be a very clean and well thought out design with simple and basic features that over deliver.
It has a superior grip and is a platform pedal with a low profile which is ideal for a rider that does not prefer to use clipless and also one that does not prefer to have mountains of attention on them for any other reason apart from winning.
It is a pedal that has been built for riders that want plenty of grip and also those that value serviceability and durability and products that are built to last. Even though this set does not have some of those knock out features, there is no question that it gets the job downright done. No question about that.
Proper pedals are a great benefit to a vast collection of riders and even though you might not notice it, they do play a significant role in your performance. Having the best pedal ensures that you add safety and reliability to your riding. It also reduces chances of getting caught up in the wild as a result of broken pedal. Sooner or later, most riders to see the need to invest in pedals. You don’t have to wait to find this out the hard way. The sooner you decide to make the switch the better. Now you have a guide and reviews of the best mountain bike pedals to guide you in your journey for the best set.
Click here to check VP Components VP-Vice Pedals on Amazon
RockBros Mountain Bike Pedals
This is a somewhat mild note, these are flat, otherwise known as platform pedals that don’t come with clippers on so you can rest easy if you’re one of the red-light-unclipping phobia. The pedals are quite sizeable to the foot and measure about 80mm by 90mm. Just enough to cover your foot and give it the grip it needs without the extra chunk that would go grinding away at the pavements.
For a lightweight yet durable built, the pedals are made of Aluminum alloy with a relative spindle diameter. They have a thread installation which is relatively easy to work with and can be used on a great number of bikes not only the mountain bikes.
You might not have to clean them often given the nature of the color but the gloss look also allows them to naturally drip most of the mud and if you have to re-grease, the dark color makes the mess less visible. They’re definitely a great starting point and have great reviews so they’re definitely worth the shot by all means. Needless to mention, they also do have a very appealing design. In cycling, how good you look (even when all muddied) is a critical part of the sport.
Click here to check RockBros Mountain Bike Pedals on Amazon
Bonmixc Mountain Bike Pedals
To something more complex and better fitted for the semi-professional riders that prefer to go platform, these Bonmixc pedals not only have a great yet simplistic design, they also offer a range of different colors and contrast that you can pick from to either match your bike or your riding outfit. The feature a 9/16 inch spindle diameter which is more common among the mountain bikes hence requiring no additional tools to installs other than a spanner perhaps.
Other notable features of these mountain bike pedals include the high strength 6061 aluminum alloy material that has been used in the making of the pedals. Not only does this ensure that you don’t have to carry too much dead weight on your ride inform of pedals, you also get a durable set that will be able to service you for better for longer before requiring a replacement. The pedals also happen to be very suitable for a wide range of bikes other than the mountain bike like the BMX, Cruiser and even the Cyclocross bike and Dirt Jumper.
With this set, you get a pair of aesthetically pleasing, hardy built and performance oriented pedals that are without a doubt the best mountain bike pedals in the market in their own right. You should however have it in mind that the pins on the pedals are not adjustable and they cannot be used with top clips. Nonetheless, they’re still able to get their share of the job done relative well especially when used in the right terrains and conditions.
Click here to check Bonmixc Mountain Bike Pedals on Amazon
Conclusion
These products should give you a head start as you try and find the best mountain bike pedals. Deals are all over for these and you can have the best if you search wisely. Online shopping has always been the best option and always recommended for everyone.
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