Mountain Bike Pedals – With Click or Platform Through the Terrain

Power transmission, secure footing and control – as one of three points of contact between people and bikes, the pedals on a mountain bike play a particularly important role. Uphill, they ensure that you get maximum power on the trail. Downhill, they help you to stabilize your bike. And for jumps, drops and the like, a secure stance is the be-all and end-all.

There are basically two types of pedals for mountain bikes: clipless pedals (also known as clickies) and flat pedals (also known as flat pedals). The difference: clipless pedals have a mechanism in which a plate attached to the shoe (the cleat) engages. To release the connection, the foot is turned to the side. The fixed connection between shoe and pedals guarantees optimum power transmission and fixed control over the bike. Clipless pedals are ideal for racing and cross-country.

The MTB flat pedal, on the other hand, offers a wider footprint, allowing you to stand on the pedals like any other bike pedal. The foot can be pulled away from the pedal at lightning speed, and all foot positions are possible. This is why the MTB flat pedals are the first choice for technical disciplines such as enduro or freeride. If you want to benefit from the advantages of both types of pedals, so-called MTB clipless pedals with a wide footprint and a click mechanism on one side only are ideal.

Whether clipless pedals, flat pedals or combination pedals – MTB pedals differ from conventional bicycle pedals in a number of ways:

• Secure footing: A secure footing is important for optimum power transmission and control off-road. That's why flat pedals have a fairly large standing surface, the pins (usually screwable steel pins on the pedals) provide grip. Clipless pedals can be very small, but thanks to the length of the axle and the click mechanism, they also offer a secure
• Dirt resistance: To ensure that the clipless mechanism always works, MTB pedals are designed so that mud and sludge do not impair their function. It is also important for flat pedals that the standing surface remains grippy in wet conditions.
• Durability: The load on MTB pedals is higher, so the axle, layers and, in the case of clipless pedals, the mechanics must be designed to be correspondingly stable. MTB pedals are therefore durable and robust.

Whichever type of pedals you choose – you should pay attention to these things when buying:

• Clipless system: The manufacturers of clipless pedals sometimes use different clipless systems with different cleats. The matching cleats are usually supplied with the pedals. They have a standardized attachment (SPD 2-hole) with two screws and therefore fit in any shoe that is prepared for MTB clipless pedals. Speedplay pedals, however, use 4 holes, and SPD pedals for road use 3 holes. If you already use clipless pedals or want to ride several bikes with clipless pedals, make sure that all pedals have the same system
• Shoes: As mentioned above, you need special shoes for clipless pedals with the appropriate attachment points for the MTB cleats in the sole of the shoe. Always pay attention to whether you need 2-hole, 3-hole or 4-hole – 2-hole is common for most MTB clipless pedals. Although you can theoretically ride MTB flat pedals with any shoe, you should also wear special MTB shoes for flat pedals due to the special features required when biking

Your riding style is crucial for choosing the right MTB pedals: For race and cross-country, we recommend clipless pedals for optimum power transmission. For trail, enduro and freeride, MTB flat pedals allow more freedom and safety. When choosing pedals, you should generally ensure a secure footing on the pedals and a stable construction.