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Choosing the right pedals for your bike has a significant impact on your riding experience. Whether you ride a mountain bike, road bike, gravel bike, or city trekking bike, the right bike pedals can significantly improve your comfort, power transfer, and safety on the bike. But which pedals are best for your bike? And what should you look for when buying one? Here you'll find everything you need to know about bike pedals.
What pedals are there?
Clipless pedals
Clipless pedals, such as those offered by Look Pedals or Crankbrothers Pedals , are particularly popular among road cyclists and mountain bikers. These allow the shoe to engage with the pedal via a special cleat mount. This ensures more efficient power transfer and better grip, especially during athletic use.
More information about clipless pedals
Flat pedals
Flat pedals, also called platform pedals, are especially popular in urban areas, among mountain biking beginners, and among downhill and dirt bike riders. Manufacturers such as Hope Pedals , Acid Pedals , and Cube Pedals offer robust models with non-slip pins to improve grip on the pedal.
More information about flat pedals
The right purpose
Which pedals fit my bike?
Not every pedal fits every bike. Here's an overview:
MTB pedals
MTB pedals, or mountain bike pedals, must be particularly robust and grippy. You can choose between flat pedals, which offer plenty of freedom of movement, or clipless pedals, which provide better control and power transfer. Reverse pedals are especially popular with mountain bikers.
road bike pedals
Road bike pedals are almost always clipless, as they allow for optimal power transfer. Look pedals or Shimano SPD pedals are among the best options in this area. Professional road cyclists rely on these special clipless pedals because they offer maximum efficiency.
City Trekking Pedals
Comfort is crucial in city traffic and on trekking tours. Cube Pedals and Acid Pedals offer a wide range of models, both as flat and combo pedals (one side flat, one side clipless).
Gravel pedals
Gravel bikes require versatile pedals. Clipless pedals are popular because they offer high efficiency, but flat pedals can also be a good choice, depending on your preferred riding style.
Frequently asked questions about pedals
Which pedals for knee problems?
If you have knee problems, you should choose pedals that allow for natural movement. Road bike clipless pedals with a certain float angle or flat pedals with a flexible shoe position are ideal.
Float angle?
The float angle describes the range of motion your foot has in clipless pedals without immediately clipping out. This range (usually expressed in degrees) allows for a natural rotation of the foot and can help prevent knee problems. The greater the float angle, the more freedom of movement you have. Typical values range from 0° (fixed position) to 15° (high mobility) , depending on the pedal and cleat system.
Clipless pedals with float angle
These pedals allow for a slight rotation of the foot without the shoe immediately clipping out, thus reducing strain on the knee.
👉 Shimano SPD-SL (road bike) – Depending on cleat choice (yellow: 6° float, blue: 2° float, red: 0° float)
👉 Look Keo Classic / Look Keo 2 Max – 4.5° or 9° float, depending on the cleat
Pro tip: If you already have knee problems, choose a higher float angle to allow for a more natural foot movement.
MTB clipless pedals with more mobility
There are pedals for mountain bikes or gravel that also offer more freedom of movement.
👉 Shimano SPD (MTB series: e.g. PD-M540 or PD-M8100 XTR ) – 4–5° float with matching cleats (SM-SH56 for multiple exits)
👉 Crankbrothers (Eggbeater, Candy, Mallet) – Up to 15° float, very smooth clicking.
Flat pedals for more flexibility
If you'd rather forgo clipless pedals altogether, flat pedals offer free foot movement. Look for a large platform and non-slip pins to distribute pressure evenly.
👉 Sixpack Menace or Sixpack Millenium / Aluminium – Wide contact surface, good grip
👉 Crankbrothers Stamp (Small/Large) – Two sizes depending on foot size
👉 Burgtec Penthouse Flat – Robust platform, good grip
Pro tip: Combine flat pedals with shoes with softer rubber soles (e.g. Five Ten Freerider) for better shock absorption.
How many Nm for pedals?
The pedals should be tightened to approximately 30-40 Nm . Overtightening can damage the threads.
Do all pedals have the same thread?
Yes, most bicycle pedals have a 9/16 inch thread , which is standard. However, there are exceptions, especially for children's and special-purpose bikes.
Which pedals for MTB beginners?
Grippy flat pedals are suitable for beginners as they offer a high level of control and do not require special shoe bindings.
Can pedals be mounted incorrectly?
Yes, the left pedal has a left-hand thread, while the right pedal has a right-hand thread. Swapping them backwards could damage the thread.
How do I pedal correctly?
Power should come from the entire leg muscles, not just the thighs. Clipless pedals help develop a smooth pedal stroke.
Which pedals do the racing cyclists use?
Professionals rely almost exclusively on Look pedals or Shimano SPD-SL because they offer the best power transmission and aerodynamics.
How long do MTB pedals last?
High-quality MTB pedals will last for several years, depending on use and care. Regular lubrication of the bearings will extend their lifespan.
Do all pedals fit every bike?
Almost all modern bicycles use the 9/16 inch thread , so pedals are universally compatible.
Which key for pedals?
A 15 mm pedal wrench or a 6-8 mm Allen key is usually required.
What are power meter pedals?
Power meter pedals are special bicycle pedals with integrated power measurement. They measure pedaling power in watts by measuring the force exerted and cadence (revolutions per minute). This data helps cyclists optimize their training and analyze their performance.
Advantages of power meter pedals
✅ Easy installation – Can be mounted on any bike like normal pedals.
✅ High accuracy – Provides precise performance data for training control.
✅ Double-sided measurement possible – Some models measure separately for the left and right leg.
✅ Compatibility – Works with common bike computers and apps (e.g. Garmin, Wahoo, Zwift).
