8 Best Flat Pedals for Road Bikes (Updated 2023)

ApexBikes is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links on our site. Learn more.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a professional cyclist or a casual rider, a pair of good quality cycling pedals may add a little bit of more comfort and ease. And talking about road cycling, a proper pair of pedals can enhance the overall performance to the next level. This type of cycling requires the proper set of parts If anyone can afford to spend that much.

The proper set for road cycling also includes the proper pedals. These pedals are essential for a comfortable ride and they need to have some qualities that you just cannot avoid. As for the different variants of such pedals, one can easily get confused about making a particular choice.

What Should You Consider Before Buying Road Bike Pedals

Before you are going to buy the appropriate set of pedals, first consider what type of cycling you prefer the most. Do you enjoy mountain biking or aggressive types of cycling or do you like recreational type cycling such as commuting or beach commuting? Would you prefer to have power in your pedals for efficient pedaling with greater traction control and stability or would you prefer to have maneuverability so that it becomes easier to pedal? Or perhaps you are looking for both qualities to have in the pedals.

So we are going to discuss the main considerations for choosing a pair of pedals to make you get rid of your confusion.

Consider the type of cycling

Think about one thing first, do you always travel the maximum portion of your destination by cycling? Or do you sometimes get off from your bike and walk? Road cycling pedals that come with three-hole cleats are for those who stay on their bicycles most of the time while they are riding. Again, Flat pedals with no cleats are for those who prefer casual or recreational cycling and get off from their bikes from time to time.

Choose between a clipless or a flat pedal

Are you going to buy pedals for performance or power? Or are you going to buy pedals for entertainment? Clipless or clip-in pedals require special types of shoes where the cleats get connected under the shoe-soles. Therefore, your feet remain always connected with the pedals while you are pulling up or pushing down the pedals. Or if you are looking for something that is more comfortable, then you can go for flat pedals where you can easily and quickly take your feet off the pedals. These types of pedals don’t require special types of shoes. Therefore, these pedals are common choices for normal people as they don’t have many prerequisites.

Budget

Flat pedals generally cost less than clip-in/clipless pedals. They also have lower maintenance than clipless pedals. Clipless pedals require clips and there can be many types of additional clips that can be found for these pedals that need extra money for purchasing. Flat pedals don’t need any cleats, so there is no scope for spending extra money here. Moreover, to adjust the cleats; you will need special types of shoes and these shoes come with a price. Normal shoes for riding such types of pedals are not granted. As a result, you should save up extra money for these shoes when you are going to purchase clip-in or clipless pedals. However, clipless pedals are built mainly based on performance while the manufacturer doesn’t have to think much of performance for building flat pedals. Again, the build quality and the workmanship for clipless pedals are always far greater than the flat pedals.

Consider your shoes

The choice of your desired pedal is also dictated by your shoe preference. If you are a commuter who takes off his shoes from the pedals again and again, then flat or platform pedals will work the best for you. Again if you are an avid professional cyclist, who remains always on track riding his bike and who doesn’t take off his feet from the pedals much and focuses more on the performance, clipless pedals will be your ideal pedals. However, there are hybrid pedals if you like to have both power and ease while riding your bike.

Common Clipless Bike Pedals for Various Types of Cycling

Clipless bike pedals can be categorized into three types based on performance. All of these pedal-types consist of cleats and there can be various cleats for various clipless pedals depending on the brand and the type. Why do these pedals have cleats? Well, the answer is simple – to provide power and efficiency while pedaling.

We have divided the clipless pedals into three different types and they are – Clipless pedals for road bikes, clipless pedals for mountain bikes and clipless pedals for recreational cycling. We are going to briefly discuss all three types below.

1) Road Cycling Clipless Pedals:
These pedals are for the road cyclists who want their feet always on the pedals. These pedals create a secure connection to the shoe-soles with the help of the cleats. Therefore. They are able to provide superior power and efficiency when you make a stroke. The power they offer is obviously much greater than most regular flat pedals. These road cycling clipless pedals feature 3-hole designed cleats, which are commonly known as ‘Look’ cleats or the SPD-SL cleats for the Shimano pedals.

3-hole designed cleats are larger than the 2-hole designed cleats. That is the main advantage of these cleats. For having a larger and wider surface these cleats are able to distribute the pedal-force equally to every section of the pedal. Therefore, the pressure doesn’t apply only to the connection points. This feature helps the cyclist a lot to overcome the high stress of road cycling.

2) Mountain Biking Clipless Pedals:
The name suggests that these pedals are made for mountain biking. Mountain biking is not like road cycling. Here the rider may want to take their feet off the pedals sometimes. Riders wouldn’t worry much if their feet slide off the pedals. Mountain roads are bumpy with a lot of jolts and vibrations. Thinking about these aspects, mountain biking pedals were made. These pedals come with 2-hole designed cleats as these cleats recessed into the shoe-soles for more comfortable walking.

These cleats connect under the soles of the compatible shoes and access the proper angle adjustment by allowing your feet to slide slightly back and forth. Therefore, the engagement and disengagement of your feet to the pedals become much easier. You will get comfort as well as proficiency for their convenient placement on the pedals and under your shoes and this will make your mountain biking experience much better.

3) Recreational Cycling Clipless Pedals:
If you prefer to wear shoes that can make walking comfortable in any type of ground surface, then you need to install flat pedals on your bike as you don’t have to wear special-type shoes for riding your bike that will also make walking convenient everywhere. But here we are considering clipless pedals rather than flat pedals. So you can go for the pedals with a 2-hole cleat system.

However, there are hybrid or dual-platform pedals that feature both potentials. One side of these types of pedals offers flexibility as a flat pedal whereas the other side offers the efficiency and power of a clipless system. These can be great options for those who like to start pedaling with clipless pedals while can enjoy the advantage of a flat pedal.

This chart below will give a quick overview of these three pedals –

Difference Among Clipless Pedals

Our Top Pick

After exclusive research for relentless hours, we have made a list of the finest flat pedals for road cycling. Among all the pedals, we do believe that the MZYRH Mountain Bike Pedals take the lead for delivering remarkable qualities at such a reasonable price. So we have entitled these pedals as our “Overall Best Choice”.

MZYRH Mountain Bike Pedals

Smooth bearing with Anti-skid pins | Overall Best Choice

The MZYRH Mountain Bike Pedals was able to become a popular choice for most people. These pedals come with 3 cartridge bearings that are all sealed, they are not like the DU bearings. Offer great features and like the premium pedals, they are constructed of Aluminum Alloy where the standard axle is made of Cr-Mo Steel. A versatile pedal that can be used for multipurpose use. Also, these pedals can be found in a lot of eye-catching colors with three different profiles. So, undoubtedly these pedals come with a bumper offer under a very limited buying price.

  • Type: Platform / Flat
  • Platform Dimension: 4.3” x 9.34” x 0.98”
  • Weight: 0.79 lbs (Pair)
  • Spindle Diameter: 9/16”
  • Body Material: Nylon
  • Axle Material: Steel (Cr-Mo)
  • Bearing Type: Cartridge with DU bushings
  • Number of Bearings: 3

In the following table, we’ve listed the best flat/platform pedals that we have selected for your road bikes:

ProductWhy we recommend this
MZYRH Platform PedalsBest flat pedal for your road bikes.
Smooth bearing with Anti-skid pins.
FOOKER Flat PedalsNylon fiber surface+high strength Cr-Mo spindle pedals
RaceFace ChesterFlat Pedals8 hex pin system with lightweight body
Crankbrothers Stamp 1Premium Igus and Enduro bearings & 9 hex pattern traction pins 
MEETLOCKSLighter as well as Stronger
SHIMANO PD-M324 SPD Dual Platform PedalsTop dual platform pedal choice for road bikes.
Perfect for multipurpose use.
Shimano Unisex PD-A530 SPD Dual PlatformInnovative design with better control & performance
Crankbrothers Doubleshot 1 Hybrid PedalHybrid pedal with Enhanced Grip

How our selected flat pedals for road bikes compare

As usual, we have made a comparison chart for readers who can’t afford much of their time reading the whole article. This comparison chart will help them to get a quick overview of all the pedals from our list. But we highly recommend reading the whole post taking a decent amount of time as we can guarantee you will be benefited by reading this article.

PedalPreviewPedal TypeSpindle Diameter
Body MaterialAxle MaterialBearing TypePlatform DimensionWeight (Pair)
(lbs.)
Included CleatOptional Cleat
MZYRH Bike PedalsMZYRH Mountain Bike Pedals, Ultra Strong Colorful CNC Machined 9/16' Cycling Sealed 3 Bearing Pedals(Black 3 Bearings)Platform / Flat9/16”Aluminum AlloySteel (Cr-Mo)Sealed Cartridge4.1” x 3.8” x 1”0.71N/AN/A
FOOKER Bike PedalsFOOKER MTB Pedals Mountain Bike Pedals 3 Bearing Non-Slip Lightweight Nylon Fiber Bicycle Platform Pedals for BMX MTB 9/16'Platform / Flat9/16”NylonSteel (Cr-Mo)Cartridge with DU bushings4.3” x 9.34” x 0.98”0.79N/AN/A
RaceFace ChesterRaceFace Chester Mountain Bike Pedal BLUEPlatform / Flat9/16”NylonSteel (Cr-Mo)Cartridge with DU bushings9.6” x 5” x 1”0.79N/AN/A
Crankbrothers Stamp 1Crankbrothers Stamp Flat BMX/MTB Bike Pedal - Platform Bicycle Pedal, Minimal Profile, Adjustable GripPlatform / Flat9/16”CompositeSteel (Cr-Mo)Igus LL-glide (inner)/ Enduro (outer)3.9” x 3.9” x 0.5” (small)0.659N/AN/A
MEETLOCKS Bike PedalsMEETLOCKS Bike Pedal, CNC Aluminum Body Cr-Mo Machined 9/16' Screw Thread Spindle Three Pcs Ultra Sealed Bearing,Bicycle PedalsPlatform / Flat9/16”Aluminum AlloySteel (Cr-Mo)Sealed Cartridge4” x 3.7” x 0.7”
0.88N/AN/A
Shimano PD-M324 SPDSHIMANO Clipless Pedals SPD Pedal E-PDM324,road, Alloy SteelMulti-Purpose (SPD/Flat)9/16”Aluminum Alloy + SteelSteel (Cr-Mo)Cup & Cone (Sealed)3.9” x 2.8” x 1.6”
1.1SM-SH56SM-SH51
Shimano PD-A530 SPShimano PD-A530 SPD Dual Platform Bike PedalMulti-Purpose (SPD/Flat)9/16”AluminumSteel (Cr-Mo)
Sealed Cartridge7” x 6” x 2”1SM-SH51SM-SH56
Crankbrothers Doubleshot 1No products found.Multi-Purpose (SPD/Flat)9/16”CompositeSteel (Cr-Mo)
Igus LL-glide (inner)/ Enduro (outer)7” x 5” x 3”1.04Easy CleatStandard Clea

8 best flat pedals you can buy today for your road bikes

# Our Flat Pedal Choices

1) MZYRH

Smooth bearing with Anti-skid pins | Overall Best Choice

MZYRH Mountain Bike Pedals
  • Type: Platform / Flat
  • Platform Dimension: 4.1” x 3.8” x 1”
  • Weight: 0.71 lbs (Pair)
  • Spindle Diameter: 9/16”
  • Body Material: Aluminum Alloy
  • Axle Material: Steel (Cr-Mo)
  • Bearing Type: Sealed Cartridge
  • Number of Bearings: 3

Features & Considerations
  • Smooth Bearings: This is a set of platform-style pedals where each pedal consists of 3 lubricated bearings and sealed with an Aluminum tail cap.
  • Application: Best for most types of cycling such as BMX biking, cyclocross, dirt jumping, mountain biking, road cycling, urban cycling and other types.
  • Anti-Skid Nails: Each pedal contains a total of 24 anti-skid nails to enhance grip and some extra nails will be gifted if you want to replace them in the future.
  • Efficient Pedaling: Makes more efficient pedaling for racing or casual riding with its anti-skid nails, reverse installation and strong grasps.
  • Ultra-Light Weight: For its unique hollow design, it is unbelievably light.
  • Build Quality: This pedal has a body made of Aluminum Alloy 6061 machined with CNC and the axle is made of Cr-Mo Steel.
  • Durability: These pedals are suitable for any type of ride because they process excellent strength for their Aluminum Alloy.
  • Easy Installation: Both installation and removal are easy for these pedals, just need an 8mm hexagon screwdriver.
  • Easy Guideline: There has been written L for the left pedal and R for the right pedal.
  • Available Options: Lets you to select from three different options. They are – X12S (Glossy), X12S (Matte) and X12 (Glossy).
  • Colors: Available in multiple colors for multiple sets of options.

Some Weaknesses
  • After riding with these pedals for a while, you may hear annoying clicking sounds.
  • For rough mountain cycling, the pedals may bend or can even break.
  • Not good for riding in an urban environment as they might strike curbs or hit rocks.

The MZYRH Mountain Bike Pedals are very popular products as they offer great quality for a reasonable price. I must say, these economical pedals are quite sturdy and versatile. Instead of DU bearings where there is no lubrication, these pedals have 3 sealed bearings with better lubrication. Their surfaces are rugged and made of Aluminum Alloy. Also, the axle has Cr-Mo Steel construction that makes these pedals resistant to shock and corrosion.

You can find these pedals in multiple fancy colors that are very eye-catching. Although it is said there are 6 official colors, it is not certain because these pedals are available in 3 profiles. The names of these two profiles are actually the same, that is the X12S where one is anodized with a glossy finish and another is anodized with a matte finish. The X12 is the third profile which also has a glossy finish.

MZYRH Mountain Bike Pedals

MZYRH Mountain Bike Pedals

2) FOOKER

Nylon fiber surface+high strength Cr-Mo spindle pedals

Sale
FOOKER Mountain Bike Pedals
  • Type: Platform / Flat
  • Platform Dimension: 4.3” x 9.34” x 0.98”
  • Weight: 0.79 lbs (Pair)
  • Spindle Diameter: 9/16”
  • Body Material: Nylon
  • Axle Material: Steel (Cr-Mo)
  • Bearing Type: Cartridge with DU bushings
  • Number of Bearings: 3

Features & Considerations
  • Smooth Bearings: You can buy these pedals between 2 profiles with different bearing options where the bearings between these two choices are very well lubricated.
  • Application: These pedals are suitable for cyclocross, dirt-jumping, road cycling, touring, mountain biking, urban cycling and can also be used in any BMX, hybrid, folding or track bicycle.
  • Anti-Skid Nails: Each pedal includes 16 anti-skid nails that not only provide sufficient grip but also help you to get off quickly when you crash with your bike.
  • Phenomenal Grip: These nails on each side keep your feet on the pedal more secure, even when your feet are covered with mud.
  • Build Quality: Surface is made of high-strength Nylon-fiber with Steel Cr-Mo spindles.
  • Durable: The antagonistic build quality of these pedals made them shock, abrasion and corrosion-resistant and makes them competent to withstand excessive pressure.
  • Easy to Install: You can easily install them and complete the process within a few minutes.
  • Easy Guideline: Marked with CR-L and CR-R to adjust the right pedal in the right place before you install them.
  • Fixed 2 Gear Configuration: These pedals can be configured between 2 choices. Either you can choose the 3 Bearing Variant or you can choose the Needle Roller Bearing Variant.
  • Colors: Available in various cool colors (approximately 7 official colors can be found).
  • This set of pedals is backed by a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Some Weaknesses
  • The quality of the cartridges is very poor and they may eventually break.
  • The cartridges may cause cracking sound after using the pedals for a month.
  • Sometimes, the pedals are not in the exact size and you may experience wobble during your ride.

The FOOKER MTB Pedals can be a decent choice for road cycling when you are looking for something for a limited budget. Like most good quality pedals, they tend to offer anti-skid nails. There are a total of 32 nails for one pair, so each pedal contains 16 nails that provide ample grip while riding. The platforms are also very nice and wide to adjust most shoe-soles.

Despite the unappealing color of your bike, these pedals guarantee to look cool. Because they can be found in multiple colors that are all eye-catching. Black, Green, Yellow, Orange, Pink and Sky Blue are some of the mentionable colors of these pedals. They also look like they were anodized, not cheap looking. Everything about these pedals is modest, except for the overall quality, the company should focus more on it.

FOOKER Mountain Bike Pedals

FOOKER Mountain Bike Pedals

3) RaceFace Chester

8 hex pin system with a lightweight body

Sale
RaceFace Chester
  • Type: Platform / Flat
  • Platform Dimension: 9.6” x 5” x 1”
  • Weight: 0.79 lbs (Pair)
  • Spindle Diameter: 9/16”
  • Body Material: Nylon
  • Axle Material: Steel (Cr-Mo)
  • Bearing Type: Cartridge with DU bushings
  • Number of Bearings: 1

Features & Considerations
  • Best Value Package: A good value for your money as you can experience the same grip as most traditional alloy pedals and get 100% serviceable bearing and bushing system.
  • Application: These pedals prefer almost any type of cycling such as road cycling, mountain biking, dirt-jumping, cyclocross, trail and other types of cycling.
  • Anti-Skid Nails: Each pedal consists of 8 heat-treated hex pins or bolts for better grip and all of these pins are replaceable.
  • Bearing: Combined with a sealed bushing, each pedal has a sealed outboard bearing.
  • Lightweight Design: These are extremely light pedals that make pedaling easier than ever.
  • Easy to Install: These pedals offer a simple installation method that should take only a couple of minutes.
  • Build Quality: Body is composed of strong Nylon for greater longevity and the axle is made of durable sealed Cr-Mo steel.
  • Colors: 9 variants of colors are available to choose from that match with your bike the most.
  • Like all the Race Face pedals, a 2-year warranty is applied for this set of pedals.

Some Weaknesses
  • The most painful part can be the nails as they remain 0.20” out of the surface and they are quite sharp.
  • Because of these sharp nails, your shoe-soles might be torn apart.
  • Even having these long pins, your feet may not stay on the pedals while crossing a bumpy terrain.
  • Because of having a poor build quality, they may break after a couple of uses while they are still inside the crank.

The RaceFace Chester is a classic pedal that is designed to take on almost any trail, dirt-jumping, mountain biking, and even road cycling. It is the set of pedals for the riders who are looking for something burly and flat. There are a total of 9 variants of colors of this pedal, they are – black, blue, green, orange, purple, red, turquoise, yellow, forest, mustard and the last but not the least the magenta color that can be an identical and appealing choice for women’s bikes.

However, the company should focus more on some of the issues of this pedal. For instance, they should consider installing blunt nails instead of these sharp nails as these nails can chew up your shoe-soles. They enhance the overall durability and the platforms of these pedals may not be large enough to provide the preferred engagement for many riders.

RaceFace Chester

RaceFace Chester

4) Crankbrothers Stamp 1

Premium Igus and Enduro bearings & 9 hex pattern traction pins 

Crankbrothers Stamp 1
  • Type: Platform / Flat
  • Platform Dimension: 3.9” x 3.9” x 0.5” (small)
  • Weight: 0.659 lbs (Pair)
  • Spindle Diameter: 9/16”
  • Body Material: Composite
  • Axle Material: Steel (Cr-Mo)
  • Bearing Type: Igus LL-glide (inner), Enduro cartridge (outer)
  • Number of Bearings: 1

Features & Considerations
  • Optimal Surface: This pedal is designed with a minimal profile and offers an optimal platform area for proficient pedaling on any road surface.
  • Application: All mountain, downhill, enduro, trail, freeride and many types of cycling become easier when you use these pedals.
  • Bearings: Features premium Enduro and Igus bearing that remains sealed for extra protection.
  • Hex Pattern: Each pedal has a hex pattern of 9 traction pins for a better grip that reinforces a stunning performance.
  • Build Quality: These pedals are made of strong composite material that made them very reliable for excessive usage.
  • Spindle Material: The spindles are made of scm 435 Cr-Mo steel that is forged.
  • Available Stamps: The amazing fact is- there are a total of 5 types of stamps available for these pedals, each of the types has 2 different sizes.
  • Recommended Shoe-Size: The small size of stamp 1 is recommended for 37-43 (eu) or 5-10 (us) shoe-sizes whereas, the large size is recommended for 43-49 (eu) or 10-15 (us) shoe-sizes.
  • Colors: You can choose the pedals in 7 different colors matching with your bike’s color.
  • A limited warranty of 5 years will be provided with these pedals.

Some Weaknesses
  • The large size of these pedals seems to be a little too large for some users.
  • The stamp 1 variant is not concave in shape. As a result, it may lack grip compared to other flat pedals.
  • Your foot may go numb after riding with these pedals for a while as they are not leveled.

The Stamp pedals from Crankbrothers offer 5 different variants, they are stamp 1, stamp 2, stamp 3, stamp 7 and stamp 11. Each of these stamps can be found in 2 sizes, which are small and large-size. Different people have different foot sizes. Therefore, they need different shoe-sizes for walking comfortably as well as different pedal-sizes for riding comfortably. The Stamp 1 was made based on this motive.

Although the stamp 1 pedals may not provide satisfying performance and comfort as the stamp 3 or stamp 7, they are decent choices for the price. They are remarkable pedals for the newbies or beginners. That is why we have selected them on our list. In case you want to buy the stamp 3 or stamp 7, then we certainly won’t discourage you.

Moreover, you can find these pedals in 7 colors, they are – black, red, blue, turquoise, purple, orange and citron. So, no matter what color your bike is, you can be sure that you will find the color that goes with your bike. And there is also a special version that riders may find very attractive, that is the Danny MacAskill version.

Crankbrothers Stamp 1

Crankbrothers Stamp 1

5) MEETLOCKS

Lighter as well as Stronger

Sale
MEETLOCKS Bike Pedal
  • Type: Platform / Flat
  • Platform Dimension: 4” x 3.7” x 0.7”
  • Weight: 0.88 lbs
  • Spindle Diameter: 9/16”
  • Body Material: Aluminum Alloy
  • Axle Material: Steel (Cr-Mo)
  • Bearing Type: Sealed Cartridge
  • Number of Bearings: 3

Features & Considerations
  • Concave Shape: These pedals have a concave shape that offers much comfort and enhances pedaling skills for the riders with larger feet.
  • Skid Resistant Design: A sleek profile pedal with replaceable anti-skid pins that will prevent your feet from skidding for longer rides.
  • 3 Sealed Bearings: Triple sealed bearings keep the elements out of the way and contribute to more smooth, more labor-saving pedaling.
  • Anti-Skid Pins: Each pedal contains 12 pieces of anti-skid pins that are replaceable to grip your shoes well with better safety.
  • Wider Platform: Have wider platforms for big feet to make pedaling skid-resistant during the entire time of cycling.
  • Adjustability: Promote 9/16” threaded axle to adjust most standard bicycles and for any outdoor cycling.
  • Build Quality: The body is constructed with CNC machined 6061 Aluminum Alloy and features a Cr-Mo spindle.
  • Ultralight: Much lighter compared to other Aluminum injected pedals and yet much stronger.
  • Sleek Profile: These pedals are only 13mm thick that indicates a sleek and sporty look.
  • Easy Installation: ‘R’ indicates for right and ‘L’ indicates for left, which provides a guideline for easy installation.

Some Weaknesses
  • Not for abusive usage. For example, these pedals may break apart when riding on downhill trails.
  • You may find loose pins that come off very easily from the surface.
  • Poor longevity and workmanship.

These bike pedals from MEETLOCKS have an extraordinary design and build quality. These are super light yet very strong. They are made of 6061 Aluminum Alloy that is machined with CNC and they offer standard 9/16” axle to accommodate most types of bicycles. These pedals feature wider and concave shaped platforms for effective and labor-saving pedaling that make an effective cycling experience.

Furthermore, they come with a total of 24 anti-skid pins where each pedal includes 12 pins for enhancing the foothold ability and making a skid-resistant ride. Sadly, some have found these pins coming off the surface easily and there are some weak parts that make the pedals fragile. However, you can solve this issue by replacing some new parts that are stronger than the older parts.

MEETLOCKS Bike Pedal

MEETLOCKS Bike Pedal

# Our Hybrid Bike Pedal Choices

6) SHIMANO PD-M324 SPD Dual Platform

Perfect for multipurpose use

Sale
SHIMANO PD-M324 SPD
  • Type: Multi-Purpose (SPD/Flat)
  • Platform Dimension: 3.9” x 2.8” x 1.6”
  • Weight: 1.1 lbs (Pair)
  • Spindle Diameter: 9/16”
  • Body Material: Aluminum Alloy + Steel
  • Included Cleat: SM-SH56
  • Optional Cleat: SM-SH51
  • Axle Material: Steel (Cr-Mo)
  • Bearing Type: Cup & Cone (Sealed)

Features & Considerations
  • 2-Way Platform: Features a versatile 2-way platform where one side supports a Shimano SPD system and the other side offers a standard platform system.
  • SPD System: 1 side of the pedal features full SPD (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics) – specific clip interface.
  • Standard Platform Side: Another side of the pedal features a standard platform for riding while you are wearing normal street shoes.
  • Efficient Pedaling: The combination of the SPD system and standard platform base allows you to pedal with stability, comfort, and greater efficiency.
  • Multipurpose Use: Because of having a dual-platform feature, this pedal can be used for any purpose.
  • Bearings: This pair of pedals features serviceable cup and cone bearings protected with a fully sealed mechanism.
  • Build Quality: A barrel finish body build with Aluminum and the axle material is Chromoly Steel.
  • Adjustability: Offer an adjustable in or out tension settings with a cleat retention adjuster.
  • Easy Installation: The installation process is relatively easy and requires a 15mm wrench.
  • The package comes with a pair of 2-bolt cleats.
  • A 2-year warranty from the manufacturer will be provided with these pedals.

Some Weaknesses
  • Difficult to orient these things properly as you may have a 50% chance of finding out the clips.
  • Like adjusting the clips, the clips are difficult to release.
  • If you can’t remove your foot from the clips in time of danger, it can be very daunting.
  • These pedals tend to be very heavy.

If you want to accustom a dual-platform pedal for the first time, the Shimano M324 SPD pedals will be a great choice, to begin with. This versatile pair of pedals has a Shimano SPD mechanism on one side and a standard pedal design on the other side. As a result, you can use these pedals either wearing special shoes for clipping into the pedals or wearing normal shoes while using the standard platform side.

SHIMANO PD-M324 SPD

SHIMANO PD-M324 SPD

Shimano introduces the SPD to an extended border lifestyle called MTB to meet its needs. By this combination, Shimano has boosted the power of these pedals as well as enhanced the control of the rider over an adventurous riding style. Although the package may vary, you will get 2 cleats for sure. These pedals offer outstanding performance for commuting or touring. We found this video very helpful to get an idea of these pedals or to know about their features.

7) Shimano Unisex PD-A530 SPD Dual Platform

Innovative design with better control & performance

Shimano PD-A530 SPD
  • Type: Multi-Purpose (SPD/Flat)
  • Platform Dimension: 0.55” x 0.55” x 0.35”
  • Weight: 1 lbs (Pair)
  • Spindle Diameter: 9/16”
  • Body Material: Aluminum
  • Included Cleat: SM-SH51
  • Optional Cleat: SM-SH56
  • Axle Material: Steel (Cr-Mo)
  • Bearing Type: Sealed Cartridge

Features & Considerations
  • 2-Way Platform: A dual-platform design where one side can be used as a versatile SPD pedal whereas the other side can be used as a regular platform pedal.
  • SPD System: One side of these pedals offers SPD (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics)-mechanism for efficient pedaling with a wide variety of shoes and pedaling-styles.
  • Standard Platform Side: The other side of these pedals can be used as normal platform pedals that are slightly concave in shape and work with your regular walking shoes.
  • Sealed Cartridge: These pedals include sealed cartridge axles and they need very low maintenance.
  • Cleat Design: Feature SPD recessed cleats that make your shoes walkable while they are being mounted on their soles.
  • Innovative Design: These pedals have an innovative design as they can eliminate toe-clips and integrate with your shoe-soles for unified power.
  • Spring Tension System: You can adjust the entry and release settings individually with this spring tension system.
  • Efficient Pedaling: The SPD system transfers unified power to make pedaling more stable and efficient.
  • Mud-Shedding Design: A superior mud-shedding design removes muds and debris when you step in.
  • Build Quality: These pedals feature an Aluminum finish body and durable Chromoly spindles.
  • Colors: These pedals can be found in Black or Silver color.
  • Attractive Look: Ride with style as these pedals promote a clean and attractive appearance.
  • The package includes one pair of SM-SH51 cleats.
  • A limited 1-year manufacturer’s warranty will be given with this pair of pedals.

Some Weaknesses
  • The flat sides of these pedals are very slick as there is no rubber or texture for grip.
  • You may find these pedals a little too narrow when you are using your running shoes.
  • It may take some time to release your foot from the SPD sides of these pedals.
  • After using them for a while, the bearings may start to make clicking noises.

If you use your bike for different purposes, then you need some sort of pedals that can deliver performance for outrageous cycling or racing and then again, can work as a regular platform pedal for day-to-day cycling. Considering this purpose, Shimano has introduced the PD-A530 that can deliver both. This versatile pedal has an attractive look while these pedals can provide ultimate performance for intense cycling. Also, comes in 2 different colors for the user’s liking.

The installation of these pedals is also quite easy. In order for a complete installation, you will need a 4mm Allen wrench for installing the cleats, 3mm Allen wrench for adjusting the tension spring and 15mm spanner for installing the pedals. A pair of SM-SH51 cleats will be provided with the pedals and if you want, you can install the optional SM-SH56 cleats that need to be bought separately.

Shimano PD-A530 SPD

Shimano PD-A530 SPD

8) Crankbrothers Doubleshot 1

Dual platform pedal with enhanced grip

No products found.

Undoubtedly ‘Crankbrothers’ is a world-class bicycle accessory making company and the Doubleshot series pedals are their new hybrid pedals. With these pedals, you enjoy the best of both worlds where you can ride casually for recreational commuting and ride aggressively for time trial or mountain biking. A modern looking pedal gives your bike a sporty look and various fancy colors are available for these for the user’s perspectives.
Offers a 10° release angle with the included easy cleats and you can make the release angle to 15° if you purchase the additional standard cleats.

The ‘Crankbrothers’ started their philosophy back in 1997 in their Laguna Beach garage. Their philosophy was simple, that is – to invent a product that can make the ride better than the last one. This company now makes top-quality pedals, wheels, pumps, tools, dropper posts, and other accessories for bicycles. Today, their company is recognized globally and all of their products were tested and proved to be worthy by world-class athletes.

No products found.

Crankbrothers Doubleshot 1


Conclusion

At the end of our discussion, we would like to say that no matter what type of pedals you buy for yourself; you should be able to achieve your purpose with them. Flat pedals are remarkable for almost any type of usage.

Common people always install these pedals on their bikes as they have minimum maintenance and prerequisites. However, these pedals may vary for their qualities.

Always try to buy a good quality flat pedal otherwise, you will regret it. And if you want to try out clipless pedals, we think the hybrid pedals will be the most perfect choice for you. Take expert advice as much as you can about this concern and go for a pair of pedals from our selection.

We can guarantee you that almost all the pedals from our list will be worthy of your every penny. And as usual, we like to thank you for reading this article and hope you have enjoyed it.

Dion Lewis

My name is Dion Lewis.I’ve been cycling since my childhood. When I was in high school, I started racing in our local competitions.In my college life, I took a part-time job in a bicycle shop and I learned how to repair and maintain bicycles professionally.Though I love racing, mountain biking is another thing I do frequently. My friends, neighbors, and colleagues treat me as an avid rider and take my suggestions while they plan for a new bike or bike gear.

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

      Leave a Comment

      ApexBikes
      Logo