There are different types of bike pedals available and each one is suited for a unique purpose. In turn mountain bike pedals can affect the quality of your ride.
Bike pedals come in three main types: clipless, cage and platform. Bike pedals make up possibly the most important connection between you and your bike. Getting the right one is imperative to enhance the enjoyment of your ride.
Each type of pedal is discussed in more detail below:
- Clipless
For the average trail rider clipless bike pedals are the best choice. You snap your foot into place on the pedal. A quick side rotation of the foot releases the connection allowing you to get off the bike or put a foot down.
These bike pedals provide a very stable connection to the bike that allows you to pedal more efficiently. These pedals hold your foot to the pedal even in rough terrain and they make it easier to jump over obstacles.
- Cage
The second most common bike pedal type is the toe-clip or cage style bike pedal. They are usually only found on lower end bikes because they are cheaper for the manufacturer. With cage style bike pedals you slip your foot into a cage with a strap that adjusts around the top of your foot.
Cage style bike pedals are slightly harder to get in and out of than clipless style pedals and are not nearly as efficient.
- Platform
Platform bike pedals are very popular among free riders, downhillers, and dirt jumpers but are by no means exclusive to these ride categories. These types of pedals have no attachment between the foot and the pedal. They are designed to provide a good amount of grip between the pedal and the shoe but that is all you get.
Platform bike pedals offer instant removal of the foot for any reason and with no obstructions. This makes platform bike pedals ideal for beginners as well as for riders who want to be able to put a foot down often or very quickly.
When deciding which mountain bike pedals to invest in the advice is easy - if you want to do a lot of mountain biking and you will not be in high risk situations where you might need a foot available very quickly get clipless bike pedals. Use platforms if you are going to ride stunts or any other high stakes terrain. Platforms are also great for beginners who aren’t ready to make the move to clipless and for riders who simply like a little extra freedom.
