The 10 Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedals of 2023
By: Colin Edwards: Bike Buyer | June 9, 2023
Many mountain bikers either switch immediately to a clipless pedal system or just ride whatever pedals came with the bike until the break one. But, for the discerning flat pedal rider, having the right pedals makes all the difference. On the surface, it might seem like all flat pedals are about the same, there’s a platform, some pins, some bearings, and a spindle. But dig a little deeper while choosing mountain bike pedals and the differences become apparent. Small variations in size and pin depth and placement make a huge difference in how much traction and pedal delivers on the trail, separating the best flat mtb pedals from the rest.
New This Year:
With so many flat pedals available, options can become a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best mountain bike flat pedals we’ve found. We break down what makes each selection stand out, and what kind of riders it will work best for, as well as compile essential stats about each pedal so that you can narrow down the field at a glance.
Tenet x evo FPT Pedals
We're stoked to have our crown jewel emblazoned on these Tenet x evo FPT Pedals. Tenet riders know how well these grip, whether deep in the wet moss of the Northwest woods or rambling through an east coast rock garden. And, thanks to their adjustable pins and perfect concavity, it's just as easy to casually take a foot off while boosting a big hip, if you're so inclined. Rock solid, simple, and easy to service, these pedals are as close to ideal as we've seen.
| Weight | Material | Original Price |
| 408 g | Aluminum | $99.99 |
OneUp Components Aluminum Pedals
Stable, grippy, and thin: OneUp Components Aluminum Pedals offer the full package, no matter what style of riding you do. These are beefy enough for DJ and DH use, but stealthy and light enough for all-day pedaling duty. Easy to maintain, they're also fully serviceable.
| Weight | Material | Original Price |
| 365 g | Aluminum, Cr-Mo | $144.50-$174.50 |
PNW Components Loam Alloy Pedals
Got grip? You do now. With 22 replaceable pins per pedal, the PNW Components Loam Alloy Pedals provide a sturdy platform for trail shenanigans of any flavor.
| Weight | Material | Original Price |
| 445 g | Aluminum | $99.00 |
OneUp Components Composite Pedals
With their subtle convexity, thin edge, and wide platform, the OneUp Components Composite Pedals bring the grip. They're light on your wallet, too, so you can hold on to more of your paycheck.
| Weight | Material | Original Price |
| 355 g | Composite | $39.50 |
Race Face Ride Pedals
Save your shins with the Race Face Ride Pedals. Their nylon design not only grips well, but there's a good chance there's a color to match your grips. These have enough traction to keep you in control, but allow for repositioning as you ride.
| Weight | Material | Original Price |
| 320 g | Cr-Mo, Nylon | $39.99 |
Deity Deftrap Pedals
Deity Deftrap Pedals are plastic versions of the perfect TMACs, bringing everyone's favorite flat pedal to those of us who prefer composite to metal. They're symmetrical, thin, and have just the right amount of concavity for gravity (and XC, and trail, and DJ).
| Weight | Material | Original Price |
| 391 g | Nylon | $54.99 |
Crank Brothers Stamp 7 Pedals
Pedals -- perhaps the most frequently overlooked 'send' inhibitor. You need a set of platforms that grab your feet and keep them there. The Crank Brothers Stamp Pedals do just that, and with a massive surface area your feet will have plenty of support. Ten adjustable pins let you fine tune your grip from 'loose' to 'laced,' and a thin profile keeps the weight down and the grip surface clean for pro level performance in a slick package. Don't wait, save your shins from pedal-strike and equip your rig with the Crank Brothers Stamp Pedals.
| Weight | Material | Original Price |
| 375 g | Cr-Mo, Aluminum | $179.99 |
Chromag Synth Pedals
Plastic pedals you can service yourself: the Chromag Synth Pedals up the game for composite platforms with fully replaceable parts kits. They share the same bearing assembly as Chromag's metal offerings, have nearly the same contours as their Contact (the Brandon Semenuk pro model), and did we mention they're fully rebuildable? Composite pedals are light, durable, and don't hang up on rocks the same way as metal pedals. Try the Synth and harness the power of plastics!
| Weight | Material | Original Price |
| 380 g | Composite | $66.00 |
Spank Spoon DC Pedals
Attention all ladles, ice cream scoops, and slotted pasta drainer jobbies: the Spank Spoon DC Pedals are the new kings of the silverware drawer. These have the same internals as Spank's famous OOZY pedals, but in a fully dialed alloy platform that doesn't cost three digits. In a rainbow of colors to match your grips, stem, or mood, the Spoon DC Pedals are serving it up proper.
| Weight | Material | Original Price |
| 395 g | Aluminum | $64.99 |
Learn More With Our Other Bike Guides:
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose
- Mountain Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Mountain Bikes - How to Get Started Mountain Biking
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Wheel Size
- Mountain Bikes - Suspension Basics
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Mountian Bike Dropper Post
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Handlebars
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Clean
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed SRAM Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed Shimano Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Convert to Tubeless Tires
- Mountain Bikes - How to Replace Internal Cable Housing
- Mountain Bikes - How to Adjust Your Rear Derailleur
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed a RockShox Reverb Seatpost
- Mountain Bikes - How to Service Fox and RockShox Fork Lowers
- Mountain Biking - What to Bring Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - What to Wear Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - How to Choose Knee Pads
- Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Gravel Bikes - How To Get Started Gravel Biking
- eBikes - Classes, Features & More
- eBikes - Where to Ride eBikes
- Bike Accessories - Helmet Size & Fit Guide
- Bike Accessories - How to Choose Bike Shoes
- Bikes - How to Choose Bike Tires
- Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Bikes - How to Repair & Replace a Bike Chain
- Bikes - How to Choose Accessories
- Bikes - Urban Riding Tips
- Travel & Destination Guides - Where to Mountain Bike
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The Selection Process:
Our bike buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things bike stemming from years of experience in the bike industry in tandem with their countless hours out on the dirt, gravel, and tarmac. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Colin Edwards
Meet Colin Edwards, evo's in-house Bike Buyer and mountain biking aficionado. With 15+ years of e-commerce buying experience under his belt, Colin is the go-to guy for all things related to "Riding Dirt." He's worked across various categories, including bike, snowboard, travel, climbing, and surfing, giving him the know-how to recognize and select top-notch mountain biking products for evo's customers.
Colin's been shredding trails since he was a kid, starting on his trusty hardtail Trek 800 Sport. Born and raised in Utah, he recently made the move to Bellingham, WA with his partner, Kenz. Colin's real-world biking experience, combined with his background in product trends, relationship building, and sales analysis, makes him an invaluable asset to the evo team.
When he's not busy handpicking the raddest gear, you'll find Colin ripping through PNW trails or hunting for the world's best dirt. And when the snow falls, he's all about snowboarding. Colin also loves trail running and exploring the PNW's stunning landscape with his two dogs and Kenz.
With Colin's expertise and passion fueling evo's mountain biking selection, you can trust that his recommendations are spot-on and tailored to the evo community's adventurous spirit.