There are numerous reasons to choose to put flat pedals on your bike(s). Platform pedals help you to build good skills and techniques while still providing that ability bail out quickly, if needed. Combined with a quality flat pedal shoe, these pedals provide heaps of grip and a huge platform to keep you riding longer and charging harder with confidence and comfort. We’ve put together this guide of best flat pedals at every budget to help you find the right platform pedals to put under your feet.
These pedals may be some of the most affordable pedals available, but they perform like pedals that carry a much heftier price tag. Made from composite material, these pedals will take a beating without showing much wear. They also tend to slide over rocks and obstacles relatively well. There shape is a touch on the convex side, allowing your foot to wrap around the spindle just a bit. For riders who prefer a concave shape, check out the runner-up option from Race Face. These large platforms are relatively thin, features a chamfered edge to reduce strikes, and have gobs of grip when pair with a proper flat pedal shoe. Riding on DU and cartridge bearings makes the OneUp Components Composite Pedal easily serviceable, reliable, and proper good deal.
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-Nick J, Pennsylvania, PA
Spank’s alloy Spoon pedals are a bit of a underdog story. Following in their older sibling’s (Spank Spike Pedals) footsteps, the Spoon pedals are more focused towards modern trail riding, but will hold up to some proper gravity rides. They are strong, light, and come in a few sizes to best fit varying foot sizes. 20 steel pins provide loads of grip, and a cold forged chromoly steel axle riding on IGUS bushings and sealed bearings makes for a very confident basis for taking on whatever the trails have on tap. These feature a concave profile letting your shoe rest into it’s grip. Reliability and serviceability are top notch with these mid-pack priced gems.
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-Moya Monster, SoCal
These pedals are like putting beautiful jewelry on your bike, except these stunning pedals can take a serious beating without flinching. Available in several unique colors to match your personality, these pedals will be the final touch to your bike motif. Beyond their looks, the Chromag Contact pedals are built on a sure-footed platform. Designed by Brandon Semenuk, these pedals have a large platform that extends back towards your cranks bringing your feet in for more control. This control is improved more by the 24 adjustable height pins. The 13mm thick platforms also have a slight concave to cradle your foot. At 380g, these pedals won’t weigh you down either.
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-True Brit, Phoenix, AZ
Another pro rider designed pedal, the T-Mac pedals had to meet strong criteria to lay claim to Tyler McCaul’s name. These pedals feature a 2.5mm concavity, one of the deepest in its category. This helps to really lock in your shoe while charging the gnar. Deity uses high-end multi-sealed bearings and DU bushings to keep the pedals spinning smoothly. These pedals are a bit on the heavier side at 409g/pair, but that comes with a huge platform and endless amounts of strength to hold up to the rowdiest of rides. Packed with 14 traction pin per pedal side, there is a ton of grip. The pins are pre-treated with Loctite to stay put, but come with a set of replacement pins just in case. Also, they come in almost every color to match up with your bike’s personality.
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-Ted C., Redmond, WA
This top-dollar category is somewhat sparsely populated, but the winner is king for a reason. The Crank Brothers Stamp 11 stands on the shoulders of giants. The Stamp line of pedals have a proven design that is available in 2 sizes for various foot sizes. The come in at a razor this 11mm thick in the middle and 13mm thick at the edges. This creates a concave surface that grabs hold of your rubber soles firmly. The Stamp pedals come in a series of different tiers, and these 11’s are the absolute pinnacle. Titanium spindles and premium bearings make this venerable pedal design one of the lightest and best spinning pedals in its class. At 325g/set these just barely tip the scales, but will still hold strong. These are only available in 1 color, but the black finish with 10 gold pins per side and gold accents are sure to beautifully adorn any whip. Plus, if you love the Stamp 11 but can’t justify the cost, they can be found in various other configurations for several other price points.
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-Diego S., Hollister, CA
Note* - This review is for the Stamp 7 which is an almost identical pedal. The Stamp 11 just takes the materials, bearings, and weight to the next level.
If you need further guidance in finding the perfect platform pedal for you, please reach out to one of our expert Gear Advisors. They can help you navigate the various options and match them to your riding style and preferences. You can contact our Gear Advisors by phone, email, or chat.
Gear Advisor Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30am to 7pm, Sat-Sun: 9am to 5pm (PST)
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