Pedals are perhaps one of the most important components of any bike. A pair of the best flat pedals for road bike won’t only enhance comfort when you ride but will help increase the performance of your bike by a lot.
Best Road Bike Flat Pedals
As we have noted above, there’s a great variety of flat pedals to choose from. However, each of these options has certain characteristics that may not be ideal for everybody.
We did the research for you and came up with a list of the top options on the market.
1. Shimano Unisex PD-A530 SPD Pedal
If you use your bicycle for a wide range of purposes, then you need a pedal versatile enough to cater to all those needs.
The Shimano Unisex PD-A530 is one of them and it’s built to literally tackle any terrain. It doesn’t matter whether your bike is used for commuting or mountain biking in the rugged wild. These pedals will be up to the task as they are just that good. The pedals are also quite user-friendly. Installation is easy and you can decide to install optional SM-SH56 cleats if you want.
The only downside is that the Shimano Unisex PD-A530 is only available in two colors. But as far as durability and versatility go, they are up there with some of the best lightweight platform pedals for road bikes you can find.
2. MZYRH Mountain Bike Pedals
The MZYRH MTB Pedals are versatile, sturdy, and well-built pedals that should deliver excellent performance. Despite this, they are also some of the most affordable pedals out there. The pedals come with three sealed bearings that offer great lubrication.
You also get to pick from a wide range of colors. Although there are roughly three color profiles to choose from, the manufacturer says you can get a combination of up to six colors.
The pedals also do well in terms of durability. They are constructed from a strong aluminum alloy and Cr-Mo steel along the axles. This makes them strong and also extremely shock-resistant.
3. Crankbrothers Stamp Flat Bike Pedal
The Crankbrothers Stamp Flat Pedals are designed for both mountain bikes and motocross bikes or BMX. The pedals come in two major sizes, including small and large. This is done purposefully to cater to people with differently sized feet.
However, there are a total of five variations cut across these two sizes just to ensure you get a pedal that really suits you.
Additionally, these pedals are available in 7 different colors including red, blue, black, orange, purple, turquoise, and citron. You also get a 9-hex pattern on each side to give you maximum traction. These are in fact some of the best flat pedals for road bike you can buy.
4. RaceFace Chester Mountain Bike Pedal
The RaceFace Chester pedal is a multi-purpose and versatile model that works on any terrain.
Whether you’re looking to ride on rugged mountainous terrains or to just take an easy ride in city pavements, these best flat road bike pedals will work just fine.
They are relatively lighter too and this makes them feel easy on your feet and have a large standard platform. As a result, you’re able to pedal faster and in control. Additionally, there are up to 9 different color options to choose from.
5. Crankbrothers Doubleshot Hybrid Bike Pedal
The Crankbrothers Doubleshot is a class of new hybrid pedals from one of the most notable manufacturers of bike accessories. These pedals are multipurpose. They are designed to work for any type of bike you can think of.
Although the products do have several incredible features, one thing that really stands out is the fact that they are from the Crankbrothers.
Pedigree matters when it comes to bike accessories and you won’t find a company with a better track record of offering quality than the Crankbrothers.
6. BV Bike Pedal Set
The BV Bike Pedal Set is a universal pedal, meaning that it is versatile enough to work with literally any bike.
In addition to this, it is super sturdy as well and should offer immense value for money. The pedals also have well-built bearings that will not only give you outstanding performance but would be ideal to use in watery areas.
You will also love to hear that the manufacturer gives you a 1-year warranty that should be quite ideal in case you need to repair or fix the product. However, we did note that the pedal sizes indicated on the labels aren’t accurate.
7. Alston Road Bicycle MTB Aluminum Strong Pedal
The Alston Road Bicycle Pedal combines two important things; brilliant design and smooth performance.
The pedals are quite durable too and come with a strong platform that should feel easy to ride. Set up is also quick even for those of us who may not be that handy.
The pedals will deliver excellent grip and do well in several terrains. The only problem with the product is the fact that the manufacturer doesn’t offer a warranty.
8. SHIMANO PD-M324 SPD Dual Platform Pedal
The SHIMANO PD-M324 is a versatile pair of pedals that offers incredible performance.
First, it features the standard Shimano SPD technology and a standard pedal design. This makes it quite convenient because it means you can use it with any type of shoes. The pedal also gives you greater control over your cycling even when you are on tough terrains.
The SHIMANO PD-M324 is one of the few pedals in the market that combines both a clip and clip-less design in one single product. This hands down makes it one of the most multipurpose pedals out there.
How to Pick the Best Flat Pedals for Road Bike
There are certain features that you must always look out for before you buy bike pedals. This won’t only help you differentiate between different brands but also goes a long way in helping you pick the best flat pedals for commuting.
These features may also help you pick pedals that are specifically designed for your bike.
Material
There are two main platform materials to choose from. The first one is plastic and the second is metal. Plastic is very common and for good reason.
It’s durable and super light as well. This makes it so easy to use. Besides, plastic pedals are relatively cheaper compared to metal plus you also get to pick from a wide variety of colors. However, even with their astute durability, plastic pedals tend to look scruffy over time.
Platform
The platform size simply refers to the width of the pedal. Pedals that have a larger platform size offer the best possible grip.
They are also easy and comfortable on your feet. But nonetheless, extra-large pedals can feel a bit awkward. They are also bulky and cumbersome, something that may affect your overall comfort.
Durability
Your pedals are going to experience a lot of stress. Just imagine the kind of force you put on them as you glide through various terrains.
The last thing you want is something that breaks easily. The good news is that pedals are made to last. But we also know that some brands may be more durable than others.
Bearings
Bearings can improve the performance of your pedals massively. But they require regular maintenance, something that may not be that appealing for some people.
In case you don’t see yourself spending too much time maintaining your pedals, go for options that don’t have bearings. You’ll save yourself a lot of trouble. These pedals are also cheaper.
Weight
The overall weight of the pedal will also play a key role in determining usability and comfort.
The golden rule should be to get the lightest pedals possible without comprising the durability. Lighter pedals are nimble, easy on the feet, and feel very comfortable to use.
However, it all depends on your personal preferences. We all have different feet. Some pedals that may feel comfortable to some people may not be the same for others.
Pins
So, you can either choose between pedals that come with pins or those that have a crenulated or notched cage. Pedals with pins offer better performance though.
Most pins in platform mountain bike pedals are in fact designed to interface with the tread in typical mountain bike shoes. This means that they are more likely to give you a firmer grip on the road.
But there’s a downside to this. Such pedals can only be used with mountain bike shoes and may not work with average dress shoes like the ones you typically wear to work.
Price
No doubt most people want the best possible pedals out there. But most of the time you may find yourself limited by your budget.
This isn’t to say you can’t get the best lightweight flat road pedals on a budget. But it will take longer and a lot of product comparisons. Nonetheless, flat pedals typically cost less compared to clip-in or clip-less pedals.
Conclusion
Finding quality pedals for your bike should be a simple job. But in case you want a brand that truly stands out, consider buying the Shimano Unisex PD-A530 model. The pedal features a durable design and feels very comfortable too. It allows you to pedal efficiently on several terrains and delivers incredible performance.
The product also comes with an open binding design that helps to easily flush out mud and other debris. It’s by far one of the best dual platform flat pedals for road bikes that offer amazing value for money.