How Do I Choose The Right Pedals?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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How do you know what size pedals to get?

Do pedals make a difference on a mountain bike?

They are small and seemingly insignificant. But the truth is, pedals are a very important facet of having a bike that fits you, and

the difference between a quality pedal and one that doesn’t work very well for the type of riding you are doing can make or break the experience.

How do you tell if my pedals are 1 2 or 9 16?


If the cranks are THREE PIECES, meaning two crank arms bolted to a spindle, it will be 9/16 thread on the pedals

. If the crank is ONE piece through a large bottom bracket housing, it’s 1/2 thread.

Do mountain bikers use clip in pedals?

While clipless pedals are pretty much ubiquitous on road bikes,

mountain bike riders are split between clipped-in and flat pedal users

.

How do I choose a bike pedal?

  1. Decide if you want clipless vs. …
  2. Consider the type of riding you do: Do you want road cycling pedals with a three-hole cleat for the most power transfer? …
  3. Decide on the shoes you want: Sometimes, your shoe preference may dictate the type of pedals you get.

Do all pedals fit all bikes?

To simply answer:

No, bike pedals are not universal

. Not only visually or for their different purposes for various cycling disciplines, but also internally. Bicycle pedals mainly have two sizes: 9/16” and 1⁄2”. The 9/16” is the more standard version of pedals and covers almost all subtypes.

Can I use MTB pedals on a road bike?

Condensed answer: Road and mountain bike pedals designed for adults have the same pedal thread (9/16” x 20 TPI). As a result, you can easily swap pedals between bikes.

There’s nothing wrong with using mountain bike pedals on a road bike

. Some people even do it on purpose to enjoy the benefits of MTB shoes and pedals.

Are all mountain bike pedals the same size?

Are All Bike Pedals the Same Size?

Bike pedals are not all the same size

. Bike pedal sizes vary due to the crank arms dictating the specific sized threads that it will take; this is mainly dependent on the age of the bike as well as the type of bike that you have.

Does MTB pedal size matter?

Why Pedal Size Matters

You have limited contact points with your bike, and just a few square millimeters of pedal space can make a massive difference —

pedal size directly impacts how you and your bike perform together, and how comfortable and confident you feel while riding

.

What size are mountain bike pedals?

When it comes to pedal sizes, there are two sizes:

1⁄2” and 9/16”

. 1⁄2” pedals are only used on very basic bikes with a one piece crank.

Why do people sell mountain bikes without pedals?

Most cyclists tend to stick with one of these standards across all of their bikes, so they don’t have to have multiple sets of shoes. Thus higher-end bicycles typically are sold without pedals

so that the customer can select the style of pedal that matches their existing shoes

.

Are expensive mountain bike pedals worth it?


The greatest advantage with a more expensive pedal is probably weight

. As you go higher in price, materials and construction techniques become more advanced. The payoff is a reduction in overall weight.

Why are flat pedals better?

Flat pedals provide several benefits when descending;

better power transfer through your cranks, greater range of foot position and rotation, ease of adjusting heels down, quick and easy removal of your feet from the pedals

. Good body position, range of motion and angulation are maximized with flat pedals.

Which is bigger half inch or 9 16?

0.5 is less than 0.5625 which also means that

1/2 is less than 9/16

.

Do MTB pedals have different threads?


Almost all modern adult bikes have the 9/16” pedal with 20 threads per inch (tpi)

. This thread size is what you will find on all the big brand mountain bikes and road bikes such as, Trek, Specialized, Giant, and any other big brand out there.

Which way do pedals thread?

It is important to remember that pedal threads are different from left side and right side.

The right side pedal has a right-hand thread (removes counterclockwise, installs clockwise). The left side pedal has a left-hand thread (removes clockwise, installs counterclockwise)

.

Are clip in pedals worth it?


Being clipped into your pedals will help you feel more at one with the bike

. Your feet are less likely to slip off as you pedal or shift your weight around. Being clipped into your pedals allows you to pedal more fluidly as your pedals and cranks become an extension of your body.

Do pro mountain bikers use clipless?

Johnny Dependable. Because most MTB movies are freeride/DH/Dirtjump oriented so they ride flat pedals for easier bails.

Virtually all XC pros ride clipless

.

How do you clip a pedal?

Why do expensive bikes not come with pedals?

This is because

most brands have a budget to spend on fitting out their bikes with components

, so they often try and focus the budget on things like drivetrain, brakes, and suspension. So not having to provide pedals helps marginally keep costs down.

What are the easiest clipless pedals to get out of?


Shimano PD-M520

Pedals are used by many road cyclists even though they are primarily made for mountain biking. They are easy to clip in and out, which attracts many beginners and you also get the benefit of being able to walk easier in the compatible MTB cycling shoes.

What are the different types of bike pedals?

Bicycle pedals will typically come in three distinct styles;

clip, clipless, or platform

. We’ll describe the difference between the three below, however, each different style has it’s advantages and can make a large impact on your riding experience.

What size are my bike pedals?

Bicycle pedals are commonly a

9/16′′ x 20 threads per inch

. The inside diameter of the internal thread (the “nut”) must be smaller. Measured in millimeters, the OD of the pedal is typically 14.2mm.

Can you replace bike pedals?

Use a pedal wrench or hex key to unscrew the pedals from the crank arms. Right pedals loosen by turning counter-clockwise, left pedals loosen clockwise. Apply bike grease to the new pedals and screw them in at an even 90 degree angle. Right pedals tighten by turning clockwise, left pedals tighten counter-clockwise.

Do you need a pedal wrench to change pedals?

Determine Your Pedal’s Size


Since you don’t have a pedal wrench

, typically, your standard 15 mm open-end wrench will do the trick just as easily. From there, take a look at the pedal and ensure that it has a wrench flat on the spindle for your wrench to attach to.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.