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We’ve compiled a list of the best budget mountain bike pedals to help save you money and get you back on two wheels as quickly as possible.
There’s a lot of great options out there. But if I had to pick just one, I’d go with OneUp Components’ Composite Pedals. OneUp Composite Pedals tick the boxes in a number of areas you should be considering when shopping for new pedals. They are lightweight, have a solid grip, and the value for the price is hard to match.
Top 3 Best Budget Mountain Bike Pedals at a Glance
Before we get into the top 10 list, let’s outline the relevant categories:
What To Look For in Mountain Bike Pedals
Reasonable Price
You wouldn’t have clicked this link if affordability wasn’t at the forefront of your mind. There is a large price range when it comes to mountain bike flat pedals. I’ve aimed to put only affordable pedals on this list. But sometimes an affordable price can limit the quality and durability of a pedal.
I think it’s worthwhile to know what you are sacrificing to keep your new pedals within budget in order to decide if it’s worth spending a little more to get a few more seasons out of them before having to replace them entirely.
Material
The most noticeable difference you’ll find between high-end pedals and affordable pedals is the material they are made from.
All pedals on this list are composite pedals and are essentially composed of different kinds of plastic. In recent years nylon has been a favored material. The benefit of composite pedals is that it keeps your price point and pedal weight down. However, they are not as strong or durable as aluminum pedals or metal pedals.
You can find some affordable metal pedals, but that’s where you compromise on the weight. The more expensive the pedal, the stronger and lighter the material. Metal pedal materials include aluminum alloy, magnesium and titanium. Another advantage of metal is that the pedals are made thinner, meaning fewer rock and root strikes. This is inevitable when trail riding, and plastic pedals are better able to absorb the shock of these strikes, equating to a smoother riding experience overall.
Weight
As mentioned above, material is directly related to the weight of your pedals. Most riders aim to keep their pedals light but durable. A solid material is required to preserve the integrity of your pedal shape. So your options are basically cheap pedals that are thicker or lightweight metal that is thinner but more expensive.
Platform Size
It’s not just the thickness of the pedal that comes into play. The actual platform size of each pedal also varies. Some companies offer a couple different size options and cater to riders with larger feet that need a larger base for ease of pedal contact.
The larger the platform, the easier it is to put power into your ride, but it also increases the possibility of snags.
Shape
Not every platform pedal is shaped the same. Some higher-end pedals co-designed by professional riders are built with their specific riding style in mind to help increase performance and control.
But the main variable you’ll come across on the budget pedal spectrum is a concave pedal vs. convex pedal. Most pedals are designed with a convex shape. This dip in the center helps increase the grip of the pedal. With that in mind it’s worth noting that the top choice on this list, the OneUp Composite Pedal, has a concave shape. If that is not something you’re interested in trying you’ll want to check out the other options.
Pins
One of the most noticeable differences between traditional flat pedals and mountain bike platform pedals is with the traction pins. This is the part of the pedal that pokes out to help increase grip for a more comfortable ride.
On the affordable pedal spectrum these are generally built into the pedal and will wear down over time. On higher-end pedals, the pins are replaceable, which can increase the life of your pedals.
Most commonly you will find pedals with 10-12 pins, though this varies. Some have fewer, and some have a combination of built-in and replaceable pins.
Serviceability
The more you take care of your pedals the longer they will last. Some higher-end models come with servicing kits. Another factor you may want to consider is if you’re okay with paying a higher price upfront instead of replacing your mediocre pedals every couple of years.
Top 10 Best Budget Mountain Bike Pedals
Now that you know what to look for, let’s get into the specific platform pedal styles and brands out there.
1. OneUp Components Composite Pedals
Check availability OneUp Components Composite Pedals are not the cheapest on the list but they are well-rounded pedals that perform well in multiple categories. They are lightweight composite pedals that weigh 355 grams.
They have a slightly larger platform than others on the list at 115 mm x 105 mm. The leading edge is 13.3 mm, while the platform is 16.8 mm, creating their convex shape.
Their bottom loaded pin placement is well spread out with 4 pins in front, 3 at the back and 3 along the axel. These 10 pins extend 4.6 mm from the pedal.
Due to their larger size and convex shape, OneUp Composite Pedals are not the grippiest out there and are a little thick, but they offer great value for their light weight and well-rounded performance.
2. Race Face Chester Pedal
Check availability A close second is the Race Face Chester Pedal. The price and weight of these pedals are nearly on par with the OneUp pedals. They’re slightly lighter at 360 grams. This is likely due to their smaller platform size of 110 mm x 101 mm.
The main difference is that this Race Face pedal has only eight pins per side, with none placed near the axle, making them a little more slippery in rainy conditions. So if you’re an aggressive rider and strong grip is important to you, this may not be your ideal pedal.
3. RockBros Nylon Fiber Pedals
Check availability RockBros Nylon Fiber Pedals were designed with the budget rider in mind. A trail-ready nylon pedal with no strings attached, it is one of the cheapest pedals around.
The Nylon Fiber Pedal has a smaller platform than many pedals, and is a little heavier at 365 grams.
The value added here is their corrosion-resistant hardware and sealed bearings that give you peace of mind in wet weather. The shock-proofing and abrasion resistance for rough rides is a bonus.
They do have 10 pins per side that are replaceable to help extend their life. But they don’t take well to a full season of riding, and long-term durability is just not there.
4. HT Components PA03A Pedals
Check availability The HT Components PA03A Pedal is another great option for trail riding and dirt jumps, but less so for rocky technical sections as this plastic pedal can’t really withstand a ride over rough terrain. But that’s the trade-off for their light weight, at 345 grams. Their weight is slightly surprising considering they have one of the thickest profiles at 18 mm, which is a potential issue with lighter-weight composite material.
This pedal comes with eight replaceable hex top screw pins per side and two additional plastic injection molded pins by the spindle thread.
So if you aren’t riding every day or trying to tackle hardcore runs, these pedals are a good option. But for the price point you may want to look for something more durable.
5. Deity Components Compound V2 Flat Composite Pedals
Deity Components is a trusted brand for higher-end mountain bike pedals. They take the same care and approach when crafting their budget-friendly Compound V2 Flat Pedals.
At 339 grams, they are some of the lightest pedals out there. They have only eight pins per side, but they are replaceable, and the bearings and bushings are all serviceable, helping to extend the life of your pedals, which makes them a great pedal for beginners before you’re ready to invest in the more durable options.
6. e*thirteen Base Flat Pedals
Check availability One of the better flat pedal options, the e*thirteen Base Flat Pedal is 100 mm x 110 mm, so you get comfortable front-to-back foot support without having to worry as much about snagging roots and rocks.
These pedals come equipped with 11 pins per side, but even so they aren’t the grippiest. They may not be the ideal choice if you really need grippy pedals. Some riders prefer the freer foot movement.
They are on the heavier side at 399 grams, but this does contribute to their durability. Their steel axle with inboard bushings and outboard bearings also help make them longer-lasting pedals for the price point.
7. Crankbrothers Stamp 1
Check availability Crankbrothers Stamp 1 Flat Pedals are a favorite among budget-conscious riders due to their size options.
They have a smaller option with a surface of 100 mm x 100 mm, while the large version is 111 mm x 114 mm. The composite material is heavier, making them 299 grams (small) and 329 grams (large) per pair. They do have a five-year warranty, which is much longer than the warranties for most of the other pedals on this list.
In terms of grip, both sizes have 9 hex traction pins per side.
Crankbrothers Stamps also aren’t concerned with a traditional convex shape, as the pedals are designed with a central spindle bump.
8. Bontrager Line Elite MTB Platform Pedals
Heavier still are the Bontrager Line Elite MTB Platform Pedals, weighing in at 350 grams. This makes them an excellent choice for tricky technical terrain.
If you’re looking for a less obtrusive platform size, these are only 98 mm x 98 mm but still provide plenty of room for the average shoe size. Traction is engaged by the 10 replaceable steel pins.
The pedal body is made from nylon, so they’re still lighter than their steel counterparts.
9. Burgtec MK4 Composite Pedals
Check availability The Burgtec MK4 Composite Pedal is a hidden gem on this list. They are on the smaller end of the platform size, measuring at 96 mm x 102 mm with a 16 mm profile.
The super-durable composite nylon and fiberglass body, combined with fully replaceable bottom feeding steel pins, brings the total weight to 376 grams, making them the heaviest on the list as well as one of the grippiest thanks to their strategic pin placement and 1 mm dish. And the SCM415 Cromo Axle will keep your pedals and mind spinning
10. IMRIDER Mountain Bike Pedals
Check availability Finally, we have the IMRIDER Mountain Bike Pedals. These pedals have all the basics that a flat mountain biking pedal should have, including a larger anti-skid surface with replaceable pins.
The sealed bearings and corrosion-resistant spindle may keep you going in all weather conditions, but if you’re riding hard every day it’s doubtful these pedals will last for very long, and they come with no warranty to back them up.
Still, they get the job done. If they aren’t your go-to main option, or if you need a quick fix, these pedals will see you through.
Summary
I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 most popular and best budget mountain bike pedals on the market today. I hope this helps you narrow down your search or at least gives you a better idea of what to look for when shopping for pedals.
Personally, I think all of these pedals would more than suit my needs, the bonus being that most of these brands come in a wide range of colors. Like most mountain bikers, I love finding pedals that complement my bike frame. If you’re going to ride, why not do it in style?
While you’re waiting for your new pedals to arrive, learn how to get the old pedals off your bike.
And to make sure you’re doing proper maintenance on your pedals, check out our post on the best grease for bike pedals.
