Riding your mountain bike on trails is a fun and challenging approach to fitness and recreation. One of the most important pieces of equipment is the pedal, as it can improve your mountain biking performance to enhance your overall experience. Good pedals for your mountain bike include platform or clipless pedals, with each pedal having specific benefits according to your ability level and riding style.
Clipless
Clipless pedals are good for mountain bikes and improve your overall riding efficiency. By clipping special shoes directly into the pedals rather than into a clip, you can still apply force throughout the entire pedal stroke. The clipless pedals result in improved handling on rough trails and rides but can make it difficult to dismount the mount quickly. Clipless pedals are typically made from aluminum alloy for a lightweight, durable design. Experienced riders prefer clipless pedals but you can also use clipless pedals if you're a recreational or beginning mountain biker.
Platform
Platform pedals are the traditional bike pedal that allows you to wear any type of shoes while riding the bike. The platform pedals are ideal for beginners, while riding around town or riding on a trail where you need to jump off the bike frequently, but don't offer the ability to produce the power achieved with clipless pedals. These pedals are typically less expensive than clipless pedals because they are made from plastic or metal.
Two-sided Pedal
Some mountain bike pedals are available with a two-sided design that features a clipless pedal on one side and a platform pedal on the other side. The two-sided pedal combines the benefits of a clipless and platform pedal that allows you to wear normal shoes while riding around town and switch to cycling shoes while riding on technical trails. Specific models even feature a clipless system on both the top and bottom along with the platform design. One drawback to the two-sided pedal, however, is that they are heavier than a basic clipless pedal.
Design
When you are riding on off-road trails and roads, you are going to encounter muddy or dirty conditions that can result in mud and debris getting stuck in your pedals. Good mountain bike pedals feature a specific open design that sheds dirt and mud while you ride. This open design also decreases the overall weight of the pedal without sacrificing the durability for handling the rocks and scratches from rugged terrain.
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