Bike pedals are more than just a place to put your feet while biking – they can have a huge impact on the rider and how the bike feels. Whether you’re buying SPD, clipless or cage pedals there are some things you need to keep in mind in order to get the right set for you. The main factor in deciding the type of pedals you should use is which type of biking you do. For example, average trail and XC riders will find that clipless bike pedals are often the best choice.

Types

Clipless Bike Pedals

As mentioned before, clipless bike pedals are most commonly used by trail riders. This is due to the pedals providing a stable base which in turn makes pedaling easier and more efficient. Many riders find that clipless pedals allow for more power generated by the leg muscles to be transmitted into speed.

Another advantage of clipless bike pedals is that they hold your foot in place so even on the roughest terrain you still have control. Clipless pedals require a clipless riding shoe, however, and hence aren’t the cheapest option. The shoe fits into the pedal and locks in place. The mechanism of foot release depends on the exact model but most modern versions unlock when you turn your foot outwards.

Shimano SPD clipless pedals are one of the most well known types. The cleats used on SPD pedals were much smaller than anything before which made them more practical.

Cage Bike Pedals

Cage bike pedals are exactly as the name suggests – a small cage in which you place your foot when you start riding. These aren’t as effective as keeping your foot in the right position on the pedal as clipless pedals. There is also the problem that once the cage has been adjusted to hold the foot it can sometimes be more difficult to get out of it.

The advantage to cage bike pedals is that they are cheap. For this reason they are often included in kit bikes by manufacturers who are looking to save money but still want to sell a mountain or trail bike. If possible, you should upgrade to trail clipless bike pedals as soon as possible if you plan on doing a lot of off-road riding.

Platform Bike Pedals

These are probably the most common type of bike pedal used for everyday purposes. As the name suggests, platform bike pedals provide a simple platform on which to pedal. This platform is usually made to provide as much grip as possible. Even so, it’s easy to lose your footing if travelling at speed across bumpy and uneven terrain.

For beginners, platform bike pedals are probably a good option. Not only are they simple and cheap but they also allow for the rider to easily remove his or her feet. This is also extremely useful if you plan on riding with lots of stops. The downside is that platform pedals are nowhere near as efficient when it comes to riding power as clipless pedals.

Some of the riders who commonly use platform bike pedals include downhillers and freeriders. They are also shipped with most standard beginner bikes.

Brands

Some of the most popular brands of bike pedals include:

Shimano – A Japanese company who specialize in cycling components. Shimano are considered to be the top bike component company in the world at the moment.
Speedplay – Speedplay specifically manufacture their own brand of clipless bike pedals. Some of the models include the Light Action, X and Zero. Speedplay road bike pedals are commonly used by professionals.
Campagnolo – An Italian company who specialize in high quality components for bikes.