What Type of Pedals Should I Get for a Mountain Bike?

Platform Pedals

• Opt for the simplicity and flexibility of platform pedals. Platform pedals are like the basic pedal that you found on a bike as a kid. They are flat pedals that usually include some form of grips to help keep your feet in place. These pedals are found on a variety of low and medium-level mountain bikes and also on downhill and freeride bikes. The advantage of these types of pedals is that they give you the ability to quickly disengage and put a foot down or leap off the bike should you get in trouble. These pedals are ample for the recreational rider who doesn't do a lot of climbing and are ideal for freeriding and downhilling, where the rider demands the freedom of quickly releasing one or both feet. Choose these pedals if you're concerned with being locked into the bike and want some extra freedom. Platform pedals are also inexpensive and easy to care for.

Clipless Pedals

• Consider a set of clipless pedals for the most efficient pedaling. Clipless pedals are ideal for cross country and performance mountain bikers who demand the best pedaling efficiency. If you intend to ride a lot of cross country trails with steep ascents and great vertical gain, clipless pedals provide the best option--they allow you to clip in with special shoes and pull up on the pedal as well as push down. In this way you can pedal in one, continuous rotation and will get more pedaling for the energy you put in. Unlike platform pedals, clipless pedals also keep your foot in the proper place and keep it from sliding off the pedal unintentionally. On the other hand, clipless pedals are more difficult to get out of and can be the cause of falling over or crashing. They also take some time to learn how to use. If you don't mind putting in the time and risking the occasional awkward fall, clipless pedals will give you the best overall pedaling performance. On the other hand, they're more expensive and require the purchase of specific shoes.

Deciding

• The first question when choosing pedals is how and where you will ride. Are there big-mountain cross country trails you'd like to tackle or will you be doing mostly shuttle/lift-served downhill and park riding? Are you comfortable giving up some mobility for the increased pedaling performance of clipless pedals? Do you mind investing the extra money on a clipless system? Compare the pros and cons of each type of pedal and decide which is right.

Test Ride

• If you're still unsure, the surest way to make a decision is to try the pedals out. Give the bike a thorough test ride and decide if you like the pedals it is equipped with or would prefer a different set. When buying a new bike, ask the shop if you could swap out parts during a certain trial period. Take the bike onto the trail and give the pedals a test. When in doubt, start off with platform pedals as these are the cheapest and don't require specific shoes. Test these on a few rides and see if you would prefer the added efficiency of clipless pedals or if you enjoy the freedom of platforms. Alternately, rent or borrow a bike with a clipless system and give it a few test rides to see how it feels. Remember that a clipless system will take some time to get accustomed to, so don't dismiss it after the very first ride.