The 8 Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedals of 2022
By: Jon Kennedy: Bike Buyer | May 4, 2022
Many mountain bikers either switch immediately to a clipless pedal system or just ride whatever pedals came with the bike until the break one. But, for the discerning flat pedal rider, having the right pedals makes all the difference. On the surface, it might seem like all flat pedals are about the same, there’s a platform, some pins, some bearings, and a spindle. But dig a little deeper while choosing mountain bike pedals and the differences become apparent. Small variations in size and pin depth and placement make a huge difference in how much traction and pedal delivers on the trail, separating the best flat mtb pedals from the rest.
New This Year:
With so many flat pedals available, options can become a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best mountain bike flat pedals we’ve found. We break down what makes each selection stand out, and what kind of riders it will work best for, as well as compile essential stats about each pedal so that you can narrow down the field at a glance.
This Year's Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedals:
Tenet x evo FPT Pedals
We're stoked to have our crown jewel emblazoned on these Tenet x evo FPT Pedals. Tenet riders know how well these grip, whether deep in the wet moss of the Northwest woods or rambling through an east coast rock garden. And, thanks to their adjustable pins and perfect concavity, it's just as easy to casually take a foot off while boosting a big hip, if you're so inclined. Rock solid, simple, and easy to service, these pedals are as close to ideal as we've seen.
| Dimensions | Number of Pins | Original Price |
| 98mm x 96mm | 10 | $79.99 |
Crank Brothers Stamp 1 Pedals
Considering a composite pedal? Crank Brothers Stamp 1 Pedals will win you over to the plastic side. They're very lightweight, surprisingly durable, and grippy as all get-out. Warrantied for 5 years, they have a beefy CroMo spindle, two smooth bearings per pedal, and 9 pins per side, making them ready to stamp, stomp, and smash down the trail.
| Dimensions | Number of Pins | Original Price |
| 100mm x 100mm: Small, 111 X 114mm: Large | 9 | $49.99 |
OneUp Components Composite Pedals
With their subtle convexity, thin edge, and wide platform, the OneUp Components Composite Pedals bring the grip. They're light on your wallet, too, so you can hold on to more of your paycheck.
| Dimensions | Number of Pins | Original Price |
| 115 x 105mm | 10 | $59.50 |
Deity Deftrap Pedals
Deity Deftrap Pedals are plastic versions of the perfect TMACs, bringing everyone's favorite flat pedal to those of us who prefer composite to metal. They're symmetrical, thin, and have just the right amount of concavity for gravity (and XC, and trail, and DJ).
| Dimensions | Number of Pins | Original Price |
| 113 x 103mm | 10 | $54.99 |
OneUp Components Aluminum Pedals
Stable, grippy, and thin: OneUp Components Aluminum Pedals offer the full package, no matter what style of riding you do. These are beefy enough for DJ and DH use, but stealthy and light enough for all-day pedaling duty. Easy to maintain, they're also fully serviceable.
| Dimensions | Number of Pins | Original Price |
| 115 x 105mm | 10 | $139.50 |
Tenet Occult Pedals
With so many pedals to choose from, it's hard to stand out. The Tenet Occult Pedals do, though, with bomber construction, smart and customizable design, and great support. Made by riders for riders, these are balanced pedals that are great from everything from dirt jumps to trails, featuring a low profile and great double-concave platform. These come with one free pedal refresh, too, replacing worn components and extending their life.
| Dimensions | Number of Pins | Original Price |
| 110 x 105mm | 11 | $115 |
Chromag Synth Pedals
Plastic pedals you can service yourself: the Chromag Synth Pedals up the game for composite platforms with fully replaceable parts kits. They share the same bearing assembly as Chromag's metal offerings, have nearly the same contours as their Contact (the Brandon Semenuk pro model), and did we mention they're fully rebuildable? Composite pedals are light, durable, and don't hang up on rocks the same way as metal pedals. Try the Synth and harness the power of plastics!
| Dimensions | Number of Pins | Original Price |
| 113mm x 103mm | 9 | $66 |
Learn More With Our Other Bike Guides:
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose
- Mountain Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Mountain Bikes - How to Get Started Mountain Biking
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Wheel Size
- Mountain Bikes - Suspension Basics
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Mountian Bike Dropper Post
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed SRAM Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed Shimano Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Convert to Tubeless Tires
- Mountain Bikes - How to Replace Internal Cable Housing
- Mountain Bikes - How to Adjust Your Rear Derailleur
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed a RockShox Reverb Seatpost
- Mountain Bikes - How to Service Fox and RockShox Fork Lowers
- Mountain Biking - What to Bring Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - What to Wear Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - How to Choose Knee Pads
- Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- eBikes - Classes, Features & More
- eBikes - Where to Ride eBikes
- Bike Accessories - Helmet Size & Fit Guide
- Bike Accessories - How to Choose Bike Shoes
- Bikes - How to Choose Bike Tires
- Bikes - How to Repair & Replace a Bike Chain
- Bikes - How to Choose Accessories
- Bikes - Urban Riding Tips
- Travel & Destination Guides - Where to Mountain Bike
Learn About our Favorite Bike Gear:
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The Best Trail Bikes
The Best Enduro Bikes
The Best Gravel Bikes
The Best Mountain Bike Helmets
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The Best Mountain Bike Elbow Pads
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The Best MTB Fanny Packs
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The Best Flat Pedal MTB Bike Shoes
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The Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
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Our bike buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things bike stemming from years of experience in the bike industry in tandem with their countless hours out on the dirt, gravel, and tarmac. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Jon Kennedy
Jon is a Bike Buyer and joined evo in 2015 to help launch the category. He has a long tenure in the bike industry bringing over 20 years of experience.
Jon was formerly the Marketing Manager for Diamondback bikes and was the Executive Director for the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance prior to that. His broad experience in the bike industry from the brand, advocacy and retail side has contributed to a well-rounded understanding of trends, needs and opportunities.
Jon grew up in the Seattle area and currently resides there with his wife Ilana, kids Erez and Lilah, and his Boston Terrier Marley. He is a daily rider packing countless miles in every year, loves all disciplines, and simply considers himself a cyclist… a title he embraces with great passion.