The 6 Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedals of 2020

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 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.

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 compiling essential stats about each pedal so that you can narrow down the field at a glance.

HT Components AE03

The AE03 is HT’s high-end flat pedal, with all the features to match that designation. At the heart of the pedal is HT’s patented EVO+ bearing system. HT is obsessed with the efficiency of their flat pedals, they’re out to make the smoothest-spinning, longest-lasting pedals they can. And the EVO+ bearing system helps with that. It allows HT to use bigger, more durable bearings in their pedals without creating a thicker pedal that’s more likely to have rock strikes.

Add those high-end bearings to a nice big platform, with 10 adjustable pins on each side, and you’ve got a high-traction monster. But HT wasn’t content with a big heavy pedal, so they machined off every possible piece of extra material. The result? One of the best flat pedals out there, with the traction DH racers need, and the efficiency, durability, and low weight to win over XC riders.

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Deity Black Kat

Deity’s Black Kat is a no-nonsense option for the rider that’s just looking for a straightforward flat pedal that works. It’s not the lightest on this list, and it doesn’t have the most pins. Instead, Deity focused on building a slight concavity into the pedal to help your foot grip it more naturally, without relying on shin-scarring pins.

Deity also made the Black Kat very easy to service with just a few tools, and rebuild kits available. If you just want to throw your pedals on your bike and need them to just work without having to think about them, the Black Kat is a great choice.

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Oneup Components Aluminum Pedal

Oneup Components isn’t interested in snappy naming conventions. They name their components what they are. Their dropper post is “The Dropper” and their aluminum pedals are named, you guessed it “Aluminum Pedal.” That simplicity of naming convention is indicative of everything else they do. They make bike components that do what they are meant to do, without any fuss.

Their Aluminum pedal offers a lot of grip with its big platform and 10 aluminum pins. Riders coming from clipless systems will be surprised at how much traction it offers. And since Oneup is based in Squamish, BC, they know a little about making gear that lasts a long time in wet conditions. This pedal is a great all-round mountain bike flat pedal option for aggressive riders.

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Spank Oozy Trail Flat

Spank’s Oozy Trail Flat is their high-end option for trail and enduro flat pedal riders. They’ve gone to great lengths to design as much traction as possible into the pedal, with a slight concave shape and nine pins in each side. But they’ve also shaved weight where they can, they know that nobody wants boat anchor weight pedals.

The Oozy isn’t the thinnest pedal on this list, but Spank has chamfered the leading edges to help them skip over rocks if you do strike them, instead of hanging up and causing more damage. Thee Oozy also features a full complement of sealed bearings, with options for users to easily rebuild them at home.

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HT Nano AN14A

If you’re just looking to try flat pedals, or are on a budget, HT makes the Nano AN14A for riders who don’t want to break the bank. It’s a little heavier than their top of the line AE03, and doesn’t have the same fancy bearing system, but the Nano still performs like a much more expensive pedal.

Some of that comes down to its 10 pins per side, which offer plenty of traction for technical trails, as well as its sealed bearing system that helps the pedals keep spinning freely, even in wet climates. If you’re looking for the best mtb flat pedals for the money, ones that leave plenty of cash left over for post-ride tacos, the Nano is a great choice.

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Tenet FTP

For a really affordable flat pedal option, that offers a huge amount of value, try the Tenet FTP. Tenet is a smaller brand, making bombproof, boutique components at a reasonable cost. The FTP features the carefully engineered shape and profile, and sealed bearings of a much more expensive pedal at a fraction of the cost.

But really, the biggest driver to try Tenet pedals is their rebuild policy. Every pair of Tenet pedals comes with one free rebuild in the first year. Just send your pedals back to Tenet and they’ll refresh the bearings, clean everything up, and send them back spinning as well as they did new. Add that to their great grip and reasonable price and you’ve got a winner.

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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

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