Pedals are one of the essential parts of your bike. pedals provide a grip on par with standard bike pedals and make it comfortable for you to wear any footwear while cycling. An excellent riding experience is accomplished when you are biking with high-quality premium gear, like bike platform pedals.
The more power you can deliver, the ability to drive without wasting energy depends on the capacity you give, and you get your power to the wheel when you have the best platform pedals for road bikes. In addition, platform pedals make shorter rides in ordinary shoes far more accessible and more comfortable than trying to get by using sneakers on clipless pedals.
Platform pedals or flat pedals are a good option for anyone with injury on the ankle or knees, making it challenging to perform the sideways twisting motion necessary to disengage from a set of clipless pedals. The wide platform or flat pedals can also offer more lateral support than a set of clipless pedals. We’ve listed below some of the best platform pedals for road bikes.
10 Best Platform Pedals for Road Bikes
SHIMANO PD-EH500; SPD Bike Pedals; Cleat Set Included; Dual Sided Platform
Features
- Brand SHIMANO
- Color Dark Grey
- Material Metal
- Item Weight 1.15 Pounds
SPD EH500 Bike Pedals is versatile, and the pedal is a dual-sided bike platform pedal with a traditional platform on one side; it has an SPD step-in design on the other; use with SPD cycling shoes or go clipless using regular street shoes. Shimano SM-SH56 multi-release cleat is included.
The SPD EH500 bike pedals is perfect and convenient for road and mountain touring, commuting, and urban riding. Flat sided platform features removable traction pins that provide excellent grip and control, even in wet conditions. The light action binding mechanism makes frequent clipping in and out easy.
Adjustable entry and release tension settings. 383 grams per pair. Sealed cartridge axle unit. It is made of an Aluminum pedal body and chrome-moly steel and also comes with a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- Easy Clip in and out.
- It is durable and sturdy.
- Versatile
- Convenient for mountain and road touring.
- Adjustable
Cons
- Pedals may not fit all bike
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Dmr V12 Pedals, 9/16″ Magnesium Platform Black
Features
- Brand DMR
- Color Black
- Material Magnesium
- Product Dimensions 9 x 5.5 x 1.25 inches; 15.84 Ounces
They have a good grip. The pedals have a lovely bite into the soles when riding. Excellent pedals, wide and lightweight, It feels solid and more stable. The DMR V12 pedals re-work the classic parallelogram pedal design to offer increased grip, support and weight savings for anything from all-mountain to dirt jump to downhill.
Extensive aluminium alloy platform profile for more surface area and improved grip thin 16mm depth and hollow body design Chromoly axle with sealed bearings replaceable and tunable pins for preferred grip.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to install
- Durable
- Good grip
Cons
- Be careful not to tear your calves or shins.
Funn Mamba Mountain Bike Clipless Pedal Set – Double Side Clip Wide Platform MTB Pedals, SPD Compatible, 9/16-inch CrMo Axle
Features
- Color Gray
- Brand Funn
- Item Weight 1.48 Pounds
The pedals are 2-sided and have an excellent large platform to leverage on as well; SPD profile is also relatively low, so you can easily ride them without cleated shoes if you want to; one set of pedals can serve both purposes: clipless and plain flat pedals. You can ride your bike with your regular shoes if you need to or go flat pedals when taking difficult obstacles. Pedals look pretty good and hold well once gone through a break-in period.
Mountain bike flat pedals for road bikes can be used for all mountain, enduro, freeride and downhill; the pedal SPD is a compatible, double-sided clip-in mechanism. Including a pair of Shimano SPD compatible cleats Grease Renew System: Patented GRS lets you top up grease without getting your hands dirty
Pros
- Versatile.
- Easy to clip in and out.
- Compatible for all Shimano Cleats.
Cons
- Peddles may be slightly stiff
Crankbrothers unisex-adult Doubleshot 2 Orange & Black / Orange Spring, Standard
Features
- Brand Crankbrothers
- Color Orange/Black
- Material Blend, DoubleShot 1
- Item Weight 0.87 Pounds
- Style Doubleshot 2
With hybrid, commuter, mountain bike pedals, you choose to ride flat (no cleats) or clipped in. It comes with a double shot that gives you the best of both worlds, allowing you to choose how you want to ride. It clips in perfectly and maximizes your efficiency!
Premium bearings and seals: It comes with exclusive Igus LL-glide bearings, enduro cartridge Bearings, and double seals, which is quality and reliable. Cleats that are similar to the SPD mountain bike cleats and will mount on all mountain bike shoes.
The Crankbrothers unisex platform for road bikes is also very strong and lightweight. It is made of aluminium and stainless construction, diamond plate pads for traction, and superior mud-shedding. It weighs just 395g which is compatible with the popular Shimano A530. Backed by an industry-leading 5-year warranty and highly recommended as one of the best platform pedals for road bikes.
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Pros
- Premium bearings and seals.
- Reliable with 5 years warranty.
- Strong and Lightweight.
Cons
- It might not be suitable with flat shoes
Origin8 Ultim8 Slimline Platform Pedals, 9/16″
Features
- Brand Origin8
- Color Gray
- Item Weight 0.75 Pounds
- Style Does Not Apply
- Material Aluminum
- Ultra-thin 6061 forged aluminum platform
- Chromoly spindle
- 100 x 108mm wide platform
- Replaceable M3-8 SS pins
- 308g (pair)
They have an excellent weight rating and provides a wide platform that is spread very well. The pins grip well enough so your foot slip; also, the pins are replaceable, which is an excellent touch should the pins wear down.
These are by far one of the best platform pedals for road bikes. Not only are they extremely lightweight, but they are very grippy, visually appealing, and they are pretty wide, which gives more of a grounded/stable feeling on the pedal. In addition, the pedals roll nicely and do not require any lubing or breaking in.
Pros
- Durable Pedals
- Great grip
- Attractive Design
- Strong and Lightweight
Cons
- Thin spindle
SUPOW Ultralight PD-R97 Bike Pedal Bicycle Platform Pedals Aluminum Alloy Bike Road Pedals
Features
- Brand SUPOW
- Material Aluminium alloy
SPD-SL Pedal is made of shaft chrome-molybdenum steel and aluminum alloy Materials. It has a road lock help the rider to increase the cadence speed. When the cadence is not used, the shoe and the Pedal will be separated If the cadence speed is above. Thereby, using the lock can increase your cadence.
The SPD-SL Pedal improves ones riding stability, fixed the foot and pedal position. The SPD-SL Pedal helps to set the position of the foot on the Pedal. It also increases the pedaling efficiency. The riding effect is half the effort. This is the most understandable one. SPD-SL Pedal fitting is built with exquisite CNC production and processing.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to install
- Strong and Lightweight
- Improves riding stability
Cons
- Clips a bit too tight
FOOKER MTB Mountain Bike Pedals 3 Bearing Flat Platform Compatible with SPD Dual Function Sealed Clipless Aluminum 9/16″ Pedals with Cleats for Road
Features
- Brand Fooker
- Color Black 3 bearings
- Material Aluminum
- Bike Type 山地
- Thread Size 9/16
These Bike Pedals ride with clipless shoes, is compatible with all SPD MTB bike pedals system; and also come with aluminum pedals with cleats, which is suitable for the road, MTB, mountain, touring bikes and trekking bikes. The aluminum body is 105*101mm, relatively large. And it ensures more riding stability. The pedals have been divided on the left and right with signs, L for left; R for right.
FOOKER MTB Mountian bike pedals are made with a CNC integration aluminum alloy body, which is durable. It also comes with a sealed 3 bearing biking pedals to protect spindles from water and dust and allows you to enjoy it with no worries. The Gasket design prevents the water, dust and sand from entering the bike pedals to avoid noise. The outer surface of the bearing is as well protected by aluminium alloy.
Pros
- Ability to rides with clipless shoes.
- Easy to install.
- Lightweight.
- Durability.
- It is compatible with all SPD MTB bike pedals system.
SOLODRIVE Mountain Bike Flat Pedals, Low-Profile Aluminium Alloy Bicycle Pedals, 9/16″ MTB Pedals, Light Weight and Wide Platform
Features
- Brand Solodrive
- Color Blue
- Material Aluminum
- Item Weight 12 Ounces
- Bike Type Mountain
The SOLODRIVE Mountain Bike Flat Pedals are strong and durable. The mountain bike flat pedal is designed with 9 replaceable steel Pins per side, which provide great grip and are very reliable. MTB pedals Only 0.5inch thickness ultra-thin design offers max clearance to ease pedal strikes and deflect off trail obstacles. The platform keeps your feet firm on even the roughest of trails.
It is durable and have a long lifespan, is pretty easy to install and come with instructions.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Lightweight
- Value for money
- Strong and Durable
- Long lifespan
- Lightweight and easy to install
Cons
- The outer edge is a bit thinner than the centre shaft.
MKS Urban Platform Pedals Silver, 9/16 Inch
Features
- Brand MKS
- Color Silver
- Material Metal
- Item Weight 0.73Ounces
- One piece light alloy body
- Toe clip compatible (recommended)
- Chromoly spindle
- 308g pair
It’s a great pedal if you like to ride with regular shoes, works well with toe clips, nice wide/flat surface for forefoot contact, no sharp edges to create hotspots—an excellent alternative to clip-in pedals.
These pedals have really nice smooth ball bearings, which make a world of difference on a commuter bike when paired with half toe clips. They are relatively lightweight, and the lack of resistance, thanks to the smooth bearings, makes a world of difference in reducing pedaling effort.
Pros
- For commuting
- Value for money
- Lightweight
Cons
- Pedals are slightly heavy
Wellgo MG-1 Magnesium Sealed Platform Pedal
Features
- Brand Wellgo
- Color Black
- Bike Type Bmx
- Item Weight 0.45 Kilograms
- Body: Magnesium/Painted Color
- Bearing: DU/Sealed
- Spindle: Cr-Mo
- Size: 114.6 x 106.2 x 30.8mm
Wellgo MG-Series BMX Pedals made with magnesium bodies, CroMoly spindles and complete with MG-1 sealed bearings.
The pedals hold up well, even under “real” mountain biking conditions. They spin smoothly, grip very well on all shoes, and are reasonably light for metal pedals. Overall, a great value in a decent quality metal pedal, Pins are well-placed and very grippy, even in wet conditions. The Chesters are a bit lighter, thinner, and “more relaxed.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Lightweight
- Strong and Durable
- Long lifespan
Cons
- Pins might be ineffective for winter boots
Guide on How to buy The Best Platform Pedals for Road Bikes
Pedal size
Pedal size is essential as it determines the space, ensure you have the right size and dimension. Also, check out the product details and ensure you have the right size and dimensions.
Pedal Height & Weight
This indicates Stack height. Ensure your shoes properly fits the padel. Experts suggest using a lower stack heigh. It believes that if the product is made with heavy materials / more weight, the product will be more durable. Having good material increases the lifespan of a pedal, but a lightweight Pedal is more enjoyable.
Weight
Another essential factor is the weight of the Pedal; a lot of heavy pedals might be durable but quite challenging to pedal with. When it comes to weight, a better consideration is always material. Most Pedals are made from aluminum alloy, which is a common material.
Pedal Pins
Pins give some specific enhancements of performance, increases the grip of your shoes. The pedal action is a complex dance that involves more than a normal downward pressure. Some pedals will have metal pins that can be replaced; some will have moulded plastic ridges, and others would use a high-friction material.
What works for you depends on the type of shoes you would likely wear and what kind of weather you will ride in. It is vital to avoid the temptation of choosing the most extensive pins. Extra-large pins could create a hotspot on your foot and cause pain over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Flat Pedals be used on Road Bikes?
Yes, you can safely use a flat pedal on a road bike as long as you ensure it uses the standard axle threading.
Why Are Flat Pedals a better choice?
Flat pedals are mostly preferred since they offer a bigger platform for your shoe. Flat pedals are also a better choice because they can be used with any shoe rather than being restricted to only cleated shoes. They are also more comfortable when you commute through traffic or short distances daily.
Can SPD pedals be used on a road bike?
SPD pedals are better used for mountain bikes. But, due to its Lightweight, the SPD-SL is genuinely made for road bikes. It improves riding efficiency and is also usable for bikes with drop-bar handles.
What Shoes Is Best For Platform Pedals On A Road Bike?
Any shoe can be worn for platform pedals on your bike. Even if you wanted to wear flip flops, a flat platform pedal would allow you to do so with comfort.
Conclusion
Planning to get a good pedal to make your riding effortless and comfortable, These best platform pedals for road bikes will ensure your foot enjoys a good grip and provides more power through the drive train. In addition, these pedals are durable and lightweight and heavily optimized for better road-riding performance.
These pedals allow you to ride in a more comfortable style and offers excellent performance and grip. They are, however, affordable replacements when you decide to change up your riding style, and they can always be kept as backup whenever you choose to use them.