🚵 Mountain Bike Pedals – Frequently Asked Questions What type of pedals are best for mountain biking? What size mountain bike pedals do I need? Most adult mountain bikes use 9/16″ pedals. Is it OK to use MTB pedals on a road bike? Yes, but road-specific pedals may offer better power transfer. Is it harder to pedal a mountain bike? Yes, due to terrain, weight, and tire resistance. Are all MTB pedals universal? Most are, but check the thread size (usually 9/16″). How do you pedal efficiently? Maintain a smooth cadence and consider clipless pedals. What are SPD pedals? SPD (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics) are two-bolt clipless pedals for MTB use. Difference between SPD and Time ATAC? Time ATAC offers better float and mud clearance; SPD is more widely supported. Flat or clipless for gravel bikes? Both work—flats offer freedom, clipless offer control. How do I tell if my pedals are ½” or 9/16”? Measure the spindle or check your crank arm specs. What pedals do downhill riders use? Large platform flat pedals or DH-specific clipless systems. Road vs MTB pedals? Road pedals prioritize power; MTB pedals are more rugged and walkable. When to use flat pedals? Great for beginners, technical trails, or freeride terrain. Are all mountain bike pedals 9/16? How do I tell if my pedals are ½” or 9/16”? Measure the diameter or consult your bike’s specs. What does 9/16 mean on pedals? It’s the thread diameter, standard for most adult bikes. What size pedals fit 3-piece cranks? Typically 9/16″. Are all MTB pedals universal? Most are, but always check compatibility. What size bike should I get if I’m 5’9”? Likely a medium (17–18″), but consult a sizing chart. Best pedals for MTB? Depends—consider Shimano SPD, Crankbrothers, or OneUp flats. Difference between 9-speed and 12-speed MTB? Gear range and shifting—no direct pedal impact. What are the two sizes of bike pedals? 9/16″ and 1/2″. Should I use clipless pedals for mountain biking? Disadvantage of clipless pedals? Learning curve and risk of falling while learning. OK to use MTB pedals on road bike? Yes, they’re often used by commuters and gravel riders. How do you avoid falling with clipless? Practice unclipping early before stops. Do downhill riders use clipless? Some do for control; others stick to flat pedals for quick release. How to install clipless pedals? Thread pedals in carefully; left side is reverse-threaded. Are magnetic pedals any good? Novel but not widely adopted; limited security. Flat or clipless for gravel? Depends—flats = freedom; clipless = long-ride efficiency. Best pedal for MTB? Depends on your riding style. See our MTB pedal guide. Road vs MTB clipless? Road: bigger cleats, more power. MTB: smaller, dual-sided, easier to walk. Do pros use clipless? Yes, nearly all XC and enduro racers do. Benefits of SPD? Secure fit, consistent pedaling, improved climbing power. Are all mountain bike pedals the same? How do I know what pedals fit? Confirm crank threading—9/16” is the standard. Are all MTB pedals universal? Generally yes, but confirm before purchase. Are MTB cranks universal? No—standards vary by brand and drivetrain. Pedal thread sizes? Mostly 9/16”; some older or kids’ bikes use 1/2”. What are the three pedal types? Flat, clipless, and cage/strap. SPD vs SPD-SL? SPD = MTB/two-bolt. SPD-SL = road/three-bolt. Downhill pedal choice? Often flats with metal pins for max grip. How to pick MTB pedals? Consider your skill level, terrain, and riding goals. Best flat pedal for MTB? OneUp, DMR Vault, Race Face Chester are solid picks. Are clipless better than flats? For performance—yes. For learning or tech terrain—flats shine. SPD vs Time ATAC? ATAC = better float and mud clearing; SPD = common and reliable. Still unsure which pedal is best for you? Check out our MTB pedal buying guide here.
What type of pedals are best for mountain biking? What size mountain bike pedals do I need? Most adult mountain bikes use 9/16″ pedals. Is it OK to use MTB pedals on a road bike? Yes, but road-specific pedals may offer better power transfer. Is it harder to pedal a mountain bike? Yes, due to terrain, weight, and tire resistance. Are all MTB pedals universal? Most are, but check the thread size (usually 9/16″). How do you pedal efficiently? Maintain a smooth cadence and consider clipless pedals. What are SPD pedals? SPD (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics) are two-bolt clipless pedals for MTB use. Difference between SPD and Time ATAC? Time ATAC offers better float and mud clearance; SPD is more widely supported. Flat or clipless for gravel bikes? Both work—flats offer freedom, clipless offer control. How do I tell if my pedals are ½” or 9/16”? Measure the spindle or check your crank arm specs. What pedals do downhill riders use? Large platform flat pedals or DH-specific clipless systems. Road vs MTB pedals? Road pedals prioritize power; MTB pedals are more rugged and walkable. When to use flat pedals? Great for beginners, technical trails, or freeride terrain.
Are all mountain bike pedals 9/16? How do I tell if my pedals are ½” or 9/16”? Measure the diameter or consult your bike’s specs. What does 9/16 mean on pedals? It’s the thread diameter, standard for most adult bikes. What size pedals fit 3-piece cranks? Typically 9/16″. Are all MTB pedals universal? Most are, but always check compatibility. What size bike should I get if I’m 5’9”? Likely a medium (17–18″), but consult a sizing chart. Best pedals for MTB? Depends—consider Shimano SPD, Crankbrothers, or OneUp flats. Difference between 9-speed and 12-speed MTB? Gear range and shifting—no direct pedal impact. What are the two sizes of bike pedals? 9/16″ and 1/2″.
Should I use clipless pedals for mountain biking? Disadvantage of clipless pedals? Learning curve and risk of falling while learning. OK to use MTB pedals on road bike? Yes, they’re often used by commuters and gravel riders. How do you avoid falling with clipless? Practice unclipping early before stops. Do downhill riders use clipless? Some do for control; others stick to flat pedals for quick release. How to install clipless pedals? Thread pedals in carefully; left side is reverse-threaded. Are magnetic pedals any good? Novel but not widely adopted; limited security. Flat or clipless for gravel? Depends—flats = freedom; clipless = long-ride efficiency. Best pedal for MTB? Depends on your riding style. See our MTB pedal guide. Road vs MTB clipless? Road: bigger cleats, more power. MTB: smaller, dual-sided, easier to walk. Do pros use clipless? Yes, nearly all XC and enduro racers do. Benefits of SPD? Secure fit, consistent pedaling, improved climbing power.
Are all mountain bike pedals the same? How do I know what pedals fit? Confirm crank threading—9/16” is the standard. Are all MTB pedals universal? Generally yes, but confirm before purchase. Are MTB cranks universal? No—standards vary by brand and drivetrain. Pedal thread sizes? Mostly 9/16”; some older or kids’ bikes use 1/2”. What are the three pedal types? Flat, clipless, and cage/strap. SPD vs SPD-SL? SPD = MTB/two-bolt. SPD-SL = road/three-bolt. Downhill pedal choice? Often flats with metal pins for max grip. How to pick MTB pedals? Consider your skill level, terrain, and riding goals. Best flat pedal for MTB? OneUp, DMR Vault, Race Face Chester are solid picks. Are clipless better than flats? For performance—yes. For learning or tech terrain—flats shine. SPD vs Time ATAC? ATAC = better float and mud clearing; SPD = common and reliable.