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If you like to stay in touch with the healthier side of life, then the chances are that the mention of road bikes greatly thrills you too. And if you own a road bike, you’d know that flat pedals are the ideal choice for these bikes.
If you’re looking for the best flat pedals to use with your road bike, then you’re in the right place. If you still haven’t figured which product would be the best for you, let us help you out.
This article will not only provide you a review of some of the best flat pedals available in the market but will also guide you on how to pick one for yourself.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Flat Pedals For Road Bikes
- OUR TOP PICK: BV Bike Pedal Set
- RUNNER-UP: Imrider Lightweight Polyamide Bike Pedals
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Crankbrothers Stamp Flat Bike Pedal
Comparison of the Best Flat Pedals For Road Bikes
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Are All Flat Pedals The Same?
There is a wide range of flat pedals available in the market, and at first glance, they all look the same. But are they the same? The answer to this question is yes, and no. Confused? Let us explain.
These products are all the same in the sense that there are no further types of flat pedals. The basic design is the same for all products. Yet, they are different from one another based on the manufacturer.
The quality of the build and materials used vary from one manufacturer to the other. So if you compare two flat pedals from two different manufacturers, the difference would lie not in their design and appearance, but their quality.
Benefits of Having Flat Pedals on a Road Bike
There are chances you're still wondering if flat pedals are for you. If that's the case, taking a look at their benefits may help you decide for yourself. To help you make that choice, we've listed some below:
Greater Confidence
Unlike their clipless counterparts, flat pedals allow you to lift your feet off the pedal at any time, according to your own will. That isn’t possible with clipless pedals since your feet are clipped into them. This free will provides riders with greater confidence since they have absolute control without anything holding them back.
More Surface Area
Clipless pedals come in different designs, but when you compare any of these designs to a standard flat pedal, you will notice that they always provide riders a greater surface area. This extra surface allows them to effectively push down and provide better transfer of energy. In simple words, flat pedals save a greater amount of energy that is lost in the use of clipless pedals.
More Safety
As mentioned earlier, flat pedals on your road bike can give you better control of your riding experience. This not only gives you more confidence but also guarantees more safety. The total amount of energy you put is close to what is transferred by the pedals, so you can control your speed better, and can take your feet off, at the right time to save yourself from a crash.
Review of the Best Flat Pedals For Road Bikes
Now that you know why flat pedals are a good choice for your road bike, let’s get to business, which is picking a flat pedal to go with your bike. Here are some of the products that we find to be better than the others. A look at their pros, cons, and reviews from other users will help you decide if one of these is the one for you.
Best Overall:
BV Bike Pedal Set
pros
cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Users who have invested in this set of pedals for their road bikes have found it to be worth the investment. Users love that it was of great quality, despite being cheaper than most products of its kind. They have also been impressed with how durable they are, despite being made of plastic.
Why it Stands Out To Us
These pedals, in our opinion, are the very best for any road bike. There are many reasons why we think so. But one feature that makes them stand apart from the others is the reflectors that have been designed on each side of the bike.
While they may not seem like a lot, they can be very useful. It is a small but very thoughtful addition to the basic design of these pedals. If you are getting on your bike at night, you do not need to move your leg around in the dark to locate the pedals. The reflectors work well enough for you to locate them.
Bottom Line
If you want to enhance your road bike's performance with the best possible flat pedals, then this pair may be the one for you. Their design, build, and quality surpasses most of the other products in the market. And their affordability makes them an even better choice.
Runner-up:
Imrider Lightweight Polyamide Bike Pedals
pros
cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who have invested in this product agree that it is expensive compared to other flat pedals, but they also agree that its quality and performance justify the price point of this product. They have been highly satisfied with how well this pair performs and how well it holds up against time.
Why it Stands Out To Us
If you ask us, what stands out about this product, it wouldn’t be its flashy colors or its broad surface. Instead, what makes this item worthy of being on this list would be its material.
The top-quality amide used for this product is a highly durable material and one that is not often found in pedals. This thoughtful choice of material makes it highly durable and prevents it from abrasion, so the pedals remain good as new even after consistent use. So you can use this product for a longer time and remain equally impressed by its performance throughout.
Bottom Line
Looking for something more high-end than the top product? This pair of flat pedals by Imrider will be the perfect choice for you. From quality to performance, it has it all. Don’t believe all the positive reviews, try it out for yourself and find out!
Best for the Money:
Crankbrothers Stamp Flat Bike Pedal
pros
cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This product had been received very well by those who invested in them. Users that ride their road bikes as more of a hobby than a profession find them to be a better choice for themselves. Their functionality, paired with their great quality, have made them the absolute favorite of users.
Why it Stands Out To Us
Sure, these products are cheap and designed out of great material, but so are a number of other products. What makes this product stand out from all the others in the market is the level of grip that they provide.
Users say that using these pedals makes them feel like their feet are locked in. And that is exactly what they do. They provide an excellent grip over the surface that ensures you have better control while you ride and prevent your feet from ever slipping and causing accidents.
Bottom Line
Looking to save money without having to compromise on quality? Crankbrothers have just the product for you. These pedals will provide you with a grip like no other and take your cycling experience to a whole new level. They promise a performance that won’t disappoint.
4. Alston Aluminum Strong Pedal
pros
cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers loved this product, and all they wish for is for it to last longer. But for the low price that it comes at, they agree that it is worth the investment. They also believe that these pedals work to enhance the cycling experience for them.
Why it Stands Out To Us
This product packs a good list of features for its users. It has all the features that you would find in a standard flat pedal. But what makes it stand out from all these products is how lightweight it is. This is due to its aluminum construction that keeps it strong without adding extra weight to it. As a result, you need to put in lower efforts while pushing down on them and easier cycling experience.
Bottom Line
These pedals by Alston are a very cheap investment and perform very well for as long as they last. They may not last for as long as other pedals that you may have seen, but they provide a good worth for the amount they cost in their lifetime, given the great number of features that they offer.
5. OneUp Components Composite Pedal
pros
cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Reviewers that have invested in this product trusted the promise of quality that OneUp makes for its customers. And they were impressed by how well the brand managed to fulfill its promise. Those that have tried it out for themselves have been highly impressed by every aspect and highly recommend it to others.
Why it Stands Out To Us
The flashiness of these pedals' colors may make the users oblivious to other features that it has to offer. But what makes them stand out to us is its design that has been very smartly engineered.
We love that the axle and body of the product are designed with different materials. This difference of materials allows each part to perform better at its job, which together works to provide you with better and smoother riding experience, for a longer time.
Bottom Line
This product may be the last one on the list, but it is not the least. With all of its outstanding features and flawless performance, it is one of the best available on the market. You can try it out for yourself, and you will surely not be disappointed.
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying Flat Pedals For My Road Bike?
As mentioned before, when it comes to the basic design, all flat pedals are the same. But that does not mean that you pick any product that you come across. You need to keep in mind a few features before you invest in this type of pedal.
Material Used
Flat pedals are manufactured using different materials, each with different properties. You need to figure out what properties are important for you and then choose a material type accordingly. The options available are usually aluminum, steel, and plastic.
Size
The size of the pedal that you choose decides the surface area that you get for pushing on. Furthermore, you need to ensure that the size is big enough to fit your feet on it. Without enough space, your feet will simply slip off, and you’ll injure yourself.
Compatibility
It is very important to check the compatibility of the pedals that you are considering with the bike that you own. No matter how much you spend on the pedals, if they are not compatible with your bike, they will be no good for you.
Conclusion
If you want to get flat pedals for your road bike, then one of these products may be the one for you. If not, there are still a great number of other products available in the market that may have the features you need. All you need to make sure is that you keep in mind all the important aspects of these products, and you’ll be able to pick one perfect for you.
People Also Ask
This article attempts to clear all your doubts regarding flat pedals. But chances are, you may still have some questions in your mind. To help you out, here we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions by other users.
Are Flat Pedals Ideal on a Road Bike?
What pedals you use on your road bike is a matter of personal preference. So flat pedals may not be ideal for all riders using a road bike, but it may be for some. They indeed have a great number of benefits, and if these benefits outweigh the cons, then it may be the ideal choice for you as well.
Are Flat Pedals Easy to Install?
One of the best things about using flat pedals on your bike is that their installation is a hassle-free process. All you need to do is insert it at a 90-degree angle and use your pedal wrench to tighten it into place. In two simple steps, your flat pedals are installed.
How Expensive are Flat Pedals?
If you are worried about the expense that would go into buying new flat pedals, then you may not need to worry much. While very fancy products may cost over $100, there are many high-quality products available at a lower price. Generally, these pedals can range from $20-$150.
