I’m Nobu, and I’ve been itching to get out for a ride now that the pain from my injury in my last mountain bike ride has finally subsided.
While my articles are usually just about me having fun, all the riding I do has helped me gain enough experience to really know how to choose parts. This time, I’d like to introduce some recommended pedals, incorporating my own perspective on choosing them!
What kind of pedals do you use?
There are all sorts of bikes, including road bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes, fixed-gear bikes, and commuters.
There are parts specialized for each field, and pedals are no exception. Clipless pedals, flat pedals, and so on... there are just too many to choose from, right?
Plus, looks are important. They say "style starts at the feet," and often with bikes, the pedals you choose can influence the entire vibe of the machine...
So, which one should you choose in the end? I hope to help solve that dilemma by introducing a selection of pedals I’ve hand-picked from the many recommendations out there.
For this entry, I’m going to focus on flat pedals, which are easy for beginners to use!
I’ll cover clipless pedals in a separate article, so please stay tuned!
Today's Menu
While there are many types of bicycles, let’s divide our pedal selection into the following three general categories!
・Road Bikes
・Gravel / MTB
・Urban Commuters
Top 3 Recommended Flat Pedals for Road Bikes
My recommendation for road bike flat pedals is the SYLVAN series from Mikashima Industrial Co. (MKS), a Japanese pedal manufacturer the country is proud to share with the world.
MKS pedals offer excellent rotational performance, durability, and ease of maintenance, making them products you can use for a long time.
There are three types in the SYLVAN series that suit the sleek look of skinny-tired road bikes: STREAM, TOURING, and ROAD. Let’s take a look at the characteristics of each.
Also, each SYLVAN model has a premium NEXT series lineup, which uses three internal sealed bearings for even better rotation and durability. The difference is obvious once you touch them, so please be sure to check them out in person at our shop.
[MKS]
SILVAN STREAM
Size: W79mm x L61mm
Surface: Double-sided
Bearing: Ball bearing
Weight: 343g
This is a smaller model within the MKS lineup. For bikes that you lean into corners, "pedal strike"—where the pedal hits the ground—can be pretty scary.
I recommend these smaller pedals for road bikes to help avoid such strikes!!
[MKS]
SILVAN TOURING
Size: W94mm x L63mm
Surface: Double-sided
Bearing: Ball bearing
Weight: 391g
A touring model with a wider stepping surface than the SILVAN Stream.
They are easy to pedal even while wearing chunky sneakers, and the shape makes it easy to shift your foot position during long rides, helping reduce fatigue.
[MKS]
SILVAN ROAD
Size: W99mm x L61mm
Surface: Single-sided
Bearing: Ball bearing
Weight: 360g
A single-sided model with a clear top and bottom. Recommended for use with toe clips and straps.
If you want to ride a bit sportily but find being firmly locked in a bit scary, these are for you.
Top 3 Recommended Flat Pedals for Gravel Bikes/Mountain Bikes
Unlike road bikes that ride on smooth pavement, gravel bikes and mountain bikes take you into the mountains or onto forest roads—so-called unpaved paths.
Off-road pedals feature anti-slip "spike pins" so your feet don't slip off due to fine vibrations or big impacts while riding on rough terrain, or due to sand or mud. The type and number of those pins, the pedal body material, and the size of the platform become the criteria for choosing these pedals.
So, let’s list up some recommended pedals!
[MKS]
GAUSS
10 pins per side
Size: 105mm x 103mm
Material: Resin
Weight: 362g
A resin pedal from MKS.
These are slim-profile pedals that have become popular in recent years, and the thin, long pins grip the soles of your shoes firmly.
[CRANKBROTHERS]
Stamp 7 Small
10 pins per side
Size : 100mm x 100mm
Material : Forged 6061-T6 Aluminum
Weight : 345g
The pins placed in the center of the pedal and the grid pattern make contact with the entire sole of the shoe, providing great grip.
[THE SHADOW CONSPIRACY]
Surface Plastic Pedal
12 pins per side
Size: 105mm x 100mm
Material: Resin
Weight: 377g
You can even use BMX pedals for mountain biking!
Many BMX pedals are made of resin and are very wallet-friendly.
However, keep in mind that most of them have integrated resin pins, so they can get slippery when wet!
Top 3 Recommended Flat Pedals for Urban Commuters
For bikes ridden mainly in the city, you don't really need to worry too much about specs like grip or weight, so your pedal choices expand significantly.
You can match them just based on the look of the bike, or try out some interesting pedals that catch your eye to give it a unique vibe.
This might be the area where you can best take advantage of the freedom a bicycle offers!
[MKS]
ALLWAYS
Size: W84mm x L110mm
Weight: 381g
Their moderate grip is just right for preventing your feet from coming off the pedals during small vibrations.
The large cutouts provide great mud clearance, while keeping Mikashima’s signature solid rotation performance.
[LOOK]
Trail Grip Pedal
Size: 107 x 103 mm
Weight: 530g
With their unique convex composite resin studs and soft rubber sheets, these prevent your shins from getting hurt if your foot slips off, while offering excellent bike control and grip!
You can even change the rubber sheets depending on your mood.
[SIMWORKS BY MKS]
Bubbly Pedal
Size: 97 x 108 x 30mm
Weight: 392g
Boasting the largest platform area of any MKS pedal, they also feature a concave shape that dips toward the center, ensuring the best stability and fit with any type of shoe. With outstanding rotational performance, durability, and this popping design to boot, they are the best pedals.
This time, I’ve introduced flat pedals categorized into three standard genres.
There are so many other bikes out there that I’d love to talk about one by one...
Especially fixed-gear bikes!
If I wrote about everything, it would be a huge undertaking, so let's leave it here for now!
I’m planning to write enough about pedals to fill a whole book, so please look forward to future updates!
What about these pedals?
I have this bike, what pedals would be good for it?
I’m always accepting such questions, so feel free to visit us or contact us anytime!
Have a good ride!!
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