Best Mountain Bike Clipless Pedals of 2024

BEST FOR: CITY ONE DAY, TRAIL THE NEXT

Anyone who has ever tried to ride on clipless pedals with tennis shoes knows it’s far from ideal, but sometimes you just want to pop down the street or go on a family ride – which is where the Crankbrothers Double Shot Pedals come in. Dual sided with a platform on one side and a clipless pedal on the other, these are the best of both worlds.

The large platform makes these perfect for enduro and all mountain style riding. It must be noted these are Crankbrothers pedals and are not compatible with standard SPD cleats. However, the compatible cleats are included and will fit on any clipless MTB shoe.

BEST FOR: RIDERS EXPERIENCED WITH CLIPLESS PEDALS

Experienced with clipless and love the feeling of snapping in and feeling super secure  in a set of pedals? Then these could be your next set of pedals! The HT X2 pedals are regarded for their tight clipless system and although it has four different settings, they won’t ever get to that soft clip-out feel. This won’t suit everyone, especially those new to clipless pedals. The proprietary cleat system means these will not fit with standard SPD cleats, but fortunately for you, a set of compatible cleats is included with the purchase of these pedals.

The HT X2 are designed with a concave platform shape, along with a low profile platform which delivers a comfortable and more natural feel as you pedal through the stroke. The platform also features 5 adjustable pins for extra traction and security. These also have serviceable bearings and provide the tools needed to dismantle them, so you can grease them up and keep riding.

BEST FOR: BEGINNER TO CLIPLESS

You can’t go wrong with a set of Shimano SLX Trail pedals whether your a beginner or an experienced rider. These pedals are designed and manufactured by Shimano, the largest supplier of pedals in the world. They know a thing or two about making a set of pedals that work exactly as they should.

These have the ability to dial in your spring tension so you can choose whether you want a soft and easy clip-out – perfect for those new to clipless – or tighten them up for that solid and secure in-pedal feel. As with a lot of pedals on the market, these are double sided so no matter which way they spin, you’ll be able to clip in. The cage surrounding the pedal also means even if you don’t manage to clip in immediately, you will have a contact point for your shoe to sit on to keep pedaling.

BEST FOR: TALL AND BROAD MTB’ERS

Things are going to get a little technical explaining what sets the iSSi Trail II pedal apart from the competition, but keep reading because it’ll be worth it. All pedals have a spindle – it’s that cylindrical bit that attaches the pedal to the bike. Most pedals have a standard length spindle which suits most people, but the iSSI Trail II pedals feature a standard length spindle or a +6mm or a +12mm option. Meaning these pedals sit a little further out from the bike, perfect for people with a bigger and broader build or even those with huge feet!

These pedals are also quite beefy so they can withstand some solid riding, with a sealed bearing to keep dirt and dust out. These pedals have a single sided design, so you can only clip in on one side of the pedal. They are SPD compatible with adjustable spring tension so you can choose just how tight or soft you want to clip in/out.

BEST FOR: TRAIL BLING

The HT Components T1 pedals are a serious bit of MTB bling, which you can show off with a range of bright color options available. These high end pedals have a CNC machined cage which is sturdy and gives your foot plenty of support on the pedals. And they feature two adjustable front pins for extra grip and traction.

As with all HT Components pedals, these have a tight clip-in tension, so you will hear that distinctive click and will feel really secure in the pedal. This does mean you will need to be confident with clipping out as that tension holds you firmly in the pedal.

BEST FOR: NEWBIES AND MUD LOVING MTB’ERS

Crankbrothers takes a totally different spin to the majority of other pedal brands out there, and you’ll see why when you take a look at them. These pedals are a minimal design that really does look like an eggbeater! 

They are super lightweight especially when you check out the higher end models. Plus they have a unique four sided design, which makes clicking in a breeze, especially for those new to clipless. You’ll spend less time struggling to find where your cleat hooks in with these pedals!

If you ride in muddy terrain you will also find the minimal design means they shed mud easily. And if there is a bit of mud built up on one side of the pedal, you still have three other sides to click into. They do use a proprietary cleat system but this will fit any 2-hole mountain bike shoe and they provide cleats with the pedals.

BEST FOR: VALUE FOR WEIGHT

Coming in at the lower end of the price scale for clipless pedals, these are a really solid option if you are looking for an SPD compatible pedal that is inexpensive and lightweight. The design and construction of the pedal is not compromised at all by the lower price tag either.

This model supersedes the old Look S-Track. The company added adjustable spring tension to this pedal so that you can dial in how tight or soft your cleat is held. This is great for anyone new to clipless – start with it soft while you are learning and then tighten it up as you become more confident. Its double-sided pedal design and slightly wider shape means the contact platform is a little wider, allowing you a bit more leeway while you’re learning to clip in.

BEST FOR: RACE READY

The Shimano XTR PD-9100 are a go-to amongst riders who race, or simply spend a lot of time out on the trails. Why? Because they want a product that works. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

These are the top of the line version in the Shimano line up, so they are the lightest weight available. They’re designed to shed mud and dirt easily along with the ability to fine tune the tension when you clip in. The slightly wider contact area on the pedal helps with power transfer when you are pedalling. It’s no doubt these pedals were designed with performance in mind!

They also feature serviceable bearings, so if you are diligent in maintaining them, they have a long life span, which makes them better value for money.

BEST FOR: WEIGHT WEENIES

Do you like nice things and super lightweight bike gear? Weight weenies, I’m looking at you! The Time ATAC XC 12 is probably going to be your go-to option.

Now as we know in cycling, most things that are ridiculously lightweight are usually made from carbon and titanium and have an eye watering price tag. These babies are no exception. But if you want a set of pedals that are also ticking some extra boxes such as being high quality, really robust, and eye catching to boot, then these are a good place to start. The Time proprietary cleat system paired with their minimal design makes these excellent in muddy conditions, and easy to clean.

BEST FOR: ALL MOUNTAIN RIDERS

If you like to spend time customizing and optimizing your bike gear, the DMR V-Twin Clipless pedals allow you to do just that. These award winning clipless pedals feature multiple pin options allowing you to perfect the grip and traction level on the platform, so that it’s dialled exactly the way you like it.

These are an all-mountain style pedal, with the wide platform and heavy duty construction. Although not overly light, they will be able to take a beating on rough trails. Featuring a fully serviceable bearing, if you keep them maintained they should last you for years.