History of Pedals
Bike pedals have evolved greatly over the years. Bicycles originally used the same flat pedals we see on many models today, before the first toe clips and straps were introduced in the 1890s to keep cyclists’ feet secure.
Bike Pedal Buying Guide
Flat, or platform, pedals are the most common form of pedal as they can be used with regular shoes. Road clip-in pedals, or clipless pedals, are more efficient and preferred by professional cyclists but require a specialist shoe to use. Clipless pedals are ideal for avid cyclists, because they allow the rider to generate more power than older, more traditional pedal systems. With clipless pedals, the rider is generating power throughout the entire revolution of each pedal stroke, whereas with traditional pedal systems a rider mainly (or exclusively) generates power on the down stroke. Touring pedals are a midway system between the two forms: they offer the same power and efficiency of clip-in models, but can also be used with regular shoes for those who like to use their bike for leisure in addition to exercise. Finally, you can also purchase MTB clip-in pedals for mountain bikes. These pedals are slightly smaller to allow for the difference in sole on the specific shoe. The type of pedal you choose will depend on your bike usage.
Best Bike Pedals
In terms of clipless pedals, Look is the leading manufacturer; after all, they patented the original clipless pedal back in the ‘80s. Look Keo pedals are great for general road racing, while the Shimano SPD pedals, available in one or double-sided versions, are designed for mountain biking and off roading. Shimano PD-R500 SPD-SL pedals are great platform pedals for beginners and commuters, while Shimano PD-MX80 pedals are specifically designed for off-roading.