Flat Pedal Shootout: 9 Best MTB Pedals Tested 

The latest crop of platform pedals has hit AMB with brands big and small wanting to peddle their wears on our platform. From mainstream giants to niche mountain biking specialists, there’s something for every foot – and every budget – in this group test.

After years of playing second fiddle to clipless systems, platform pedals are finally having their moment. The modern flat pedal has evolved into a high-performing, highly customizable component that’s as much about function as it is about flair. So, if you’re ready to put your mettle to the pedal, it’s time to dive into this group test (that’s enough puns – for now.)

Pedals are one of the three contact points between rider and bike, and perhaps the most personal. What works for one rider may not work for another. They also offer an easy way to customise your ride – whether you’re going for stealthy black-on-black or full unicorn-vomit colour clash. And of course, no pedal discussion is complete without talking shoes – they go hand in glove.

To keep the focus on ride feel, we’ve kept the reviews concise. Detailed specs are listed in the table below.

How we tested the flat pedals

Testing was carried out with a variety of footwear, from soft-soled sneakers to steel-capped trail builder boots, but mostly with the legendary Five Ten Sam Hill shoes – the gold standard for flat pedal grip.

Read more AMB Group Tests:
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– 7 best Trail Mountain Bikes
– 12 best MTB Hydration Packs
– 24 Trail & Enduro Tyre test
– 8 best Hardtail Mountain Bikes

Most of the ride time was logged on a dual-suspension enduro bike, with occasional stints on a hardtail to remind me just how spoiled I’ve become by clips. Flats encouraged a looser riding style – more playful, more fun. I lowered my suspension and tire pressures slightly to better take advantage of pedal feedback. There were a lot of smiles while sticking a foot out and carving corners just for the fun of it.

Platform, Pins, Bearings, and Bling: Flat Pedal Anatomy

Aluminium is the material of choice for most quality pedal bodies, with steel long gone and plastic mostly relegated to bargain bin builds or novelty designs. Chromoly axles paired with sealed bearings are standard. Some brands now substitute bushings in place of outer bearings to slim down pedal thickness—a trade-off that reduces height and weight but may increase play over time, with fewer options for adjustment.

While bikes have followed the “longer, slacker, lower” mantra, pedals have their own evolution: thinner, wider, and loaded with longer pins—often available in every anodised colour imaginable.

Pedal thickness—specifically the height above the axle—affects how securely your foot sits on the pedal. The further your foot is from the axle centre, the more likely the pedal is to feel like it’s rolling underneath you. The thinnest designs tend to use bushings to achieve lower profiles, which improves feel and control. However, bushings generally can’t be adjusted for wear like bearings can. Bonus: bushings are also lighter.

A wider platform provides more surface for your foot to rest on, improving stability—especially when paired with a wide shoe. Bigger tends to be better here, within reason. Pedal shape also matters: a convex profile (where the centre is lower than the front and back) allows you to engage the pins more effectively before the rest of the sole makes contact. That extra bite is key for grip.

Mountain bike flat pedal pins

More pins mean more grip – up to a point. Too many, and you actually reduce the pressure each pin exerts (since pressure = force ÷ area), potentially lessening grip. Thinner, taller pins increase localised pressure and bite better into soft rubber soles.

There are two common pin types:
– Bolt-through pins with a wider head, often external hex or internal Allen/Torx and a thinner often unthreaded 2.5mm diameter pin.
– Grub screws, which have no head—just a recess for an Allen or Torx driver, in a slightly less grippy 4mm diameter.

Grub screws tend to have the weaker hollow end exposed, making them more susceptible to damage. Installation method matters here: if the pedal requires the hollow side to be exposed, those pins won’t last as long under hard riding abuse.

Mountain bike flat pedal shoes

Classic sneakers like the Converse Chuck Taylor offer decent grip – but poor support. You’ll feel individual pins under the middle of your foot, especially when they’re not perfectly placed.

The Five Ten Sam Hill shoe, with its Stealth rubber and supportive sole, sets the benchmark. It offers fantastic grip and a good balance between stiffness and feel.

For trail-building or more rugged terrain, steel-capped boots show how pedal grip interacts with aggressive treads. Long, thin pins tend to find a home between the tread blocks, while short, fat pins struggle to grip. Not ideal for riding, but a good test extreme.

Shin Pads

Some of these pedals look like medieval torture devices. As someone who rides both flats and clipless, but regularly defaults to clipless much of the time, I started the test in reinforced shin guards. Over time, I learned which combos of shoes and pedals felt safe enough to ride pad-free. For fast or technical terrain, though, protection is always a smart move.

Crankbrothers Stamp 7

RRP: $369.95
Weight: 375g
Pins per side: 10
lustyindustries.com

Crankbrothers have never been afraid to innovate, and the Stamp 7 is no exception.  

Features: Forged 6061-T6 body, two size options, IGUS® bushings instead of traditional bearings. Grease port for easy service, but pin design could be better. 

Grip factor: Grip is limited by 4mm wide pins and hollow grub screw ends that face outward. Thread lock is required to keep them in place.

Who It Suits: DIY mechanics who appreciate clever engineering and regular maintenance.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Deity Supervillain

RRP: $294.95
Weight: 415g
Pins per side: 14
lustyindustries.com

If it’s pin count you’re after, the Deity Supervillain is your weapon of choice.

Features: CNC-machined 6061 T6 body with 14 pins per side. Hollow grub screw ends face outward, limiting durability. Spare pins included.

Grip factor: Initially less grippy than expected due to too many pins. Removing a few improves traction.

Who It Suits: Riders who want tuning potential and aggressive style.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Shimano PD-GR500

RRP: $99
Weight: 517g
Pins per side: 9
bike.shimano.com

Shimano pedals are all about reliability—and the PD-GR500 is no exception.

Features: Double-threaded height-adjustable pins with thread lock compound. Smallest and heaviest pedal on test.

Grip & Feel: Solid grip but not standout. Taller pins would help.

Who It Suits: Commuters or MTB riders looking for dependable, no-fuss performance.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Funn Funndamental

RRP: $159.95
Weight: 420g
Pins per side: 11
kwtimports.com.au

With a name like Funndamental, this pedal practically begged to be included.

Features: CNC 6061 alloy, chromoly axle, slightly concave body. Comes with spare pins and removal tool.

Grip factor: Great grip for the price. Narrow, tall pins and good platform feel.

Who It Suits: Budget-conscious riders who still demand performance.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Funn Python

RRP: $209.95
Weight: 375g
Pins per side: 11
kwtimports.com.au

The Python slithers in with a refined, thinner profile and polished design. They came with proprietary modified 4mm diameter screws installed and included a special socket wrench tool to remove them as well as a replacement 2.5mm diameter pin type screws. Installing the 2.5mm pins elevated this pedal to a 4-star performer.

Features: Slim CNC alloy body, mixed bearing/bushing internals, spare pins included.

Grip factor: Excellent grip-to-weight ratio, good for repositioning.

Who It Suits: Trail and enduro riders who want light and precise performance.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Leatt 6.0 Flat

RRP: $279.00
Weight: 380g
Pins per side: 10
mtb.leatt.com.au

Leatt brings its protection expertise to pedal design—and it shows.

Features: Wide, thin body with 10 strategically placed pins and smooth sealed bearings.

Grip factor: Planted and secure feel even with stiff-soled shoes.

Who It Suits: Aggressive riders who want rugged reliability.

Rating: ★★★★☆

RaceFace Atlas

RRP: $239.00
Weight: 385g
Pins per side: 10
au.raceface.com

A classic go-to for all-mountain and enduro riding.

Features: CNC alloy body with a large concave platform and underside bolt-through pins.

Grip factor: Reliable grip and comfort. Great for a wide range of terrain.

Who It Suits: Riders who value proven performance and durability.

Rating: ★★★★☆

RaceFace Turbine

RRP: $295.00
Weight: 415g
Pins per side: 11
au.raceface.com

RaceFace’s flagship pedal—and the standout performer in this test.

Features: Long and wide platform, low profile, 11 tall pins and excellent bearing setup.

Grip factor: Maximum grip with top-tier feel. Confident in all conditions.

Who It Suits: Riders seeking top-shelf performance and build quality.

Rating: ★★★★★

Summary Table

*Mixed with 7x 2.5mm bolts and 4x 4mm grub.

Final Thoughts

Flat pedals have come a long way from the clunky cages of yesteryear. Whether you’re a hardened trail builder, a weekend warrior, or someone rediscovering the fun of foot-out, flat-out riding, there’s a pedal here for you.

The RaceFace Turbine stood out as the top performer, offering superb grip and premium construction. But great options exist across every price point – Funn’s Funndamental delivers killer value, and the OneUp Aluminium is a joy for minimalists.

Your ideal pedal depends on your shoes, your style, and how much you value easy servicing versus out-of-the-box performance. No matter your pick, all these pedals prove one thing: flats are back, and they’re better than ever.