Road
Three-bolt road systems (SPD-SL, Look Keo) or Speedplay for a stiff, efficient connection.
The pedal doctor is in
DrPedal: the independent bike pedal guide
Find pedals that fit your bike, your shoes and the way you ride. Plain-English answers on clipless systems, cleats, flats, toe clips, threads and setup — then the current models worth buying.
- No sponsored rankings
- Specs from manufacturers
- We don't sell pedals
Start here
Pick pedals by riding type
The right pedal depends more on where you ride and what's on your feet than on price.
Mountain bike
Pinned flats for trail and enduro, or 2-bolt clipless — bare or with a supportive platform.
Commuter & hybrid
Clip in on one side, ride in work shoes on the other — or keep it simple with platforms and straps.
BMX
Grippy platform pedals in the right thread size — 9/16" for most bikes, 1/2" for one-piece cranks.
Track & fixed gear
Classic cage pedals with toe clips and straps — MKS is the benchmark.
Folding & e-bike
Folding or quick-release pedals for tight storage; wide, sturdy platforms for e-bikes.
Free tool
Pedal & Cleat Compatibility Finder
Pick a pedal system to see which cleats fit, how much float each gives and which shoe bolt pattern you need.
Float figures are manufacturer cleat designations. Always check the pedal maker's cleat chart for your exact model.
Buying guides
Every pedal guide
Guides
Setup, choosing and maintenance
All 17 guidesSetup
- Cleat Float Explained: What It Is and How Much You Need
- How to Clip In and Out of Clipless Pedals: A Beginner's Guide
- How to Install Clipless Pedals and Cleats: Step-by-Step Setup
- Pedal Thread Sizes: 9/16" vs 1/2" and How to Tell Which You Need
- Peloton and Spin Bike Pedals: Look Delta vs SPD, Shoes and Swaps
Choosing
- Best Clipless Pedals for Beginners: Easy-Release SPD, Hybrid and Road Picks
- Best Pedals for Hybrid and Commuter Bikes
- Flat vs Clipless Pedals: Which Is Right for Your Riding?
- Magnetic vs Clipless Pedals: How Magped Compares to SPD
- Parts of a Bike Pedal: Pedal Anatomy Explained
- SPD vs SPD-SL vs Look Keo: Clipless Pedal Systems Compared
- Toe Clips vs Clipless vs Pedal Straps: Which Foot Retention to Choose
Spec pages
Popular pedal, cleat and strap breakdowns
- Wahoo SpeedplayWahoo Speedplay Standard Tension Cleats
- CrankbrothersCrankbrothers Eggbeater 1 (Silver/Red)
- Look CycleLook Keo Blade Carbon Ceramic (Chromoly axle, black)
- MagpedMagped Enduro2 150N
- MKSMKS Allways
- Power GripsPower Grips XL Strap Set
- DMRDMR V8 Classic DU Pedals, 9/16", Silver
- Park ToolPark Tool PolyLube 1000 Lubricant PPL-1
Workshop
Which pedal is reverse threaded?
The left pedal. It loosens clockwise and tightens anticlockwise. Our guide covers removal, installation, stuck pedals and thread sizes.
About the pedal doctor
One part, explained properly
If you came looking for a "dr cycling" style fix for a pedal problem, you're in the right place: DrPedal does one thing — pedals, cleats and the parts that hold them together. We're independent, we don't sell anything, and we never invent test results.
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