Mountain Biking - Pedals for 13 year old mountain biker

My thirteen year old has become a pretty serious mountain biker. He rides fire roads and single track in Marin County, California mostly on Mt. Tam. He prefers climbing and cross country. He has been riding my old GT Zaskar but is about to upgrade to a Kona Kula. He has been riding with basic pedals with his feet unattached. It surprises me what he can climb with only power on the downstroke. Does anyone have advice on the best pedals? Clipless? Toe Clips? No attachment? My primary issue is safety. A tech at the local bike shop thought clipless was safer that toe clips.

Thanks

ive got some v12, there so much better than my other pedels, they have little metal screws to keep your fet on that work really well

I agree that clipless is safer than toe clips and much more efficient than platforms.

Most folks here will recommend Crank Brothers or Time.

I got my first set of clipless pedals (happened to be Eggbeaters) when I was 13. I learned on them just fine and safety was not an issue. Just make sure he gets plenty of practice in the driveway and yard (particularily dismounting and mounting) before he goes out on the trails full-force.

I was lucky enough to get Speedplay Frogs on my first bike. They are very forgiving pedals to learn on. They've only caused me to fall twice, both times were well after I had learned how to use them. You don't have to push through a spring to release your foot from them. They're expensive new, but I like them a whole lot.

I was lucky enough to get Speedplay Frogs on my first bike. They are very forgiving pedals to learn on. They've only caused me to fall twice, both times were well after I had learned how to use them. You don't have to push through a spring to release your foot from them. They're expensive new, but I like them a whole lot.


I agree. They are great for kids from what I have read. I have looked at them for my 12-year-old. Everything I have read about and seen of them makes me want to go with them. They may cost more, but my son is worth it. That's the way I see it though. Any other recommendaions before I buy?

My son has been on clipless for since he was 10. Go ahead and put him on em'

Time atac. nothing to set up. just bolt the cleats to the shoes and you are set up. no adjustments in tension because they are not needed. lots of float and nothing to disract a person from clipping in and out. they also do VERY well in adverse conditions. there are several models to choose from as well so you can start with an Alium for under $70 and move up from there to over $250 for the XS carbon Titanium or lots of other options in between that use the same cleat and setup

Many thanks for all the advice and recommendations. Now I need to get him off the mountain long enough to set him up.

Time atac. nothing to set up. just bolt the cleats to the shoes and you are set up. no adjustments in tension because they are not needed. lots of float and nothing to disract a person from clipping in and out. they also do VERY well in adverse conditions. there are several models to choose from as well so you can start with an Alium for under $70 and move up from there to over $250 for the XS carbon Titanium or lots of other options in between that use the same cleat and setup
I'll back up the Time ATAC arguement. Super easy to use and more forgiving than even the Frogs