Mountain Biking - What Difference do pedals make?

I have Spd pedals on my road bike and yeah its great because im using two different muscles in each leg but do i really need it for my mountain bike? Im always hitting jumps and throwing my foot down on berms. Are any type of pedal other than platform really necessary for my type of riding?

Jeeze, everybody knows you can't possibly ride any sort of technical terrain/jumps/drops with clipless pedals.

Ride what ya like.

haha sorry dog kinda new to this stuff

If you have to bail or mess with your feet frequently, then you basically just go with platforms and let it be. For more XC style riding clipless is certainly an option, and plenty of people ride clipless on mountain bikes, but there's a huge difference from dirt jumping to downhill to cross country in terms of pedal needs.


Since I'm mostly an XC and commuter rider, I've got a pair of SPD shoes and clipless pedals, but I went with clipless platforms all the same because when I'm off the beaten path I don't want to be strapped into my bike at all times.


Some folk ride eggbeaters, but I'd stay away from them if you want to throw your foot down or stomp on the pedals as needed.

Since I'm mostly an XC and commuter rider, I've got a pair of SPD shoes and clipless pedals, but I went with clipless platforms all the same because when I'm off the beaten path I don't want to be strapped into my bike at all times.


as i've come to a similar conclusion as yourself i was wondering which clipless platforms did you choose? i haven't pulled the trigger on a pair yet.

I think pedals make a huge difference. I've tried turning the cranks without pedals and you kinda have to lock your feet around the cranks, then your toes hit the frame. It's a mess.

So I'd say, yeah, get some pedals.

I think pedals make a huge difference. I've tried turning the cranks without pedals and you kinda have to lock your feet around the cranks, then your toes hit the frame. It's a mess.

So I'd say, yeah, get some pedals.

I thought I was the only one to try this.

as i've come to a similar conclusion as yourself i was wondering which clipless platforms did you choose? i haven't pulled the trigger on a pair yet.

I ended up getting some older-style Crank Brothers Mallet C pedals, a nice wide platform (very little traction without the included higher traction plates though), and they work well. Other pedals could certainly match it, and newer Acid or Mallet pedals would probably be better, but I found the Mallet Cs on Unreal Cycles for $40 + shipping, so the choice was easy :p

They're reasonably heavy, but they are big platforms and grip well in most conditions using the higher traction plates (even in running shoes).

Shouldnt be throwing your feet down on berms.
But for jumping, just stay with some nice pinned platforms.