The electric bike has become a commonly used vehicle nowadays, the perfect compromise between physical effort and the convenience of the engine, but what are the best pedals for e-bikes?
We have already touched on the topic of e-bikes, we have also written a guide on how to choose one consciously. An important factor of the two-wheeled vehicle, in addition to the display, battery and the type of handlebar, is the type of pedal. In the world of e-bikes, in fact, there are three types: SPD, FLAT e EMTB. Let’s see together what type they are and which pedal is the best.
The SPD pedals | Best e-bike pedals
The SPD pedals guarantee a connection with the bicycle which allows us to exploit the pedaling in all its rotation and to have a greater stability on the pedals, even on jumps and in rock gardens and even downhill. These pedals give us more safety because they allow us to keep your feet steady on them and therefore to drive with more peace of mind, having the feeling of control. SPDs are chosen above all for their effectiveness while pedaling, because in addition to pushing them you can also pull them and therefore set other muscles in motion. These pedals are ideal for those who do racing Cross Country where performance is fundamental both uphill and downhill.
Furthermore, for Downhillers, the choice of SPD pedals is almost mandatory, because the connection between the foot and the pedal is fundamental and must be constant, not only for climbing, but also for the descent. Even with this type of SPD pedals, safety lies precisely in the stability you have with your foot on the pedal, but it comes at a price: less freedom and naturalness in the way of pedaling, even if it is more of a psychological question. In fact, once you adapt, the pedal is released automatically. Furthermore, for those who are used to it, falling is highly unlikely. Today SPD pedals offer a wide support base that we can use even if we can’t engage immediately.
The FLAT | pedals Best e-bike pedals
I flat pedal on the contrary they are chosen for much more guidance relaxed and loose, aimed at fun. But it’s not just like that, in fact if you choose the right type of shoe and combine it with the pedal, you will get performances not far from those of SPD pedals. These are the pedals of enduro riders, where to have more speed and performance you need to kick or have your feet slide on the ground to have more safety when riding. You won’t have the stability that SPD pedals give you, but you will be able to use your feet effectively freer and more natural. FLATs are also more comfortable in case of mud or snowbut they can be dangerous because of the pins (the screws sticking out of the platform), they can end up on the shins and cause pain and leave a mark for several days.
In the case of FLAT pedals, however, choosing the right shoe is possible risk underestimating and use common sneakers or trekking shoes, unlike SPD pedals where the right choice of shoes is essential. This is something that can be done, but be aware that stability on the pedal will not be the best and that the sole will give way under your weight and therefore you will not be able to transmit the right force when pedaling. On the pedal the foot must be centered on the metatarsal, therefore not in the center, but with a support on the pedal moved to the front half of the foot, which is why a rigid sole of a specific bike shoe can make riding easier. If you don’t want to go through the expense of specific shoes, you can also use those from skateboard, it’s a good compromise. In any case, better than shoes with one soft sole and without cleats, so as to have more efficient shock absorption and be able to walk more calmly, as well as the possibility of removing the foot on the fly if necessary.
EMTB pedals | Best e-bike pedals
What happens if you have an e-bike where pedal pressure is less essential? Actually there’s not much difference, the reasoning made so far also applies to EMTB pedals. FLAT pedals are often used because when riding a bike you focus more on having fun and therefore high performance takes a back seat. But it’s not always like this. Uphill, the motor reduces the need to push on the pedals, but requires pedaling at higher cadences and with more consistency to get the most from the motor. In fact, to make the e-bike engine work, you need to maintain a cadence of at least 60/80 pedal strokes per minute and with the feet hooked it is simpler. The available couple works best when we can have one consistency in cadence, even on the steepest climbs. If we stop pedaling, even just for a little while, the engine stops and the delay in restarting risks causing us to stop halfway up the climb. The advantages of the SPD, therefore, also apply to the FLAT and the EMTB.
Which pedal is best?
Having reached this point and considered all the factors, in the end which pedal is the best It depends on the person. There are those who prefer more stability with the bike and therefore being more on the pedals, those who prefer to have more freedom and be less attached to it. But to give an example, if up to now you have used SPD pedals on a MTB without a motor, you can also use them with pedal assistance, the advantages will not be the same, but very similar. If, however, you have not ridden the bike often, we recommend FLAT pedals, to start without other constraints, perhaps with one resin platform with pins that are not too pronounced. In conclusion, the ideal is always try before decidingexperiment with both FLATs and SPDs before deciding which is best for you.
What will you do then? Will you use FLAT or SPD? Let us know below in the comments and continue to follow us on techgameworld.com for other guides, news and more from the world of bikes.