Composite Pedal Shootout - Our Top Picks! [Video]

Overview

Composite pedals have come a long way in the past few years, I remember riding some of the first “plastic” or composite pedals on my BMX bike in early 2008. Now, readily available for mountain bikes, they have become even better and even have threaded replaceable metal pins along with great internals. Most of the internals on these pedals come from the companies other alloy models and have been trickled down into more affordable options. With most having sealed bearings, they are also easily serviceable with replacement parts as well. All of these pedals we are looking at will be under $50!

Crank Brothers Stamp 1 Pedal

The Crank Brothers Stamp 1 is one of our favorite pedals and for good reason, there are two sizes, small and large. To our knowledge, this is the only composite pedal that is offered in two sizes. Our very own Max Morgan wrote an in-depth review on the Stamp pedal and which size is best so be sure to check that out! The Small size works great if you have a size 9 shoe or under. We also found no matter your shoe size, the smalls feel great on a dirt jump bike or pump track bike, with 10 pins per side on each pedal, there is no slipping around. The Large size is for size 9 shoe or larger. The Large really do offer a big platform, and you get lots of shoe-pedal interface on these. Great for larger feet, but also give you more support on bigger hits. It's one of the larger pedal platforms out there, and I do think it is the largest in our test. With all of these pedals, they are made to be slim, as that is the standard now for a nice pedal. Offered in two colors, in both sizes, Black, and Blue (slightly light blue). They also happen to be the lightest in our test, with small at 298g and large at 328g!

• Price: $44
• Weight: Small - 298g/Large - 328g
• Sizes: Small and Large
• Available Colors: Black, Blue

OneUp Components Comp Platform Pedals

Coming in standard OneUp fashion, the OneUp Components Comp pedal really hit the mark. With a solid and sleek look, the OneUp pedal hits the perfect spot for grip and comfort in its size, shape, and pin pattern. With 10 pins per side and a slightly convex platform, the pedal helps grab into your arch when weighted on the pedals. Available in black, blue, red, green, and orange, there is an option for any bike. The weight is also right in the middle at 355g so there are no issues there either.

• Price: $49
• Weight: 355g
• Available Colors: Black, Blue, Red, Green, Orange

RaceFace Chester Composite Pedals

The Race Face Chester pedal is our top selling pedal and has been for a while. Race Face is known for making kick-ass products and these are no different. Nothing too fancy with a simple yet comfortable platform, the 8 pins per side offer great grip and are placed perfectly. The Chester pedals feel great and are offered in the most amount of colors, black, red, turquoise, blue, yellow, green, orange. This will also be the only Turquoise pedal under $50 as well. With a weight of 365g, they are only a touch heavier than the others, but we haven't felt those extra few grams and certainly not a downside to these pedals. Our only complaint is the silver spindle on the inside of the pedal, yes, maybe nobody noticed until I said that but we love our bikes to look great and sometimes it just needs to be black!

• Price: $49
• Weight: 365g
• Available Colors: Black, Blue, Red, Green, Orange, Turquoise

Check out our full review of the Chester Pedals

Deity Compound Composite Pedal

The Deity Compound pedal is certainly not last place in this test and could win for best looking alone. Along with great looks, the Compound pedal has 8 pins per side and a thin profile. The platform feels very solid to us and lives on some of our best riders bikes. With a Deity logo on each side, and offered in black, blue, red, green, and orange, you can choose to match or clash with your bike.

• Price: $49
• Weight: 339g
• Available Colors: Black, Blue, Red, Green, Orange

Final Thoughts

Any of these pedals are great options and are affordable as well. We love all these pedals, and they each offer their own advantages over the other. As composite pedals have got and will continue to get better, we love having the option of performance with affordability, not something we can always say with mountain bikes. With sealed axle systems and all having threaded replaceable pins, the only difference in these pedals from other options is the price, all under $50! From the Crank Brothers Stamp 1 with their two sizes, the Raceface Chester pedal in its 7 colors, and the others right there on the same level, everyone should have their pick.