Pedals For Electric Bikes

On the whole, yes. Pedal fitment on bikes has been next to universal for decades, all sharing the same 9/16 20TPI (1.27mm) thread type which means that regardless of which bike you choose, almost any pedal you could buy today will fit the cranks. The only exceptions are very old French pedals or those made for single piece crank sets, and you'll be hard pressed to find any of those anymore!

Most standard pedals will fit an electric bike because the thread size is the same, but e-bikes place more load on components due to extra weight and motor torque. For that reason, sturdier pedals with a wider platform or stronger materials tend to perform much better long-term.

Whether you ride flats or clips is a personal choice. On the whole, most road cyclists ride "clipped in" with SPD/SPD-SL type pedals. This is because being clipped in is the most efficient way to extract the most power from yourself and your bike. This is the same for many XC or "cross country" riders where again, performance is favoured where there is little need to remove feet from the pedals. For aggressive mountain bike riders and hybrid/leisure riders, flats are used the most. Mountain bike riders do a fair amount of crashing and prefer to be away from their bikes quickly without having to un-clip while thinking about how and where to land themselves in a crash and for leisure/hybrid riders, its just one less thing to think about!

Aluminium is the most popular choice because it strikes a great balance of weight and strength. Steel pedals are extremely tough but heavier, while quality composite pedals are surprisingly strong and offer excellent grip, especially in wet conditions. Any of the three can be suitable depending on budget and riding style.

Whether its worth spending that bit extra on pedals will depend on your usage. Mountain bikes are very hard on their pedals and road cyclists tend to do the most miles and so a more expensive pedal which are normally lighter but offers adjustment, is more robust or offers the option to remove and replace the internal bearings is much better long term value. For leisure riders only doing a few miles each day/week, a lower value set of pedals will do just fine in most cases.

For off-road e-MTB riding, large-platform flat pedals with metal pins are the go-to choice. They offer excellent grip over rough terrain and allow quick foot repositioning. Clip-ins can work too, but many trail riders prefer flats for the added confidence and freedom.

Yes, they’re perfectly safe, but they are very grippy. Riders who wear softer-soled shoes or hop on and off frequently may prefer lower-profile pins or rubberised commuter pedals. If you ride in all weather, pinned pedals give great control.

You can, as long as your shoes match the pedal’s cleat system (for example, SPD or SPD-SL). Most e-bike riders favour SPD-style mountain bike systems because they’re easier to walk in and handle mixed terrain better.

A wider, longer platform with a slightly concave shape offers the most stability. This design helps your foot settle naturally into a secure position and keeps it planted when tackling roots, drops or uneven ground—especially on powerful e-MTBs.

Fitting pedals is straightforward. All you need is a pedal spanner or a 6/8mm Allen key depending on the pedal design. The only thing to remember: the left pedal has a reverse thread, so it tightens anti-clockwise. A dab of grease on the threads helps for future removal.