Granted, the M520s are a tad heavier than some of Shimano’s more sophisticated premium options, but we’ve found them to be more durable on the whole, and the performance out on the trail is every bit as good as pedals twice or even three times the price. What’s more, adjustable spring tension allows you to decide how tight or loose you want the release mechanism to be.

MTB platforms come in a wide range of different shapes, materials and sizes, and are suited to different riding styles and shaped feet. They are used for flatland, dirtpump, downhill and BMX. The Vaults are famously tough and durable, and on the off-chance you do manage to smash them, they’re fully rebuildable too. Each and every part can be removed and replaced, which extends the lifespan indefinitely, and they’re available in lots of cool anodised colour options, too. However, clipless pedals do have some advantages over flat pedals, including increased control, more efficient power transfer by allowing the rider to utilise the entire 360 degrees of the pedal stroke, and less effort getting the bike off the ground. That said, they can encourage lazy form when performing manuals and bunny hops, so it’s worth having some flat pedals in the cupboard for when you want to hone your technique. READ NEXT: The best bike lights The best flat MTB pedals you can buy in 2023 1. DMR Vault: Best all-round flat MTB pedal On test, we found them to be as robust as they look. There are other slimmer options out there, and depending on your bike, you might wish to match it with something a little less chunky than the Aeffect. However, if you’re looking for a pair of reasonably priced, serviceable flat pedals that can take the punishment of a year-round commute then these are worthy of consideration.

Shimano XT M8100 Pedal

Pay attention to a pedal’s Q-factor. This is the measurement from the outside of the crank arm to the middle of the platform, and it dictates how wide your stance will be. A wider stance will give you greater stability and clearance, which is good for aggressive downhill riding, while a narrower stance is better for pedalling. It will also affect cleat positioning on your shoes, which may need to be adjusted for optimal power and comfort. One downside is the platform size. Still, if you’re running hard-soled SPD shoes, it ceases to be an issue. All in all, it’s an excellent little pedal that will happily take a beating and just keep doing what it does. Key specs – Body: Extruded 6061 aluminium; Pins: 11 per pedal; Dimensions: 105 x 105mm; Weight: 430g (pair) Red SPD-SL cleats have no float and are 100% fixed in position. This makes them great for sprinters, professional athletes, or people who value the most efficient power transfer possible and are not prone to knee pain. Note that red SPD-SL cleats require that you know your optimal cleat position precisely, and you are comfortable adjusting your cleats into that perfect position.

Read more: Crankbrothers Candy 1 commuter bike pedal full review How to choose the best commuter bike pedals Is it ok to use flat pedals on a road bike? It features a generously sized platform that on test gave us reassuring foot support alongside the excellent mud sharing abilities of the pedal.Both attributes mean it's well-suited to longer commutes as well as being weatherproof. A regular commute can be hard on your bike and its various components. Some choose to combat this by buying expensive bits that are built to last or can be easily serviced. The other approach is to opt for cheaper parts, which are robust enough for the job, but aren't too nice to get dirty, and can then be replaced without breaking the bank. Last, but not least, is the price. As the entry level Candy model, they're competitively priced and a great choice for commuters who want to try clipping in without spending a fortune. Outside of performance, changing your pedals is another way to give your bike some personality. Whether metal or plastic, flat MTB pedals often come in bright, eye-catching colours to make them stand out on the trails.

Shimano EH500 SPD Road Pedals

While clipping in has advantages, flat pedals allow you to put your foot down more easily, adjust your foot placement, and wear all kinds of different (not cycling-specific) footwear. They're also much more handy if you regularly get off and walk, as standard shoes are just better designed for walking than cycling shoes are. How do we test flat road bike pedals? Traditional clipless pedals are small, relying on a stiff-soled shoe to act as the platform for power transfer. This type of pedal is great for XC or gravel, but offers very little support once your foot is unclipped, intentionally or otherwise, so is best suited to confident, speedy riders. Techy stuff aside, the pedal itself performs beautifully out on the trail, with adjustable spring tension and smooth engagement when clipping in. It’s very robust, too, which is just as well, as you really don’t want to be forking out to replace something this expensive on a regular basis. Designed for trail use, the Aeffect pedal also makes sense for commuters looking for a robust flat pedal that’ll work in all weathers. Read the buyer's guide in our guide to the best flat pedals for cycling for more information on how to choose flat pedals. Are clipless pedals suitable for commuting?

Many of the Candy 1s features that make it a good pedal for the trails also means it performs on the commute to work, too. However, if you ride road-style three-bolt clipless pedals it may be worth considering a switch to SPD style pedals and cleats. Designed for off-road use they are generally more robust in their construction as well as allowing you to walk safely when you've arrived at your workplace. The rather elegant and slim pedal body - just 16mm in depth - also means that it won’t look out of place on one of the best commuter bikes, whether it’s a flat bar hybrid or a drop bar all-road machine. It's not so much a case of being slower, but rather the standard claim is that clipless systems are around 30% more efficient. This received wisdom isn't necessarily totally true, but there is a reason you don't see any pro riders using flat pedals. That being said, if you're not hunting KOM/QOMs and want some added versatility, then the moderate sacrifice in efficiency may well be a small price to pay for a more useable bike. What are flat pedals good for?The Candy 1s are easy to clip in and out of, ideal when navigating the stop-start flow of your commute. They're also kind on the knees, with the cleats having a release angle of 10 degrees and a float of 6 degrees.

While they may have ‘trail’ in their name, these flat pedals from Look are well-suited to the daily commute. Much lighter and more elaborate, these pedal systems are designed to directly channel your power into the pedal. Pedalling is smoother and more efficient. It’s easier to ‘hop’ or lift your bike over features on the road or trail and you don’t have to worry about your feet slipping off the pedals. Road clipless pedals mostly feature cleats with a 3-hole design. Shimano SPD-SL, Time and LOOK all have their own 3-hole pedal system designs. A small number of shoe manufactures make 4-bolt shoes which are compatible with Speedplay‘s unique 4-hole road cleat system. This pedal type is mainly used for road cycling/racing. Combi pedals

Nukeproof Horizon CL CrMo Downhill Pedals

Other notable features include built-in reflectors - something of a must-have for flat commuter pedals - and bearings (or perhaps bushings) that ran smoothly for the length of the review period.