Plastic vs Alloy vs Composite pedals

Riders new to mountain biking (both kids and adults), will usually experience feet slipping off pedals. This happens for a few reasons:
1. Joggers plus plastic pedal combination, especially in wet conditions
2. Riders going over more bumps on the trails
3. Unrefined stopping technique

Upgrading pedals/shoes combination can help prevent slipping off pedals, overcoming the first two points above, and the last one really comes down to refining stopping technique.

If you’re starting to ride with more speed, over more bumpy or rocky terrain, or do any sort of jumping, then upgrading shoes and pedals is an important safety consideration. Feet slipping off pedals can cause crashes, and crashes can end in all sorts of injuries.

A few things to look for if you’re upgrading pedals.

Plastic

Plastic pedals usually come stock standard on kids bikes and bikes under $1000. Over $1000, you need to purchase pedals, as pedals aren’t supplied with the bike.
Pros: Fine for riding on bike paths, on easy trails, and in dry weather. Not as likely to cut your shins or calves up if you slip off them. They sometimes have some small bumps that help with grip. Cheap to buy and replace.
Cons: Plastic pins can get broken off or worn down over time. They’re nowhere near as grippy, feet can slip off pedals resulting in crashes (and injuries).

Alloy

Alloy and composite pedals are the next step up. Alloy pedals are metal, and therefore typically last a long time. Different designs will have different weights, so often the more you pay, the lighter they become. This is great for racing, but lighter pedals are usually less ‘solid’ and sides can break off more easily if you hit a rock.

Alloy pedals come with metal pins that stick up out of the platform to give grip. Some will have replaceable pins, or pins that you can change the profile of (i.e. make them stick up more or less).

Pros: Super grippy so feet will never slip off pedals (i.e. once your feet are on the pedals you might have to lift your foot up to reposition, rather than sliding to get it into position). They don’t break as easily as plastic or composite. They’re durable and often have serviceable parts so can last for a long time.
Cons: They will slice up your shins or back of the calf if you bounce off them or you land awkwardly and not centred on a jump. Usually more expensive that plastic or composite, but there’s a big range. These will last a long time, and many have serviceable parts. They make a loud screech if you pedal strike!

Composite

Composite pedals are a combo of plastic (nylon) and metal (alloy). Usually a glass-reinforced nylon platform with metal pins. These are less jarring when you pedal strike, so for those who are pedal striking a lot, this can be a better choice for a smoother ride. They’re also lighter, but they need to be thicker- so give less ground clearance (and possibly more pedal strike!).

Pros: Less jarring if you pedal strike, lighter than alloy, usually cheaper than alloy but more expensive than plastic. Some have serviceable parts. Grippy metal pins, just like the pins on alloy pedals.
Cons: Similar to alloy pedals in terms of metal pins causing pedal bite. Not as long lasting or as stiff as alloy pedals (although for most riders this isn’t noticeable).

Dome shaped pins

Dome shaped pins are another type of pin that can bridge the gap between plastic and metal pins and commonly used for kids pedals. They are metal pins, but rounded on the top, so less likely to slice up a shin.

So, consider the pros and cons of each type of pedal before you buy, and if you opt for pedals with metal pins and you’re new to them, or if you’re putting new pedals on kids bikes, it’s always worth weighing up the risks and looking into protective wear.

Protective gear like shin pads, or at least long pants, combined with refining skills such as the one foot stop can help reduce horrible pedal bites (that’s what we call it when metal pins cut open the skin) and make mountain biking more enjoyable!

Cleats vs flats?
That’s a discussion for another day!

From the top: Alloy pedals, composite pedals, plastic pedals.