Parts guide
How to Choose Flat Pedals (and Get Them in Colour)
Pedals are one of the cheapest upgrades that changes how a bike feels. Here is what to look for, which ones fit your cranks, and how to get them in colour.
- By
- Collective, London
- First published
- Updated
- Reading time
- 2 minutes
Your feet are on the pedals for every second of every ride. Good flats grip your shoes, spin smoothly and take a hit. They also fit almost every bike, as long as you get the thread right, which makes them one of the easiest upgrades there is.
This guide covers the one size that matters, what separates good flats from cheap ones, and how to fit them.
Chapter 01
The one size that matters
9/16 or 1/2.
Pedals screw into the crank arms, and there are two thread sizes.
- 9/16 inch is used on mountain bikes, wheelie bikes, dirt jump bikes, hybrids, gravel and road bikes, and BMX with three-piece cranks. If it’s an adult bike, it’s almost certainly 9/16.
- 1/2 inch is used on one-piece BMX cranks: a single bent piece of steel that runs through the frame. You’ll find them on many kids’ and entry-level BMX.
Our PX1 pedals are 9/16. If your BMX has one-piece cranks, use our 1/2 inch BMX pedals, or upgrade to three-piece cranks with the crank upgrade kit and run any 9/16 pedal.
Chapter 02
What makes a good flat pedal
Platform, pins, axle, bearings.
- Platform. Bigger gives more support. PX1 is 98 x 100mm.
- Pins. Pins bite into your soles. Replaceable pins mean you can swap worn or bent ones. PX1 has six a side.
- Axle. Chromoly steel is strong and takes impacts. PX1 runs a 4130 chromoly axle.
- Bearings. PX1 uses DU bushings with sealed cartridge bearings, and is fully serviceable.
- Body. CNC-machined alloy is stiffer and tougher than plastic. PX1 is 6082 aluminium.
- Weight. PX1 is 310g a pair.
Plastic pedals still have a place: they are cheap, light and less painful on the shins. Our 9/16 inch BMX pedals are a good budget option.
Chapter 03
Getting them in colour
Most flats come in black. These don’t have to.
Good coloured flat pedals are surprisingly hard to find. PX1 is anodised in black, chrome, gold, purple and oil slick, the same finishes as our HX1 headsets, ST1 stems, Hub 2 and SC1 seat clamps. Match the lot, or use one colour as an accent.
Chapter 04
How to fit pedals
Five minutes, one spanner.
- Check left and right. Pedals are marked L and R. The left pedal has a reverse thread.
- Grease the threads. A little grease stops them seizing.
- Start by hand. Turn each pedal towards the front of the bike to tighten. If it is stiff, stop: it may be cross-threaded.
- Tighten firmly with the right pedal spanner or hex key.
- Check after the first ride, and keep an eye on the pins.
Chapter 05
Questions
Will PX1 pedals fit my bike?
Yes, if your cranks take a 9/16 inch thread, which is almost every adult bike and every three-piece BMX crank.
How do I know if my BMX has one-piece cranks?
One-piece cranks are a single piece of steel that bends through the frame, with no bolt holding the arms on. They take 1/2 inch pedals.
Can I use PX1 on a BMX?
Yes, on three-piece cranks.
Are the pins replaceable?
Yes. PX1 has six replaceable pins per side.
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