Pedals

BMX race pedals: the contact point behind every stroke

From the gate drop to the first table, everything goes through the pedal. A foot that slips off costs far more than a few saved grams ever gain. The choice comes down to two distinct families, flat or clipless, then to thread size and bearing type.

Flat pedals: wide platform, replaceable pins

Flat pedals remain the majority choice in training and in the younger classes. Bodies come in reinforced composite nylon, light and affordable, or in CNC aluminium for a thinner, stiffer platform. Grip comes from the pins: steel studs threaded in from the underside and replaceable one by one as they round off. A wide, slightly concave platform cradles the arch of the foot and stops the foot breaking loose on landings.

Clipless pedals: the two-bolt SPD standard

Clipless BMX race pedals use the two-bolt SPD standard, the same one found on mountain bike and race shoes. The mechanism sits on both faces so you can clip in without looking, and spring tension is set with a 3 mm hex screw: light while you learn to release, firmer for racing. Release is made by rotating the heel outwards, with the float and release angle depending on the cleat fitted. Some models add an aluminium cage around the mechanism to widen the support.

Axle, thread and bearings

• Thread: 9/16 inch for all two and three-piece cranksets; 1/2 inch only on entry-level one-piece cranks.
• Handing: the left pedal has a reverse thread. Axles are stamped L and R, never swap them over.
• Axle: chromoly on the vast majority of models, titanium on the lightweight versions.
• Bearings: DU bush plus loose ball, or fully sealed cartridge bearings, which last far better against mud and pressure washing.
• Fitting: 15 mm open spanner on flatted axles, or a 6 or 8 mm hex key from behind the crank arm.

Compatibility: crank arms, shoes and cleats

Check the thread on your BMX crank arms before ordering anything: a 9/16 inch axle will not go into a one-piece crank. On the shoe side, only two-bolt drilled soles will take an SPD cleat; flat-soled shoes work with pins alone. Think about ground clearance too, since a thick platform combined with long crank arms brings the pedal closer to the ground through banked turns.

Flat or clipless, by rider class

In Micro, Mini and Junior, flat pedals are the rule: the rider needs to be able to put a foot down instantly. The move to clipless usually happens in Expert, once the gate start is under control, and always after several release sessions stationary and then on the flat. In Pro and Cruiser, clipless is almost universal in a moto, with many riders keeping a pair of flats for skills work and the turbo trainer.

The BMX pedal brands

Shimano sets the market reference on clipless SPD, mechanism and cleats included. Answer and Box Components cover alloy flat pedals with replaceable pins. Crupi machines bodies from solid billet. Odyssey offers tough composite models that are popular for training and in the younger classes.

Servicing and wear

Noticeable side-to-side play when you hold the cage means a bearing at the end of its life. On clipless models, clean the mechanism after every muddy session and replace the cleats as soon as release becomes too easy. Always grease the thread on fitting: a pedal run in dry into an aluminium crank arm will eventually seize.

The BMX RACING advice

We are multi-brand, so we can compare an alloy flat and a clipless pedal on the same build for you, and check they suit your shoes. Add a matching BMX crankset or browse all our drivetrain components. Dispatched within 24 to 72 hours and you can spread the cost over 2 or 3 payments with Alma.