The 7 Best Pedals for Hybrid Bikes to Buy in 2023

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This is a selection of the best pedals for hybrid bikes. It includes affordable pedals ideal for beginners and pedals that you can use with casual or cycling shoes to take your bike trips and comfort to the next level.

The best budget-friendly pedals are the Zokie bike pedals. They will provide a good grip and are suitable for night riding, thanks to their reflective strips that improve your visibility.

The best hybrid pedals for casual and cycling shoes are the Shimano PD-M324. They have ridged surfaces and replaceable pins that offer a sturdy grip, an adjustable clip entry, and broad platforms for better foot support and stability.

Read on to learn more about the pedals I selected during my market research. You also learn crucial tips you need to know when choosing the best pedals for a hybrid bike.

What Are the Best Pedals for Hybrid Bikes?

If you are unsure of the features to look for when shopping for hybrid bike pedals, read the buyer’s section first.

Below, I will take you through the benefits and shortcomings of my favorite picks to help you decide what pedals are the best for you based on your riding style.

Skip to the comparison table…

Zonkie Bike Pedals (Best Budget Flat Pedals for Hybrid Bikes)

I couldn’t miss the Zonkie bike pedals with the amount of praise showered on across numerous online shops.

The ease of dismounting makes them a convenient option for newbies. They won’t offer you the option to clip in, but they will serve you well if you use your bike for short commuting.

They weigh just 0.66lb (300g), so they are perfect for casual riding. As a bonus to their low weight, you won’t get tired as quickly.

Thanks to their reflective strips from both sides, you can cruise through busy routes at night and still be seen by others.

If you have never mounted bike pedals before, the “L” and “R” signs will help you identify which crank to install each pedal. 

Zonkie pedals also come with Valve dust caps that you can match with the color of your bike.

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You may also be interested in the best hybrid bikes.

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MZYRH Bike Pedals

Being an excellent fit for a range of bicycles besides hybrid bikes, the MZYRH bike pedals might be a perfect set if you are looking for versatile bike pedals that provide great foot support.

I love the pedals’ artistic design and their broad range of appealing color options, so you can match them with your bike or cycling kit. 

Their aluminum and high-strength steel construction, yet at a lower price than most sturdy metal bike pedals, gives me another reason to recommend them.

The MZYRH pedals are an excellent pair that can handle riding in rough terrain without any issues.

With 12 nails on each pedal to improve grip and a broad platform for added stability, the MZYRH pedals are among the best pedals for the price.

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Venzo Repacked Pedals

The numerous details invested in the Venzo Repacked pedals, contrasting with the simplistic yet surprisingly enticing silver and black colors, is an immediate intrigue that attracts your attention.

Thanks to their chromium steel axles and die-cast aluminum bodies, the Venzo pedals are durable enough to withstand the elements.

You can use them with MTB shoes and clip them into the clip-in side of the pedals or with non cycling shoes for cycling (the platform side).

They will also allow you to adjust the clip tension so you won’t accidentally clip out, or if you have knee problems, you can ease the tension.

Weighing 0.81lb (368g), Venzo Repacked Pedals are the lightest hybrid pedals on this list. If you are looking for the best lightweight hybrid pedals, Venzo Repacked might be your perfect choice.

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Crankbrothers Doubleshot 2

Crankbrothers Doubleshot 2 are one of the most affordable clip-in pedals by Crankbrothers. They are ideal for hybrid or mountain bikes. 

The options to clip in and use flat shoes are much more convenient than the Crankbrothers Mallet Pedals.

One of the things I love the most about Doubleshot 2 pedals is their spring clip entry. Because of their minimalistic appearance, they provide exemplary mud-shedding to allow you to clip in any condition. So if you decide to take your hybrid bike to wet forests or dirt roads, you will be fine.

Each pedal has eight spikes and a grooved flat side to enhance the stability and control of your bike.

The one thing I found slightly unappealing is the raised nature of the clip side. So, the platform provides minimal support if you fail to clip in quickly.

There are also Crankbrothers Doubleshot 1 and Doubleshot 3. So do these pedals differ?

Doubleshot 1 are the most affordable of these three. They have a slightly different platform pattern that does not provide as a good grip as Doubleshot 2 and 3.

Doubleshot 3, however, have replaceable and adjustable pins but are the most expensive. They are more performance-oriented than Doubleshot 1 and 2.

Also available at competitivecyclists.com and wiggle.com

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Check this selection of the best hybrid bikes for under $500.

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Shimano PD-EH500

While they don’t appear identical, Shimano PD-EH500 pedals let you enjoy all the benefits of Crankbrothers Doubleshot pedals and a little bit more.

One of the striking differences is the removable pins. Therefore, you can eventually adjust or replace them. This is something you won’t be able to do with Crank Brothers Doubleshot’s 2 pins because they are inbuilt. 

Another impressive feature setting the Shimano PD-EH500 pedals apart from the Crankbrothers Doubleshot 2 is their weight. While Shimano PD-EH500 pedals weigh 0.84lb (380g), Crankbrothers Doubleshot pedals are slightly heavier at 0.87lb (390g). But honestly, the difference is marginal.

Without a doubt, their higher price than the Crankbrothers Doubleshot for replaceable pins is justifiable. If you are an advanced rider who wants to combine rides with normal bike shoes, these pedals are the way to go.

Also available at jensonusa.com

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Crankbrothers Mallet Enduro Ls Mountain Bike Pedals

Crankbrothers Mallet pedals are the best clipless pedals for avid hybrid bike riders.

Being clipless pedals, they provide a perfect opportunity for demanding and pro riders to take advantage of the energy-saving capabilities of clipless pedals.

What I love most about the Crankbrothers Mallet pedals are their extended platforms. Many brands, like Shimano, make clipless pedals with a platform, but few set the edges’ height proportionate to the clip entry.

Superb mud-shedding capabilities, the ability to adjust tension, and the inclusion of grub nails for improved stability make these pedals great for many bike types. Besides hybrid bikes, you can also use them with mountain or gravel bikes.

While they aren’t the best for flat shoes, you can use them if you need to commute short distances.

Overall, these pedals are the best for you if you have clipless shoes and like pushing yourself (and your bike) to your limits.

Also available at wiggle.com

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Interested in a good hybrid bike? Check this selection of the best hybrid bikes for under $1000.

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Shimano PD-M324 (Best Hybrid Pedals for Hybrid Bikes)

As I tried to understand more about the Shimano PD-M324 pedals, I came across a user who referred to them as a combo of “a box on one side and a rat trap cage on the other.” And I couldn’t withhold the laughter that rippled through me.

Regardless, Shimano PD-M324 pedals prove to have just the right specs to wrap up my list of favorites.

They suit both flat and clipless shoes. Of course, you can adjust the clip tension to ease the pressure on your knees or avoid an unintentional fall at traffic lights due to the inability to clip out.

Their stainless steel and compact aluminum design provides sturdy foot support that should last for years with proper care.

However, their massive 1.17-pound weight (530g) is a tedious load to pull around. I would also love the platform to be a little larger for more support.

Also available at rei.com

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My Verdict

Based on my 4 hours of market research, I highlight the following pedals:

Zonkie bike pedals for being so affordable you could get at least two pairs for the price of its closest competitor on this list. 

They are suitable for beginners or any other bike you use for short commuting. Let’s not forget the inbuilt reflectors that make them much safer to ride at night.

Shimano PD-M324 pedals are excellent options if you want hybrid pedals ideal for cycling and casual shoes alike.

Thanks to the customizable clip entry, you can adjust the tension of the pedals as you need. So if you experience knee problems, for example, you can lower the tension to clip off more easily.

They have a sturdy build, and the platforms offer just the proper grip for a safe and comfortable ride – in heavy traffic, rough terrain, or any terrain you like to ride in.

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How to Choose the Best Pedals for a Hybrid Bike?

Picking the wrong pedals for your hybrid bike will lead to future frustrations. Especially if you plan to ride your bike more often, you want pedals you can rely on.

You can get flat pedals or hybrid pedals that combine a clip-in mechanism with a platform.

So how do they differ?

Flat Pedals

These are excellent options for hybrid bikes and mountain bikes as well. Let me explain why.

Some flats come with attached or removable pins. They improve your grip so your feet won’t slip off the platforms.

The main benefit of using flats is getting your foot off them quickly and avoiding crashing. If you live in a neighborhood with many corners, flats are probably more suitable if you’ve barely used clipless pedals.

The main disadvantage of flat pedals is that it is more difficult to ‘pull’ during the upward stroke than hybrid pedals or clipless road bike pedals.

While ankling (find out more) is easier with flat pedals with pins due to better grip, clipless pedals are even better for pulling up during the pedal stroke. This is because your foot is attached to the pedal.

Yes, it takes some practice to learn how to pedal in circles and also extra effort, but it is a great way to lose more calories and increase your pedaling efficiency.

Hybrid Pedals (Clipless + Platform)

Hybrid pedals are versatile because they allow you to use flat and clipless shoes. If you decide to take a short commute, you can wear casual shoes. But if you are in the mood to take a long trip, you can put your clipless shoes on and take full advantage of the clipless mechanism.

Some pedals work with clipless shoes thanks to an integrated clip-in mechanism compatible with SPD cleats. Such pedals are much better if you want to use your hybrid bike to its fullest potential.

Most clipless pedals allow you to adjust their tension. This is great if you experience knee problems, for example, because you can ease the tension to avoid further injuries. Easier clipping out is also good if you have to stop often at traffic lights or intersections.

The following table shows the pros and cons of different types of bike pedals.

Other Pedal Features to Consider

Some features cut across the board whether you pick flat or hybrid pedals.

Size

The more surface area your platform pedals have, the more support your feet get so you won’t experience hotspots during long rides.

There isn’t much concern for size when using clipless pedals, as clipless shoes have a firm sole that helps distribute the pressure you put into every pedal stroke. Although I have to say that road bike pedals with a large platform are much better for long rides than MTB SPD pedals.

Also, if you have large feet (let’s say size 10 and larger), you may take advantage of the larger size of the pedal. I recommend reading this guide on how to find the right flat pedal size to find out more.

Material & Weight

Plastic pedals tend to be lighter than their metal counterparts. While some plastic pedals hold up quite well, not all do – especially in rough terrain or under heavy riders.

Metal pedals (made from aluminum or steel) tend to have much better durability and higher weight limit capacity, making them less likely to crack.

Go for plastic pedals if you are a relatively light rider who does not push his or her bike to its limits and enjoys casual riding.

But if you are more performance-oriented and cycling is a part of your training, go for pedals made of metals like aluminum or steel (eventually titanium). They will last much longer, and thanks to their stiffness, they provide you with much better energy transfer.

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Are you interested in learning more about bike pedals? Check out my article on choosing bike pedals.

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Pedals for Hybrid Bikes FAQ

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This post is regularly updated to provide the most up-to-date product tips. If you find a product that is not up to date, please, contact me.