E-bike Pedal Guide

If you commute for work or enjoy longer bike rides, you should take a moment to choose the best pedals for your needs. You can ride your e-bike with either a platform pedal or a pedal system.

Find out everything about the different types of pedals here in our guide and start your next adventure.

E-bike Platform Pedals

This classic pedal is flat and has a large contact surface on both sides for your foot, which is usually roughened or rubberised. The coating gives you extra grip and a stable hold on the pedal even at higher speeds.

Often, the pedals are equipped with Germany StVZO-compliant reflectors that can help improve visibility at dusk and in the dark.

The advantage of platform pedals on the e-bike is above all the flexibility. A quick trip to the bakery or café is possible since you can easily get off the pedals. You don’t need any special equipment or special cycling shoes - you can easily ride with street shoes. Perfect for daily rides or touring riders who plan longer walking passages.

There are also platform pedals that have small metal pins that press into the sole of your shoe. This gives you significantly more support and minimises the risk of your shoe slipping off the pedal. This type of pedal is often used for e-MTBs or e-gravel bikes.

For optimal use, however, we recommend special flat-pedal cycling shoes that have a rubber sole with a particularly slip-resistant composition. With these you literally "stick" to the pedals.

See all e-bike platform pedals

E-bike Duo Pedals

If you want the best of both worlds, the duo pedal, also known as a combination pedal, is a good choice. With this pedal, you don't have to choose between a fixed connection to the shoe and the classic flat pedal.

The duo pedal has a click system on one side so that you can firmly connect your cycling shoe to the pedals.

For this you need special cycling shoes and cleats that are compatible with the two-hole standard of the pedal. The cleats are mounted from below in the holes of the shoe sole and remain there. You click in with a light push on the pedals. Turning the heel outwards releases the connection again. How much force is needed to unclick can be individually adjusted with most pedals in just a few steps.

The advantage of having a click side: once you are clicked in, you can push down on the pedals as well as pull up. This enables an even more effective power transfer to the pedals and a "rounder" step.

Another advantage: your feet always remain in the desired position when clicked in. This prevents you from slipping off the pedal even in wet conditions and allows you to adjust your foot position to the perfect ergonomic position for you.

You can use the second side like a platform pedal. This way you can pedal even without a fixed connection. You don't need special cycling shoes or cleats for this. You can simply start your tour with street shoes. 

Duo pedals are suitable for anyone who wants to try clipless pedals. With them, you can use the advantages of both pedal systems and be completely flexible with your bike.

See all e-bike duo pedals

E-bike Clipless Pedals

With these bicycle pedals, you can have a firm connection to the pedals.

The contact between shoe and pedal is created by so-called cleats. The cleats are usually made of metal or plastic and are firmly mounted in the sole of special cycling shoes. To click the pedal into place, apply light pressure to the pedal with your foot. 

To click out, turn your heel sideways to the outside. You can usually adjust how much force is needed to click out (the so-called "release tension") on most pedals. This way you can quickly disconnect from the clipless pedal even as a beginner.

Clipless pedals are not only used on sporty bikes like road bikes and mountain bikes, but can also be useful on your e-bike. As you are firmly connected to the pedals, you can push the pedal down as well as pull it up. This enables even more efficient power transmission.

Many e-bike riders opt for clipless pedals for longer distances, as they offer a plus in terms of ergonomics. Once correctly adjusted to your anatomy, your feet remain in the same position throughout the ride. This can help to protect your joints and increase your riding comfort.

An additional advantage: the connection between foot and pedal means you always have a firm grip - even in wet conditions.

What’s important to know: the cleats are screwed firmly into the sole of your cycling shoes and remain there.

So if you want to get off your bike for a quick trip to the café, the cleats on your shoes will make it difficult for you to walk. When running with cleats, we recommend cleat covers. These make running easier and protect the cleats from being damaged while walking.

With adapter plates, you can quickly transform your clipless pedal into a platform pedal. This means you can ride your bike with street shoes and use it for more activities, such as commuting or quick errands.

Short facts about e-bike clipless pedals

  • Float angle:            
    This angle describes how far you can rotate your foot inwards or outwards while you are clicked into the pedal. In other words, the freedom of movement when clicked in.

  • Release tension:           
    Indicates how much force is needed to release the shoe from the pedal. On many models, this can be adjusted individually. For beginners, a low release tension is recommended so you can quickly take the foot off the pedal in tricky situations. 

  • Release angle:           
    This is the angle you need to turn your foot outwards to come off the pedal. For beginners, a lower release angle is recommended to practise clicking out. The adjustment of the release depends on the click system and cleat used and is not always adjustable. 

  • Contact surface:           
    Indicates how much space you have on the pedal to place your foot. The larger the contact area, the better the power transmission
See all e-bike clipless pedals