Basic platform pedals are the most common type of pedals. Designed for any type of footwear (or none at all!), basic platform pedals are commonly found on kids' bikes as well as adult cruiser and comfort bikes. Rubber or hard plastic are the most frequently used materials for this type of pedal.
Advantages
- Simple to use
- No specialized footwear needed
- Nothing holding you to the bicycle
Disadvantages
- No power transferred to the pedal on the upstroke - i.e., you can push down on platform pedals, but you can't pull up on them when pedaling.
- Easy for feet to slip off pedals.
