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Platform Pedal Shootout, the best flat is...

1M views 2K replies 506 participants last post by  shwinn8 
#1 · (Edited)
Platform Pedal Shootout!

2018 Update for best pedal:


  • high range: Gamut Podium for class, weight, height, uniqueness, aesthetics, performance, size, desirability with roots in the SF Bay Area Point One Racing small CNC operation, 3rd generation design lineage
  • low range: Lixada Y2259B for value, comparable to any VP/HT/Wellgo ultra-thin-light-wide pedal, and an unbeatable value $24-29 shipped to your door from multiple online sources



As a single speed rider, I prefer the simplicity and get on and ride how you come approach. The general rule when it comes to pedals is, if you cant ride with flip flops or jack purcells, your bike is a failure.

Figured I could pop this in any category like singlespeed or 29er but downhill freeride riders are the most renown for rocking platform pedals in even the most intense, dangerous gravity induced situations successfully.

While weight is often shaved and marketed in connection points on the bike (saddle, handlebar, pedals), these are the most important to me to feel solid to the rider. Saving weight elsewhere is a better move 'cause the solid feel equals confidence.

I reviewed four foundational pedals. While all superb pedals, I found the winner of these four - the Sunline V-One platform pedal.

:eekster:

Atomlab Trailking: an innovative design that has been copied by everyone, the 17mm thin crowd got its inspiration from this pedal. Sweet looks, my favorite in the looks department, CNC machined minimal with a fantastic shape and really looks tits mounted to a single speed and is thinnest body of the lot. Due to DU bushings (which are the least desirable), it develops play quite easily, so have a stash of DU bushings for replacements and the problem is solved. Atomlab is good about providing these replacements and they're fast, simple to replace with an allen key. The performance is least of the lot due to pin placement, flat body, and DU bushings - my foot has slipped jumping off street curbs! Studs did rip a number of holes and lines into my shins causing permanent scarring and for the lackluster amount of grip they provide, wasn't worth it. The newer Pimp and Pimplite mag pedals have resolved the DU bushing issue with sealed bearings while staying with a similar shape. 540g pair, $100

Easton Flatboy: a design that is over ten years old! Classic, beefy, concave and grippy. Comes in only ano black, matches your Easton cockpit. A bit boring as the design hasn't changed for decade - meaning the pedal works well! 572g pair, $75

Syncros Mental Stainless Steel: the rawest of the bunch, made of stainless steel versus aluminum like the others. Also like the fact that you dont see rebrands of this pedal 'cause they're so ugly, no one is going to copy them. Random non-bike people will ask you about the pedals. A whopping weight penalty, almost double that of the other pedals, but it's easily justified as these just are the last to break from any ravishing hit or scrape. I treat them badly and they look identical to new. I really like the way these spin and the heaviness works by providing a solid connection to the bike. Lifetime warranty on the bodies to prove it! 800g pair, $80

Sunline V-One: Solved the problems of the Atomlab Trailkings by using loaded sealed bearings, concave body, and added the machined pyramids from the Brooklyn Machine Works Veggie Burgers and notorious Shin Burger pedals. When the stud screws are installed on top of the pyramids, your foot is not slipping, at all. Best grip of the lot. Anodized gunmetal blue titanium to match the Sunline V-One cockpit. Also very close to the Hope Tech X2 Pro Mini carbon fiber edition anodization. 580g pair, $120

MTBR reviews 5 stars for the V-One's: https://content.mtbr.com/cat/drivetrain/pedal/sunline/v-one/PRD_416992_135crx.aspx

:eek:

This shootout comparison test is missing some serious talent, help me fill that in, MTBR members!



Shimano DX, Straitline, Burgtec Penthouse, Odyssey Trailmix, DMR V12, NYC Freeride Glory Hole...



Brooklyn Machine Works (CNC) Veggie Burger: Brooklyn Machine Works Veggie Burgers Pedal user reviews : 5 out of 5 - 26 reviews - mtbr.com

Canfield Brothers Crampon: Canfield Crampons 6 month review = they are solid- Mtbr.com

Point One Racing Podium: Point One Racing Podium Pedals short review- Mtbr.com



Answer Rove FR, Nukeproof Proton, Deity Decoy and the lot of re-branded HT Components (Taiwan) pedals. Hey, if you can get the HT originals for fifty bones with titanium spindles at under 300g, who's to say?... :rolleyes:



:madmax:
 
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#936 ·
One of the few pedals out there that manages to be expensive, heavy AND weak. Ask my friend, this one snapped on a small jump. He ate it pretty hard.


Crankbrothers 50/50 by lelebebbel, on Flickr

Those QR pedals are mostly intended for folding bikes I think. Non-folding city bikes too can benefit: if you leave it U-locked in the street and take pedals with you, it's less attractive for thieves.
Lack of pedals = easier to fit in the back of the thieves' van ;)
 
#1,275 ·
The AE01s have disappeared from eBay for the moment, but allow me to direct your attention back to the AX01 for a moment:

Bi King HT AX01 MTB BMX Pedals Red 363G TB01B | eBay

$54, shipped!

I had those on my bike for quite a while, but switched them out for AE01s a week ago. I'm not sure which I prefer, but I'm leaning toward the AX01s. Which is funny because they're half the price.

I think my idea of the perfect pedal would look like an AE01 from the side, and like an AX01 from the top. The small size of the AX01 seemed a little odd at first, but I miss it now. My feet are of normal size, and I ride in 5.10 Impact highs, size 9.5, and the AX01 is exactly as big as I want pedal to be. No more, no less.

The thin design of the AE01 just isn't noticeable, at least not for me / for how and where I ride. Looks cool, makes sense... just doesn't seem to matter.

I'll probably switch back and forth a couple times before I make up my mind.
 
#937 ·
Wonder about any crank bros products. My friend swears by them, but breaks spokes all the time on the CB wheels. I've seen the Cronolog stuck in the all-the -way-up- unridable position on the trail (poor guy! we were miles from the trailhead) I hear they have great customer service though.
As far as flats, I like my Ezra's. Two reasons : Light/Affordable
 
#947 ·
As I recall, first generation of Syntance Number Nine pedals had forged bodies. The one above looks machined (maybe post-forging machined). But I'm not a fan of that shape either.

trojans1993,
those pins look like they can handle some more (that is, I'd leave them be).
 
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#948 ·
have to agree on the flanges and the leading edges on Syntace pedals - although that really doesn't have to be that big of a problem, really.
still - below 290 g mark, even with this shape and so much pins is just incredible.

three sizes and lightweight design tickled my imagination and am thinking what would they weight with the shape of.. let's say HT AE03's... Syntace has 15.4 mm in height and HT is only 11 mm, and HT's are 350 g. Syntace would than weight probably around lightest magnesium HT's which are around 220 g.

hope Syntace will see things the way I am and start making pedals like that. :D
 
#950 ·
Kronk,
this article may shed some light on it.

The patent pending part is the needle bearing sleeve. Held in place by two pins (one from either side), it serves as both part of the pedal's platform and the outer body of the bearings. It holds two sets of needle bearings, and the spindle slides into it. This allows them to keep the platform thinner without compromising strength. The center section of the flats is just 10mm thick, ramping to about 15mm at the ends.


Although I don't get the part about 2 sets of needle bearings..
 
#951 ·
Ah ha, thanks for that informative reply. That's definitely something I haven't seen before in a platform pedal. That's a pretty interesting way to keep the pedal thin and strong right there without having an exposed axle or axle nut. I'll have to hand it to Speshy for an inovative approach on that one, although I would like to see it in hand to take a closer look.
 
#957 ·
I'd pass on the Impacts and get Freeriders. Impacts are pretty bulky and don't breathe well. They're heavy, overbuilt downhill shoes. The Freeriders are still fairly stout but much lighter and flexible. They both stick like glitter to a sweater so you won't be giving anything up in terms of grip. There's a sale on Freeriders for $50 at competitive cyclist.
 
#958 ·
Thanks DFYFZX,

I hear what you are saying and will look into Freeriders. I'm not hard core DH by any means but white is definitely off my list. What do you think about the Baron? (Not really into colors other than black, but my bike is red so it could work I guess.



Hank :)
 
#960 ·
What do you think about the Baron? (Not really into colors other than black, but my bike is red so it could work I guess.
I've got a pair of purple Freeriders that are only about a year old so I don't need another but I couldn't pass up the $59 Red Baron's at Chainlove/Dept of Goods. I'll let 'em sit on a shelf until the purple pair wears out.
 
#959 ·
I have Impact 2 Hi-Tops.
yes, definitely bulky and overkill-y.

it takes couple of rides to even realize where your feet are - but I love them. hi tops hug your ankle completely and it's even easier to pedal uphill because your feet are always straight. you really can not bend your feet in any direction other than straight.

it can get a bit warm as well, of course, but when you're bombing down you don't feel that at all - you're trying to stay alive going at max speed as you can possibly get :D

didn't try Freeriders, but I can definitely recommend Impact if you're willing to accept the shoe's terms and have very firm sole all the time.
 
#963 ·
Hey Hank, I think in that price range those both are pretty nice, but make sure you can replace those pins with something a little less shin friendly. I have not ridden either of these but from the pics it looks like they are kind of short and nubby rather than a real pin that will dig into your sole for real solid grip. Just a thought...
 
#965 ·
I agree. I recently got a pair of Blackspire Sub4 pedals to replace my Animals. The pins are not super short, but are wider and stainless/chrome and are not sticky on my hikers I use for riding (haven't bought sticky soles yet). The Animals I have are BMX pedals and will stick to hard plastic I bet. :D

I brought them yesterday to a downhill/freeride park to try them out and was slipping off of them. Had to trade my buddy for his DMR V8s which have a combination of flat pins and screws. Much more sticky.

However, he didn;t have a problem on the Blackspires with his 5.10 shoes. If you have sticky shoes those Wellgos won't be a problem.

Blackspires versus my Animals.
 
#964 ·
While they come with what appears to be a pin that looks like a capped hex-nut, I'm thinking it must be the same thread as pins that are really an allen head (or phillips head) set screw available in stainless steel of black steel at any hardware store that has a metric assortment. I kind of like that they are shin-friendly at this point.

Thanks,

Hank :)
 
#966 ·
While they come with what appears to be a pin that looks like a capped hex-nut, I'm thinking it must be the same thread as pins that are really an allen head (or phillips head) set screw available in stainless steel of black steel at any hardware store that has a metric assortment. I kind of like that they are shin-friendly at this point.

Thanks,

Hank :)
Oddly enough,I think you will find nasty pins are actually better for shins because you rarely slip on pedals with taller sharper pins and proper shoes. My buddy just got some Sub 4s like Hoban's ^^ and they feel way sketchier than the Spanks or Crampons (talk about nasty pins...). I'm sure you a right with the set screw replacement on those so you should be fine.
 
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