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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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#1,102 ·
The only thread that is needed is the one that screws into pedal body.. I'd try grinding off some threads on the ends of some widespread stainless steel bolts. The idea is to have a bolt that would be harmless and easy to remove should its tip become bent.
 
#1,103 ·
I follow you, Random...the threads that screw into the pedal body are .7mm thread pitch and 4mm in diameter. Your idea is definitely one solution. I'm still curious as to where MiLi found the pins he's using, though, because several big fastener companies that I contacted seemed to have no idea as to where to get them -- yet, MiLi apparently has a source.

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
#1,105 · (Edited)
Hi!

Finally, I decided to buy Canfield Crampon Ultimate Pedals.

I have not used them yet because I haven't bought the bike yet because I would like to ride a demo bike first, but it isn't avalilable... I'll have to wait for the bike...

White Light Technology Motorcycle accessories Plastic


I think the pins are too long so I have to get them shorter with the allen key that I have received with the pedals.

As soon as possible, I'll take pictures of the bike with the pedals...
 
#1,106 ·
I went with Crampon Ultimates as well.

After riding clipless for 20 years. I decided that that type of FR/DH riding that I was doing may be better suited to good flats/shoes. I had a pair of Shimano DX's from my BMX and starting trying to convert. I was never quite comfortable.

Then I decided to go with the Ultimates. I bought them right before a trip to Vancouver, a good place to take the plunge and test them out. These things totally rock and made the conversion from clipless to flats totally seemless.

I rode for 3 days on some of the toughest Vancouver North Shore trails at Fromme, Seymour, and Cypress in the wet of January. These pedals were awesome. Down some of the steepest, roughest, gnarliest sections, I never lost my footing. And, I had never been comfortable doing jumps and drops on flats... Until now. The experience with the ultimates and 5.10's was just like being clipped. Over some big gaps and drops, I never lost a foot or drifted off the pedals.

The grip on these pedals is amazing. The one thing that I would say is that when you put your foot down, make sure you put it where you want it, becasue the only way to move it is to lift it. It may actually be too grippy. I will need to experiment with different pin lengths and numbers/spacing.

They look awesome and draw comments from everyone who sees them (most being afriad of the carnage they appear ready to inflict on your shins).

The only disappointment (if I can call it that), was that I had a relatively minor crash that damaged the pedals after just 3 days of riding. It was not even a bad crash. I was riding an elevated skinny section and bailed out, dropping me and the bike maybe 1.5m to the ground. When I picked the bike up, the pedal body was bent and not spinning properly. But, I was able to finish the ride.

When I contacted Canfield Bros, they were extremely helpful and willing to work with me to make the situation better. They replaced the damaged pedal under crash replacement and sent me a new replacement pedal right away. No hassle, no issues. THAT IS THE #1 REASON TO BUY FROM A COMPANY LIKE CANFIELD. They care about their customers and take care of you.

To Sean and the team at Canfield Bros - thanks for your support and keep the great products coming!
 
#1,107 ·
I didn't have such a good experience. I talked with Vin through Facebook about a set of red Ultimate pedals. They didn't have red. Vin said he could sell me a white set for $120 + $10 for shipping, and he told me to call to buy them. I called, got a hold of Sean, I was ready to give all my info. He told me to email them what I wanted and they would email back an invoice. I sent the email and never heard from them. So, I bought a set of AMPs from Amazon. They are supposed to be here on the 8th.
 
#1,120 · (Edited)
I love my Vaults. I bought some canfield utimates but I just couldn't jive with them. The Vaults bigger platform gave me a stronger sense of security. I've put my pedals through a lot of abuse and they have been going strong for a year without ever once servicing them. The only thing I've done to them are replacing pins. They're the first pedals If someone is asking me for a recommendation. I wear a 13 and weigh 195. I have the original ones.
 
#1,109 ·
I have the Welgo MG-1's on my hardtail.
For the price they are great.

However, my ful suspension I got the VP-001's
These things grip like crazy glue, are super thin, and 175 grams ea.

Ended up getting them for under $50 too.

Here is a pic of the MG-1's and the VP-001's side by side.

Amber Automotive exhaust Woodwind instrument Silver Still life photography
 
#1,114 ·
Mine developed a bit of radial play too, quickly. Bushings wearing down. I've ridden mine for some time and beyond the initial wearing I haven't noticed much more. It's not truly noticeable while riding at least. Haven't thought of re-packing any grease yet though, maybe soon.

As for the pins, this is a problem with aluminum pins in general, especially small diameter ones. They'll get destroyed quickly. I ponied up for a set of Point 1's after my initial disappointment with these. The point 1's came with steel pins and those things are indestructible. They do sell a lightweight set of alu pins but I'd rather have durability over a what? 1 ounce savings maybe?
 
#1,111 ·
I'm in the market for new flats myself. I've been going back and forth between the Straitline AMP and Spank Spike for a few days now. Anyone have any preference between the two? The Spikes are proving to be a little hard to find at this time whereas the AMPs are readily available everywhere and Tree Fort is willing to price match at $122. Leaning that way. What way would you guys lean between the two? Slight background:
-- Size 12 US foot
-- Accustom to clipless due to track/road riding
-- Will mostly be used on singletrack
 
#1,112 ·
The AMPs do not have a big platform size, with your size foot I'd look elsewhere. I'm 11.5/12 and love the platform size of the Point1 Podiums. Only thing disappointing with them is the bearing durability. One pedal to look at is the DMR Vault, biggest platform I've found so far (110x115), have them sitting in my cart for weeks now on one site but just can't commit to trying them out lol, and more importantly deciding on a color since they all look great!
 
#1,117 ·
TOne pedal to look at is the DMR Vault, biggest platform I've found so far (110x115), have them sitting in my cart for weeks now on one site but just can't commit to trying them out lol, and more importantly deciding on a color since they all look great!
And purchased!!! Placed an order for DMR Vaults in silver right now, I'll report back once I start riding on them this season in a few weeks. Hopefully they'll be everything I've wanted from a flat pedal (platform size is killer, durability/maintenance looks great from what I've read online, and less than half the cost of Podiums :eekster:). Time to stash away my new warranty replacement Point1 Podiums for the time being.
 
#1,113 ·
Thanks, I'll keep looking.

The Point1 comes in at a little more than I'm willing to sink into a pedal at this point. Read all the reviews and they're impressive, though. Ditto with Canfield. I'll have to look around at the Vaults. I've never really gave them much consideration. Maybe I should.

Anyone know of any reliable online dealer that has the Spank Spike in stock, in red? They seem to fill a lot of what I'm looking for in terms of budget, colors, and overall size.
 
#1,115 ·
FWIW, I'm now running thick alu pins in one set of my AMPs (have 2 sets on 2 bikes). Weight saving isn't the reason I do this, I just hope that shoe soles will last longer with less pointy pins. Pins themselves are from Superstar, and they hold up surprisingly well.
 
#1,116 ·
Iv'e run the stock pins on my new AMPs for two rides now. Only street though, because it's almost dark when I get home. I'm wearing black Converse hightops and so far I don't have a mark in the soles. At first I could feel the pins on my feet, and they hurt, just a little. So, I put in some gel inserts and all is good now. Grip is amazing.
 
#1,122 · (Edited)
They were the regular black w/blue pins not the Brendog model. Pins were all the same, with the exception of the 4 that run along the axle. On a side note the only disappointment I had was they only came with 2 extra pins, really DMR 2. At first glance I thought the pins were all the same, but upon closer inspection I realized there are 2 types of pins. 11 per side, 7 longer and the 4 shorter pins that run parallel to the axle.
 
#1,123 · (Edited)
So my DMR Vaults came in yesterday from wiggle.co.uk and first impressions are everything right? These pedals look so good in person, much nicer overall finish than my raw Podiums. I opted for the silver finish to hide rock strikes and scratches just like my raw Podiums did (and I needed a raw/silver finish to complement my color scheme on the Honzo). And it was hard to pass on the other 9 brilliant color options available, but luckily there's something for everyone and was really tempted by the magenta and green apple to be honest.

What stands out the most from initial observations is how much more room I'll have for my size 11.5 feet with these. The platform is bigger in every aspect, and no longer the bearing bulge like the Podiums had near the end which I have gotten used to by now. Second shocker came with how the DMR Vaults concave in the middle, it's the first flat pedal that I've own that really has this (and I've owned most of the key players- HT AN01 series, Kona Wah Wah, HT AE01 EVO, Forte Convert (another HT Nano copy), Point1 Podiums). None of the online pictures really depicts this, it's awesome in person. And zero drag. While these do not spin freely, definitely not as stiff to spin like the Podiums. And while the Vaults are 17mm thin, they don't look much thicker than the 11mm Podiums, I doubt I'll see any difference on the trail in this regard. Lastly threw the pedals on the scale, the Podium with extra long steel pins was 179g, the Vault pedal tipped in at 212g per pedal.

I'll update more once I get some trail time with these pedals, but super stoked so far with the decision. Anyone looking for Podiums? :D



 
#1,128 ·
Magnesium pedals don't last long in my experience. Simple rock strikes turn into pins being torn out of the pedal body. I wouldn't run them on my terrain but if you ride mainly dirt with no rocks involved they might just be the holy grail:) I'll stick to my "normal" Ultimates, uh thank you;)

+1 for Magnesium pedals: they spark when you're night riding and clip rocks!
 
#1,218 ·
Agreed! My HT ME01T's already lost a chunk and a pin. No more mag pedals. I really liked the HTs too. More than the 50/50's and Straightline Amps ( too narrow and the pins did t really hook up well with my Teva Links).

I'm looking for new pedals. It's down to HT AE03's (I really liked the size of the platform), Canfield Bros or Spank Spikes.
 
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