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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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#1,309 ·
After years on clipless, I'm back to flats with a set of these Nukeproof Electron pedals:



I was skeptical about the nylon composite material but I put a couple days on them at Highland and they're damn near perfect.

Super light, thin, huge platform, tall, replaceable pins, excellent build quality. I use them with 5.10 Freerider shoes. Oh and they're less than $50.

I'm in awe about how much better flats are for DH. I felt faster and more confident after just the first run. F--- yeah.
 
#1,310 ·
Epic thread!

Wanted some pinned/thin platform pedals for my Yeti SB-66 without spending a fortune, so I bought some $50 VP 001 pedals.

Big mistake... A few rides and they are trashed. Super soft, a few rock strikes the bent like tin, plus they were making a creaking/clicking noise that made me think my bottom bracket bearings were shot. Nope, swapped the pedals and no more noise.

I narrowed down their replacements to either the Spank Spikes (about $105 delivered) or Canfield Crampon Ultimates (about $160 delivered).

Edit:
Just pulled the trigger on the Crampon Ultimates... Hoping they ship pretty fast!
 
#1,315 ·
Epic thread!

Wanted some pinned/thin platform pedals for my Yeti SB-66 without spending a fortune, so I bought some $50 VP 001 pedals.

Big mistake... A few rides and they are trashed. Super soft, a few rock strikes the bent like tin, plus they were making a creaking/clicking noise that made me think my bottom bracket bearings were shot. Nope, swapped the pedals and no more noise.

I narrowed down their replacements to either the Spank Spikes (about $105 delivered) or Canfield Crampon Ultimates (about $160 delivered).

Edit:

Just pulled the trigger on the Crampon Ultimates... Hoping they ship pretty fast!
Love the Crampons! Great pedal and they hook up with my Links perfectly.

Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Tapatalk
 
#1,311 ·
have HT's AE03 for a few weeks now and can say only good things about them.
ton of grip, more clearance than I'll ever need, super thin and look the business.

hope that impression will still be there in a year's time.

I already see they'll need a few times a year total dismantling and cleaning as I see there isn't any protection from the elements on the spindle. no problem, I already pay a lot of attention to my bikes being clean and grit free as much as possible.
 
#1,312 ·
Very nice! My main complain about the AE01s is the pin design. I've already busted one of the middle pins clean off and there's no way to remove it. On the AE03, all of the pins install from the back, which is how it should be.

But at $140 on ebay, I can stick with the 01s until a few more pins break off. :)
 
#1,320 ·
So I recently purchased a Trek Lush SL 14.5 (yes, I'm short and generally rather small including my feet) which is my first full suspension bike and I have started the upgrade evolution to make it mine. I've already changed the handlebar out to a Bontrager CF and new grips - the OEM handlebars were way too narrow and the grips were just rather cheap. I've got some five ten karver's on their way to me and I would like to get a good platform pedal and replace the rather heavy and thick wellgo which is currently on the bike. I've been reading reviews and am at least initially interested in the HT products - particularly the ME03T but the post above about having a chunk coming out gives me pause...especially since the poster replaced it with a different pedal. I was also interested in the HTAE03 but it's quite a bit heavier....although still lighter than many.
My riding is a mix of downhill and general trail riding. I just got back a couple of weeks ago from Utah and riding the JEM trail, etc and will be heading to Northstar this Fri. Planning to head for Phoenix (South Mountain area I believe), Prescott, Sedona area for this XMAS. What would you recommend?
 
#1,328 ·
So I recently purchased a Trek Lush SL 14.5 (yes, I'm short and generally rather small including my feet) which is my first full suspension bike and I have started the upgrade evolution to make it mine. I've already changed the handlebar out to a Bontrager CF and new grips - the OEM handlebars were way too narrow and the grips were just rather cheap. I've got some five ten karver's on their way to me and I would like to get a good platform pedal and replace the rather heavy and thick wellgo which is currently on the bike. I've been reading reviews and am at least initially interested in the HT products - particularly the ME03T but the post above about having a chunk coming out gives me pause...especially since the poster replaced it with a different pedal. I was also interested in the HTAE03 but it's quite a bit heavier....although still lighter than many.

My riding is a mix of downhill and general trail riding. I just got back a couple of weeks ago from Utah and riding the JEM trail, etc and will be heading to Northstar this Fri. Planning to head for Phoenix (South Mountain area I believe), Prescott, Sedona area for this XMAS. What would you recommend?
I'd still go with the HT's. They are killer pedals and the MEs are stupid light. You can always try their AE pedals. Those are great too.

Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Tapatalk
 
#1,322 ·
Got some HT AEO1`s on sale. Like them a lot.
Will prob put them on my backup bike soon and get some AE03`s for my main bike. Pegs look like a better design on the 03`s and easier to replace.



Have been using Ezra flats from VeinBmx.com, only I change the outer pins with longer 10mm pins I found at Home Depot. Made the grip 100% better. Those are great pedals for about $30
 
#1,330 ·
I decided to go with the HT ME03Ts and am awaiting their arrival. The Karver's have arrived. Nice looking shoe and the sole looks like it will be sticky...but these are definitely not lightweight...although when heading downhill at rather high speeds, sticky counts more than light.
 
#1,337 ·
I agree with others. I have done a lot of riding on SoMo. A lot of it with MG-1's too. I ripped several pins out, but never broke one. The new generation of thinner pedals are a lot nicer to ride than the MG-1. I have far fewer pedal slips even with moderately thinner pedals. I really like the new Shimano Saints but almost any of the newer, thinner pedals coming out will be tougher.
 
#1,338 ·
The pedals arrived yesterday! That was fast shipping from Taiwan.

They certainly are light, look quite nicely made and came with a 1/2 dozen extra pins. It's almost a shame to think about scratching them up. :) Life has been a little busy lately but I'm hoping that I can get out and try them out properly next weekend. Has anyone tried a shuttle service around Santa Cruz or Downieville? ...or maybe I'll just go back to Northstar....I'm sure I'll find someplace appropriate to scratch up my new pedals. ;)
 
#1,341 ·
From Eurobike news: Race Face is releasing Aeffect and Atlas flat pedals.



Race Face are also releasing a shed load of new products for 2014 including the Aeffect Pedals, which come in 3 different colour ways, blue, black and red. The pins are replaceable, and the platform is slightly concaved.


Not only are Race Face releasing the Aeffect pedals they're also putting out these Atlas pedals, these are slightly more expensive than the Aeffect, they're about 20 grams lighter than the Aeffect, a larger platform which is also concave. These pins are also replaceable. These pedals are pretty thin, about 14mm at the widest point.
 
#1,342 ·
What does "double concave" mean (Race Face Atlas pedal)? Does the center still bulge up?

I love the feeling of being almost centered with the spindle that my ultra-thin VP-59 pedals give on my around-town mellow-trail bike. But I don't like the bulge in the center. So it seems I have conflicting requirements: both thin and concave. What is the limit on thinness when looking for a slightly concave shape?

I've read the last 20 or so pages of this thread, and it seems the Crampons are the most popular choice, but they are convex.

Concave platforms include Saints, DMR Vaults and Hope F20s. The DMRs are 17mm thick, the hopes are 16mm thick and I beleive the Saints are 18mm thick. The Race Face Atlas claims a height of 12-14.5mm - but does that come at the cost of a truly concave platform?
 
#1,344 ·
I love my DMR Vaults, especially how the pins (through-threaded, use multiple length as desired, easy to purchase replacement versions) and concavity give a great grip. And if these are considered thick by some, I never notice the extra few millimeters.

And for the price (just over US$100) I find these to be the best option (over Shimano, which is still a good option).
 
#1,345 ·
What Makes a Pedal Popular?

TooSteep: you mentioned that the "Crampons are the most popular from reading the last 20 pages." There are quite a few pedals that are just as popular and then popularity has a few variables: price, design, durability, availability. Reading reviews and opinions of other MTBR members is helpful (thank you to those posting reviews and photos!), but the dependable way to find out if you like the pedals is to try the pedals on your own bike and preferred terrain.

I haven't tried the Crampons but the thin design is helping their popularity.

Just saw these platform pedals from XPEDO at 260g, magnesium, cromo spindles, cartridge/DU (weak point), 28 pins, 106x100x11. Retails for under $80.

Product Metal Steel Iron Silver
 
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