Tell me about flat pedals

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Originally Posted by VTskibum

going fast = clipless.

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I have found this to be true as well. I spent 3ish months on flats at the beginning of the season and I don't think they're dumb they helped me a lot with technique but I'm notably faster on clips especially in high speed chunk. Only thing I prefer about flats is being able to drop a foot quickly on corners. I had a super greasy wet race yesterday and in muddy conditions it can be hard to get clipped back in quick on rough tech trails. That said I also have a hard time sometimes getting my foot back in the right position on flats since they're so grippy

I'm into riding flats at the beginning of the season and then switching over to clips once things get underway and if I'm doing any racing

Kidding a bit about them being dumb, but dumb can often be fun anyway. Wasn’t my first flat foray and won’t be my last either. I did a few months 100% flats and ride them w my kids often. While everything is absolutely possible of course on flats, they’re just slower through bumpy sections IMO, I found rooty/rocky climbs in particular are considerably more difficult so right there for XC/Trail they’re too slow for race/fast scenarios. Also been riding clipless since mid 90s so have no problems in tech or cornering.

I do think they promote much better connection especially cornering and getting better for hops/height. YMMV


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Originally Posted by VTskibum

Kidding a bit about them being dumb, but dumb can often be fun anyway. Wasn’t my first flat foray and won’t be my last either. I did a few months 100% flats and ride them w my kids often. While everything is absolutely possible of course on flats, they’re just slower through bumpy sections IMO, I found rooty/rocky climbs in particular are considerably more difficult so right there for XC/Trail they’re too slow for race/fast scenarios. Also been riding clipless since mid 90s so have no problems in tech or cornering.

I do think they promote much better connection especially cornering and getting better for hops/height. YMMV


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All true! The highlighted point is probably why I've been exclusively on flats for the past 5-ish years, after 25-ish years on clipless.

Any suggestions for a good flat pedal shoe on the softer side of things? Like, if there’s a shoe that people complain is too soft…that’s probably the shoe for me.
I tried some Freeriders a few years ago and currently giving Leatt Chase shoes a go, but they feel like Frankenstein boots.
I rode in some super lightweight Vans a few weeks ago and really like the pedal feel, but my toes feel like they’re in jeopardy…so looking for something in between.
Thoughts?


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I was going to add some cambers to my other new etnies mtb shoe. Probably to stiff.
Looks like the mirana would fit the bill for you though. Padded tongue, toe cap and mich rubber but not as stiff as the mtb shoes.
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Originally Posted by joetron

Any suggestions for a good flat pedal shoe on the softer side of things? Like, if there’s a shoe that people complain is too soft…that’s probably the shoe for me.
I tried some Freeriders a few years ago and currently giving Leatt Chase shoes a go, but they feel like Frankenstein boots.
I rode in some super lightweight Vans a few weeks ago and really like the pedal feel, but my toes feel like they’re in jeopardy…so looking for something in between.
Thoughts?


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Soft in terms of sole stiffness?

Regular Freeriders or the 5.10 Sleuth would be my top ideas.

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Originally Posted by joetron

Any suggestions for a good flat pedal shoe on the softer side of things? Like, if there’s a shoe that people complain is too soft…that’s probably the shoe for me.
I tried some Freeriders a few years ago and currently giving Leatt Chase shoes a go, but they feel like Frankenstein boots.
I rode in some super lightweight Vans a few weeks ago and really like the pedal feel, but my toes feel like they’re in jeopardy…so looking for something in between.
Thoughts?


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Ride concepts vice mid? I use them as a street shoe but they're actually lacondeguy's shoe and grip a pedal pretty well. I've got the powerline and tnt for trail and park respectively and like them a lot but they're reasonably stiff.

Thanks for the shoe rec everyone. Will be trying the rides recommendations. My 5.10 impacts have lasted me close to 10yrs, but this last shoe goo sole repair is likely the last.

It all goes at once. But a decade on footwear and brain bucket is alright. Really should have thrown a new drivetrain on when I replaced the wife's.

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Originally Posted by BCMtnHound

Thanks for the shoe rec everyone. Will be trying the rides recommendations. My 5.10 impacts have lasted me close to 10yrs, but this last shoe goo sole repair is likely the last.

It all goes at once. But a decade on footwear and brain bucket is alright. Really should have thrown a new drivetrain on when I replaced the wife's.

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Stay away from new impacts, they only visually resemble what you've been using for 10 years. Ever since Adidas bought them, qc has been atrocious.

So I said to shop Bro for that kinda money are you gona thro in some peddles ?

He thru in a set of the race Face Chesters, sez he has sold hundreds of them, they don't break, the nylon slides off rocks, they are inexpensive and they come in different colors to match you eyes

red

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Originally Posted by XXX-er

So I said to shop Bro for that kinda money are you gona thro in some peddles ?

He thru in a set of the race Face Chesters, sez he has sold hundreds of them, they don't break, the nylon slides off rocks, they are inexpensive and they come in different colors to match you eyes

red

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I have some, they are OK, not the grippiest things in the world, but cheap enough.. This will blow your mind through, go look for fooker pedals on amazon....

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Originally Posted by grskier

I have some, they are OK, not the grippiest things in the world, but cheap enough.. This will blow your mind through, go look for fooker pedals on amazon....

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WTF! That's hilarious

I find they got lotsa grip using them with some 661's

they are 65 canuck bucks

there are lots of rebadged parts out there

fookers eh

I’ve been running the deity deftrap plastic pedals since the spring. I converted to plastic several years ago and never looked back. I’ve not broken a pedal ever so metal seems overkill for me. These are the largest and most grippy pedal I have had - I love them. I thought the symmetrical shape might feel weird but instead I just feel so planted and comfortable on them going up or downhill.

Also my one hack for worn out five ten soles is to fill the gaps in the tread with Shoe Goo. It really freshens them up. It’s annoying to have to do it but it seems to work. My 10 year old pre-adidas Freeriders are barely worn on the sole so the rubber durability has definitely gone down as others reported…

Any thoughts on the Canfield Crampon Ultimate?


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Originally Posted by Dromond

Also my one hack for worn out five ten soles is to fill the gaps in the tread with Shoe Goo. It really freshens them up. It’s annoying to have to do it but it seems to work. My 10 year old pre-adidas Freeriders are barely worn on the sole so the rubber durability has definitely gone down as others reported…

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The main issue I've been having with the post Adidas 5.10s are the soles completely peeling off the shoe. The sole would always peel off around the toe, heel and side but you could easily shoe goo those spots back on repeatedly. On the pre Adidas shoes the shoe stayed very solid, you wouldn't have any further issue. On the post Adidas one you'd have the toe/heel shoe gooed on and then the material holding the sole on would deteriorate on the inside. Next time the toe, heel or side peeled off the rest would come with it.

I finally stopped buying 5.10s and have been using La sportiva trail running shoes. Not as grippy but you get used to it. They last longer, more comfortable to wear, breathe better, and way more comfortable for hike a bike. Just don't smack a barrel or cholla cactus with your toe : )

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

Any thoughts on the Canfield Crampon Ultimate?

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I had the original Crampon and a pair of Ultimates. Liked them for sure, the original Crampons were the first really low profile pedals. The Ultimates not quite as thin but way better design. The bearings will wear out faster than you think they should. They have kits you can order to replace. I have the kit, but have never gotten around to installing it. Whenever I do the pedals should go back on one of my bikes.

20% off pedals at PlanetCyclery

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Originally Posted by evdog

The main issue I've been having with the post Adidas 5.10s are the soles completely peeling off the shoe. The sole would always peel off around the toe, heel and side but you could easily shoe goo those spots back on repeatedly. On the pre Adidas shoes the shoe stayed very solid, you wouldn't have any further issue. On the post Adidas one you'd have the toe/heel shoe gooed on and then the material holding the sole on would deteriorate on the inside. Next time the toe, heel or side peeled off the rest would come with it.

I finally stopped buying 5.10s and have been using La sportiva trail running shoes. Not as grippy but you get used to it. They last longer, more comfortable to wear, breathe better, and way more comfortable for hike a bike. Just don't smack a barrel or cholla cactus with your toe : )



I had the original Crampon and a pair of Ultimates. Liked them for sure, the original Crampons were the first really low profile pedals. The Ultimates not quite as thin but way better design. The bearings will wear out faster than you think they should. They have kits you can order to replace. I have the kit, but have never gotten around to installing it. Whenever I do the pedals should go back on one of my bikes.

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The crampons and ultimates were definitely good. Issue I had was the pin threads would get damaged easily. Getting back into riding now.. ordered boomslang for my wife and nsb daemon for me. Larger platforms and better mud shedding.

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I bought crampons because they were thin, light, and pretty.

Attachment 414187

I hated the Crampons as they were conVex in shape and the pins were to fat and not sticky.

I would ride almost any other pedal besides a Crampon.

I have owned and extensively used a lot of different pedals (RF Atlas & Chester, OneUp plastic & alloy, Burgtec Mk5, NSB Daemon) and hands down the best grip are Tenet Occult. They have exceptional concavity, and a big enough platform that your feet just sink into them. They're relatively light too. They come both pins and grubs, and with 1 free pedal refresh too (just fill out request online, they send you a prepaid label, you bag them up and mail them in, and you get freshened up ones in about a week).

I had been running NSB Daemons for ~9 months, which are really fancy made-in-Canada pedals, and went back to the Occult after the Daemons started creaking. The grip is flat out better. I had notice that my heels were rubbing and peeling off my chainstay protectors with the Daemons (heels were twisting inward while descending from trying to push the rear end around), and that's totally stopped with the Occults. When I get to the bottom of a run, my feet are still exactly where I placed them at the start.

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Originally Posted by Andeh

I have owned and extensively used a lot of different pedals (RF Atlas & Chester, OneUp plastic & alloy, Burgtec Mk5, NSB Daemon) and hands down the best grip are Tenet Occult. They have exceptional concavity, and a big enough platform that your feet just sink into them. They're relatively light too. They come both pins and grubs, and with 1 free pedal refresh too (just fill out request online, they send you a prepaid label, you bag them up and mail them in, and you get freshened up ones in about a week).

I had been running NSB Daemons for ~9 months, which are really fancy made-in-Canada pedals, and went back to the Occult after the Daemons started creaking. The grip is flat out better. I had notice that my heels were rubbing and peeling off my chainstay protectors with the Daemons (heels were twisting inward while descending from trying to push the rear end around), and that's totally stopped with the Occults. When I get to the bottom of a run, my feet are still exactly where I placed them at the start.

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That makes sense. I ordered the nsb daemons purposely for a little less grip... hoping for ease of repositioning.

Have you tried the chromag daggas? Those things look ridiculously grippy.

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Originally Posted by skinipenem

That makes sense. I ordered the nsb daemons purposely for a little less grip... hoping for ease of repositioning.

Have you tried the chromag daggas? Those things look ridiculously grippy.

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Nope, but I considered it. What worries me about them is just how crazy tall the pins are... they've got to just destroy shoes. I'd worry about them creating pressure points even through thick soles like my Impact Pros. And they're pretty heavy too.

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Originally Posted by Andeh

Nope, but I considered it. What worries me about them is just how crazy tall the pins are... they've got to just destroy shoes. I'd worry about them creating pressure points even through thick soles like my Impact Pros. And they're pretty heavy too.

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I think the dagga pins have two height settings fwiw.

I didn't want anything that grippy. The pedals on my dh bike (maybe older deity or ones; I can't remember) are so grippy with five tens that adjustment requires a full foot lift.

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Race Face Atlas... I think I want...

I bought a few sets of Chesters from the local shop demo fleet a few years back. $5 a pair. Some even matched some of my bike's colors. Been fine with those but my standards are quite low.

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Originally Posted by Summit

Race Face Atlas... I think I want...

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I ran a pair for a bit, they required a rebuild in short order but seemed to take the hits. Ultimately the inner bearing would interfere with my shoe sometimes and I needed to rebuild them too much. I sold them with a bike and bounced through some that aren't worth mentioning until I finally got some DMR Vaults. Nice concavity and durable. I think I serviced them once about 3 years ago after 2 years of use and they are still going strong.

Edit: It looks like Race Face updated the inner bearing interface so maybe they last longer now...

Good beta... it's hard not to just buy Vaults since they rule.

Just don't buy the fancy magnesium spindle Vaults. I know 2 guys who got them (weight weenies) and those things need a rebuild every 3 months.

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Originally Posted by Andeh

Just don't buy the fancy magnesium spindle Vaults. I know 2 guys who got them (weight weenies) and those things need a rebuild every 3 months.

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Darn I was eyeballing the Mg Lite vaults. Do you know if their issue was with the Mg vaults (CrMoly spinde?) or the Mg Lite (TI spindle?)

I just can't fathom riding 430g+ pedals when I've been riding these Ti spindled 330gish Twenty6 designs I've had for over a decade.

The Atlas seemed like a good way around that.

I'd just keep riding my Twenty6 Designs... they've lasted forever with maybe two rebuilds except for all the impacts have made some of the pin mounts not usable...

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Originally Posted by Summit

Darn I was eyeballing the Mg Lite vaults. Do you know if their issue was with the Mg vaults (CrMoly spinde?) or the Mg Lite (TI spindle?)

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I believe the Lite ones... like I said, they're both irrational weight weenies. The one guy has moved onto other pedals and the other one just ponies up for rebuild kits constantly rather than ride pedals that are 50g heavier. :nonono2:

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Originally Posted by Andeh

I believe the Lite ones... like I said, they're both irrational weight weenies. The one guy has moved onto other pedals and the other one just ponies up for rebuild kits constantly rather than ride pedals that are 50g heavier. :nonono2:

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50g I wouldn't sweat. 100+g is significant when you repeat the exercise over 3-4 components you are at 1lb.

The Mg is the body of the pedal (instead of Al), a minor weight savings.

The Mg Superlite has a Titanium spindle instead of CrMo steel, a large weight savings.

None of those should be responsible for frequent rebuilds... but if I read the website right, the MgSuperlite has DU bushings and no sealed cartridge bearings? That would be the problem...

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Originally Posted by Summit

50g I wouldn't sweat. 100+g is significant when you repeat the exercise over 3-4 components you are at 1lb.

The Mg is the body of the pedal (instead of Al), a minor weight savings.

The Mg Superlite has a Titanium spindle instead of CrMo steel, a large weight savings.

None of those should be responsible for frequent rebuilds... but if I read the website right, the MgSuperlite has DU bushings and no sealed cartridge bearings? That would be the problem...

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Yup. The Ti spindle just gobbles up the bushings.

This is a product review for PNW Composite pedals that just came out and I got a pair to replace my Canfield pedals that I have had for four years. I was on my second rebuild and do for another, so it was time for new pedals. I decided to try the PNW's as I have bought some of their other gear and I like it and I like the company too.

Anyway, I have four rides on these pedals and so far like them way better than my Canfields. They are a bit bigger and just grip my shoes better and they grip better when I move my foot around. One thing that is different with these is that the pedal is wider on the inside half and the outside half tapers to the middle so less pedal exposed for strikes. I like these pedals so far and if they hold up and then maybe go into the "game changer" category. I guess if there is a con, it might be that it is thicker than I would like.......

Attachment 414463

They have actual pins and are less convex (but still convex) so I'm not surprised you like them more than the Canfields.

Bumping this because I broke a Deftrap today on a random rock strike. I just put the Deftraps on this year and I really like the feel over the one up composites I have been running but cracking a pedal body in half in less than 10 rides is a problem when the oneups lasted for like 4 years. I want durable, big platform, lots of grip and moderate concavity. Size 47 2fo shoes.
Thinking aluminum is the right answer here and debating tmacs, daggas, dameons, scarabs or occults. Anyone been in multiples of these to compare?

I don’t have an answer for you but I screwed on my Deftrap pedals the other day and noticed that both spindles are bent. I really like the feel of these but I assume the axles are just thin/weak to save weight by and thickness.

Atlas all day long

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Originally Posted by carlh

Bumping this because I broke a Deftrap today on a random rock strike. I just put the Deftraps on this year and I really like the feel over the one up composites I have been running but cracking a pedal body in half in less than 10 rides is a problem when the oneups lasted for like 4 years. I want durable, big platform, lots of grip and moderate concavity. Size 47 2fo shoes.
Thinking aluminum is the right answer here and debating tmacs, daggas, dameons, scarabs or occults. Anyone been in multiples of these to compare?

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What kind of riding do you do?

I’ve been running tmacs for four seasons and don’t have any regrets/desires. Pretty even mix of park and trail riding with some racing mixed in. I’ve beat them to shit and they still work fine.

One note on the pins - the Tmacs look like they have the least aggressive pins of the bunch on your list and I can tell you they still do a number on your soles. With pins like on the most of the other options I could see blowing through a pair of shoes in a single season, but if you’re trying to maximize grip maybe you’re ok with that. Daggas also seem unnecessarily heavy.

Just fork over the cash for Vaults.

I have daggas. I like them a lot. The daggas have a wide platform for my wide feet. I can reposition my foot easily, which is surprising given the insane grip. Perhaps they are not very concave (I'll need to look?) I had daemons they are great too; however, I had a very difficult time getting my feet positioned just right the first try requiring a "lift and reposition" almost every time I got on the bike or took a foot off.

Pedal and lift served on both pedals.

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