Combi pedals for mountain bikes: Clipless or flat - or AND

Combi pedals offer the best of both worlds with a clipless and a flat side. Until now, however, manufacturers have mostly focussed on the target group of classic trekking tour riders and have equipped the platform side with surfaces that have little grip. However, the slippery and too small standing surfaces were no fun to ride. They are now also available in an all-terrain version with plenty of grip.

New from Tyrol: Tatze Two Face

With 14 pins on the flat side, you stand extremely securely on the solid platform of the combi pedal Paw Two Face. A double row on the crank side always provides support, even if the foot does not hit the pedal perfectly. Targeted resistance ensures that the pedal always remains in the desired position. According to the manufacturer, this remains the case until the end of the pedalling life. The latter should last a particularly long time thanks to the double-sealed, 15 millimetre wide plain bearing and an industrial bearing. The Two Face comes with its own cleats, but is also SPD-compatible. Two versions are available: With titanium axles The pair weighs just 390 grams and costs 219 euros, but is only recommended for riders weighing up to 90 kilograms. The 435 gram Variant with steel axle is available for 159 euros and is also suitable for heavier riders.

New edition: Funn Mamba SS

With eleven pins on the flat side and four on the click side, the Funn Mamba Single Sided combination pedal is not quite as snappy as the Tatze Two Face, but it still grips well. Here too, the seals on the inside provide a slight resistance that keeps the pedal in position. The large cage is bevelled and flattened at the sides. It is just 13.4 millimetres high. This means that the foot is comfortably close to the pedal axle. With the steel axle, the Mamba pedal weighs 446 grams and costs 129 euros. The pedal is available from specialist retailers in five different colours.

Trail pedals: Test in BIKE 9/2018

For years, one thing was clear when it came to double-sided clipless pedals: no matter which model the market leader Shimano sent us to test, the pedal with the SPD mechanism would win the comparison. In terms of quality, reliability and handling, no manufacturer has been able to hold a candle to the Japanese. The competition has mostly only been able to shine by tweaking the weight for tuning fans or colourfully anodising the pedal bodies for colour fetishists.

But when it comes to trail pedals in particular, manufacturers are pushing onto the market with some convincing solutions. We have pitted six models with an enlarged footprint against the classic, the Shimano XT trail pedal, screwed onto the cranks. What all models have in common is the larger contact surface in the binding area. The pedal cages themselves are not just for show - they protect the click mechanism and their flattened sides prevent you from getting caught on rocks or roots.

Crankbrothers, HT, Issi, Look, Sixpack and Time sent their cage pedals into the race against Shimano. What else can the models do for trail bikers? Do the pedal cages really provide greater stability and do they also offer grip when unclicked if you want to master a tricky section without clicking in? Our test provides the answers.