French component manufacturer LOOK is expanding its range of platform pedals and presenting the latest version of the Trail-Roc pedal. Developed and produced in France, the pedal has been specially designed to meet the requirements of enduro, gravity and trail riders. With a concave platform and eight adjustable pins per side, the French promise maximum grip, stability and control.
Technical specifications:
- Pedal body: concave 46000 aluminium
- Footprint: 105 x 106 mm
- Pins: 16 adjustable, 12 mm long pins per pedal
- Axle: Chromoly+ / double sealed bearings
- Q-factor: 56 mm
- Profile height: 17 mm
- Weight: 448 g per pair
- Colours: Classic Black, Hope Green, Bold Purple
- RRP: 99,90 Euro
Concave platform and adjustable pins
The Trail-Roc pedals have a 105x106 millimetre aluminium platform. Like most manufacturers, LOOK also relies on a concave pedal body. This allows the pins to dig deeper into the sole. The additional struts in the centre of the pedal are intended to ensure a more even contact surface, which should provide additional stability and comfort on hard trails and big drops.
A key feature of the new Trail-Roc pedals are the 16 symmetrically arranged pins (per pedal). The outer pins are two millimetres higher than the inner pins. This is intended to increase the grip on the outer edge of the pedal and prevent you from slipping off the pedal when pedalling hard. Also good: If you prefer a more even grip level, you can adjust the height of the pins individually with a mini-Torx, adjust them to each other or replace them in the event of a defect. The heads of the pins are countersunk into the pedal body to protect against pedal contact and abrasion. With a weight of 448 grams per pedal, the Trail-Roc pedals rank in the middle of the gravity segment. Cost: 99 euros.
Top priority: quality and durability
When developing the Trail Roc pedals, LOOK placed particular emphasis on durability and quality. Each pedal is made in France, where the manufacturing process can be fully monitored. The pedals have a long, oversized thru axle for improved load capacity. Double-sealed cartridge bearings and an aluminium bushing are designed to ensure smooth, reliable operation and protect against dirt and moisture. The axle and bearings are pre-greased during assembly.
The pedals are really that good
The decisive difference between the new LOOK pedals and alternatives such as the DMR Vault: the distance between the threaded attachment and the platform is significantly greater on the DMR. This allows you to fully utilise the large platform, whereas on the Trail Roc you have to position your foot further out to avoid grazing the crank arm. Does size matter? Not necessarily - at least not with flat pedals. The distance between the pedal body and the threaded attachment is more important. If this is too small, you are too close to the crank and cannot fully utilise the size of the platform. Unfortunately, this is exactly the case with the new Trail-Roc pedals from LOOK.
At 105 x 106 millimetres, the pedal bodies appear large enough at first glance. However, once you have screwed the LOOKs into the crank, the inside of the platform is almost flush with the crank arm. When I later put my foot on the pedal - with enough distance to the crank - my shoe protrudes far over the side. Secure and firm footing? Not a chance. Especially on bumpy descents, I often lost my footing on the Trail-Roc pedals. I felt unstable on hard landings. Also annoying: as you can't fully utilise the platform size, it's also difficult to reposition your foot.
On the other hand, I liked the long, thin pins - they dig deep into the sole. The sandpaper-like pedal surface also improves grip in wet conditions and looks high-quality. However, due to the lack of stability, the good grip level of the Trail-Roc pedals is reserved exclusively for riders with extremely small feet or children.
Max Fuchs
Editor
