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Mountain bikers ride clipless pedals, period! This credo is long outdated today. Bikers with racing ambitions in particular still rely on the fixed connection because it allows them to transfer the power from their legs to the pedals in the best possible way, always stand ergonomically correct and have full control over their bike in technical sections.
Flat pedals: 7 high-end models in the test
For many others, however, the advantages of flat pedals now outweigh the disadvantages. For good reasons: The learning process for unclicking? No more. Quickly putting a foot down in a tricky situation before rolling into the vegetables? Possible at any time.
Riding with flat pedals also trains your riding technique and the shoes are more comfortable - especially if you have to push or carry your bike for longer distances. And with the motorised assistance of the e-bike, there is usually no need to put maximum leg power on the pedals.
However, choosing the right pedal is often difficult. While most clickie riders simply opt for Shimano's SPD system, there are countless variables when it comes to flat pedals: Platform size, height, colour and geometry - flat or slightly concave. And then there are the pins: long or short? Thick or thin? Smooth or ribbed? Pointed or rounded? To help you answer these questions, we have tested seven high-end models for you.
Crankbrothers Stamp 11
- Price: 300 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
- Weight (pair): 331 grammes
- Footprint (length x width): 111 x 110 mm
- Length pins: 5 mm
- Number of pins (per pedal): 20
- Grip: 4 out of 8 pts.
- Stability: 6 out of 8 pts.
- Handling: 6 out of 8 pts.
Crankbrothers sends by far the most expensive and lightest pedals to the test. The reason for this is the elegant titanium axles. The height of the pins can be adjusted. Also good: an extra lubrication port for the bearings. The stance is solid, but the grip is unfortunately only average. Why? The thick axle prevents the pins on the inside of the foot from drilling far enough into the sole. Too expensive!
Test winner: Chromag Dagga
- Price: 165 Euro >> available here
- Weight (pair): 493 grammes
- Footprint (length x width): 108x116 mm
- Length pins: 5 mm
- Number of pins (per pedal): 24
- Grip: 7 out of 8 points.
- Stability: 8 out of 8 points.
- Handling: 6 out of 8 pts.
Rock-solid footing and reliable grip - this makes the Chromags one of the favourites in the test. Even hard soles stick to the long and, above all, extremely thin pins like chewing gum. The large, horizontal pedal platform offers maximum support for hard impacts. Where the sole of other pedals winds around the platform, you stand on the Daggas like a one.
Renthal Revo-F
- Price: 180 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
- Weight (pair): 490 grammes
- Footprint (length x width): 99x103 mm
- Length pins: 5 mm
- Number of pins (per pedal): 20
- Grip: 6 out of 8 pts.
- Stability: 5 out of 8 points.
- Handling: 6 out of 8 pts.
The Revo-F pedals are very small. The partly forged, partly CNC-milled pedals disappear completely under the sole even with shoe size 42. Ergo: The stance could be better. For bikers with small feet, the Renthal pedals still have enormous grip potential, as the already very long pins sink even deeper into the sole thanks to the concave pedal body.
Race Face Turbine
- Price: 200 Euro
- Weight (pair): 415 grammes
- Footprint (length x width): 113x110 mm
- Length pins: 6 mm
- Number of pins (per pedal): 20
- Grip: 8 out of 8 points.
- Stability: 7 out of 8 points.
- Handling: 5 out of 8 points.
Equipped with the longest and sharpest-edged pins in the test, you stand on the Race Face as if set in concrete. Fine-tuning the foot position while riding? Impossible. Paired with the large platform, they are therefore particularly suitable for wild rockgarden rodeo when maximum grip is required. The pedals are too snappy for normal everyday trail and touring riding.
Deity Supervillain
- Price: 170 Euro
- Weight (pair): 424 grammes
- Footprint (length x width): 105x105 mm
- Length pins: 4 mm
- Number of pins (per pedal): 28
- Grip: 4 out of 8 pts.
- Stability: 7 out of 8 points.
- Handling: 3 out of 8 pts.
Thanks to the short, rounded pins, you can quickly find your way back to the perfect foot position even in the heat of the moment. That's why we recommend the Deitys especially to relaxed touring riders or trick riders who sometimes take their feet off the pedals in the air. On hard landings, the impact energy is well distributed over the large surface area and the additional struts.
DMR Vault
- Price: 122 Euro >> available here
- Weight (pair): 429 grammes
- Footprint (length x width): 104x104 mm
- Length pins: 5.5 mm
- Number of pins (per pedal): 22
- Grip: 6 out of 8 pts.
- Stability: 5 out of 8 points.
- Handling: 5 out of 8 points.
Wolf Tooth Ripsaw
- Price: 220 Euro
- Weight (pair): 383 grammes
- Footprint (length x width): 116x97 mm
- Length pins: 4 mm
- Number of pins (per pedal): 24
- Grip: 2 out of 8 pts.
- Stability: 4 out of 8 pts.
- Handling: 6 out of 8 pts.
The ultra-thin and lightweight Wolf Tooth pedals look stylish. But apart from that, they generate neither a solid stance nor particularly good grip. Why? The pedal surface slopes outwards. As a result, the sole sits on the thickest part of the pedal - the axle - before it can even interlock with the pins. This makes it quite easy to slip, especially in wet conditions.
Conclusion from Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
It's crazy that the differences between flat pedals in this price range are still so significant. From a complete misstep to an overachiever, everything is represented in this test. After six months of continuous use, the Chromags delivered the most harmonious overall picture.
More on the subject of flat pedals
Max Fuchs
Editor
