17 Flat Pedals Tested & Reviewed | Bike Self Locking Pedals

Compared to Shimano’s popular XTR Trail pedals, the Saint uses a more robust forged alloy body that measures 78.1mm wide and 91mm long. This adds weight, with the pair of pedals coming in at 535g (sans cleats). Q-factor is the same at 55mm, but there’s more usable surface area on each side of the SPD mechanism, making the Saint feel bigger underfoot with less rocking and wiggle. The flatter overall shape doesn’t quite cup your shoes like the concave platform of the Nukeproof, HT and Crank Brothers pedals, but the flip side is greater compatibility with different shoes and tread designs.

But my message to Shimano and those bold enough to rock these bad boys is this: keep doing you and ignore the haters, maybe you’ll be laughing when we’re all proved wrong.

Mavic Ksyrium Pro UST WheelsetWeight: F: 590g R: 820gSpokes: F: 18 R: 20Rims: alloy, 17mm internal width$RRP: $1,599 (including tyres)

This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

So they take a long time before you can use them with confidence, they are mechnically delicate (even before you factor in mechanism wear from putting your foot down at lights/walking in them, vs replacing a plastic cleat) and the real advantage – is this a real advantage* – comes when you are pulling away from the lights. [If I am riding my road bike the number of times I stop is pretty small, so marginal benefit of marginally faster engagement - I think I'm pretty good with my Keos - probably not so important for me. YMMV.] This is before you get to the fact that they are quite expensive (because they aren’t very popular so unit volumes not high) and (again because unit volumes not high) finding spares is a pain in the arse. I tried them and wouldn’t recommend them to anyone.

Yeah I guess within the garment industry it is an extreme guarantee but it’s one that a lot, if not most, cycling companies offer. It’s actually a…

Clipless pedals are popular because they provide a firm, secure connection between bike and rider that’s easier to release than the previous system of straps and slotted cleats. But which of the many systems is best for you?

I have SPDs on the full suss and flats on the hardtail, but I ride the susser more frequently so answered clips.

Really I’d only recommend them to riders who will find that learning curve worth the touch of extra speed off the lights or side of the road. To me it was.

Rachael is happiest on two wheels, she’s been riding bikes for a good few years now after horses got too expensive! Partial to a race or two Rachael also likes getting out into the hills with a big bunch of mates. She’s been writing for a long as she’s been riding and is equally happy getting stuck into a kit review as she is creating stories. 

The main reason people will tell you that you need foot retention while riding is that it provides maximum power transfer between your legs and the bicycle’s transmission. See, when you’re putzing along in sneakers you’re merely pushing down on the pedals and hemorrhaging valuable energy through the flexy soles of your Vans. However, when you’re clipped in, you’re both pushing and pulling the pedals and sending power from your magical ruby slippers to your cranks for the entire 360 degrees of the pedal stroke, thereby extracting the full potential of your high-performance carbon fiber bicycle.

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