Become a Better Mountain Biker with Flat Pedals | Spd Pedals

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However, nothing compared to my “holy … cow” experience on one of the Specialized e-bikes from Fischer’s collection.

In terms of price and functionality, these pedals sit in between Shimano’s entry-level GR500 flat pedal (£59), and the high-end Saint M828 flat pedal (£129).

Tension is adjustable, though accessing the 3mm hex bolt is awkward. The level varies from tight, to really-friggin-tight. I certainly wouldn’t put a new rider on these pedals, because their tenacious hold can be intimidating. As the cleats wore in and I got used to them though, I steadily increased the tension to about halfway. Any more than that and you might dislocate your knee trying to unclip.

Some people say clipless are x percent more efficient and it’s easier to bunnyhop but I’m not getting left behind and can bunyhop, in a limited sense, with flats so I’m ok thanks.

Many flat pedals use commonly available steel M4 socket caps or grub screws, which makes replacing pins cheap and easy. Some companies are pushing at the limits of pin design though, tweaking them to maximise grip, lower weight, or sometimes to be less aggressive.

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Apart from the slight squeaking I experienced they performed well – comfortable and secure yet still allowing your joints some freedom thanks to the float.

It’s also a little disappointing that, unlike on Shimano’s more recent upper-end pedals, the A600 does without stainless steel wear plates on the platform; the shoe tread instead sits directly on the painted aluminum surface. That will wear over time, degrading the quality of the pedal-to-shoe fit (and, subsequently, the stability of the system). The fit quality will also degrade as the shoe tread wears. My advice would be to choose your shoes wisely — look for harder-durometer rubber around the cleat pocket — and then tread lightly.

A 25mm tyre installed tubeless on the 17mm wide Ksyrium rims looks exactly the same as a 25mm tyre installed with a tube. Which is to say it measured 25mm wide.

Can you handle that? No-one here is saying Surly sucks and didn’t know how to use Speedplays. So don’t take offence. We’re not saying we’re more skilled than you, or more technical than you, or better riders than you. We just got on with them, you didn’t.

Guinness World Records have a very detailed definition, minimum of 18,000 miles, 2 antipodal points, and no significant East/West backtracking …