Longterm Review: Shimano XC7 vs XC9 SPD Mountain Bike Shoes | Carbon Fahrrad Umwerfer Installationssatz

“Crank Brothers is most notable for its line of clipless pedals that utilise the Eggbeater mechanism. The brand also makes flat pedals too, having previously offered the 5050 for those who prefer not to be clipped into their pedals. The 5050 is long gone however, and in its place is the Stamp pedal that we have here. One of Crank Brothers objectives in developing the Stamp was increased…” Read the full review here.

I learned how to rely on flat pedal pins and concavity to power through steep climbs, technical features, and jumps. I chose my first set of flats based on price alone, and quickly found that there are huge differences amongst flat pedals. Here is my rundown of five of the best flat pedals out there!

Flats. After 25yrs of mtb , mountain biking at grOundle level has change, more travel more expectation of jumps drop offs etc. Spd s might be more efficient but for mere mortals just work on your fitness. Flats just like dropper posts give you confidence to try stuff knowing you can bail from the bike with ease. Plus if you manage to bunny hop, get air etc on flats you know you are doing it right. And when you have to walk or just want to get off the bike and explore you are not waddling around like a duck.

Using an extruded and CNC-machined body, the Vault pedals by DMR make a statement straight out of the box.

I don’t find they’re particularly expensive considering how much I love them either. And definitely haven’t found anything weak about them mechanically. They’re rock solid. 

As the name suggests, the retention spring is a carbon blade that is available in three different tension ratings of 12, 16 and 20. The latest version of the tension spring is easy to interchange, and our test pedals shipped with 12s installed with 16s included if we were in need of more tension. In addition to the trio of spring options, Look also offers three cleats with a different amount of angular float: 0 (black), 4.5 (grey) or 9 degrees (red). The grey cleat is the most popular with RBA test riders.

The cartridge-style axle assembly is widely used in Shimano’s pedal range, and offers well-proven durability. When needed, it’s also very easy to service.

Somewhere along the line came the discovery that he could string a few words together, followed by the even more remarkable discovery that people were mug enough to pay for this rather than expecting him to do an honest day’s work. He’s pretty certain he’s worked for even more bike publications than Mat Brett.

One company, Speedplay, has bucked the consensus. Its pedals are double-sided, the mechanism is part of the cleat and that cleat has a four-bolt mounting. A three-bolt adapter is included with them, as few shoemakers have a suitable shoe in their line. More about Speedplay below.

Hailing from the USA, Speedplay take a completely different approach to pedal design then the other three listed. Instead of clipping a solid cleat into a sprung pedal body, Speedplay reverse the system and put the sprung mechanism in the cleat. Doing so affords Speedplay, and its lollipop-like Zero pedals, the clear advantage of dual-sided entry without a cost to cornering clearance.

For clipless beginners, SPD pedals are the way to go. Most pedals are double-sided, which makes learning to clip in much easier.

In the box you get 4° and 8° float cleat options. Release angle is 13° and they’re supplied with plastic shims, and metal shims for use with carbon soles. A nice touch is that HT includes an 8mm socket in the box so you can pull them apart for routine servicing. After a wet winter of abuse, I did just that. Five minutes and some fresh grease later, they were feeling nice and smooth again.