Review: Burgtec Penthouse MK4 Flat Pedals | Bike Flat Pedals

I have been a fan of mountain tubeless tyres for years. But after only one ride on road tubeless, I was sold. I had a real sense of smoothness. The Yksion UST tyres (at 90psi) rode over rough roads very well. Despite being soft enough to absorb bumps they were supportive enough to make high speed corners feel good. The more I ride these tyres and wheels, the more I like them!

Time pedals have historically had issues with bearing durability, though, and while that aspect seems to have improved, it’s still a big unknown. And even more troubling is the fact that they’re technically not user serviceable. While the retaining collar for the axle assembly can be removed at home, the official tools aren’t made available to consumers.

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.

Dual-sided pedals certainly offer more convenience, but the single-sided format allows for a wider platform, better cornering, less weight, and lower cost.

I still believe that laces aren’t the best pick for trail riding, or cross country and cyclocross racing. They hold dirt, get caught on things and are finicky to get off when you see a leech enter your shoe (perhaps too specific of an example, but the event is still fresh).

Racer’s Motion knee pads stand out for two main reasons. They fit my lanky twig-legs and feature full-zip so you can put them on without having to take your shoes off mid-ride. The pads are a good length, have excellent side of knee protection and quality construction. Through summer heat and soaking wet December mud-fests, the pads have stayed put and stayed comfortable. Read the full review.

I’ve been in the Vancouver bike club for 11 years. For 10 years, I rode carbon road bikes. Four months ago I bought an e-bike and I love it. I used to hate going up hills and getting dropped by the faster group. Now I can ride with anybody. Even though I don’t commute, it would be an outstanding way to commute because you don’t get all sweaty and you can climb hills in a breeze. You also can get the same workout you did on your other bike; you just keep it in the lower assist modes. A number of the older (60-plus) people in the club are switching to e-bikes, so they can still ride with the club and enjoy it. I’m 71.

The biggest difference between the two when it comes to pedaling is the float. The Time has the added float laterally, and your foot feels like it is pivoting from the center of the cleat. The Look’s float is all in the rear as it pivots off the front-cleat contact point. This difference doesn’t seem like much, but they each offer a very different and unique outcome.

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.

You might think flat pedals are a solved problem, but the answer is ‘not quite’. In mountain biking and BMX history, flat pedal design has zeroed in on a couple of distinct pedal shapes, but is still evolving. Let me take you through a few bits of terminology and engineering.

I’m well aware that this is considered as crash damage, so it’s entirely outside of Shimano’s typical warranty policy. I’m also aware that smacking pedals has a lot to do with technique and the bike you’re riding, and not everyone will put these through the same beating that I subjected them to.

Fortunately, it’s easy enough to swap out pedals and give flats a try. You’ll be able to find a comfortable, natural position on the pedals, though you’ll also have to pay close attention to your pedal stroke to ensure you’re not lifting your shoe’s soles off the pedal platform. (One could argue this is both an advantage and a disadvantage.) It’s a good way to learn more about your biomechanics, and your shortcomings as a dirt rider.