Review: Pedaling Innovations Catalyst Flat Pedals | Carbon Fahrrad Umwerfer Installationssatz

Time’s new Xpro 10 pedals have some notable improvements over the previous Xpresso range, with a wider pedal body, a redesigned cleat that is really hardwearing, and very easy engagement. I really like them and prefer the engagement system to that of Look or Shimano, my only issue being a peculiar squeaking noise that I was getting (but a road.cc colleague didn’t), which Time says it is trying to get to the bottom of…

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.

All of the above. SPD SL pedals on the road bike. XT trail SPDs and Shimano shoes on the short travel FS Bike which tends to get used for mile munching rather than very tech rides. DMR Vault flats for the big bike and DH riding. I like the efficiency of being clipped in but think I descend better on flats which I much prefer for more technical trails. I believe that’s down to foot and heel position which try as I might I can’t seem to quite reproduce on SPDs.

Most pedals will have L or R printed or embossed on them somewhere, so it’s worth taking a look before starting to screw them back in. Above all, go carefully and hand screw the pedal to make sure that it’s screwing in correctly, only using a spanner or allen key once you have it most of the way in.

Winter is a great time for using flat pedals, we’ve been brushing up on our essential mountain bike skills on them whilst the weather has been chilly and the mud sticky. In turn, this has led to some awesome testing conditions so we can bring you our ‘best in test’. Here are a number of great options for your next flat pedal foray.

661 Filter Asymmetrical construction with raised inner ankle protection prevents the ankle from hitting the crank arm and chainstay. $109 USD.

At 45, I recently started using cleats (having used old-style clips as a teenager) and have ended up with exactly the solution suggested here – double-sided pedals and multi-release cleats.  Fabulous combo – works really well for me.

My understanding of current thinking is that you should not be trying to pull up (damaging to knees being the reason) only "getting your feet out of the way" during the up stroke. You should still be actively kicking forward at the top of the stroke and pulling your foot back at the bottom – these would be sensible reasons why a cleat would seem to be an advantage over flat pedals. Having said that good flat pedals with decent raised grips (the little bolt style ones especially) used with flat rubber-soled shoes are nearly as good for kicking  forward and pulling back.

There are certain aspects of clipless pedals that are downright insidious. They make you lazy, for one. (Courtesy of Redvinediary Twitter)

Pearl Izumi X-Alp Launch Check out our review of the X-Alp by John Fisch here. 350g claimed weight, $150 USD.

The upper is made up of a few panels, with the closed-off toe splitting the two perforated pieces of synthetic leather. A large reflective panel sits at the rear, with a padded interior designed to cuddle your heel. Unlike Shimano’s performance shoes, the XC5 doesn’t attempt to lock the heel in with any special one-way fabric or aggressive shaping.

Roadies are a finicky bunch, however, and so the A600 has only been modestly successful from a commercial standpoint. Shimano hasn’t even bothered to update it since it debuted eight years ago. However, the rise of gravel riding has brought the idea back to the forefront since two-bolt pedals and walkable shoes are much friendlier in that environment than any of the usual road options.