Page 1 of 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 274
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Posts
    265

    Tell me about flat pedals

    After years of being clipped in, I've gotten lazy about a lot of things. So I've switched back to flats. I have some old Azonic A-frames I've been using, but I'm curious about these newfangled thin pedals. Is there a significant difference in using pedals that are a few millimeters thinner than mine, or is it just internet hype? And if they are worth getting, recommend me some good ones that are reasonably priced (like less than 80 bucks). Seems retarded that some of these things cost $150 bucks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Golden, CO
    Posts
    2,729
    I only clip into my road bike.
    I have straitline pedals on my trail and dh bikes. The original version, so not really newfangled thin. I remember A-frames being pretty good, all things considered.
    One thing I like about the straitline is they're big and easy and cheap to rebuild. I happen to have an almost new pair in white for sale from a friend who didn't like them. $90.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Wasatch
    Posts
    6,256
    Quote Originally Posted by Yeah! View Post
    After years of being clipped in, I've gotten lazy about a lot of things. So I've switched back to flats. I have some old Azonic A-frames I've been using, but I'm curious about these newfangled thin pedals. Is there a significant difference in using pedals that are a few millimeters thinner than mine, or is it just internet hype? And if they are worth getting, recommend me some good ones that are reasonably priced (like less than 80 bucks). Seems retarded that some of these things cost $150 bucks.
    You definitely get fewer pedal strikes with a thin pedal. Some people prefer the feel they get from being close to the spindle on the thin pedal. Maybe borrow a pair and see how they feel to you?

    Good deal at this time of year? Maybe find a used pair. The nice ones last forever and can be serviced.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    here and there
    Posts
    18,583
    Fairies fly flats
    watch out for snakes

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Posts
    265
    The A frames are solid - big base, sharp pins. They feel thick, especially in chunky or steep terrain, but I don't hit them much. It's more like a feeling of teetering, like I'm rocking back and forth on them, and I'm not sure if that's attributed to pedal thickness or just sucking at riding flats (probably the latter though).

    Don't know anyone else who rides flats, so I'm on my own here. Guess I'll browse around and see if anything cheap pops up. Thanks!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    The Fish
    Posts
    4,715
    I have 4 pedals to recommend. My current favorite is the Race face Atlas. These only apply if you decide you are willing to spend a little more. The angled pins are legit, for me this is the best feeling pedal I have ever used, grip, release, you name it. The next three can be had at or below the $80 threshold. I have all of them in the rotation still on different bikes: Race Face Affect, Kona Wah Wah, Shimano Saint. The Saints have been bomber, they are not super thin though. The Affect seem small sometimes but have been smooth and solid. The Wah Wah have been kicking around fore several years, bearings have needed to be replaced as well as one spindle (smoked a rock( but they have a been a solid pedal for me with the middle pins removed.

    During this time I also have had Staitline Amps and Spank Spikes. I hated the Amps, I swear I could feel the spindle and thought the drag from not having having bearings was annoying, they took rocks well and looked sick though. The Spikes went through bearings like mad, I was using them in PNW winter though.... so super wet. They have apparently changed up the seals and bearings so maybe that has been improved, they felt a tad wide for my liking as well.
    Last edited by rludes025; 03-23-2015 at 08:03 AM.
    a positive attitude will not solve all of your problems, but it may annoy enough people to make it worth the effort

    Formerly Rludes025

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    756
    Love the Raceface Atlas as well. Also liked the spike spank pedals but the atlas is slightly better in my opinion.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Germania
    Posts
    671
    For cheap and tough it is hard to go past the Saints, but they are a little heavy and not super thin.
    For light, thin and cheap the Xpedo Spry are hard to beat.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Central VT
    Posts
    4,806
    If you don't want to spend big money on flats I highly recommend the Nukeproof Electron. They're made from a nylon composite so they're lighter and less expensive than a high end metal flat pedal. They can be had for about $40-50. I use them on my DH bike - they're also thin and wide with bombproof construction. I've smashed hard many times and they barely scratch. Combine those with some sticky 5.10 shoes and you'll be happy.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/u...4/rp-prod85858

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Golden, Colorado
    Posts
    5,868

    Tell me about flat pedals

    If you ever hit rocks with your pedals the Xpedo Spry are garbage. The pins strip the magnesium body on contact so you can't replace them, and I had a pedal completely break in half in the middle of a ride. Didn't even last a season.

    Diety Compounds (same as the Nukeproofs) are great. Easily serviceable. Cheap replaceable parts. Pins don't strip. Bodies are rock solid. Have smashed the bajeebus out of them so many times. Some place in China makes them as OEMs for Diety and Nukeproof. I've seen them with other branding, too, but can't remember who.
    Last edited by Lindahl; 03-23-2015 at 08:32 AM.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    The Fish
    Posts
    4,715
    Quote Originally Posted by Lindahl View Post
    If you ever hit rocks with your pedals the Xpedo Spry are garbage. The pins strip the magnesium body on contact so you can't replace them, and I had a pedal completely break in half in the middle of a ride.

    Diety Compounds (same as the Nukeproofs) are great. Easily serviceable. Cheap replaceable parts. Pins don't strip. Bodies are rock solid. Have smashed the bajeebus out of them so many times. Some place in China makes them as OEMs for Diety and Nukeproof. I've seen them with other branding, too, but can't remember who.
    I have those Diety's on my Dirt Jumper, they work well for that but for trail riding I like having three pins across the back of the pedal. It just feels more balanced. Maybe my feet are too sensitive.
    a positive attitude will not solve all of your problems, but it may annoy enough people to make it worth the effort

    Formerly Rludes025

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    NorCal coast
    Posts
    1,947
    I've run Shimano Saints, and currently have Race Face Atlas. I like the Atlas a lot better. It's about 30% lighter, noticeably thinner, and the angled spikes are legit... my shoes stay planted way better. I think they've got a bit larger surface area both length and width too, which helps give them a more solid foot feel. I also had to take out and clean the bearings of the Saints after a fairly small amount of rides (like a dozen) because I could feel them grinding on some dirt that worked its way in.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    1,484
    I've had a few different older flats - I'll say that some of the ultra thins you lose the concave nature which really affects the feel and makes it easier to slip a foot. I ended up having to put in monster pins on my HT AE-03s to compensate and now they're like a friggin bear trap... but watch out if you lose a pedal. I've only ridden around the e13 LG1+ but they'd be my go to pedal if I were to get some new ones for my DH rig...they might be overkill for an AM bike though.

    EDIT the HTs also developed some bushing play after about a season of DH riding, which seems pretty weak since I don't actually pedal that much.
    I wear crocs for the style, not the comfort.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    in your second home, doing heroin
    Posts
    14,690
    I've been riding some azonic wicked pedals on my trail bike. They're thin light and don't have a huDge platform that sticks out from under the outside of my foot that hits rocks.......... which is all I really care about.

    Thin pedals are cool. You get more rock clearance AND a slightly lower center of gravity akin to lowering your BB height. I just wish I could clip into them.
    Besides the comet that killed the dinosaurs nothing has destroyed a species faster than entitled white people.-ajp

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Posts
    265
    Doesn't seem to make much sense to get Saints - I already have thick, heavy pedals.
    VTsession - Those Nukeproofs caught my eye but I wondered about the material. Sounds like the ones to try given the price.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    livin the dream
    Posts
    5,761
    Performance Bike has good platform pedal.

    http://www.performancebike.com/webap...400936__catNav
    Best Skier on the Mountain
    Self-Certified
    1992 - 2012
    Squaw Valley, USA

  17. #17
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Truckee & Nor Cal
    Posts
    15,621
    I have Kona Wah Wah's and while they aren't the thinnest, they can definitely take a beating. Think I found them for like $90.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Idaho
    Posts
    10,953
    Lotsa talk about pedals but most flats suck depending on the shoe you are wearing. Personally, I like Impacts. I've been through a couple pair of them (they last forever though) and I still like them the best. I've tried different skate shoes, 5.10 Freeriders, some Vans and still go back to my old 5.10 Impacts. If you don't have good shoes, spend the money there first. If you have good shoes, carry on with the pedal chat.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    The Fish
    Posts
    4,715
    Quote Originally Posted by Conundrum View Post
    Lotsa talk about pedals but most flats suck depending on the shoe you are wearing. Personally, I like Impacts. I've been through a couple pair of them (they last forever though) and I still like them the best. I've tried different skate shoes, 5.10 Freeriders, some Vans and still go back to my old 5.10 Impacts. If you don't have good shoes, spend the money there first. If you have good shoes, carry on with the pedal chat.
    True dat
    a positive attitude will not solve all of your problems, but it may annoy enough people to make it worth the effort

    Formerly Rludes025

  20. #20
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Truckee & Nor Cal
    Posts
    15,621
    + 1 on FiveTen impacts.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Central VT
    Posts
    4,806
    Quote Originally Posted by Yeah! View Post
    Doesn't seem to make much sense to get Saints - I already have thick, heavy pedals.
    VTsession - Those Nukeproofs caught my eye but I wondered about the material. Sounds like the ones to try given the price.
    I was skeptical too, but once you have the pedal in your hand you see that the material is very strong. I've heard the resin pedals are more popular in the BMX world.

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Elmore, VT
    Posts
    1,211
    I've been very happy with Deity Skyscrapers.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    309
    Flat pedals have helped me push my bike way harder toward its limit. I'll attempt way dumber stuff riding with flats knowing I can jump over the bike if I explode a berm too hard or do some wrong steering into a rock garden.

    It has saved my ass a bunch from the dreaded bike scorpion.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    United States of Aburdistan
    Posts
    7,281
    Quote Originally Posted by juanbendedknee View Post
    Flat pedals have helped me push my bike way harder
    True, it's easier to jump off right before a steep uphill and start walking with a bit of momentum. The lighter the pedals, the easier it is to push btw.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    637
    on the teetering topic, yes thinner does noticeably effect the tippy rocking sensation of thicker pedals, also length front/back has a pretty big impact if you are as prone to rolling pedals as i am, grew up clipless and not a newschool ass off the rear wheel rider, ie i dont weight my feet enough...

    im coming off saints which are kinda short front/back and not the thinnest, really like my buddies spikes but atlas are even longer and i trust the brand more as a multiple bike build quality component
    fyi spikes are 80 at universal on sale as long as grey is your color of choice, heard rumor an updated model is due soon
    the plastic deity and nukeproofs have an endcap thats prone to popping off, once it does they explode shortly after, i beat the piss out of endcaps by throwing my bike a lot, poor form on my part, but it is what it is, they dont hold up for me...

    im saving my pennies for atlas, price tag is tough to stomach as a dirtbag but i take pride in replacing bearings rather than parts, so am willing to step up if its actually worth the cost

    also, i think i have more pin scars from pushing my FR bike uphill than slipping pedals riding down... hike a bike is brutal on calves!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •