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Needs some flats for the gravel bike.
I have concluded that my youthful big gear mashing has caught up with me and I need something that is not SPDs with the attendant cleat positioning and lack of float.
Big platform, moderate grip and either long service intervals or easy servicing. I'm happy to do without an ultra thin platform for this bike.
Bonus if they have reflector capability for winter road sections.
I've had DMR V8s before and some cheerful Wellgo things that were surprisingly ok but not bought anything at this price point for a long time.
https://uk.oneupcomponents.com/products/comp-pedal
I use these on my xc bike. Composite so nice and light with a big platform. They seem to have held up over the summer in a decent amount of riding
Diety Deftrap. Best pedal I've used.
I filed mine down to a 2mm concave & they are even better.
Wellgo Magnesium flats.
I’ve got a couple of pairs. One set are on my Stooge, the third bike they’ve been on and knocking on 16 years old. Never served and still perfect. (Except for the worn off paint)
Not sure about serviceability, but I really like the One Up Composite pedals. They certainly seem to have a lot more grip than my old V8s.
DMR V11s are really good.
There's also another plastic pedal everyone recommends on here, but I can't remember what it's called.
These are good. https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/parts/pedals-cleats/burgtec-mk4-composite-flat-pedals-black__325165?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=1501
OneUp, or the Crank Bros Stamp
Oneup composites are a breeze to service
Mine developed a squeak. Ten minutes with a couple of tools and some grease and it was sorted.
You can get proper service kits and replacement pins too
Saints or Hope.
New ones are over budget so keep an eye on eBay, they can be had for £50 quite easily
Another vote for Burgtech mk4 composites. As good, if not better than the alloys. Super low profile and robust. Can be had for £40.50 from Startfitness
Another vote for the one up composites. I've 2 sets that are both going strong. Oldest has taken lots of rock strikes and 4000k before showing any sign of needing maintenance (slight click after ride with lots of deep water crossings).
I honestly don't know why anyone would but metal flats anymore as composites are cheaper, lighter, look better as they age, just as grippy (maybe better grip).
I honestly don’t know why anyone would but metal flats anymore as composites are cheaper, lighter, look better as they age, just as grippy (maybe better grip).
Cheaper, lighter & scrap once you clout them into a rock & deform them along with ripping pins out which you can’t replace as the hole is twice the size.
Also, absolutely not ‘better grip’ than a decent flat pedal. My OneUps are demoted to the pub bike, they are that bad.
As to what to buy, for that budget a secondhand set of Deity T-Mac, Stamp 11s or Horizon DH if you want some actual grip.
Been running Stamp 7s due to my small feet. Bought them when they were on offer ages ago.
Other half has Boomslangs. Too big for my feet but the grip and durability is amazing. 42 % off them at the moment
Love my Deftraps. I'm a huge OneUp fanboy, but their pedals feel horrible. Not a fan of the convex shadow.
I'd you want longevity and not outright grip then surely Shimano is the answer. You might have to go 2nd hand but they can last for years with some fresh grease and they only require some tools to service with no replacement parts needed
I ride clipless, but my son’s just moved from Mk4 Burgtec to Stamp 1 V2 and he much prefers the concave shape, and extra grip.
Thanks all. Some good options there that I'll take a look at with the usual stw consensus ?.
Rock damage isn't a consideration for this bike as it's firmly gravel/gentle xc/back lanes road riding and touring use so it's more comfort/convenience/longevity.
I've got metal NS something's on the FS bike, which has a low BB (Specialized). I really like those but they're more expensive than I want to spend on this bike and on those I've got outer and leading edge pins that have been torn out on rock strikes. I doubt those are salvageable in terms of getting new pins in. Relatively rare for me in the South Downs anyway only happens when I go away. At least the metal bodies can be recycled.
Not sure about convex profile for this bike as it's a ball of foot pedalling position that'll be dominant not an arch of foot descending/traversing position. I have flat feet and I can see that creating a hot spot/lack of support when pedalling up and along seated.
Boomslangs feel amazing, but don’t seem to like British winters. Loved mine while they lasted. Hoping to fix mine, and then save them for summer.
Unlike many others, I really rate the OneUp plastic pedals, don’t miss the concave shape of other pedals even though I thought I would.
Burgtech mk4s for me. Light. Robust. Grippy. Have been bulletproof thus far - 4 years and counting
Love my SS Nanos
I've always liked DMR and the Flat 4 ticks all your boxes including the reflectors:
https://www.dmrbikes.com/Catalogue/Pedals/Flat-4/Flat-4
(can be found under budget)
RaceFace Chester. Put them on all my bikes now. Cheap, cheerful, and tough enough to survive the low BBs on my bikes when I do venture into rocky territory.
Plus, they come in pink (which may or may not be a consideration for you!).
I've got the pnw plastics on my full sus, and cheap nukeproof plastics on my hardtail. I think the plastic nukeproof ones are my favourite to be honest. Still knocking about on ebay for cheap enough.
I've got deity deftrap on my gravel bike and have been really happy with them (not had a massive amount of use so not sure about longevity). Only other flat pedal I've had over the years are wellgo MG1 magnesium which are also fine and haven't needed any servicing in years.
DMR V12. Literally bombproof. My pair are 10 years old now. Survived many crashes when used on my mountain bike and now have been on the commuter for 6 years and must have covered 20k odd miles in that time. Never cleaned nor serviced and the bearings still feel greasy smooth. Strong reccomend.
I've got a pair of Burgtec comps with a bent axle and knackered bearings, and a pair of v12a with (surprise!) knackered bushings in the shed if you _really_ want to try them cheap. Burgtec platforms feel small and tippy, like the V12a.
Saints or Hope.
The top 2 worst flat pedals I've ever had.
DMR V12. Literally bombproof.
True in the 90's when they were the only good option. There's literally dozens of better designs out there now including from DMR themselves.
I've just realised that I don't have any metal pedals anymore. I've got DMR V11, Burgtec composite and some generic plastic things on the BMX.
There's no downside to plastic as long as the shape is good.
Has nobody mentioned the HT PA03A? Nothing flashy, not super thin or super big, but just really bloody good, HT make loads of the other pedals mentioned. It's the closest you can get now to the old Nukeproof Horizon Comp, which is still my favourite pedal ever- so good they discontinued it because nobody was buying any of their expensive ones.
Didn't like the oneups much, the grip is just poor and I don't see what you get in return, they're marginally lower profile than some but not in a way that makes any real difference imo . Burgtec felt bulky without any real redeeming featues, it's a really similar pedal to the PA03A but worse. V11 is decent but again it's no better than the PA03A and ismore expensive (and is probably made by HT?)
Thing is these are all big grip mtb pedals so might be excessive but I don't think they have any downsides either for you.
Still find superstar nanos the pedals to beat. Last forever and great grip
Composites leave a great pile of rubbish for the tip when they rip the pins out. I am not a fan. Shimano are weird shape for big feet and heavy. I haven't the budget for hope or burgtec
Confessions of a pedal killer: part 5. My last victim is a OneUp Composite, axle is so bent that there is visible and easily felt wobble. I have also ruined Nukeproof Electrons, when their axle bent they unbolted axle from body.
I have pair of XT:s in size L but while they feel more robust they are also catching on every tree stump along trails.
Let’s not go into gory details of broken Time pedals here…
I'm with Northwind, HT PA03As are fantastic. I've tried various ones over the years but the HTs have proved to be the most comfortable and long lasting. They feel very similar to the DMR Vaults that I had before but without the bushing the develops play every 5 minutes.
Come in lots of colours and so cheap there isn't really much to lose.
John
HT PA03As
Ah yeah, this is what I was thinking of in my earlier post.
Wonder why I didn't remember that catchy name?
20% off PNW plastics
https://pnwcomponents.co.uk/products/range-composite-pedal?variant=45924646519077
I wasn't a big fan of the composite burgtec (but love my Penthouse MK5s). Need a spare set of cheap pedals for chucking in the bag when riding away. Generally like PNW kit so for £40 I'm sold!
In full disclosure It turns out i am an idiot.
The pnw composites in the post above this one are the ones I have on the xc bike and love them.
Not the oneup ones.
Sorry, but def recommend the pnw ones, and at that price i might get a spare set
Maverick choice:
detachable pedals for anyone who pushes their bike for extended periods or has a narrow hallway and prefers not to need skin grafts to their shins.
My pair of magnesium wellgo’s work great. Even better with a dab of silicon grease to the locking mechanism.
i thought that the budget was-wah pedals from my 2008 kona smoke were the dogs bolx.
these would tempt me from the wellgos
Evans cycles have some nukeproof neutron pedals for £14 in black
e13 Base Composite for me. Nice big platform and plenty of grip. Fully serviceable too.
Was tempted by either Burgtec or PNW composites but the e13 appeared at a price I couldn't say no to (£25 new on eBay) and I'm really glad I tried them.
I always used alloy/mag DMRs, Nanos or Saints in the past but much prefer these.
Just a wee addition, I always rave about the Nukeproof Horizon Comp and I have an ebay alert so I cna sweep up any new-old-stock that appear, they're absolutely great... but definitely don't confuse those with the Electron Evos, which are alright but pretty low on grip. Another perfectly well made pedal that's just not really the right shape, and doesn't really do anything in return apart from being really cheap. But they're OK if you don't demand good grip, not everyone does. Mine are on my shopping bike now, I just couldn't see any good reason to keep mountain biking on them when there's so much better out there with no drawbacks at all.
(and don't confuse those with the original Electron, which was pretty much crap. The Evo basically threw some extra pins and some minor reshaping in to compensate for the axle bulge, which is enough to make them at least not terrible)
Random other option, I got some Thinkriders from Aliexpress, which in shape are a Horizon copy pretty much which is great news but have a slightly different axle, and cost £10. I've been using them for a year or so now without any issues, and they are as good underfoot as any pedal I've ever used, but I do weigh 10 stone so do bear that in mind 🙂
@greatbeardedone you can get them for £19 on ebay UK. Look quite interesting for a Rinko style build.
Just to add, there seem to be a few reviews saying the RHS is prone to falling off. MKS is another brand worth looking at.
well spotted. My wellgo’s saved me many a skin-graft to the shins.
Prolly an essential for the WHW (rowardennan/ pushing the bike up the devils staircase).
Funn Fundamental for me. Similar to DMR Vaults and a slight upgrade over the original bulletproof SS Nano/eXotic/Moove, with an extra pin at the front (6 front 5 rear) and grease ports for the bushings on the end of the axels.
I paid 45 quid. I doubt you can get them that cheap anymore!
I have DMR V11's on both my bikes. Both pairs where bought for less than £40 & can be had for less than £30 if you're not picky about the colour from Winstanleys.
Unless I spot something else I fancy trying, my default go to are Superstar Nano Evo's
my default go to are Superstar Nano Evo’s
Do you find you get through a lot of bushings on them? I had a terrible run with the first gen "evo" ones.
Do you find you get through a lot of bushings on them? I had a terrible run with the first gen “evo” ones.
Never had an issue, but I'm not a super high mileage rider.
Having said they are my go to, I only have them on my Shan 26 at the moment, which is relegated to not doing much at all - still using the NP Sam Hill Horizons I bagged in the firesale on other bikes, or CB Mallets if I'm clipped in
I don't think anyone will be buying Superstar Nano's again - https://www.cottandco.com/en/lots/auction/3343---matsuura-mam72-35v-brother-m140x1-fanuc-robodrill--haas-vf-2ss-machining-centres-aberlink-xtreme-500-cmm-tooling-compressors--finishing-equipment-previously-used-by-superstar-components
Website down and all of the machines now up for auction indicates Superstar being no longer.
It's also unfortunate that Nukeproof have gone as on sale (lots of the time) the Horizons were great - so for £50.00 I would say its going to be a composite pedal, many of them are made by the same people so it will just be down to price and if you like the design.
I think being realistic now its around £90 upwards for a decent alloy pedal.
DMR V12 are my personal favourite, always loved the V8 but the V12 is more comfortable. Lovely pedals.
I don’t think anyone will be buying Superstar Nano’s again
Ooh.
I have a couple of used pairs of Nano Evos available cheap if anyone is desperate for some, bushings may be a bit ropey tho
Nukeproof Pedals back in stock, a bit, at CRC. Neutron Evos for £14 in black, £20 in turquoise, plus some Horizon Pros.
FWIW the original Nanos were yet another rebadged HT, I think you ca still buy them under that name and maybe also under Exotic? Only the more recent ones were inhouse.
ANS01 if I'm not mistaken. Although, by the looks of it, the design has been further refined (ribbed for her pleasure) since then and costs more.
The SS in-house Nanos (X, Evo X and Evo 2.0) had a larger squarer platform (thinner metal) and went through bushings faster. At least the first X iteration did! The service kits have ceramic rather than standard metal bushings, which last longer. Later revisions (Evo X and Evo 2.0) may have been fitted with ceramic from the factory. TBH I can't remember, I'm sure one version did though!
I think the only criticism of the original design was the platform size, which isn't suitable for bigger feet and obviously there are other designs with more pins/pin configurations. Personally I liked the rounded corners and chamfered edges. Could be my imagination, but they seemed to shrug off strikes really well and the pedals themselves could take years of battering. I've got a pair that look like they have been through a war but still spin smoothly on the original axles, bearings and bushings.
The AN01 was the classic Superstar Nano. You can still buy the AN01 for around £50, not worth it these days... Still, interesting that they're still out there for the "never change anything on my bike" people, and you can still get service kits etc.
Not sure if they've been mentioned, but the E*Thirteen Base composite pedals are brilliant.
Excellent grip and shape (they're a bit longer front to back compared to some), they come with a full set of shorter pins (6mm fitted, 4mm in the box) to tweek your grip if needed.
Can get had for £25-30.
.
After bending an axle hitting a rock with my NP Sam Hill Enduros yesterday, just ordered some Sam Hill DH for the ebike
£58 Sports Direct
Thread resurrection
I got HT PA03As based recommendations on this thread. Yes they are grippy, stable and reasonably priced but pins would benefit from mild thread locker or something. I have already lost 6 pins since October and I haven’t ridden much this winter.
Like most of you I have got through loads of pedals over the years. Superstar Nanos -good but didn't last long, Saints - not that grippy, heavy. Nukeproof - good but disassembled on the trail.
At the moment I have Dmr V11s and Burgtec composite which are fine. I am not animal enough to rip pins out of pedals!
Ive got some superstar nano evos? that I won in a pinkbike raffle
theyve been faultless for years now, lived in my spares bin for a while then on my other bike, then I switched back to flats fullya few years ago and theyve been ridden loads
edit: turns out I won them 10 years ago!
I also have the kona wah wah 2 pedals that I was warned would explode, but have been great for several years and survived several rock/root- pedal interfaces, the platform is huge and very comfy to ride in, more so than the superstars, which are still great
I've always liked DMR and the Flat 4 ticks all your boxes including the reflectors:
I have a pair on my gravel bike and I'd suggest that you be cautious about these. Firstly they're overpriced and secondly they're tiny. I also found them deadly slippery in the wet. Never mind I thought, I'd bought them for their much vaunted configurability so would remove the bumpers & fit the pins. However, pins aren't included & will cost you another £15.
In the end I found some cheap pedal pins for a fiver from a Chinese seller on eBay and these have solved the slipping issues.
All in all overpriced & average.
I've moved from Nukeproof > Burgtec > Deity composites and the Deity are the best so far in terms of grip and durability. Had an issue with the Burgtec axle that meant it couldn't be repaired properly.
Now trying the HT PA03A. I like OneUp stuff and a few of the others look good from a platform perspective but they all seem to be convex which I avoid.
HT PA03A do feel bit more stable than OneUps, despite the additional height.
I have to get suitable pins for HTs and they should be good to go, I actually have 4 types of pins in my spares box but none of them fits HTs.
I have XT flats too but I bought them in size L and the extra width means I am hitting every trail side rock and tree stump.
+1 for the Burgtec pedals. My MK1s (2012ish) are still spinning on my pumptrack bike and my MK5s are great on the main bike. I have a set of the composite Mk4s on order for when my ebike turns up as well.
Does anyone have a service kit for/know the bearing sizes for the old wellgo B-54s? I've got a set on my commuter that are getting graunchy, and I like them enough to want to fix them, especially a they're in a fine state of patina otherwise.
Composite pedals in general often benefit from a wee tighten up after a few rides and then another one further down the road- basically the composite can compress and loosen just a little bit in use and once that happens the pins (which are essentially a little nut and bolt) become slightly loose and that removes most of the resistance to unthreading, like anything else a tight bolt rarely loosens but a loose bolt loosens really fast. TBH it can happen with metal pedals too, you're never more likely to lose a pin than in the first few hundred miles, but definitely much more with plastic.
I'm still using the same pair of Saint pedals I bought years ago (must be over or around 10 years old now), I haven't touched the bearings/grease and they're still smooth with no wobble or grind from the bearings. They're not the grippiest though but I love how they feel. Come to think of it though I'm not sure I ever removed the pin spacers on mine, will have to try that for more grip.
I had some Raceface Chesters come on my hardtail and I didn't really like their shape, they were nice and grippy but the concave or something was different and they felt weird.