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Need some new flat pedals and I’m thinking of trying some composite ones. I’m presently using Shimano Saints but would like some that were a wee bit thinner. What’s good?
Nukeproof neutrons are really good, and dirt cheap on Chain reaction at the moment
My recent experience using Burgtecs and Deity Deftraps (both with 5:10 freerider pros)
Burgtecs, well made, but not the grippiest. Haven't lived up well to pedal strikes with a number of pins bent into the plastic and can't be removed now. They're my spare in case of emergency pedals now
Deftraps - bigger platform and much grippier than the burgtecs. I managed to obliterate one with a strike on a tree-root at speed. That's more of a judgement on me than the pedal. If i hadn't killed it i'd still be running them
Replaced with a pair of nukeproof horizon alloy pedals cheap from Wiggle
kona wah wah are very thin with a nice large platform.
One-up. Way better than the previous king nukeproof neutrons.
I run a similar set to the Nukeproof Neutron and have been very impressed, so much so I've just bought a set of the Neutron at £17
Thanks for the suggestions. I’m going to give the Neutrons a go at that price!
Worth seeing if Superstar Nano are on offer, they are very thin and very grippy, my favourite pedals. Alloy though.
I really like my Kona Wah Wah composite pedals, big platform, thinnish, good shape and good grip. Can't fully recommend them as I have broken one in the past, snapped one of the thin linking pieces, same also happened to a mate. They were replaced under warranty and the replacements have lasted well.
Deity Deftaps. I've filed mine to a 2mm Concave & they are even better now.
Nukeproof neutrons develop play after one ride and the axle wears the composite there absolute garbage I'm always blown away how people recommend them.
Go wiggle your pedals I bet each one has side to side play
My old Neutrons lasted 7 years of beach use on the fat bike without any attention. Recently thought I’d try the One Up ones but didn’t get on with the shape and went back to my Vaults. V11’s would be worth a look as they are same shape as Vaults.
Anything modern will feel better than Saints.
Got a set of Ethirteen composite flats (won in a raffle). Grip is very good possibly too grippy for my liking, however they’ve not done many miles and have gone wobbly.
I was going try adjusting the pins.
I’ll be putting my freshly serviced many years old Superstar Nanos back on instead.
HT Pa03 stupid name, but brilliant pedal.
Depends a lot on how grippy you want, someone who wants a really grippy pedal is never going to be happy on a less grippy one no matter how good. It's definitely not a "grippier = better" thing, you've got to know your own taste.
But for me, grippier = better so Nukeproof Neutron (and all the other pedals that are the same pedal with a different name on) = useless. I retired my set after 2 crap rides to the turbo trainer. Oneups likewise, they're grippier and nicely made but still basically ungrippy.
On the grippy side... HT PA03A is just a really good pedal tbh. It's a good shape, spiky enough, not indestructible but pretty toughm and cheap. Of course HT make loads of pedals for other people.
Burgtec, good grip but imo less feel than a PA03A and while it's not thicker it somehow feels thicker and clumpier to me, and more expensive. Almost felt like they've done a really good job of recreating a pedal from 2010. Deity more picky about shoes because of the shape- which is fine but why not choose a pedal that's bsaically as good and <isn't> picky about shoes? I do quite like the Wah Wah but it's a fair bit more expensive and I think the shape is going to divide opinion more, I hated the feel of the lump on the outside but to be fair it didn't actually cause any problems, it just felt weird.
Haven't tried a Stamp 1 or an E13 base, both look like they could be good.
I still have some old Nukeproof Horizon Comps, which are superb, but they're discontinued so the nearest I've found, which are also superb so far, are these cheapo THinkriders. Very similar shape, but they're all bearing, no bushing. I've not used them long enough to give a full on recommendation but I've got 2 sets and I really like em
Oh yah I'm doing this as a separate post cos it's a fix for somewhat wobbly pedals not a recommendation. Works on most typical flats.
First check the end cap is tight, as it controls the pedal float. COmposite pedals are a wee bit susceptible to it coming loose or even coming out.
Second, take the end cap oout (sometimes there's 2). You can now see a nut and a bearing. Check it's tight- you often need a thinwalled socket which is a pain in the bum, none of my good sockets fit but I found a crappy one in some rubbish tool kit I'd got which works. But it's probably fine. anway
Third, gill the hole where the end cap was almost full with grease. Doesn't really matter too much what, just a standard bearing grease is fine. Now squidge the end cap on and torque it back in (careful with composite pedals, it's fairly easy to damage the thread). As you tighten it in, it forces the grease through the pedal much like a grease gun. Repeat til it comes out the seal at the crank end. You can keep going til cleaner grease comes out, it's not that important I think. Clean up, refit seal... Pedal will be draggy as hell at first as it's absolutely smashed full of grease, but it will loosen up and should have lost most of its wobble.
The TAG metals composite ones I got on my last Bird are great. A really big pedal, well bigger than my Nukeproofs and 10 metal pins per side.
Nukeproof user here - been on two bikes now for about 5 or 6 years. For the price I've found nothing comes close. Tried Burgtecs but miles away from being as grippy as the Nukeproofs. Almost tempted to buy a spare set or two at the minute!
The Neutrons just need the 6mm allen bolt doing up every now and again.
I think my current ones are almost 2 years old and have 0 wiggle in them and 0 play anywhere. They just work and work well and happy. I've got 3 other sets in spares i think as well as some DMR vaults and some Crank Brothers.
Another vote for the Neutrons here.
If you want a bigger platform I can recommend the Crank Brothers Stamp 1 in large.
DMR V11s have been surprisingly excellent for me, had a pair on my trail bike about a year now with no issues.
Got them cheaper than those Nukeproof ones though.
HTPA03 recommended also, tried the Neutron's but they're missing the inner spikes that the Horizon's use to have.
The OneUp's just destroyed themselves with me.
HT Pa03 stupid name, but brilliant pedal.
I'm glad others have posted these as it saves me having to try and google the stupid name (again).
Grippy, big platform (important with my size 12s), slightly concave in a way that seems to land my feet in just the right place without thinking about it, and cheap 🙂
DMR V11 for me. Can buy them at reasonable price, swap out the brass bearings for igus bearings and they last for ever. Sometimes its cheaper to buy new than to rebuild.
Tag Metals T3 - arguably nicer than the Nukeproof at the same price. Made by HT, last really well, lots of colours. Whats not to like?
I've tried a few:
- v11, felt ok, but DMR's gonna DMR. Bearings shat themselves super quick.
- Burgtec: felt a bit high and small, bearing life wasn't great Bent an axle.
- Deftraps: brilliant. Lovely shape, loads of grip, and bearings have later yonks.
Is it offensive to have orange composite pedals ?. Decals are orange, theres a bit of hope orange and usually Im ok with a smattering of colour but never down to the pedals.
Had a set of dmr v11s my ebike for two and a half years now, still going strong with zero maintenance. Ended up buying another set for my proper bike.