New flat pedals - help me with my decision paralysis!

These are my favourite pedal
https://www.deitycomponents.com/deftrap_pedals.html

Came here to vote Deftraps. Love the feel of mine. I do appear to have slightly bent an axle though, but I think I've done that in every set of pedals I've ever owned.

I like the Superstar Nano X - whether they still make them or not, I haven't researched

Nukeproof horizon Sam hill enduro’s here. Best flat pedal I’ve ever used.

Nukeproof horizon are great.. although take all the pins out and loctite the. the pedals are definitely substantial, not the thinnest
in fact everything NP Horizon is just a good bet
in all honesty, with the advent of composite pedals, when it comes to replacing any of mine i'll be trying plastic

Superstar were alright but developed play really fast. I never got along with my One Up Alloy and I always felt like my foot ends up in the wrong spot. Also, they cut me just looking at them. Burgtec composites are may favourite currently so I'd probs go for the alloy ones next time.

I'm also running Nukeproof Horizons, they've taken a battering, still look decent and haven't needed to be taken apart yet after 2 years.

I recently replaced the pins with a set meant for Chromag Daggas and the extra grip is incredible if that's something you care about.

Having recommended the Nukeproofs, I'd also quite interested in the Tenet Omen and the aforementioned Chromag Dagga if I were pedal shopping.

I used standard DMR Vaults on one bike, and they're decent, they do need rebuilding and strip downs more often, but easy to do, but on the other bike i use Raceface Atlas pedals and they just feel more supportive and overall a little more sturdy, CRC has them for 99.99 so well under your budget ;o)

Not really tried many others over the years, had a set of shimano saints, just felt wrong and feel small, so probably useless to you, other ones i had were a set of Funn pedals, think funndementals, they felt good, but the bike got nicked.

in fact everything NP Horizon is just a good bet
in all honesty, with the advent of composite pedals, when it comes to replacing any of mine i’ll be trying plastic

Got two sets of NP horizons, one metal, one plastic, cant tell the difference when riding to be honest.

Only issue i had was one of the end caps came out during a ride, but easily replaced.
Both sets going strong and have survived multiple UK winters.

I broke Nukeproof plastic pedals too easily, the axles became bent which caused nuts to unwind themselves. I wonder if all plastic pedals are as easily ruined? I'm heavy and used to ride quite low BB bike.
Have Shimano XTs now, the L size is actually bit too wide but extra platform is certainly more stable.

We have a couple of sets of Boomslangs, they are too big for my feet but when I've used them they are the grippiest that I've used

https://www.certini.co.uk/components/pedals/specialized-boomslang-platform-mountain-bike-pedals--black__36989?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=09115-2300&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3IqSBhCoARIsAMBkTb1PzQFWsLKGPXRv9vPlIAUrbcrIq3hGjv_EU1ySvqGLrmfKOTsyJDcaAtXZEALw_wcB

HT PA03A and spend the change on beer and cake.

I have been using these rather than my vaults as I prefer them, bigger platform and no "vault-rattle".

burgtec composts.

One Up Flats, just a wee bit over your budget (although there are plastic ones at half the price), masses of grip, bearing are still silky after 2 years of all weather. would def. buy again

I love my Vaults, but just put some Burgtec Composites on the e bike and they feel brilliant. Have done around 500km so far and still feeling very smooth.

Wellgo Magnesium flats.

I’ve just bought a second pair for my second bike. The first pair are 13 years old, ridden in everything, never serviced. I’m a large, powerful rider fat bloke and haven’t destroyed them. Really grippy too.

They were £59 stickered price in my LBS.

Those Deity Deftraps look identical to the Burgtec composite pedals

If they still made Horizon Comps- the composite version- then I'd say those, but they don't make them any more. Presumably because they were better than all of the more expensive Nukeproof pedals.

The HT PA03A is very similar and at under £40 you won't regret buying a set even if you don't like them. Defftrap and Burgtec composites are both good too.

PrinceJohn
Free Member

Those Deity Deftraps look identical to the Burgtec composite pedals

Eh nah.

I've used Spank Oozy pedals in the past and happy with them. Maybe the bearing / bushing could have managed a bit more before requiring servicing.

Currently using Burgtec Composites have used for almost 1 year now and I am a big fan! Super grippy and reliable, bearings still feel fine to me. For the price they are a bargain!

Went through this recently when looking for a second set of flats for another bike. Ridden Vaults for 5+ years on and off - switch between flats and clips on the same bike - and no issues, but wanted to try something different. Procrastinated for ages, finally bought another pair of Vaults. If it ain't broke...

Had Vaults, Boomslangs, Hope F20, Canfield Crampons.
Have Horizons as spares but the Deftraps are the best I've used.

We just got some of these in: https://www.gussetcomponents.com/shop/pedals/slim-jim-nylon-pedals/

They're a really nice size and shape, and they're made by HT so no worries on the longevity.

I’m running Burgtec Mk5 Penthouse Flats which have replaced my Mk1 Penthouse Flats and a few pairs of Nanos (I have a pair of Easton Cullys knocking around on an old bike somewhere as well). I really like them although they’re not as big as somee. I’d a 10 in shoes (5Ten Freeriders) and have no bother but you might find them small coming from Vaults.

I liked the look of the Unite pedals as well but thought I’d see how Burgtec have changed over the last decade or so

Thanks folks, some good advice and a couple of new options to look at
Currently thinking either the deftraps or the plastic burgtecs
Will probably go deftraps due to the slightly larger platform. I've wanted something slightly larger than the vaults the whole time i've had them, i used to have the SS Nano's (that i utterly murdered on a rock) and preferred the size

finally bought another pair of Vaults. If it ain’t broke…

Ha yeah but my Vaults are broken... again

I keep coming back to Vaults. Best feel. Sorry!

If you need change (in every sense) the HT PA03 plastic ones are my next choice.

Nukeproof Horizon. Nothing's lasted as well

I like DMR V12s . Have them on a few bikes now . Nice wide shape grippy and reliable and not expensive either.

I have Nukeproof Horizons and DMR V11s.

Elder son nicked the bike with V11s and I had to get new pedals for the replacement bike.

V11s - no contest. Prefer the pedal and I prefer the price (£40)

Younger son has Burgtec composites on his bike as he’s 11 and they match his smaller feet.

Can't beat NP Horizons for me 👍

I love my OneUp alloy pedals. Loads of grip and support, bearings last well and are cheap to replace.
Raceface atlas also feel good, but bearings don't last and cost a bomb to replace.

Another vote for the Burgtec composite ones. Pretty light, tough and grippy. Size nine feet and the platform is big enough

I usually ride the Superstar Nanos but they do eat bushings at a shocking rate now.

Recently got Nukeproof Horizon Sam Hill pedals and they are a bit nicer in feel and less obtrusive when riding (so don't get clipped as much). I have size 9.5 feet too BTW.

Good to hear they seem to be very durable, from the comments above.

burgtec composites for me but they are not a huge platform. mine are pushing 2 years old and used all teh time and totally fine. ive not even considered opening them up. i bent a crank with them when i ****ted something with them (and my big toe!) at bpw but they are still straight!

HT-PA03 are brilliant for the money. Light, grippy, tough and durable.

@Tracey , do you know if those Boomslangs work with SRAM carbon cranks? They look pretty much like the One Ups, but with a what looks like a bit of spacer on the axle end to clear those kind of cranks. 🤞🏼

Burgtec Composites bear pretty much zero resemblance to Deftraps. Other than being flat pedals, I guess.

Personally not a fan of them. My bearings died pretty quick, and they feel quite small and tall.

Nanos are my go to pedals - bought a load when they were £30 a pair so I'm sorted for a good few years. I have a pair of their Mag pedals from about 10 years ago which have needed just one bearing change. They're missing a lot of paint but still going strong.

Got a few plastic pedals too - Nukeproof Neutron, DMR V11 (£15 in bright orange) etc, and they all seem pretty similar in use. As long as they're wide enough and have decent pins then I can't really tell the difference. For me, footwear makes the biggest difference.

Vaults with Kingpins are the best I think. My other choices would be Pembree or Penthouse.

Cheapish

Nano-X, they do go baggy but for £15 you can fully service both sides. Decent shape, weight, pins.

Burgtec composite - can take a surprising beating.

Not so cheapish

Burgtec Penthouse MK5 - Really like these, great design, super grippy, seem pretty durable.

Nukeproof Horizon - tough pedals, quite big, but amazing grip in all conditions. Had no issue with the pins.

Not for me

One-Up - thin but seemed to hit everything with them. Went 'bearing grumbly' quite early.

I have a pair of XT (Large) and they were great till my son in law managed to snap an axle when I loaned them to him!*
We used to sell loads of HT PA03's and I don't think we ever had a return or issue.

*He is a 6'8" Viking!

If they still made Horizon Comps- the composite version- then I’d say those, but they don’t make them any more. Presumably because they were better than all of the more expensive Nukeproof pedals.

They call them Neutrons these days and they are my favourites at any price , let alone £35 . Much prefer them to my previous DMR Vaults . Also if you want colour then because they are a composite material the colour doesn't chip off because the material is coloured not just painted .

They call them Neutrons these days and they are my favourites at any price , let alone £35 .

They're doing them for £23 at CRC just now.

Over the years I've had Shimano XTs, Horizons and Vaults. All very nice & grippy, but there's just something about the way Vaults feel that I keep returning to.
MrsReady has some Gusset S2, they also feel solidly well made and have a smaller platform for her dainty feet.

Thanks for the heads up. Just ordered for my Orbea Rallon - blue/mint colour way with pink/purple accessories

RamseyNeil
Free Member

They call them Neutrons these days and they are my favourites at any price , let alone £35 .

Nah, the Neutron is a totally different pedal. Still a good option, I don't like 'em personally

@Kelvin Yes they do. We have them fitted to a S Works Stumpy with SRAM carbon cranks, however you need to use the SRAM insert washer which we do on all the carbon cranks.

Worth a punt at that price.

I like Nanos.
But picked a pair of these up in Evans closing down sale with 20% off -
https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/fwe/thermoplastic-flat-pedal-932428#colcode=93242803
Even without the discount they're a proper bargain. Can't tell the different when riding between em and the Superstars
or, just spotted
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/funn-black-magic-pedals/rp-prod148383 cheaper still.

Another vote for Deity Deftraps here. Nice big platform, loads of grip and have shrugged off some hard pedal strikes without any damage.

Must say it's good to see plastic pedals at sensible prices. They were an absolute rip-off a year or so ago

Thanks @tracey, I’ve ordered a set. I have the original sram washers, one on each arm… am I likely to need more? Have you got away with just the one for each pedal, or added more? Ta.

We have got away with one. If you use sram crank boots you will need another or widen the hole in the crank boot to fit with a Stanley knife blade

Top info. Thanks again. I’ll hold off ordering more washers ‘till the pedals arrive.

I've been a OneUp alloy fan for some time the only pedal that lasts more than 3 months for me (I'm a serial pedal destroyer) but I'm going to try the new PNW Loam pedal to see how it compares as it has a similar spec for less.

Carder tenfour absolutely mind blowing pedals

Surprised no one's mentioned Unite Instinct pedals

10% off with instinct10 until sunday

I've got a set of Shimano gr-500 they've been great, also xt flats.

https://www.carboncycles.cc/?product_code=CC-PED07F they lasted me five years on the old hardtail!

@kelvin, Boomslangs work with XX1 and X01 cranks without issue.

We have a couple of sets of Boomslangs, they are too big for my feet but when I’ve used them they are the grippiest that I’ve used

I think they are great too - have used them more than any other flat pedal, but also rate my Crank Brothers Stamps.

Boomslang are fitted. Came with an extra washer for each side… fitted them… looks like it might not even be needed, but leaving them on.

Thoughts…

Platform feels like a DMR V12, bit with way more pins. Very, very grippy.

As thin as the OneUp composites they’ve replaced (but OneUp alu still thinner). Lots of ground clearance and that hard to describe feel that thin pedals give.

Had to tighten the pins that also keep the needle bearing door closed, to get rid of a slight rattle.

Have removed some other pins to tune the grip.

Going to be a keeper I think.

SO many opinions, I've tried many and I reckon the Kona Wah Wah are the bollocks, very big, thin, grip is great, composite version (why not) is a bargain - maybe even the copy: https://www.aliexpress.com/i/1005001436154620.html
SHANMASHI CVO 2019 Bigfoot Nylon Carbon Fiber Bearing Pedal Mountain Bike Road Bike Pedal

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/kona-wah-wah-ii-flat-pedals-review.html