My Saints are pretty battered and have stripped a couple of cleat mounting bolts (might try a magic metal repair) so looking at replacements. The Nukeproof and Hopes are well reviewed but the NPs are on sale for £70 at the mo which is hard to look past, very much doubt the Hopes are twice as good. Any experiences of either thankyouplease!
Other than the stripped bolts have been more than happy with the Saints, go on forever bearing wise like all Shimano SPDs. Would like something with a bit more release tension though for when I'm throwing all the rad shapes on the trail and that (getting the rear wheel 6 inches out of line with crap technique)
I've got both CS and CL Horizons. I'd love some Unions, but the Horizons just keep going and when they don't they are easy and cheap to service.
Cheap cleats as well.
For me, the best way to avoid unclipping was switching to Mallet's. They actually have a lower release tension than SPD's but you can't accidentally pull out upwards like sometimes happens with SPD's. The only downside is the rubbish bushings but I just pack them with grease frequently and live with a little play.
I have a set of horizon cs and found the cleat part great, but the frame is angled in a weird way that made it not contact the soles of my (admittedly old xc) shoes. So now they sit in a box as I may as well just use a cheap pair of spds with no pedal frame.
Tried mallets, don't get on with them at all.
I use Giro Chamber shoes so getting a good fit with the pedal cage shouldn't be a problem
@teethgrinder - any issues with accidental unclipping if you bash a pedal? A few reviews mention this
@teethgrinder – any issues with accidental unclipping if you bash a pedal? A few reviews mention this
that was my experience with mallets. They were also hard to unclip unplanned unless I see the pins virtually flush with the pedal body.
I had some saints but they didn’t last very long. Very unlike shimano so stuck with xt trail
A mate uses the Nukeproofs and said while they work with Shimano cleats they are noticably better with Nukeproofs own version. Personally I prefer Mallet DH but as already mentioned they need a regular maintenance to keep them sweet, and Crank Brothers cleats wear out far quicker than other brands
I run Horizon on both my bikes. Very happy with them. Rebuilt one set easily.
I like the combo of pins and cleat.
I've had one or two pedal strikes where a foot has come out. This is likely due to both cages being sprung, not just the back one.
Cheers, makes sense. Would think the Hopes may be the same but then maybe not, haven't seen that mentioned
What is it that makes you want the Hopes over the NPs, just bling factor?
I have had two sets of NP Horizons and been really happy with them. If I got another bike would probably go down that route and had the same experience as mentioned above that their own cleats can work better as offer better release angle too.
I can get the appeal of the Hope, beautifully made, great support but was worried that they have dropped the odd product (Cassette for example) and then you're a bit stuck.
Depending on how long before I look at another bike might consider it then but the price difference is hard to justify for me.
James
Saint bearings have been a pain for me (and others). Drive side gets play then nearly impossible to get bearing preload correct.
Look. https://www.lookcycle.com/fr-fr/produits/pedales/vtt/trail-enduro/x-track-en-rage-plus
Xt trail style but with bigger side plates and run on cartridge bearings.
No complaints with the Horizons for me. Got them on both of my bikes. I got sick of trying to keep my mallets running, they need regular strip downs and even more regular cleat replacements - shame as they are the best out there for riding tech dh as your foot can bounce back in if you’re not quite perfect on foot placement after a dab. The horizons are very similar to shimano in action and seem far more solid than the mallets. I got used to them quickly and once happy I bought a second set for the other bike.I’d recommend, especially as they are on offer currently so even better vfm.
Even with new bushings, my Mallet's still have some play so I just leave them like that as they still spin nicely. I can't say I've had issues with cleat durability, mine seem to have lasted ages and still work perfectly well even though they look quite worn.
Im on the HOPE's and really happy with them.
Both the nukeproof and crankbrothers needed too much maintenance for me. Dont buy the Ti axle nukeproofs as they wear very quick but CRC did warranty that.
Nukeproof are good for the money but didnt feel as nice as the union. Rode with mallets for a few years but struggled to get clipped from time to time as the mechanism with move, also the cleats would wear quickly causing some unexpected release from the pedal.
I found my Horizon CLs not to interface with shoes as easily/nicely as shimano on shimano, albeit I think this is more because they're more of a big platform flat pedal with a clipless system in, rather than a clipless pedal with a bit of support added, if that makes sense.
And I wore out the cleat bindings, which I haven't done with Shimano except after many years' use. However Nukeproof's service kit is cheap and easy enough to fit.
If you want posh, get the Unions and superstar Ti Hope axles. I'm 95% certain they fit 🤔
I've got a set of Horizon CSs. Pretty happy with them, very easy to clip in.
A mate uses the Nukeproofs and said while they work with Shimano cleats they are noticably better with Nukeproofs own version.
If there is a difference between Shimano cleats and the standard Nukeproof ones supplied then I can't see it.
NP cleats are bevelled at the front and rear so they can be made front, rear or stamp. Shimano rear bevel only so the front of the cleat must be inserted first.
I view titanium pedal axles with the same suspicion as carbon cranks. They'll be going on a battered old external battery ebike anyway and given the hammering pedals get it's function and reliability as priority for me, lovely as the Hopes look. That said the NPs are decent looking too
Horizons.
Been running them for years now and they are a brilliant pedal.
My oldest pair just crapped itself in the alps as the screws holding the cleat in place worked loose having never been looked at in several years of smashing them off everything - £15 for a rebuild kit from crc. Great when things are serviceable like that.
I could sell you a pair of bronze look enduro pedals that I had to buy in an emergency… the one year i don’t take a spare pair of pedals 🤣
Have you considered time pedals. My speciale 12s have been fantastic for years with no maintenance at all.
I've got on really well with the Horizons so far. Strongly recommend a bit of GT86 on the mechanism when new. Made a big difference to mine.
