Showing posts with label pedal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pedal. Show all posts

Friday, 2 August 2013

Wellgo CNC Platform B47 Flat Pedals

593g weight competes with much more expensive pedals. Such a low weight at £29.99 is exceptional value, particularly when each pedal contains eight replaceable pins for added durability. I've reviewed a lot of pedals on here, covering a huge price range. I still maintain that if you don't like the feel or looks of DMR v8's, these are THE budget pedal to have. I bought them as a cheap replacement for my DH bike pedals, and found them so good I didn't change them. A year later, the black anodised finish has worn from the edges, but they're still spinning on freely on their 'high quality' bearing axels. For a dh pedal, the pins were pretty short. Due to all of them being replaceable, however, buying some longer ones and fitting them is cheap and easy. The platform, which I find to be the most important part of any pedal, is fantastic. The slight curve on such a wide surface area gives a comfortable and stable area for the foot. Slipping off the pedal, even with standard pins, is extremely rare. For those of you not used to big platforms, settling your feet on the pedal may feel weird initially. After a couple of rides though, it was easy to find that comfortable position and I was able to take advantage of the stable platform that Wellgo provides for a mere £30. The styling is very safe, but at least it's not going to fade or chip and look rubbish. Black suits me fine, and I can't think of many bikes I've seen where there hasn't been a black part. It's a universally appealing pedal at a universally appealing price.

Monday, 29 July 2013

Truvativ Holzfeller Pedal

Wow, what a piece of kit! I was unable to fathom how someone could spend £80 on a set of pedals before I tried this, now I wonder why you wouldn't. Currently, they're reduced almost everywhere, making them a complete bargain! I had these on a second hand bike I bought, and have kept them ever since. They were initially used for hard downhill and freeride, but also used on a regular basis. This is enough to wear any pedal down, but not these. They still spin freely, despite running on standard (non-Ti) axels. The downside is you can't buy parts to fix the bearings, when they're broken that's it, although I think you'd run the bike they're on into the ground before these pedals show any weakness. There are a few snapped pins here and there, but they snapped off near the pedal body, so are easy to replace. I hadn't noticed until I inspected them before writing this - they really do grip that well. When I was rebuilding the downhill bike, I stuck them on my dirt jumper. They were an instant hit, that huge platform giving me massive amounts of support and confidence. They're an average weight, at 590g the pair. I had the raw pedals, not white, and found the finish was incredible. Rock gardens that have wrecked my saint cranks don't seem to have affected them, and throwing a jump bike across the tarmac hasn't left a mark.  They seem pretty faultless - although stiff competition from Superstar and DMR (with their vaults) means that a pedal of this price has to be exceptional to compete. The Truvativ's were good, but did lack the bling finish and range of colours on the vaults, or the replaceable titanium axels from Superstar.   Yes, it's only my experience, but they definitely prove that you get what you pay for.

DMR V8 Pedal

With an rrp of £27.99 the v8's represent amazing value for money. The range of colours is phenomenal: if you can't find a set to suit you - you have the wrong bike! It's an entry level pedal that's cheaper than rivals Nukeproof and NS, but doesn't feel that way. In my experience, it's more durable than the plastic Nukeproof offering - and I can't judge the more expensive NS because I haven't tried them. After months of crashing through rock gardens on a downhill bike and being scuffed across tarmac on a dirt jump bike, they weathered really well. The paint finish scuffed round the edges, but held up far better than offerings from any other manufacturers. One also has to acknowledge that these are DMR's cheapest, entry level, pedals. You have numerous models in between the v8's and the (mind blowing) vaults. Even on a budget, DMR offers a pedal to suit you. The v8's are very grippy. I liked the smaller surface area with the long pins. The pedals almost felt like being clipped in, and my never foot slipped or was uncomfortable on the pedal. Rumours of the v8's hurting the riders feet on impact proved, in my experience, to be completely nonsensical. Apart from the range of colours, value and grip, these felt like any other pedal in the variety of situations that I used them in. I'd happily buy another set, as at £28 you can buy a set every couple of months and keep your bike looking fresh - instead of gradually wearing one expensive set down. The bearings held up well (despite them being used in very sandy areas), and being able to apply extra grease is a real bonus for this price. If you don't like the standard pedals, DMR do a 'pimp my pedal' kit with pins and end caps in a variety of anodised colours (aimed at the more expensive v12's, but it's only the axle on the v8's that differentiates the two models). The v8's weigh I at 528g, but the v12's have magnesium and ti axle options that improve durability and reduce weight. Bottom line: give them a go! They're always on offer somewhere, and you won't find a better finish for the price.