[Closed] best quality flat pedal?

The Hope F20 I have seems very well made indeed, nice low profile and hasn't lost \ny pins yet. Absolutely zero play to boot. They are a bit spendy though

Burgtec?

Too big for my dainty feet but Boomslangs without a doubt. Im a Specialized pro mag girl, the pair I have are going on twelve years old, which are great for my size fours.

Burgtecs. Tracey ain't to be trusted, unless ye want spesh! 😆

Ton, I know there's a million different opinions, but of the 2 folks I know with saints (me and my mate Bal, who weighs about half what I do) have had them fail spectacularly. Not recommended.

I was about to ask the same question as you, as I having a bit of a mare with pedals at the mo. So far, all flat pedals have failed within a year that I've tried (except M520 spuds - 7 years old and still going on the commuter) - I don't mind treating them as disposable, but it's a bot of a ride killer when they do fail!
Fails - superstar nano's & nano x, Specialized boomslang, Saints, welgo jobs, and a bunch of other emergency replacement ones that I've bought, normally in the porters du soleil!

Got a set of Burgtecs on the Chameleon, also some V8s, V12s, and Beenies. The Boomslangs are in a different league. Kevin only uses the Burgtecs because Abigale bought them as a Christmas present.
Barnsley lasses can always be trusted. 😀

Best quality for pedal abusers by a country mile Straitline Defacto

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/straitline-defacto-platform-flat-pedal/rp-prod92591

I prefer the dmr vault for the platform size, I have only had them a couple of months and accept I will have to replace them annually. Whereas the straitlines were barely worn in after a couple of years riding.

Saints are ****ing awful, just the shape of the platform is all wrong just doesn't feel right underfoot.

ps and we are about the same size ton, no testing by a 6 stone weakling here.

I've got a set of black straitlines I don't need if you want to give them a try Ton.

Burgtecs are nice ,Saints are nice and shocker superstar nanos aren't half bad either.

Deity decoys are amazingly robust, 3 years old and no play, they have survived countless smashes against rocks and plenty of crashes. Best pedal I have owned, better than Easton Cullys, Saints, DMR V12, shimano DX.

Unimpressed with Saints failing pretty early into their life, Nano-X working well and I'm very impressed with my Nukeproof Electrons.

Saints have lasted donkeys for me. New bike is getting Race Face Chesters; nylon jobs, light, good platform, colour options and nylon takes a kicking.

I've got a set of black straitlines I don't need if you want to give them a try Ton.

emailed you Rob

thanks for all the ideas everyone.

Syntace Numbernine Titan

End of thread

Ive had/got 3 sets of dmr vaults,been faultless and are the nicest hollowed out shape ive found,really mould well to the soles.
been mega smooth with virtually no maintenance

I was a big fan of Spank Spikes, until they rattled themselves apart. DMR Vaults have been great since.

Oh, and stay away from Point One Podiums, if they still make them. Over-priced rubbish.

Another vote for straitline de facto. Sturdy, grippy and very easy to rebuild.

I like the burgtecs, have a pair on my HT, but I prefer race face atlas' which I have a couple of pairs on a couple of bikes.

Don't dislike specialized bennies pedals enough to change the oem ones on the 2 Spesh bikes I have, they are ok, if a bit 'less polished' than the two above

Still trying vaguely to find something better than my old Protons- mag body, ti axle, light and strong enough and grippy and thin and a good size.

Up until Sunday I would have said Vaults. My right shin no longer likes them.

Have seen several pairs of straitlines fail - despite their massive strength and weight.

Vaults every time for me.

mikey74 - Member
Oh, and stay away from Point One Podiums, if they still make them. Over-priced rubbish.

To balance that I quite like mine, though I don't ride much and certainly not in the wet much. And I've already purchased the rebuild kit for when the tiny bearings implode.

I liked them, they just didn't last long which is poor, considering the price.

Vaults have a great platform but need a fair bit of looking after to keep them spinning nicely. That said I think it might be weight dependent as both my pairs got very sticky very soon after putting them on, as did a mate's who is a similar weight (we're both around 100kg) whereas a flyweight 75kg friend has no issues at all.

Like gotma says, vaults have not worked for me not that grippy not reliable,. 96 kgs rider here, nanos did not like saints dies rapidly straight lines not a fan however wellgo variants have been ace grippy and reliable, however my Easton cully's are still the best

Edit wellgo one are not the end copies but something like b52 big platform and grub screw pins .....

Don't even go near the Spank Spikes....

I've got welgo copies of DMR vaults. I cut a small hole in the end of the dust cover and pump in freah grease every six months or so. Thus far they've lasted a couple of years and looking at strava over 4000 miles. Could do with a bigger and thinner platform but they do appear bomb proof. Oh and I've never had to rebuild them.

I like the Shimano DX (mx30) ones - once you fit longer pins that is - only issue is the pins are only 2.5mm grub screws so after taking a few rock strikes the pins tend to get ripped out taking some of the pedal meat with it, makes fitting new ones a pain in the barse... also because the pins are so thin & long (well, the ones i fitted are...) they will tear anything that gets in their way to absolute ribbons.

Actually, scrap that - I don't like them that much & you should buy something else 😆

+1 for the Spank Spikes. The bearing in mine seized solid within a year.
Now using Hope F20's but not for long enough to offer any real experience, other than the fact that they are lovely so far.

I used Superstar nano's for 4 years without any issue. For the money, I reckon they are a contender for best value.

Aside from people's preference for grip level, size etc then the Best quality award has to go to hope F20 by a long shot.
The worst award goes to Syntace Numbernine Titan. Yes they are stupidly expensive big, grippy and amazingly light but the longevity is appalling. I gave up after the second rebuild and I think they are now in a mates car door pocket.

Another vote for Hope F20s for durability. Mine have been hard used and smacked very hard off rocks, ridden in horrible conditions, never serviced and after 2 years are smooth, free from play and have lost no pins.

Superstars... literally never broke a pair and I've got the ones with ti axles and they've been fine for 2 years... so cheap you can buy 2 sets for the price of the hope f20s ect...

For all-out quality I'd also say Hope. Nanos work fine, but the feel is not even close to Hope f20s. I also looked at Vaults and Burgtec mk4s, but ended up with Hopes.

Looked into this recently and am about to put new bearings in my decade old easton flatboys (that are still sold now). They've been great pedals for me.

Related topic coming from comment about angry shins. I have a prototype for an extremely lightweight shin guard roughly the size of an old fashioned tongue depressor. Does nothing but keep your flats from eating your shins. I've been contemplating manufacturing and taking to market, but have just been too busy to bother. If I can get these things below $5 retail, what's the level of interest in something that will keep the pins at bay if it's 20 to 30 grams per shin and almost unnoticeable when riding? I know: lots of details to determine if it's something you'd want, but general concept sound like I should make the time?

Superstar Delta Mags for me...

Another vote for Straitline Defacto. Pricey but 42% off at CRC at the moment. I've had a few pedals over the years and these are my favourite by a long shot.

Ming the Merciless got it right. Money no object there is only Syntace Titan 9 pedals. I have owned quite a few flat pedals and had my syntaces for nearly 2 years _ they are head and shoulders better then anything else I have tried.

Nukeproof electrons cheap light amazing grip. Also had superstar nanos which I cannot fault for value and grip.

+1 for Nukeproof Electrons...like them because they're thin and light...but still strong and grippy.

Hope F20's for me I run these on my Sb5c and they works really well. They have had a fair few dings but show not signs of damage and no ill effects so a definite vote from me.

Having said that my wife has saints on her Cube and no complaints there either.

I've got two pairs of DMR vaults going, but they do need regular maintenance to ride year round in the lakes. The platform is great but any dirt or grit that gets in the top end will wear the poly bush and eventually make them baggy.

Just replaced the axles on one pair as I'd left it way too long and the axle face had corroded and worn, leaving play even with new bushes.

I'm liking the Nukeproof Horizons. Switch between them and Mallets for clipped. Used the Electrons in the past and the new ones seem alot better. Bigger platform and more grip, foot seems to sit better on them too.

Tried a few, never wanted to fork out for hopes, eventually did, save yourself some hassle, go root one and get some f20s.
I should add, syntace have been making quality gear for a time. Best tri bars ever, maybe not write them off if they suit.

Oh no, now I've seen those Syntace pedals I'm going to have to get a set..

I've not bought many flat pedals over the years, but the Wellgo B54s I bought for several bikes in 2008 have really held up well over time.

A shin protector to reduce bramble damage is something I'd go for....

Re-Vaults and rider weight, i'm about 74kg (11 stone 10 in old money) and i've had no problems with them even after winter use and covering about 1000 miles. I think I'll keep and service them as and when as they hold a bit of sentimental value to me now (gift from my Nan who's no longer with us) but if I didn't have them I think i'd buy something else.
Re - Shin protector, depending on how they look I think it could be a good idea. I'm sure they would look better than this (link to a pic after they dug in, I didn't want to include it in the post in case people don't want to see that kind of thing) :medium

Ooof nice.

The shin protector interests me.

Had a pair of Burgtec Mk3 for years and really really like them. Unfortunately I've snapped the axle twice and can't source a replacement (Burgtec's website has been showing 'Out of Stock' for ages.

Have also got a pair Point One podium pedals as they are quite low profile so useful with shorter cranks on a bike with low BB. Got the rebuild kit/spare but they seem to be lasting ok. Sourcing spares in the future might be an issue as they are now made by Gamut and I don't think the bearings etc are backwards compatible

Hope F20s are the preferred choice at the moment with the longer hollow pins at the front & rear to improve grip. Well built and easy reliable source of spares.

What about back of the calf protection? This was done by some Nukeproof electrons, went and bought some five Ten's after this.

Just bought some Gamut Podiums, so far they feel great, build quality is excellent and weigh 280g on my accurate scales.
Will feed back once I've done some more riding on them.

lapdog - Member
Ming the Merciless got it right. Money no object there is only Syntace Titan 9 pedals.

Yeah. After a year mine spin a bit too freely, but the bodies are the toughest pedals I've had (and the lightest).

Nanos lasted me okay but got quite dented, and I've known loads of people swear by Vaults too.

I've had good reliability from Superstar but the bushes do develop a bit of play. Regreasing pretty much removes the play though.
Will be Hope next time though.

The first pair of Nano's that I bought were indestructible. They were four years old when my DH bike was nicked. They'd been used on a trail bike and ridden in sone filthy conditions. All four bikes they were on had low BB's so plenty of pedal strikes and nowt. The second pair didn't last so well; three pins were ripped out on one side in a crash.

Tried Spank Spikes but they were shite. They seized at the slightest hint of a wet rude. The in board bearing bulge was annoying too.

Currently in Vaults which feel great and grip well. Not had them long enough to comment on their longevity. Both sea have shrugged off a fair few pedal strikes.

+1 for vaults

Those podiums look ideal from a cost/weight point of view. Hovering over the buy button...

+1 vaults

At 78kg both pairs have been fine for over a year, but I am tempted by the the podiums.

Fifty fifty look quite good but hard to get hold of

I was ready to buy a set of podiums til I walked into my lbs and there was a set being brought back a week after being sold for warranty. Left one had 1/2 inch of lateral movement, despite axle nut being tight, right one bearings were as rough as a badgers.
I bought burgtecs instead, thankfully.

@nobeer

Were they the new ones, by Gamut, or the old Point One versions? I had the latter, and they weren't great in terms of durability, but I've just seen the Gamut ones are redesigned.

I've just got at least four years out of a pair of twenty6 prerunners. Very light and have taken lots of abuse. Emailed them though and can't get any rebuild kits so they are destined for the bin now.

Mikey, the new gamut ones, was 2 weeks back.

Another vote for Shimano Saints from me. I'd buy another pair tomorrow 🙂

Tried Spank Spikes but they were shite. They seized at the slightest hint of a wet rude. The in board bearing bulge was annoying too.

My Spikes were great after one year of wet weather abuse. They don't spin freely - they aren't meant to. The stiffer rotation is for dirt jumpers and downhillers.

In the past I've had DMR V8's, V12's & Vaults. I now use Pedaling Inovations 'Catalyst' (James Wilson / bikejames.com) which I'm getting used to now: massive platform with different foot position. Could do with more grip (might try longer pins this summer) & had to lower my seatpost to compensate for the more forward foot position. Definitely feel more solid downhill & more power uphill but here's a review:
[url= http://www.pinkbike.com/news/pedaling-innovations-catalyst-pedal-review-2016.html ]Pinkbike review of Catalyst pedal[/url]

I don't get the love for saints. I have a set on one of my bikes. They are OK but compared to the better options out there they are too heavy, the platform is on the small size, the Q factor is a bit much and I found the bearings have a tendency to creak. Once again the Syntace pedals are on another level in comparison.

Boomslangs here - they've lasted longer than the Vaults I had previously, 18 months in and well bashed up cosmetically but functionally perfect with just a decrease.

Worst I've used was a set of HT AE01 that developed play in a couple of rides then bent an axle inside a month. I'm only 75kg so not even a buffer. They went back sharpish......

Crank brothers 50/50 on two of my bikes , saints on another both spot on.

Seems a right minefield this. Fancied the syntace Titans but apparently they fall apart, the Gamut Podiums fall apart, magnesium pedals are too soft, HT AE01s etc bearing design is crap, straitlines fall apart, race face atlas's come off the axles...it seems impossible to get thin and light pedals no matter what the cost. I need to replace my Ti Springs (HT AE01s) as the any t of play in the bushings is ridiculous. Surely there must be something out there sub 300g that doesn't fall to bits...

I've some blue Burgtec mk4s (ti axle) that need a good home if they're any use

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Race Face Chester? Got some, work as well as my Saints with much less weight.

Thanks for the offer but blue pedals aren't going to work on my red and black bike! Would love some burgtec a if they were lighter though.

What's blue?

The blue burgtecs that the poster above you offered?! 😆

Ah, skimmed, sorry.

Must pay attention!

My Spikes were great after one year of wet weather abuse. They don't spin freely - they aren't meant to. The stiffer rotation is for dirt jumpers and downhillers.

I know they're not supposed to spin freely, but they'd sieze solid after a wet ride.

Gamut podiums look amazing!