[Closed] Flat pedals - alternatives to Saints?

Superstar Nano's

Do you want the best? DMR Vault's are by far my favourite. Been using them about over 5 years now.

JE James had some of the lightweight magnesium ones in heavily reduced. Factory seconds apparently. I've got a set and can't see any problems.

EDIT: Someone will be along to tell you how crap they are any second.

Do you want the best? DMR Vault's are by far my favourite

I would recommend Nukeproof Neutron EVO (Electron EVO) - they are a plastic composite material, very light, good surface area all for £30.

Used with 5 10s they are great.

Saints are fine, I've used the for years on bike 1. Got bike 2 last year and went with Race Face Chesters for about £40'ish and they are much lighter with a better platform. Like the saints, they take a beating.

Replacing the Saints soon and I might have a look at the Nukeproof jobs mentioned above.

The shimano saints are one of the worst flat pedals out there, I don't know how shimano got them so wrong, but they did.

Another vote for Vaults. I got mine for sensible(ish) money with some googling.

They seem to be holding up well, even on the Demo where I've had a fair few pedal strikes.

I've had Nano's in the past and they were pretty damn good too.

The shimano saints are one of the worst flat pedals out there...

😆

Noted.

😀

In order of preference

Dmr vaults. A mate has got them on his bike and they're better than my V12's with longer pins.

Dmr V12's with longer pins. With the standard length pins I wasn't that impressed and they didn't feel that grippy but the longer pins changed that.

Plastic Nukeproof Neutrons with longer pins. Got them on my hardtail, good grip and bearings seem to last well.

Had some saints, didn't get on with them. Small platform. Moved to Nanos and like them. Pretty cheap, solid, good grip, loads of spare pins and mine seem to be fairly robust needing little attention (probably 1000kms on them so far - will give them a service in the next month or so just to dismantle, inspect and grease). Saints now on my commuter, where they're OK.

a gentleman off of here, lent me a pair of Straitline defacto pedals.
they were far far better than any pedals I have ever used.
perfect infact.

I got some Exustar PB557's for xmas. They're very thin (16mm) & light (312g) & surprisingly grippy. Also a lot cheaper than one of the big brands.

Nukeproof Horizons are great. Plastic ones are great value but I found I knocked the pins off after a while and some are non replaceable.

Have moved on to the Sam Hill metal version. Brilliant.

i really like the new DMR V8's, they're wider and thinner than DMR's of old, they're quite 'vault-like', but they're £35, not £80...

Saints are pretty poor. Small and the ball bearings are a pain to change.
DMR Vaults or Burgtec Penthouse Flats. Ran Vaults for most of the year and got some Burgtecs for Christmas which feel great too.

I'm not terribly fussy about stuff usually, but I really couldn't get on with the Saints. I use Vaults. The Saints are heavy, small-feeling and comparatively not terribly grippy. I was very surprised by how much difference it made to go to Vaults.

catalyst pedals. I have had V12s and Defactos previously these are much more comfortable.

Got rid of all my Saints as I got sick of the right pedal getting rough. Replaced with SS Nano's. Great pedal.

I use Burgtec Penthouse as I find they offer the most grip, are very durable and stay stiff (don't spin) for ages.
A friend has Saints and initially didn't like them, however you can adjust the screws to give more grip and add extra ones to the side of the pedal, after which he found them much better.
Only heard good things about Vaults too.

Nanos are great value, mine have been great but they are big and very grippy which sometimes isn't ideal. I liked the saint pedals I had but they fell to bits quickly. I got them replaced under warranty but shop have me a refund.

If it's knee problems that are pushing to flats have you got to the bottom of the knee problem? Clipless can make things flare up a bit more but IME are seldom the cause.

Hope. Can't fault them. Easy to service/replace pins/bearings. Combined with 510 Stealth sole then they are very sticky year round. Exotic ones are good too at half the price but heavier. I use both and have no issue with either.

If it's knee problems that are pushing to flats have you got to the bottom of the knee problem?

It's unlikely to be the clips, but the ride last weekend has caused a really noticeable flare-up. Not sure what the underlying cause is, but I've been working with a physio on healing for a few months, with limited success. TBH anything that doesn't cause further damage but means I can still do stuff is being considered at the moment.

Superstar nanos are by far the best pedal around for the money.

Vaults are overpriced
Vaults are good
Saints are terrible at any cost
Raceface Chester are also good and lighter than most due to being plastic.. Slightly less grippy than nanos.

I have Nanos and V12s

V12s were redesigned a while ago and are closer to the Vaults now. Great pedals and good VFM still

SS Nanos are incredible VFM all considering, if you're on a budget I'd say get those

Vaults

Burgtec stuff looks good. Not tried them but some of their stuff looks like a decent Vault like platform.

On all flat pedals, one thing that's a minor niggle is those (including Vaults) that don't use a pedal spanner and only have an allen key to fit.

Vital did a good group test:

http://www.vitalmtb.com/features/Vital-MTB-Face-Off-The-Best-Flat-Pedals,1485

I use Vaults and Nukeproof Horizon Sam Hills on my two bikes and find both to be very good. The Horizons seem to have more grip which is good for me (although it can very occasionally feel like to much grip), but that is probably just a result of them having slightly longer pins. Both hold up to pedal strikes and so on well and haven't caused me any problems so far.

Nano's are great. Lasted me years and good grip.
Lately I've been using RaceFace Chester. Great pedals.
Grippy, light and good price.

I've heard so much good stuff about Vaults, but as a low BB lover living in a rocky part of the country I can't afford to try them.

So I stick with Nanos, which are very good and superb VFM. Only thing I'd change about them is maybe trim a few mm in size.

chakaping - Member
I've heard so much good stuff about Vaults, but as a low BB lover living in a rocky part of the country I can't afford to try them.

seriously, try the new V8's, they're really very similar, but less than half the price.

(and they've got half-decent sealing, and they're easily serviceable)

I've used SS, V12 (&8), Vault, Burgtec, NP Horizon, Chesters.

Grip wise, the horizon was best (as lucky says, sometimes a little too much, makes it hard to reposition your foot), chesters were very good too.

For me, Burgtec and Vault were similar grip and both excellent. I marginally prefer the burgtec as the bearings have lasted a bit better and they look nice.

Nano was great value and pretty grippy, I managed to destroy the bearings in a single (very wet) trip but they are easily serviced.

If you've got a big foot then vaults (and a few others) come into their own... On size 9s I didn't find them all that great tbh but folk do love them. I went back to my Nanos.

I put the plastic Horizons on the remedy a while back, I've been really impressed, I'm kind of expecting to break pins off them but they were £30 so they don't need to last forever. Also SAM HiLL1!!

seriously, try the new V8's, they're really very similar, but less than half the price.

Might do when I've killed all my Nanos, ta

Vaults are overpriced

They're very rarely for sale at full RRP. I haven't paid full price for any of mine.

I've heard so much good stuff about Vaults, but as a low BB lover living in a rocky part of the country I can't afford to try them.

My oldest set are from when they first came out. They went on a Stumpjumper Evo which was very low and used to pedal strike all the time. The first trip away was to Malaga where we rode the rockiest trails I've ever seen and I regularly had my cranks and pedals grinding over edges. Since then they've been to the Alps 4 or 5 times on my DH bike and they're currently on my hardtail which gets thrown all over the place. There's a bit of play in them and you can see where the edges have been smashed into stuff but they're perfectly functional.

I'm not a DMR fanboy. They've released some right tat in their time. And I'm sure plenty of people have broken Vault's. All I know if I've never had any mechanical problems with them and they're perfect for my big flat feet and duck stance foot position. I've got my third set here waiting for my next bike.

I like the feel of Vaults, hate the shoddy bearing & bushing life.

My new bike is super low though, so the larger pedal has been a bit of an issue.

I dug out a probably 7 year old set of Nukeproof Protons which have been hammered. They have never had a bearing or bush replaced. The size is a bit more suitable - with long pins in they are very grippy 🙂

Been on flat pedals for years. Running some Nukeproof Electrons at the moment. Got a set of Crankbrothers 50/50s on the road bike which I picked up dirt cheap expecting a few months from them. That was 12 months ago and still run smoothly.

Been using https://www.merlincycles.com/wellgo-c162-cnc-sealed-platform-pedals-55464.html for a few months and very happy with them over the supplied Wellgo pedals on the Wazoo that were a little slippy in the wet (plus they had this horrid feel of an arch of smooth pedal by the cranks).

Wellgo .,..Lots to choose from, we have some b52 that outlasted everything apart from Easton culllys

Superstar Nano for me, great pedals and reasonably priced

Deity Decoy here, brilliant pedal with great bearing life so far.

I saw these on a video the other day.. Anybody used them? Not cheap though but from what I read on the tinterweb there really reliable.
[img] [/img]

Back to the OP, I found saints grippy but bearings kept p#ssing about so took them off and replaced with nano's.
Which weren't as grippy, so I took the pins of the saints and put them on the nano's. Now there super grippy.
For £25 I can't complain.

There's a huge lump on those 45NRTH pedals where your foot needs to be

Depends how you look at it...Only on the left pedal?
[img] [/img]

😯

Thanks all. Will tentatively dip my toe in (no pun intended) with a set of V12s. Seem like the best price/performance combo.

Vaults cheap here

http://www.ubyk.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=96&Item=%27DMR%20Vault%20Pedals%27

I loved my vaults, great for my big wide size 10's, but they are a bit cheeselike.

Now using Burgtec penthouse, which are a huge step up in quality.

I had Shimano Saints for while and actually developed quite bad knee pain, which I in correctly associated with running when it was actually the saints with the small platforms and flat body letting my feet point outwards like a duck, swapped to nukeproof horizon pedals and the pain went and the grip is better too!

I'd always look for a flat pedal with a slight concave going forward to aid with foot position.

If you are looking at Superstar Nano's

Have a look at the imaginatively named "Alloy Flat Pedal in 10 Colors" from carboncycles.cc

Same pedal as the Nano and the Nukeproof Electron

ton - Member
a gentleman off of here, lent me a pair of Straitline defacto pedals.
they were far far better than any pedals I have ever used.
perfect infact.

I was lucky to get them back then 😆

As it happens I prefer vaults & am yet to have any bearing issues, but I clean & re-grease them every few months.

DMR V12 is the best pedal ever. Stick Ti Axles in and they are light grippy resilient durable and expensive! What more do you want.

Wellgo pedals are such good value it's criminal. Gusset slim jim - magnesium are also very durable. I have two pairs because the first never wore out!

DMR Vaults are terrible. They are too thin. If you actually ride rather than look and photograph your bike the bushings wear out in no time. I bought Vaults with ti axles for £210 aprox and had serviced them four times in six months! - Refund

The narrow profile and wide body make the vaults feel nice however a great alternative is the range from HT. I'm riding a pair of [url= http://http://www.ison-distribution.com/english/product.php?part=PDHTME5CK ]ME05[/url]'s and they have proved themselves to be very tough. they aren't as broad as the vaults but I hardly notice it. There is a raised section in the middle of the pedal for the inboard bearing which could irritate but again, Im oblivious when shredding so I love them.

My other favourites are the new/old V12 which I have on my banshee Spitfire. Ti axles all round. _ Because I'm worth it!

I ride ....
Banshee Spitfire.
Dartmoor Shine
Banshee Rampant
Identiti Krysis SL
Pashley Tricycle

... Always downhill

For the record I am a mechanic at [url= http://www.perlierides.co.uk ]Perlie[/url] Rides and have seen every pedal in the world. Honestly, I have seen a disproportionate number of Vaults with knackered bearings. Just don't.

How long have you been on the MEs? The axle/bearing design is total shite on those, the wee flat bearing on the end of the axle has effectively no sealing and lasts no time at all. I see there's a service kit available now at least- there wasn't when I got my AEs so I got 2 warranty replacements in a year then gave up.

(you can bodge it and replace the bearings with a washer stack and just let it float, but you shouldn't have to be doing bodgy workarounds on a £120 pedal... And even then, the main bushings wore super-fast)

I've been on em for a year now and I don't pull my punches on the trails either. Admittedly I only weigh ten stone and have a couple of bikes that share the load. I will also concede they are not the toughest of the pedals I listed but head and shoulders better than the Vaults (similar category)

DMR Vaults are terrible. They are too thin.

Rather odd. Done a full year on my vaults and they are still spinning freely. Not just luck as a lot of friends have them and no complaints either. Wouldn't hesitate to buy again!

I have had DNR Vaults for 4 years, no maintenance and no problems. Great pedals.

3 sets of vaults here, never replaced a bearing, years of riding, just pull them apart and regrese about once a year

If you are looking at Superstar Nano's

Have a look at the imaginatively named "Alloy Flat Pedal in 10 Colors" from carboncycles.cc
Same pedal as the Nano and the Nukeproof Electron

Another Vault fan here. The first set of bushings lasted no time at all, the second a lot longer than the first, but still not great.

Then I figured out I could fit a grease port to them - basically drilled a hole near the bearing end of the axle cavity, tapped it for an extra pedal pin and squirt in some grease periodically. Job done. Not stripped them down since (3 years now?) and I pretty much ride flats only in the winter whatever the weather. OK, it's not ideal to have to modify an expensive product like that, but the shape of the pedal is good enough to warrant the work.

Mine are looking pretty sorry for themselves now after 5+ years, so I might be tempted to try Burgtecs next. Or I might just buy some more Vaults and greaseport them from the off.

Anyone done a comparison of the Vault and the Nano?

They are definitely not the same pedal as the current Nano

They are exactly the same as the previous Nano though (current is Nano-X). And I preferred the previous one in some ways, mainly that it was slightly smaller.

Thanks all. Some great points.

On that note, anyone ridden Hope F20s?

They are exactly the same as the previous Nano though (current is Nano-X). And I preferred the previous one in some ways, mainly that it was slightly smaller.

Not surprised given Superstar's original business model of going to Alibaba and buying in pretty colours. The new Nanos are meant to be made in the UK though - is this a porky pie?

I've got some Electrons and they are grippy and easy to service. However I find the slight hump round the axle gets very uncomfortable after a few hours peddling. This isn't a problem for bike park/trail centre stuff so I have kept them on my full sus (I swap them if I'm going for a long peddley ride). However I had to take them off my CX bike.

Anyone done a comparison of the Vault and the Nano?

Vaults are far nicer to use, Nano's last longer.

Burgtec penthouse trump both.

The new burgtec's look very flat which puts me off them i.e. not much concavity. How are they in use?

Wellgo B154s' for me... they're superb. I found the Electrons ridged in the middle, i don't like that.

I've done 2500 miles on one set of Vaults and about 4000 miles on the others. The older / higher mileage pair have had the bushings and bearings and axles changed once. The other pair have been greased a couple of times.

Burgtec's sit too close to the crank, feels weird. Also two friends had them & had issues with bearing life.

I don't get Vaults - I love mine for actual use, but reliability is total turd. How is there such disparity in longevity between users on here - I can only assume QC issues?

Spec Boomslang looks good too. Lots of decent choice out there now.

DMR Vaults are terrible. They are too thin. If you actually ride rather than look and photograph your bike the bushings wear out in no time. I bought Vaults with ti axles for £210 aprox and had serviced them four times in six months! - Refund

Both pairs of mine have been ace; on them since April after my bikes were knicked. Both pairs are still running smoothly although there are a few pins missing (more on the Demo where I get lot more pedal strikes). I paid £65 a pair so not too bad.

Anyone done a comparison of the Vault and the Nano?

I had Nano's before my Vaults. The Nano's (original version) were very god for the money. The first pair lasted ages and ages. Second pair less due to pins being ripped out.

They don't feel as nice as the Vaults and I don't think they grip quite as well.

I use superstar nano's as they're cheap and work well with my 5:10's.

Only bought one set and they're still going despite the abuse and my "if it ain't broke" maintenance schedule - which is usually reactive rather than pre-emptive.

Burgtec's sit too close to the crank, feels weird

Eh? They are pedals, and as such are attached to the crank! 😆

They were expensive but I like my Specialized Boomslangs. Grippy, quite low profile and don't spin too much.

Superstars ordered. Persuaded by the Made in UK.

We'll see how they last...