First Look: VP Components Prototype Pedals - Sea Otter 2013
VP Components had an updated prototype of their new Vision pedal at Sea Otter, a pedal that is slated to launch at Eurobike in late August. The pedal is 12mm thin, and maintains the same height along the whole width of the pedal. The latest version of the Vision sees the leading edge of the pedal shaved down slightly - VP received feedback from riders that they preferred a less square profile. Because the pedal rotates on igus bushings, there is no need to have the bearing bulge near the crank arm that many other ultra-thin pedals using cartridge bearings possess. The pedal's rotation resistance can be adjusted by tightening or loosening a nut at the end of the spindle, allowing riders to choose how easy it is for the pedals to spin.
![VP Components Vision prototype]()
The Vision is still a work in progress - the silver body is the updated shape of the new pedal from VP Components.
Special attention was paid to the pin design, with 5mm of each 10mm pin threaded into the aluminum pedal body to decrease the likelihood of breakage and to prevent the threads in the pedal body from ovalizing. The portion of the pin that is exposed above the pedal is not threaded for a reason - VP realized that if a fully threaded pedal pin doesn't break completely flush with the pedal body it can damage the internal threads when it is unscrewed for replacement. By not threading the upper portion of the pin, removal is easier, even if only part of the pin breaks off. Final pricing is yet to be determined, but the company stressed that they want this to be an affordable pedal.
Vice Junior pedal
![VP Components Vice JR pedal]()
VP also had a prototype of their Vice Junior pedal that features an extruded aluminum body in a size perfect for the little shredders out there. In the world of BMX racing, riders in the novice class are no longer allowed to use clipless pedals, which meant that there was a demand for a higher end, appropriately sized flat pedal. The same thinking can be applied to the mountain bike world - a full size pedal looks out of place on a 16" or 20" wheeled mountain bike, and many of the options for kids pedals are cheaply constructed from plastic and use loose ball bearings. The Vice Junior also has replaceable traction pins, another nice feature considering the low bottom bracket heights of kids' bikes. The pedal should be available by Eurobike, and although the price hasn't been set yet it's expected to be somewhere between $60 and $80 USD.
www.vpcomponents.com
Special attention was paid to the pin design, with 5mm of each 10mm pin threaded into the aluminum pedal body to decrease the likelihood of breakage and to prevent the threads in the pedal body from ovalizing. The portion of the pin that is exposed above the pedal is not threaded for a reason - VP realized that if a fully threaded pedal pin doesn't break completely flush with the pedal body it can damage the internal threads when it is unscrewed for replacement. By not threading the upper portion of the pin, removal is easier, even if only part of the pin breaks off. Final pricing is yet to be determined, but the company stressed that they want this to be an affordable pedal.
Vice Junior pedal
VP also had a prototype of their Vice Junior pedal that features an extruded aluminum body in a size perfect for the little shredders out there. In the world of BMX racing, riders in the novice class are no longer allowed to use clipless pedals, which meant that there was a demand for a higher end, appropriately sized flat pedal. The same thinking can be applied to the mountain bike world - a full size pedal looks out of place on a 16" or 20" wheeled mountain bike, and many of the options for kids pedals are cheaply constructed from plastic and use loose ball bearings. The Vice Junior also has replaceable traction pins, another nice feature considering the low bottom bracket heights of kids' bikes. The pedal should be available by Eurobike, and although the price hasn't been set yet it's expected to be somewhere between $60 and $80 USD.
www.vpcomponents.com
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(MEO3T is $285 though.. dang!)
www.ht-components.com/ht_portal/product/list?cname=pedal&cname2=dh%2Ffr%2F4x&productCname=EVO
Still ... I bent and dented a one of my VP-001's by just a moderate rock strike ... Hope these will handle more than that.
assay aside ive ridden some very expensive pedals over the years and none seem to offer any realy advantage over generic alternatives. buy some better shoes and a beer with the diffrence and youll be just as happy
www.vpcomponents.com/newen/categories_p.php