HT Components X1 PedalIf you're going to design a clipless pedal for downhill racing, you might as well involve one of the fastest racers on the World Cup circuit, and that's just what HT Components did when they brought Aaron Gwin aboard to help with the development of the X1. Gwin even won the first round of the World Cup season aboard a prototype version of the pedal, which is now in full production. The X1 uses a CNC-machined aluminum body, complete with five replaceable pins on each side, to provide a solid platform around the clip-in mechanism. The cleat is HT's own design, and there are two versions available that offer different release angles. The X2 cleats included with the pedal release at 8-10 degrees and have a claimed 4.5 degrees of float. Three cartridge bearings and one DU bushing are in place to allow the pedal body to rotate around a chromoly spindle. Dimensions: 83.5 x 92.5 x 16.7mm. The X1 is $169 USD with ten different color options.and weighs in at 475 grams per pair (
actual). If weight is more of a concern than price, a ti-spindled version is available for $269 that checks in at a claimed 416 grams.
www.ht-components.comThe X1 feels extremely secure thanks to the wide aluminum platform and plenty of available spring tension.
On the TrailThe X1s have a massive amount of available spring tension, which is adjusted via a hex screw on each side of the pedal. With Shimano's clipless pedals I typically have the tension nearly maxed out, but it was possible to achieve a similar feel on the X1 with them set to the halfway mark on the tension indicator. While getting everything installed, I did end up removing the two rear traction pins on each side of the pedal because they were digging into the soles of the Giro Terraduro shoes I was using, which made it more difficult to get them to release. This would be less likely to occur with skate style shoes that have a more uniform, flatter sole, but it's worth checking for any interference before heading out on a ride.
Clipping into the pedals requires the same toe-first method that anyone who's used SPD-style pedals before will be familiar with, although the front portion of the mechanism can be a little trickier to find. After a few rides it became more intuitive, but the ease of entry isn't quite on par with Shimano's offerings. Once you're in, the pedals feel incredibly solid underfoot thanks to the aluminum platform and the strong spring retention. In fact, the X1s felt more secure underfoot than any clipless pedal I've used in recent memory, and there were no inadvertent releases, even when plowing through sections of extremely rough trail. The amount of float is minimal, and it felt like there was well less than the 4.5 degrees that HT claim the pedal has - I would have guessed there was a degree or two at most. This is also likely one of the reasons the pedals felt so secure, but it does take some getting used to when switching from pedals that allow for a wider range of low-friction movement.
When it comes time to exit the pedals, if you unclip with confidence, the release is smooth and predictable, but the cleats have a tendency to hang up slightly when unclipping slowly, the type of scenario that occurs if you partially twist your foot when entering a tricky technical section, and then go to unclip fully when it becomes necessary to dab. In this type of situation, the front of the cleat would occasionally get caught under the toe bail and require an additional wiggle to get it free. I was always able to get out successfully, but there's still room for improvement when it comes to the X1's cleat design. As far as performance in muddy conditions goes, the super sloppy dark days of winter haven't arrived yet here in the Pacific Northwest, but on the handful of wet rides I took the pedals on they shed mud and grime well, and never clogged up enough to prevent clipping in. Even after those muddy rides, and many other dry dusty ones throughout the summer, the X1s are still spinning smoothly, with only a few scratches on the aluminum body to show for all the miles of rugged terrain they've been dragged through.
Pinkbike's Take: | There's certainly a spot in the clipless pedal market for HT's latest entry. The more options the better, especially if the additional competition encourages other pedal manufacturers to step up their game and create a wider range of clipless pedals with a usable platform around the retention mechanism. The X1's aren't perfect, but a little more float and a slightly smoother release is all they need to bump their performance up to the next level. For riders who are constantly blowing out of pedals that don't have enough spring tension on tap, and who place a higher priority on staying clipped in rather than ease of entry and exit, the X1 could be just the ticket. - Mike Kazimer |
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Different note: maybe it's just the skier in me, but I like the idea of my clipless pedal having an easily adjustable spring tension that I can simply tweak without having to swap out springs. Never liked my old Mallets in that regard, so I would be keen to try these for sure.
How Time does it? Quite simple bro. They design and manufacture everything in France -except the bearings I suppose. The guys behind Time are the guys who designed the first Look clip-less in the 80s. My dad still have a set -works like day one after more than 100.000km. I opened the pedals 2 or 3 years ago to grease them but it was useless -the grease was clean and in good conditions after 25 years. Oh and just saying -no play in the mechanism at all and clip in and out like day one.
As a teenager growing up in France I tried to not use Time pedals. Since it was too mainstream there in the 90s. Everything changed when moved from SPDs to Crank. Since then I knew SPDs were not my cup of tea and the lack of reliability of CB is no urban legend. Ever since I'm glad to support Time and their products. No marketing BS, just some good reliable products. Nothing can handle goat or primitive trail like a Time pedal. And their cleats last way way longer than Crank or Shimano.
www.chainreactioncycles.com/ca/en/funn-mamba-two-side-clip-mtb-pedals/rp-prod122714
I love shimano's for the ease of entry and release, but I don't like the feel of them. I'm trying some mallets, and love the feel of the pedal body under my foot, but don't like how they release. The movement to get out of the mallets seems more unnatural to me...
So I've been wondering about these Funn Mamba pedals. Seems like the answer, but I can't find any real reviews of them...
They are a flat sole and felt very secure when unclipped. I tried to ensure that my foot was forward on the pedal when unclipped so that the pedal's cleat mechanism sits fully behind the shoe's cleat so its a 2-position thing - toesy for pedalling / instep over spindle when a descent has just got lairy and I've unclipped for a dab. I'll look at Shimano's announced AM49 shoe when they come out as their long cleat channel sole recess looks designed to aid that '2-position' placement. Any comment?
I think I'm going to try some Mallet DH pedals, but if you'd recommend them, might convince myself to get some Mambas.
I am used to riding with Shimano SPD pedals for most disciplines from commuting, Trail, Enduro. I sometimes used the DX pedals for DH but they are very heavy, don't have a very large platform and have no pins. I sometimes used flats for DH but I didn't land jumps so well with those. I use flats for trials-type skills work, dual slalom (here the racing is on low-grip virgin grass hillsides) and might use for DH in some very loose conditions.
A buddy that tried mallets for DH after SPD found the difference in technique and performance too great - especially for Enduro type riding - and couldn't get used to swapping between the two. He went back to using SPD's for all riding.
For wild DH, or just really extremely rough back-country descents, the big pinned platform of the Mambas make it safer, after a dab, when you just can only jab your foot back on in the general direction of the pedal - too rough/wild for subtlety or precision. That is a crucial danger situation, of course, so they've been very welcome. Just remember what I mentioned before that I found the Mamba pins work best with a relatively flat/wide soled shoe. The AM7 shoes are very light, have a brilliant long cleat recess and look good, but just don't contact the Mamba's pins well. I can't understand why Mambas aren't more popular for DH racers but don't see Funn sponsoring any racers or doing any significant marketing push. CrankBrothers give away masses of Mallets to racers and, give them credit, their adoption rate is high because they got to the wide-platform clipped market years before others. - even if their action will never be as crisp as SPD.
I hope this helps.
Like I said, I'm going to try and get into contact with them. Because they haven't got any racers on the Mamba's, it might just be time to start handing a couple pairs out to promote them.
While I've heard some bad stories about the Mallets, apparently the latest version has been updated and are also easier to service, which I'm fine with doing.
But if I am put in the position of not liking the Mallet's, I think I'll try and get a hold of some Mambas.
Thanks for all of your information, its been great! I'll recommend Mambas to mates if any need suggestions on what to get.
Now less reinventing the wheel and get inventing a clipped dh pedal that is not an xc pedal with a cage.
Oh and hill has proven thato take away the enduro from dh and flats still rule.
www.funnmtb.com/product_detail.php?fid=11&p_no=54
They are a flat sole and felt very secure when unclipped. I tried to ensure that my foot was forward on the pedal when unclipped so that the pedal's cleat mechanism sits fully behind the shoe's cleat so its a 2-position thing - toesy for pedalling / instep over spindle when a descent has just got lairy and I've unclipped for a dab. I'll look at Shimano's announced AM49 shoe when they come out as their long cleat channel sole recess looks designed to aid that '2-position' placement. Any comment?
lame...
I was simply stating my opinion, Y'all were wasting your time to read my comment