Shimano XT Trail Pedal - Review
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The XT Trail pedal is one step down from Shimano's top tier XTR Trail model, but both share the same SPD mechanism that's mounted in a fixed position on the pedal body. The XT's bodies are slightly thicker, though, and they spin on solid axles as opposed to the hollow units on the pricier XTR Trails. The XT Trail model differs from the standard XT model in that it features a larger platform that, while not exactly comfortable to stand on, is there to offer more support for those split seconds when you can't quite clip in, and it sports chamfered edges to lower the chances of an abrupt stop should you suffer from a major pedal strike. The bearing system can be adjusted and maintained in the same manner as the standard XT and XTR pedals - a few wrenches and some fresh grease can get the job done - and tension of the SPD mechanism is adjusted via a 3mm hex wrench. The entire package weighs in at 408 grams for the set, and they retail for $119.99 USD. www.shimano.com / @shimano
Although slightly taller than the XTR Trail body, Shimano has pared a lot of the XTs where it isn't required.
Chamfered edges help lower the chance of a pedal strike and to let the pedal glance off of immovable objects.
The SPD mechanism is tried and true.
Tension is adjusted at the back of each pedal with a 3mm hex.
Pinkbike’s Take:
 | Although their competition might disagree, or at the very least wish it wasn't so, I'd wager that the very large majority of riders who clip in are using some sort of Shimano pedal. They're simply the go-to option for most riders, and there's good reason for that: great reliability, a positive entry and exit feel that doesn't leave you guessing, and a wide range of pedal options to suit most riders' needs. And speaking of most riders, the $119.99 USD XT Trail pedal makes a lot of sense for most of us given that it's just twenty nine grams heavier than the $179.99 USD XTR version. Having spent multiple seasons on both the XT Trail and XTR Trail pedals, I can confirm that the functionality of both is virtually the same, and I'd challenge anyone to tell the difference between the two models when they're both underfoot, regardless of any differences in design. That means that the XT Trail pedal has the same unmistakable, loud 'click' that you can easily feel through the soles of your shoes when you're locked into them, and the release action offers the same positive stop before unlatching. There's no guessing here, but I do admit to being one of the few riders who would like to see a touch higher release tension at the maximum end of the scale - I've accidentally unclipped a few times when using a lot of body english. This happened more frequently as the cleats wore, but I do recall it occurring a few times when they were still new. I did have the same issue with the XTR model, though. Also, heavy, thick mud has the same effect in that they can sometimes need a few solid stamps of the feet and on the pedals to clear sticky muck out of the way before they engage. Reliability has been good, with plenty of rock strikes over the test period leaving behind some decent scars on the wider than average bodies but nothing terminal. Bearing life has also been up to par, with them just now needing a rebuild after nine months of use and countless indiscriminate post-ride pressure washings. That task is pretty easy for anyone with some common sense to perform, and it should only take fifteen minutes or so before they're back to spinning smoothly and without any play. My only noteworthy complaint is how the large silver nut on each pedal, the one that holds the entire axle assembly in the body, has a tendency to back off. It takes a rather large wrench to tighten it back up, and I suspect that it backing completely out during a ride would be a very bad thing as the pedal body would come off the axle. The platform itself does offer more support when you can't quite clip in and just need something to put your foot on, but I suspect that most riders will also find the larger Trail version of the pedal easier to clip into than the standard, non-Trail model. How so? The Trail's platforms seems to make it easier to locate and align your cleats properly, which means that you're less likely to not be able to clip in quickly. It's hard to fault the XT Trail pedal given its great price-to-performance ratio, and I'd recommend them to anyone who's looking for a no frills pedal with a more forgiving platform around the clip mechanism. In fact, after buying both a set of XTR Trail and XT Trail pedals over the last few years, I feel kinda silly about purchasing the former. - Mike Levy |
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But pedals, like everything else, are down to personal preference.
Is there a model of clipless out there that fixes this? Or maybe a shoe?
I don't get though why it's not banned from DH, just like lycra (yes I know, kind of different subject). How much I even love it, I would feel unsafe riding down rock gardens at full speed on a DH bike with SPDs.
I have new mallets on my DH bike for the platform/clip combo. Very vague. I had to turn all of the pins down to work with my new 5.10s, otherwise they hang up. I love the Shimano DXs (647?), but they are thick, heavy and don't grip well when unclipped.
They have platform sizes and the weight is in the same ball park as the Shimano.
www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Clipless-Pedals,21/VP-Components/VP-VX-Adventure-Race-VX-Series,14209
vimeo.com/89092992
In this day of 13" bb heights it just means even more surface area to strike. All it took me was one ride in north van to swear off the platform style of those.
Also, someone tell me what that platform is for other than aesthetics while off the bike? You cannot stand on it unclipped a al a 647 (for example). So what good is it?
I haven't even changed the cleats since I've had them, 4 years , they're just flawless, best $ spent on pedals, no unintentional clipouts on tech sections, no loosening over time, just amazing
My latest build i got XTR's for under $100.00 so gave them a go.
The difference is night and day.
I'm using race face turbines, and when i'm out of the seat pedalling I can feel a light flex on the XT's (i'm 250 pounds btw) and with the XTR's they feel solid as a rock.
The XT's pedals were only a few months old as well, so there is no way that metal fatigue would be effecting them.
OR - this could just be some big ole placebo effect and i'm going insane.
Leave that to me, i'm already fat - you just stay young and youthful and such.
edit: nvm, bing does amazing things for those that ask it. cheap light strong.. pick two.
bike.shimano.com/content/sac-bike/en/home/mtb/pedals/pedals.html