Pinkbike Product Picks
Syntace NumberNine Titan pedals
“Unglaublich” is the German word for unbelievable and is probably the best way to describe these pedals. On paper NumberNine Titans are the lightest, strongest and most expensive flat pedals money can buy right now. While the claimed weight for the medium-sized set is 288g for the pair (yes, both pedals), we’ve found they come out slightly lighter. That weight doesn’t mean they are fragile though and Syntace say they have tested them under loads of 500kg in the lab - reportedly, a weight under which every other pedal they tested gave way. They also are the first people we know of to make pedals in different sizes (small, medium and large) so you can buy the pedal that is proportional to your shoe size. All this comes at a price though – a wallet-shattering €258 for a set.
www.syntace.com
![Syntace NumberNine Titan pedals]()
Pinkbike's Take:
Endura Helium jacket
The Helium is an ultra-lightweight, hardshell waterproof jacket from Endura. It is packed full of great little details, like softshell panels that mean it doesn’t need to have drawstrings or adjusters to hold to your body, an ipod hole from the rear pocket and it folds neatly into a handy flashlight-sized sleeve to carry in your backpack. MSRP $139.99
www.endura.co.uk
![Endura Helium jacket]()
![Endura Helium jacket]()
Pinkbike's Take:
Royal Matrix shorts
Matrix shorts are Royal's lightweight trail offering and damn are they light too. Boasting two good-sized zip pockets on the front, a zipped coin pocket and two front pockets, you’re not going to be short of places to stash your beer money and car keys. Three stretch panels, two in the crotch and one at the back are combined with light fabric, meaning they won't restrict your movement too much. Included is a good quality liner (Royal liners retail separately at $69.95), which is something too many companies leave out as they try and keep the overall price down, meaning you have to spend more money later. MSRP $89.95
www.royalracing.com
![Royal Matrix shorts]()
Pinkbike's Take:
“Unglaublich” is the German word for unbelievable and is probably the best way to describe these pedals. On paper NumberNine Titans are the lightest, strongest and most expensive flat pedals money can buy right now. While the claimed weight for the medium-sized set is 288g for the pair (yes, both pedals), we’ve found they come out slightly lighter. That weight doesn’t mean they are fragile though and Syntace say they have tested them under loads of 500kg in the lab - reportedly, a weight under which every other pedal they tested gave way. They also are the first people we know of to make pedals in different sizes (small, medium and large) so you can buy the pedal that is proportional to your shoe size. All this comes at a price though – a wallet-shattering €258 for a set.
www.syntace.com
The nice, wide platform is very comfortable, but there isn't really a concave in the centre. (Main), Originally Syntace studied the PointOne axle as they felt it was the best one out there, but felt they could improve on it and threw some titanium in there for good measure. (Top right), The maching detail on the side of the body is nothing short of stunning. (Bottom right)
Pinkbike's Take:
 | Part of the reason we ended up with a set of these pedals was because one of Syntace's test riders was passing them round the shuttle van at the Garda bike festival. Holding them in your hand, it's hard to believe how light they are and we boldy announced "they'd last less than two weeks on my bike." We've had them more than two weeks and it seems we were wrong. While we like nearly everything about these pedals there are two things we can't get past: that terrifying price tag and the flat platform. The price, well, if you want this level of performance, it comes at a price and they are a lot lighter than anything else we have used (except those crappy plastic pedals which have no place on a real mountain bike). However the platform is, well, disappointing. After all the thought and knowledge that has gone into the rest of the pedal, the fact the platform isn't concave and even has pins in the centre is a huge oversight. If they just sorted that one thing out these could well be the best mountain bike flat pedals ever made. - Matt Wragg |
Endura Helium jacket
The Helium is an ultra-lightweight, hardshell waterproof jacket from Endura. It is packed full of great little details, like softshell panels that mean it doesn’t need to have drawstrings or adjusters to hold to your body, an ipod hole from the rear pocket and it folds neatly into a handy flashlight-sized sleeve to carry in your backpack. MSRP $139.99
www.endura.co.uk
Front and back cut for the jacket. (Top left and right), That nice lining. (Bottom left), The softshell sections on the cuff and waist. (Bottom centre and right)
Pinkbike's Take:
| Pulling the Helium jacket on, it simply feels like a classy piece of clothing and the slim cut is a welcome change from the usual baggy fare - although this would probably cause problems if you tried to wear it over body armour. The breathable fabric they have used doesn't feel like PVC either, so you can wear it over bare skin without feeling like a rubber pervert. More importantly, it works, keeping the rain out without leaving you boiling in your own sweat. It's maybe not the one if you need an all-day, heavy-duty waterproof, but as the one to keep in your backpack, just in case, it's pretty much perfect. - Matt Wragg |
Royal Matrix shorts
Matrix shorts are Royal's lightweight trail offering and damn are they light too. Boasting two good-sized zip pockets on the front, a zipped coin pocket and two front pockets, you’re not going to be short of places to stash your beer money and car keys. Three stretch panels, two in the crotch and one at the back are combined with light fabric, meaning they won't restrict your movement too much. Included is a good quality liner (Royal liners retail separately at $69.95), which is something too many companies leave out as they try and keep the overall price down, meaning you have to spend more money later. MSRP $89.95
www.royalracing.com
Front view. (Left), The crotch stretch panel and the front, zipped pocket. (Top right), Nice, sturdy poppers on the waist. (Bottom right)
Pinkbike's Take:
| We like Matrix shorts. Light, well-featured and plain enough to consider wearing to the beach, they tick a lot of boxes for us. When they first arrived we weren't sure about the shape of the front pockets, as they are kinked to go around the zipped front pockets. Thinking about it, we realised this means things are less likely to fall out of them and as nominal adults, we shouldn't be walking around with our hands in our pockets anyway. Because they are so light, they aren't going to be the first choice for downhill, we don't think they'd survive too long, but for everything else, they are the first thing that comes out of the wardrobe right now. They aren't cheap, but when you consider that this price includes a good quality short liner (liners are an essential for anybody who cares about their testicles), we'd say they are good value too. The only gripe is the zip on the fly - we'd really like to see something a bit sturdier there as that tends to be the thing that goes first on too many shorts. - Matt Wragg |
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
www.reset-racing.de/reset/pedal_index_1.htm
SIX HUNDO!
Yea, above 3/4 k in cost. =] I think they need to replace the titanium studs with 100% pure diamond studs, and throw a gucchi logo on em.
Still sodding expensive though.
And the EU's standards are really in the greater scheme of things not much more than the US or Canadian Standards. Unlike EU though, the rest of the world actually uses common sense. The EU is the worst thing to ever come to life in this world. Another reason Europe is failing horribly financially. Not that the US is much better... but still, our country at least isn't bankrupt like 1/4 of Europe is ending out to be.
___ I'd buy the jacket if I commuted everyday in a rainforest.
___ Hi qual short plus a liner for $89 that won't make me look like a corporate stooge in a clown suit. Sign me up.
They come in colors!
www.loadedusa.com/products/pedals/amx-signature-titanium
I think I buy these Syntaces right away
www.reset-racing.de/reset/pedal_index_1.htm
www.mortopbike.com/product/main_view.php?pid=201 222g
www.mortopbike.com/product/main_view.php?pid=252 196g
you can buy these as reverse pedals in Europe.
These pedals Pinkbike tested look like the perfect combination. They are light, strong, and have the same pins that come on straitline pedals, so you know they have tons of grip..
The older PreRunner Pedals had this issue. I am running the Predator's now and have not had a pin issue. I have smashed them pretty hard on rocks and broken some, but it would have broken any pin. I've also nailed them hard without any pin issues.
cheap, tough, thin, grippy, big platform, full spares available...the weight thing is over rated on a pedal as its such a critical part of the bike and a big source of noise when it start to degrade
smacinnovations.com/pedals.php
And yea yea yea, I know... don't even start with the "dude they aren't platties ordeal" I am just being a smart ass. lol
290g/pair. 60 USD. On Dh-bike. Work and last well.
300 USD Syntace pedals with questionable dimensioning. Best for the wallhanger that never leaves the livingroom.