There aren't too many riders on the planet that can two-wheel drift like Chris Kovarik, so it's only fitting that he would get his own signature pedal designed specifically for those foot out, flat out antics. Enter the Chromag Dagga. The Dagga begins as a forged block of 6061 aluminum that's then CNC machined into the shape that's shown here.
It's the Dagga's pins that steal the show. There are 12 on each side, and they stand nearly 8 millimeters tall at full height, although the stock configuration uses a washer that drops that down to a still-tall 6 millimeters. The pins use an M4 thread at their base, where they're threaded into the platform, and then they taper down to an M3 thread at the top for better sole penetration. No matter what, they're quite tall and ready to sink into whatever comes their way (hopefully shoes, not shins).
Chromag Dagga Details
• 12 adjustable height pins per side
• Forged & machined aluminum body
• Chromoly spindle
• Dimensions: 120mm x 115mm
• Colors: purple, black, blue, red, silver
• Weight: 487 grams
• MSRP: $180 USD
• chromagbikes.com
• 12 adjustable height pins per side
• Forged & machined aluminum body
• Chromoly spindle
• Dimensions: 120mm x 115mm
• Colors: purple, black, blue, red, silver
• Weight: 487 grams
• MSRP: $180 USD
• chromagbikes.com
The big pins grab your attention first, but the Dagga's overall dimensions are on the larger side of the spectrum as well, measuring 120 x 115mm. That's the largest platform size in Chromag's pedal lineup, and the Q-factor also tops Chromag's charts. The pedals are slightly concave, measuring 15mm at the center and 16mm at each end.
Inside there's a chromoly spindle that rotates on a bushing and a cartridge bearing. Chromag's headquarters are in Whistler, BC, where there's no shortage of rainy days, so it's not surprising to see two rubber seals designed to keep water from getting its way into the pedal body.
Available in five colors, the Daggas retail for $180 USD.
The Dagga's pins stand 6 millimeters tall, and that's with the included washers installed. Taking those out will raise them up even further.
The aluminum pedal body measures 14.3mm thick in the center, and 16 millimeters at each end.
The platform underfoot measures 120 x 110mm
All of the pins thread in from the opposite side with a 3mm hex head.
Performance
When it comes to flat pedal platform size, I'm a fan of the crop of larger-than-average offerings that have been released recently. Having a platform that matches the width of my shoe sole just makes sense – tiny platforms are best left to clipless pedals, or for riders with tiny feet. I also liked the wide stance that the Dagga's allow. There are all sorts of opinions out there about the ideal Q-factor, but the position that the Dagga's put my feet in was comfortable and natural feeling, and the fact that there's no big bearing bulge next to the crank arm means there's plenty of possible foot positions. Chromag recommends using the Dagga's with thicker soled shoes, and I have to agree - these wouldn't be very comfortable with soft, floppy skate shoes.
The Dagga's pins look menacing, but my shins have remained scab free over the last four months of usage. That's thanks to the fact that I've yet to fully slip a pedal – there's so much traction, especially when paired with Five Ten's sticky rubber, that sliding off the platform is highly unlikely. Now, not everyone will be a fan of having that much grip – riders that want to be able to reposition their feet more easily may want to consider removing some pins, or purchasing the shorter pins that Chromag uses on their other pedals. As it is, the Dagga's deliver an incredibly locked-in feeling, and once my feet were in place I didn't have to worry about them moving unless I wanted them to, no matter how chunky the trail.
Speaking of pins, I removed the single pin that sticks up in the middle of the pedal on each side in order to let the center of my shoe's sole sink down a little further, since the platform shape is more flat than concave. Yes, the very center of the platform is a little thinner than the edges, but the outer perimeter dimensions are all the same. More recently, I took out the most inboard pin for the same reason - there are enough pins that removing a few to customize the feel underfoot is entirely feasible.
Durability
The Dagga's have held up extremely well to everything I've subjected them to. I've only bent one pin so far, and that happened after a solid smash into a sandstone outcropping in Moab, Utah. There are some scuffs and scrapes on the bodies, but nothing out of the ordinary. There was plenty of grease remaining when I pulled out the axles, and the bushings and bearings are still spinning smoothly. Overall, a very impressive showing on the durability front.
How Do They Compare?
How to the Dagga's stack up to other contenders? Let's start with the Anvl Tilt V3. The Anvl's platform is slightly smaller, but the difference in feel underfoot isn't dramatic. When it comes to outright grip, the Dagga's take it, although both options deliver plenty of traction for the roughest trails. Other details to consider: the Anvl's pins are all top loading, while the Dagga's thread in from the backside of the body. Then there's the price – you're looking at $100 for the Anvl, and $180 for the Dagga.
Kona's Wah Wah II pedals are another entry into the big platform party (there's also a smaller version for smaller riders), and they actually measure a couple millimeters wider than the Daggas, although that inboard bearing bulge makes the size difference negligible. When it comes to grip, the Dagga's come out on top. The Wah Wah has fewer pins, and they're not as tall, although the platform size does help make it easy to keep your feet where they belong, and it is easier to move your feet around when necessary. The Dagga pedals get another point for their superior weather sealing, but they're also $60 more than the Wah Wah II.
Pros
+ Maximum traction
+ Excellent durability
Cons
- May be too grippy for some riders' tastes
- Pricey
Pinkbike's Take
 | Chromag's Dagga pedals top the charts when it comes to all out grip, making them an excellent choice for DH riders or anyone who doesn't want to worry about slipping a pedal. Ever. They're at the upper end of the price scale, but the high quality construction should mean that they'll keep on spinning for season after season. |
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187 Comments
Chromag put back into the industry, employ people in Canada and design / make parts there too (through NSB) - They designed the pedal with one of the legends of DH racing and make performance benefit claims over other products so surely this justifies PB testing them?
People have tested Superstar pedals on virtually every platform online and in print media, they are cheap, no(especially as made in the UK) What about all of the composite pedals everybody, inc PB has tested, they are cheap too.
Yea to some extent lots of the PB reviews are of parts that many cant afford, but this site isn't a public service its upto PB what they want to write about and nobody is going to get particularly excited about ordering a pair of pedals from Alibaba, people want to read about the nice stuff - its why so many people fawn over sports cars they wont ever be able to afford.
Having said that, yes these are almost crazily expensive for a flat pedal.
That’s just my opinion don’t worry about it.
Unethical to charge high prices for drugs needed to keep people alive, or food or similar, flat pedals though?! - who exactly is being ‘exploited’, someone that makes a free choice to buy this product over a competing one.
Strange outlook.
Right, I'd better stop before I make twat of myself (don't say it).
BTW I love my Superstar Nanos, expect I wanted some shorter pins
Not sure why I would bother when the Nukeproof Composite is up for sale for £25.00 on CRC and the one-up like you run are £40.00
Point is some people have different spending priorities, whether that's good or bad, and people love the shiny gear, whether that's good or bad as well. Plus, who needs a review on $20 chinese pedals? Just spend the $20 and if they suck, donate em.
Plus try to find a enduro rim with 24 spokes. I finish to order a spare second hand used rim on Pinkbike BuyAndSell from a greek guy, mount the rim, the rim has a flat :-) if I have a message for Easton and all other wheelset manufacturers: boycott proprietary wheelsets!
At the end of the day, I want alloy wheelsets with standard non-straight spokes, with standard 32h rims and spokes I can obtain in any bike shop.
Standards in this industry makes me nuts!
So now we have Assegai and Dagga. What other South African terms can we get into MTB?
But the highlight of the weekend for me was DH practice, when Chris showed up...I was scoping a rock lip, thinking I could hit it and jump the whole rock garden. Chris slowed to a stop next to me and scoped it too, so we hiked up to try it. I wanted to be the first person to hit it (fresh tracks on the run-in), so I dropped in before he could get on his bike and boosted it, clearing the 30-foot section to the roar of the practice crowd. About 10 seconds later, I heard the crowd cheering again...Chris had hit it too (and we were reportedly the only two to hit it the whole weekend, as it got wet shortly after). I slowed down after that section and Chris pulled up next to me and gave me a high five — probably the highlight of my racing career — particularly as we were both on red M1’s with flat pedals, both totally stoked to soar over a jagged rock garden and amp up the spectators while at it. He’s such a cool dude and always lights up the scene when he’s around. Hoping to ride with him again at Whistler or Dry Hill soon!
This place is for people who want to support people doing cool stuff in the industry and making innovations, not producing the cheapest possible passable garbage that semi functions for 6 months.
youtu.be/EwmoiUrC02g
I guess Israel is drier than Basel in winter though.
I broke a pair in only two months. It was an experience I never want to repeat.
I have the aluminum Wah Wah 2's now, and feel confident enough with them.
Result is a very stable feeling, especially through the smashy smashy. Likewise when putting the power down.
Can’t say I have noticed any problem with width.
The grip provided by the pedals is also pretty mediocre. It's not awful, especially with the new Catalyst Evo, but still not on par with other flats I've used. The OG Catalyst also had issues with bushing wear.
Having snapped carbon cranks from a rock strike I would seriously have doubts about running composite pedals.
The only place I see damage on the dagga pictured is the leading outside corner which is exactly where Nukeproof removed additional material / reshaped their pedal.
I havent tried a non-parallelogram pedal as of yet but would like to - I cant see the shape change making much difference to pedal strikes (a few mm?) but can see it changing the result of a strike e.g. glancing off vs just mashing into.
The whole comfort , freedom factor of flats seems to go in the obsession with grip that SPDs solved ages ago. It seems a ridiculous solution.
It's like people who like to ride gloveless using sandpaper grips because they find their hands slip a bit.
I had six pack nylon pedals for years, and just service and rebuild them once in a while, same with oneups, since service kits easy to purchase online, and composite platform soft enough not to be destroyed by terrain
Those are probably look nice and work well, however considering the price more of niche product for the fanboys
I recommend these "Suneate" for protection from all pedal pin injury. Comes in Light, Medium or Heavy Protection varieties and they look super bad-ass on the trail.
www.guardiansvaultaustralia.com/suneate
Great option for 90% of riding though, especially if you wat for sale pricing which is pretty much half of the year to buy them.
pedalinginnovations.com
they do an xl version too
chunked.com.au/Products-PEDALS.html
(...err, no)
These have ridiculous amount of grip, the middle pin is really adding up extra grip, but I end up putting shorter pin into that spot.
On flip side, i liked more “concave” middle on the Atlas,...
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