Tectonic Components Releases Altar v2 Pedal

May 19, 2023
by TectonicComponents  
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PRESS RELEASE: Tectonic Components


Our signature platform pedal, the Altar is now back in stock and reimagined with an aluminum chassis. We kept the secret sauce that made the original a top performer; namely our shaping profile with a longer overall length and true concavity, patented side-loading traction pins, and a full cartridge bearing system supporting a stainless steel spindle. Generous dimensions and ideal pin placement makes for a pedal that offers impressive power transfer on the way up, and reliable traction and foot support for when it’s time to let gravity take over.


Altar V2 Details

• Platform size: 125x110mm (L x W)
• Thickness at center: 14mm
• Concavity: 2mm
• Bearing specification: 1x 6801; 3x MR115
• Spindle: 17-4 stainless steel
• Traction pins: hardened Hitachi stainless steel
• Pedal body: 6061-T6 aluminum alloy
• Weight: 405g / pair
• $199
• Made in Durango, Colorado

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The original Altar v1 pedal used a carbon fiber-reinforced nylon chassis, and we are proud of its performance, however we experienced quality control issues during our second production order, resulting in a large shipment of parts that did not meet our specifications. Injection mold tooling is not a small investment, so we made the difficult decision to pivot the design to an aluminum pedal body, with the support of our local manufacturing partners. The Altar DNA lives on in this new version, and were able to incorporate minor bug fixes and improvements as well as chiseled CNC appearance.

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The core of the Altar remains intact in its v2 form. We strived to preserve the same ride feel, and it is still designed for years of reliable service, with painless traction pin replacement, easily refreshed internals, and full support for small parts. We proudly machine and assemble our pedals in Durango, Colorado.

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Available now and shipping worldwide from http://www.tectonic.bike

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Reviews and Tech Press Releases Pedals Tectonic Components


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75 Comments
  • 49 10
 prove me wrong: flat pedal product releases are a snooze fest. Kudos to a manufacturer for making a good product, but at this point you may as well announce there is a new brand of milk for sale at Costco.
  • 25 1
 I think pedals are some of the nicest looking components, then I buy composite nukeproofs cause they cheap and good
  • 52 0
 Tell me more about this new milk....
  • 6 3
 Was just thinking the same thing. Like what company these days gets together and is like.. "You know what the mountain biking industry needs right now... another flat pedal!"

No... no we don't... there's so f*cking many good options, just don't bother.
  • 20 0
 @nsmithbmx: it's called Malk, now with Vitamin R!
  • 12 0
 @subwaypanda: but does it got what plants crave?
  • 11 0
 I think stem releases are a bit more boring, especially since frequently you will not notice any difference. At least with flat pedals you can tell a difference one from the other.
  • 9 6
 Every now and then an Oatly comes along and offers people a decent alternative to growth fluid designed for baby cows.
  • 10 1
 Although I agree to some degree, these pedals are actually a bit different, theyre massive (great for us sasquatches) and the pin system is genuinely great from what I can tell, no risk of damaging threads, hardened pins so they don't wear down after 1 rock strike, and super quick to replace. I think because flat pedals are so common and relatively well done across the board, most $200 pedals kinda have to have something to make them stand out.
  • 15 0
 I get most excited about developments in the headset spacer space
  • 1 0
 @islandforlife: Agreed. There's a gazillion other flat pedal options out there.
If you want to do something interesting come up with a genuinely good alternative to SPD pedals.
  • 6 0
 @suspended-flesh: Oatly beats the almond stuff. Who wants to rely on squeezed nuts for sustenance?
  • 4 0
 @inked-up-metalhead: Counterpoint: if I cannot easily get replacement pins, the pedals suck. I don't want proprietary stuff that really doesn't do much better of a job.
  • 3 0
 @nickfranko: how is any set of pins more difficult than any other, unless they're basic grub screws/thread through bolts, but I haven't had them in a pedal for over 10 years, and I don't particularly like them because the thread in the pedal body is easily damaged, it's my main gripe about dmr vaults, it's why I've gone onto the v11 (nylon version), the threads are standard hex nuts, so steel for durability and easily replaced, I've had 4 sets of vaults and every one had every outside leading pin missing and un replaceable. If its that big of a worry and you're spending this kinda cash on pedals, order a pin kit at the same time for when/if you need them...
  • 1 0
 @nickfranko: but those v11 pins are still the custom dmr pins, though I imagine they could be replaced by normal socket head bolts. Hmmmm...
  • 1 0
 @inked-up-metalhead: on my Vaults, adding chromag dagga pins with one washer underneath on the leading and trailing edges with DMR moto pins in the middle kicked the grip up a considerable notch and I have yet to lose a single pin despite some pretty solid pedal strikes/scrapes here and there.
  • 1 0
 Well, at least it's better than a review on inner tubes.
  • 2 0
 @getschwifty: I can’t imagine needing more grip than my Vaults provide. Sometimes it’s hard enough to move my foot if it’s out of position already…
  • 1 0
 @getschwifty: the v11 uses moto pins which are definitely a step above the standard grub screws. As much as anything, I could do with bigger pedals, my size 15uk feet need as much support as they can get, and the pin system is unique enough in a good way to have got my attention to go along with the bigger platform.
  • 1 0
 @toad321: NP makes such great stuff. I love their frames and stems. But everything I've had with their name on it has been very well done.
  • 1 4
 @islandforlife: and if everyone took your stupid advice, there wouldn't be "so f*cking many good options"
  • 4 1
 @justinfoil: I’ve got a great business idea for you! You should start a company making cool pedals and stems. It’s a market ripe for innovation ideas and there’s not many companies doing it!
  • 1 0
 @VtVolk: Be still my beating heart!
  • 3 0
 These actually look pretty nice, and something that I have been looking for. A concave pedal that is longer, but not too long. I was torn between various models and this marries them together in a nice package. I am probably going to pick up a pair.
  • 1 0
 I ride single speed and I have a small collection of snapped pedal axles/spindles from popular recommended pedals…hanging on my garage wall. Any big dudes on single speeds riding with these pedals?
  • 7 0
 I love the look of machined pedals. I'd probably get them if they were a bit cheaper.
  • 6 0
 V1 owners, does the axle bulge bug you or nah?
  • 7 0
 Not in the slightest. They’re my favorite pedals I’ve ever owned, and I’ve owned a lot of pedals.
  • 5 0
 Not at all . I think I got one of the early ones so probably close to 2 years and just inspected the pins and there all still like new .
  • 1 0
 @KankleGnar: @MegaStoke: thanks both of you!
They look ideal to me other than that. Good to hear it's a non issue. I don't need pedals right now but next time...!
  • 2 0
 I rocked the Kona Wah Wahs and OneUp aluminum pedals for a bit, both of which have the same kind of bulge there. At first, adjusting to an ever so slightly wider stance took some thought, but it’s never bothered me on either of those since I got used to it.
  • 3 0
 I've been running v1's for over a year and the bulge doesn't bother me. There the best pedals I've even used by a long shot!
  • 1 0
 I have the composite v1 and loved them from the first moment I lifted them out of the box and felt how light they were and saw the fit and finish. Getting ready to start season two of near daily bike park riding on them, too. Flawless
  • 2 2
 I love a little bulgey wugley rubbing against my feet
  • 4 1
 What the world, Needs now, Is pedals, Sweet pedals It's the only thing, That there's just, Too little of
  • 6 1
 Pedals and stems, machined stems
  • 1 0
 I ride single speed and I have a small collection of snapped pedal axles/spindles from popular recommended pedals…hanging on my garage wall. Any big dudes on single speeds riding with these pedals?
  • 3 0
 What a nice looking albeit expensive chin grinder.
  • 4 0
 I've been running v1s for a long time and never had an issue with shin mutilation, because your foot is so glued your feet don't leave them haha
  • 1 0
 @JamesPBlaw: I had long pins back and front for that porpuse on my Nano X but after 2 rather painfull incidents switched to regular ones. Anyways I like my grinders in Blue, doesn't seem to be an option here.
  • 2 0
 Tectonic needs to explain the pin system a bit more simply for some of the readers here.
  • 12 0
 The traction pins are dual-sided, and pass all the way through the pedal body. They are have a threaded hole in the center, and are retained by bolt that loads from the side of the pedal. The idea is to have a pedal body without any threads to retain the traction pins, as damaged traction pins are inevitable, and the small threads used to hold them in are easily damaged from the impact or from the subsequent removal. We don't want a pedal to be ruined or to run at reduced traction capacity because you can't replace a pin. The actual removal and installation process is much easier than tradition designs, which is a nice bonus. This is a patented design which we feel offers some real performance and usability benefits.
  • 9 11
 I just got back from my first ride on these and can say they feel pretty damn good! Power transfer seemed noticeably better in more of the pedal stroke during climbs (normally ride OneUPs or DMR Vaults.) I was even able to clean some uphill tech that had always defeated me in the past. Usually when the trail points downhill I struggle with keeping my feet planted on the pedals during some of the rowdier sections of trails, but I felt kinda glued to these pedals today!

Is the price high? Yep. Are they worth it? Depends of course. I live in Durango, so I'm happy and stoked to support the locals. If I didn't have ties to Durango would I have bought them? Before riding them, probably not. After riding them, HELL YES!
  • 21 4
 Found the "influencer"!
  • 6 2
 @jpat22: LOL. Not even close. And how RUDE! Wink
  • 3 3
 Deftraps
  • 1 0
 That read like Bikers Edge
  • 1 1
 Grub screws for each pin ?? Seems like threaded pin inserts would’ve been easier and cleaner but they do look nice I suppose 200 bucks huh??
  • 8 0
 Check out their website, pin retention system is unique and appears sturdy, also all bearings are cartridges. Seems very well engineered.
  • 2 0
 They're not grub screws, they're just bolts used as set screws. Which grub screws are often used for, but not exclusively.
  • 2 1
 So twice as many threading operations is "easier"? Weird.
  • 8 0
 @justinfoil: I think the ease kicks in when you mangle a pin and need to replace it. No need to get the grinder locking pliers, easy out extractors. And this system isnt susceptible to the thread interface damage that ends up making so many pins unusable on pedals with threads tapped directly into the body.

200 bucks is a lot for a pair of pedals when I can get a pair of defttraps for less than a 1/4 of the cost, but at least these altars are trying to bring some real value added for that extra cost, unlike so many other $200 machined alu pedals whose only value added is being pretty and color coordinating w other bits of kit.
  • 7 0
 @justinfoil: There is one bolt for each dual-sided traction pin, so it is exactly half as many threading operations as a typical design.
  • 1 1
 @TectonicComponents: Yes, I know. I was contrasting it to @Crankhed saying threads for every pin would be "easier", hence the "twice as many" part.
  • 1 1
 @freestyIAM: I didn't say anything about ease of either style. Just correcting Crankhed's use of "grub screw".
  • 1 1
 So, how long until those set screws on the leading edges, and especially the corners, are smashed completely to hell and back?
  • 1 0
 Ya, a long term review or some V1 owners could chime in. I wonder if it would be possible to move those to the interior of the pedal body so there would be no risk of there set screws getting mangled. Would probably be a pain to manufacture.
  • 4 0
 The traction pins are held in directly by bolts, no set screws involved, and no threads in the pedal body to damage. The hardware is M3 size so it doesn't take a miniscule wrench, and the bolt heads are safely recessed into the pedal body to avoid any damage. To date, e haven't seen a traction pin or bolt that cannot be removed and replaced.
  • 2 0
 @freestyIAM: Used mine for about 50+ days at the bike park last season. Flawless
  • 1 1
 @TectonicComponents: They don't look very recessed in those pics.

RE: not seeing bolts that "cannot be removed or replaced": I'm assuming you meant "with a normal allen key", because that's very different from just the threads and pin hole maintaining integrity.

All I know is that the leading edges, and especially corners, of my pedals are the first to get beat up after the pins themselves, and those bolt heads are directly in the firing line. Even if they hold up shape wise (I'm doubtful), I would still not want to be trying to scrape dirt and such out of that 3mm hex hole in order to change a pin. And since it's been a long time since I actually mangled a conventional pin hole, I don't see the practicality of it, especially since I might also end up throwing out pins that are still half good.
  • 3 0
 @TectonicComponents: Hands down best flats I’ve had over my 25 years of riding. Bought them to test the pin durability since I’m still a hack and shred pins weekly. Didn’t expect the added benefit of perfect platform size for my feet that gives the sensation of getting more power to the cranks. Only downside so far is I had to buy a second pair for my other bike.
  • 3 1
 The Shin Schplunger 9000
  • 3 1
 The Shinese Exfoliator.
  • 2 2
 What became of the composite version pictured here: www.pinkbike.com/photo/22619954
  • 8 0
 they literally say in this release www.pinkbike.com/news/tectonic-components-releases-altar-v2-pedal.html#cid3548348
  • 5 0
 @artistformlyknowasdan: Oh. indeed they do.
  • 1 0
 Black Spire. pedals. Lifetime warranty. Why anything else?
  • 1 3
 Tell me more about this new horny

Wickr id: peterking2014

Bars(Xanax), 357s, Big whites, Pineapple, 521s, Bommer, Dreamer, Dollies, pot and more for inspiration.
  • 1 0
 They won't catch me here on pinkbike
  • 1 1
 FINALLY some game-changing tech
  • 1 2
 $199 becomes over $300 with import fees for us in the UK you could buy 2 sets of Hope pedals for that
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