• Cold forged 7050 aluminum body
• 10mm body height (
measured at the middle, not the edges like some others do)
• Body features dual concave (
front to back, side to side)
• Each pedal spins on a large inboard sealed bearing and twin needle bearings
• Weight: 510 grams per set (
production version could be lighter)
• Price: TBA
• Availability: Fall 2011
How are the Specialized prototype pedals different? Pinkbike had the
first look at Specialized's prototype pedals nearly two months ago, but these are worth another gander as they get closer to their Fall production date. They have been developed by Jason Chamberlain, the main man behind FSR suspension at Specialized, for the last year and a half and are currently being tested by the Monster Energy - Specialized team at races around the world. Chamberlain has included a number of novel features, but the pedal's bearing and body design are the two key elements that set them apart from the pack.
Unlike most other pedal axles, these don't make use of a threaded nut at their outer end to attach them to the pedal body. This means that the axle uses a smooth, tapered design all the way to the end, making it much stronger than an axle with threads cut into the end of it. So, you're no doubt wondering how the body stays put on the axle if there is no nut on the end to hold it in place? A threaded collar, removed and installed with a small pin spanner, is located on the inboard edge of the pedal body where you would expect to find flats for a pedal wrench. With no nut at the end of the axle required to hold the body on, the pedal can be made impressively thin at just 10mm. There are a number of designs that use a larger than standard inboard bearing, but Chamberlain has another trick up his sleeve...
Under the trap door: Chamberlain had to be quite creative in the battle to build the thinnest pedal possible without having to resort to using bushings or micro sized sealed bearings, both of which can hamper smoothness and reliability. His answer was to not only use dual needle bearings, but to build their outer races (
the surface that the bearings rotate on) right into the pedal body in the form of the hinged metal door. This means that the extra height from separate bearing races isn't added to the equation, but it also provides easy access for maintenance when the time comes.
Is longer better? Pedal body concave can certainly help hold your feet in place upon the pedals, but the pins act as your contact point(s), and therefore play the largest role in how much grip you actually have between the soles of your shoes and the pedals. Knowing this, it is somewhat surprising that a lot of pedals use simple, off the shelf set screws (
although cost certainly plays a role in the decision) for traction. Specialized has been experimenting with different shaped pins, including some that are a whopping 8mm tall, although it was mentioned that even Sam Hill has been using some slightly tamed down 7mm versions. Interestingly, the team has also been testing square shaped pins with great results, presumably due to the pin's sharp corners. Specialized has yet to decided what the production pedals will use, although they do plan to include washers that can be added to the pins before threading them in from the opposite side to reduce their height. The pins are also shaped in such a way that if there is a rock strike, they will snap at a predetermined point and still be easily removable from the body - no vise grips or drilling required.
A lightweight option: As someone who uses platform pedals on all of my bikes, cross-country rig included, because of both wobbly ankles and because I feel that they add an extra level of fun to the ride, I was very excited to hear that there may also be a lightweight version of the above pedal in the works made specifically for XC and lighter duty use. While Chamberlain wasn't keen to share too many details, it sounds like they could use a pared down body and more titanium components than the heavier DH version, but still use a full bearing setup instead of those nasty, and often very sticky, DU bushings. Tall pins, smooth spinning bearings, a reasonable weight and a thin 10mm body height all sound great to me - lets hope that these see the light of day!
Are you excited by what you see? Lets hear what you think of Specialized's effort to create the ultimate platform pedal - put those thoughts down below!Visit the
Specialized website to see their entire lineup.
I gotta have 'em.
People are gonna have to pinn'r a little more though. Get through things as fast as possible so that there's less of a chance your feet slip
Who's actually dumb enough to use clip pedals while riding DH/FR like a good 80% of people are planning to use them for?
oh - and gwinn clips in - that boy knows nothing about racing dh!
I'm talking about your average rider who bails more than offren. Why would a normal rider clip in ?
Look at me for example, I ride clipped in for A LIVING, I even shred Dh, would I think of clipping in on dh ? No. Why ? Because at the skill level most riders that ride for fun don't even think of clipping in because it's pretty damn dangerous when you crash and your bike twists your leg behind you, and your knee blows out.
There is SOME logic to my comments. Obviously I worded it wrong. But still, why would someone clip in when they could get pedals like this and be virtually stuck on the pedals like clips. But it won't be half as dangerous if you crash.
You get me this time ?
Im also expressing MY OPINION, zomgwtfbbq the world is coming to an end a 16 year-old has an opinion!!
I am allowed to say what I want, about whoever/whatever I want. Seriously bro, cool your jets. I get called dumb for riding without gloves, do you think I give two shits ? Nope.
Just wait, one day someone will crash while clipped in racing dh and will blow their knee out so badly that they need surgery to fix it, because they were clipped in, and they couldn't unclip soon enough. It's happened to me already and I know it's not pretty, so I'm not wishing this on anyone. But seriously... Think about it.
Done here.
and 2. If you fall while clipped in or while on flats - it's gonna suck either way.
I RIDE THEM FOR A LIVING. I THINK I KNOW WHAT THEY DO AND HOW TO USE THEM.
Seriously, you guys are hilarious. Full of high class logic. Not.
And to whoever says I don't ride my bike that my " parents " bought me, don't go there. I have a Factory Sponsorship, do you that means I don't have to pay for my bike ? I'm not saying that I got it for free, but I definitely payed for the bike myself. Another thing to know- I have an iPhone (I also pay for this, lol) which is why I seem to be on alot. I come on during breaks while riding my bikes.
good call angry nipples
Manny I know, I just thinks it's a reaaaaaally dangerous choice that only people that can throw their bike and handle it like all the top WC racers should choose, you know what I mean ?
IMO is just a safety hazard for me. I mean I'm one of Canada's fastest kids to ride a BMX bike, I'm killer comfortable on clips for everything except Dj and Dh. Downhill is just too good for me I guess
The leg twisting theory is total bull****. Had a lot of crashes, pedals unclip 100% of the time, they are purpose built that way....
Just make sure you are not clipped in if you stop to talk with people, to avoid those humiliating slow falls on the side
cannot wait to rock some of those on my ALL-MTN bike
this is typical of the Vault, some of DMR's team riders have suffered this style of failure - this problem also affects the new Blackspire flat pedal which uses a similar construction and size
www.pinkbike.com/photo/6597473
my photo same story, can't trust vaults! shame because every other dmr thing i've tried is brill, think maybe they're trying to be too competitive on weight and stuff, which unfortunately compromises the final quality of the product.
That's why I'd say it's dangerous. You get these pro's who know what they're doing, then some jackass with a wallet bigger than his head decides to buy shoes and pedals, and breaks himself.
If I had as much precision with a Dh bike as I do my 4X and Bmx bikes, I'd be all for it. But you never know.
And dude, it wasnt a story. I'm just saying that with Time Pedals and Steel replacement cleats that it's a major pain compared to brass cleats to clip our, cool your jets.
Lumberjack also nailed it on the head. it wouldnt be called " prototype " if it was flawaless
I just need to watch how I word things I guess. First comment got +175 because it was nicely worded, everything else was tanked lol
my BS detector went off several time reading the article.. like 5mm of tread at the end of the axle makes it weaker.
the same with the measurement of thickness and the bad mouthing of DU bushings. one long Specialized ad, PB please don´t act like a direct extension of the Specialized marketing deparment.
Im also a bit worried that the only thing holding the needlebearings inline with the body i the hinge and the small spike. when loaded from the hinge side, all the stress is concentrated on the hinge itself. i could be wrong, (i proberly am, im pretty sure Specialized have made lots of IRL and FEA tests), but without a picture of the internals it hard to say for sure.
besides that, after getting rid of my vile, i think that they are really cool. sure looks like 2011/2012 is gonna be the year of the platform pedal, about time!
They just made their own solution for common problem of all super thin pedals: no fkn place for a good bearing. So not much BS involved, there is simply no good solution right now, and probably we will never see one - super thin platform is great for rock clearance and most of all - for pedalling, but be prepared to face the trade offs
Weight: 510 grams per set
truth is, (A) you do have an advantage in rockgardens with clips because your feet wont slip off, but you dont get the same balance with being able to change position through your feet to balance if you getting sketchy. (B) when pealing you say you have more power cause you can pull at the same time as push, this may be true, but pedaling up hill and downhill and on flat surface you are stuck in the same pedal position you cant adjust like on flat and get over the ball of your foot or whatever you fancy, no ridier imput for the terrain.
so ride clips if you want, but if you really want the advantage of the feel of your bike, flats are the way to go.!!!
SQUARE PINS looks to be DA SHIZZZ. You get grip on potentially 8 edges.
Let's face it, a pedal won't revolutionnize the Industry but I gotta call good job on this one.
...but my shins will never look worse!
also ruined a very expensive set of Syncros Mental Magnesium pedals very quickly
not buying Mg pedals ever again!!!
looking at Superstar Nano Tech as they are cheap £45 and have great reviews, and are the same pedal as Kona Wah-Wah and Nukeproof but without the high price tag
Though they are probably still the lightest alu platform (not mag one rock hit) pedals. Well that or resets.
What pedals are you running currently?
I'm not here to argue, but you give a ridiculous example.
Saving 100 grams here and there on bits and pieces, make sa big difference when the full bike is built.
They are about 60 gms lighter than the Specialized, as it stands right now. The design is not final yet, and it would only get lighter from here.
There are a lot less open holes on the Specialized pedal. We did this to reduce pockets where mud could collect. We also left smooth surfaces on the outside to defect loam and chunder.
I could easily drop 50+ grams with more CNC and more holes, we just chose not to do that for the above reasons.
Either way.. arguing on Pinkbike is pointless, I was amped to get these pedals as the colour I have do not match my new bike, but I will look at other offerings such as the spank Spike... or just rebuy a pair of Superstars.
/me out
Do you plan on maybe selling aftermarket kits for different lengths that would allow riders to experiment a bit?
Your pedals look sweet, I think I'll try 'em out when they become available.
What is the point of having a thin platform that still weighs a ton??
And for all those complaining about hurting your shins, either don't buy then or wear shin pads like the rest of us.. though i do suspect that this pedal will hurt us all more in the wallets than the shins.
When they first teamed up with Specialized, they asked for the BB to be 5 mm lower than what they had previously. Going forward, they have asked to test it another 5 mm lower.
The lower you can get, the faster you can corner and it also helps in the rough.
Making the pedal thinner is like lowering your BB without losing ground clearance.
I encourage you to watch the SRAM video from a couple days ago with Brandon Semenuk to answer any doubts. Its a sweet vid, you should watch it anyway.