Reddit reviews VP Bike Pedals for MTB BMX Bicycle, 9/16-Inch Spindle, Aluminum Platform with Replaceable Anti-slip Pins

I've been riding clipless for a long time and just made the move to flats to try them out again. While I feel that I was more efficient with clipless, I find that my riding style has changed quite a bit. Doing less long, XC style rides and more shorter, technical rides.

The clipless would make me feel less confident during technical sections due to the time to unclip and reclip. So in a way the flats have made my rides fun as I don't have to constantly worry about falling over.

Only thing I have to get used to is foot placement. The pedals are so grippy that I pretty much have to get foot placement right the first time I set my foot down as they don't allow for sliding my foot around on the pedal. But that is just something to get used to as grip is good.

I'm using the VP Components, btw

https://www.amazon.com/VP-Aluminum-Platform-Replaceable-Anti-slip/dp/B006ZH1H7M/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534681759&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=VP+Vice&dpPl=1&dpID=51l%2B-TLAOUL&ref=plSrch

A lot of people think that because racers wear clipless, it's because clipless makes them faster - but that's not exactly true. Racers wear clipless because it keeps their foot very well attached to the pedal, which is useful when you're sprinting all out, or when the race is in the rain.

A number of studies have been done on clipless ridden by professional racers, and they've shown either that clipless provides no power or efficiency benefit whatsoever, or that they provide a slight benefit but nothing huge.

I recommend you do not get either clips or straps. Neither would provide an efficiency advantage, both are worse for getting your foot off the pedal in an emergency.

If you don't want to do clipless but want more grip on the pedal, I personally stopped using clipless and went back to flat pedals with pins.

Here's a good $50 pair of flat pedals (VP Components VP-Vice Pedals):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZH1H7M?colid=WY4I3K3W4NW4&coliid=I2ULBBCTW3UH47&psc=1&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl

If you prefer a pedal with a slight curve to them, the Specialized Bennies are $80:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/mtb-components/pedals/bennies-platform-pedals

For shoes I use Chrome Kurk's as they're fairly "normal shoe" looking:
http://www.chromeindustries.com/us/en/kursk-black-black

You can also wear most any skate shoe as well. If you want a "feels like the shoe is glued to the pedal" feeling, FiveTen makes flat shoes with super sticky rubber that really grabs on bike pedals with pins. But my Chrome shoes have been what I need - Five Ten shoes actually grab to much for my taste.

Or you could go full clipless as well with 2 bolt (mountain) clipless shoes.

I just don't recommend straps or cages for anyone, I think they're the worst of all worlds.

So I had those Azonic 420's on my trail/AM bike, they were okay, but for the same money you can go with the VP Vice, which are lighter, have a stronger axle, a lower profile, and are waaaaayyyy more grippy (more pins, and the pins are longer). Easily the best flats I've ever ridden. You can pick them up on ebay sometimes for $40-50 as well if you're really looking for a deal.

Avoid the Elixr brakes for DH builds, I've never had/heard of anything but trouble, I'd go with shimano or formula for stopping power.

Drivetrain is the reverse- I have an XT drivetrain right now on the trail bike, and its okay, but nothing spectacular. Running X9 on the DH rig, and its pretty much the same performance as the XT, but quite a bit cheaper and requires less adjusting, so that'd be my recommendation.

Wald basket details on install straight from the item page on Rivendell: https://www.rivbike.com/products/wald-wire-basket

The this rack setup won’t work exactly for all bikes because it uses struts to stays on the top of the crown fork, a bit rare but super useful. But you can get it with a “diving board” to attach af the center top of the fork to fit most bikes. Otherwise, it’s likely the (unfortunately costly but versatile and great) Nitto Mark’s rack from rivendell, it can attach a few different ways. Low 5 pound weight limit technically but most folks easily put much more than that.

The pedals are probably VP-001 “thin gripsters”:
https://www.rivbike.com/products/thin-gripster-pedals-dark-grey-vp-001
Very similar but much cheaper are the VP-015 (VP Vice): www.amazon.com/dp/B006ZH1H7M

I believe the handlebars are the Nitto Wavie (only from Rivendell or BlueLug I think): https://www.rivbike.com/products/hhhssjiotrt6464etya1dr
Wide (660mm), meaningful sweepback, good bar for a flat bar mountain bike person looking for something a bit more comfortable.

Dynamo front wheel: Velocity Cliffhanger 700c rim,IQ-X light, Shimano DH-3N72 hub.

All sorts of good Hunq, nice ride internet stranger.

Check out the Riv Bike Works owners group on google groups for more of this sort of goodness.

Haha, tis okay. We're all jealous of your score, and that great choice of bars and tires.


How about these pedals, in white? I rode singletrack with them on my mountain bike. They worked great before I switched to clipless pedals.

Edit: I also own a set of these which cost about twice as much, but are very well made and great value for the money. I think they're as nice as $100+ MTB flats. I think either the black or grey ones would look nice on your bike.