After I first heard of composite flat pedals, I used to be skeptical that they’d be robust sufficient for MTB. After using a number of units, together with the up to date Race Face Chester pedals, I’m satisfied you’d must do one thing extreme to catastrophically harm a composite pedal physique. They’re robust sufficient, they usually’re light-weight and cheap!
For full particulars on the up to date Chester pedals, try Bikerumor’s launch article from final summer season. Briefly, the Chesters are Nylon composite pedals that are available in small or giant dimension choices. Their up to date design goals to offer higher traction than the older mannequin, and a flatter really feel with no hump over the axle. I’ve been using the Chesters for a number of weeks now, and I’m fairly happy with their platform form, grip, and sturdiness.
Race Face Chester Pedals – Key Specs:
The brand new Chester pedal our bodies are created from a sturdy Nylon composite. The physique form was redesigned for “a sleeker look and improved really feel” over the outgoing model, and I’d agree they appear extra streamlined.
Based mostly on my choice for larger-bodied pedals I opted to check the big Chesters. They measure 115mm lengthy, 110mm vast and 16mm thick. Race Face actually needed to remove the hump over the axle the older Chester pedals had. Whereas a minor hump remains to be seen on every finish of the axle, it’s been flattened proper down within the center.
These pedals characteristic 11 pins per facet – 9 replaceable steel pins and two molded pins. Race Face says they improved the pin placement during the last Chester pedal, to supply higher grip and simple foot repositioning. The brand new pedal’s pins are positively unfold out over a bigger space than the outdated model.
Rotating on a chromoly spindle, the Chester’s internals are serviceable and rebuildable. Race Face additionally eradicated the wrench flats from the older mannequin’s spindles to provide the brand new Chesters a decreased Q-Issue.
The big Chester pedals are fairly light-weight at 358g, particularly given their beneficiant platform. Race Face claims 355g, which is shut sufficient for me to name trustworthy!
Trip Impressions – Form and Really feel:
I’ve been using the Chesters for a number of weeks now, first on the Devinci Troy I just lately reviewed and later by myself Knolly Chilcotin.
I put on dimension 9.5 sneakers, and I discover the big Chester pedals’ width is definitely sufficient. The one factor I choose about extra sq. formed pedals is they provide extra side-to-side assist when your foot bounces out of place. With the Chesters, you’re completely properly supported when your foot is planted accurately, however their tapered form affords much less room for error in case your foot shifts outwards.
Nonetheless, the Chester’s form gives a ton of platform front-to-back. This pedal feels very supportive and comfy underneath exhausting pedalling, they usually’re positively not going to provide the ‘crow’s foot’ feeling. At 16mm they’re not the slimmest pedal on the market, however solely by a number of millimeters. The Chesters preserve your ft fairly near the spindles and don’t really feel blocky or thick.
At Crankworx, Race Face’s gross sales rep informed me one precedence with the Chester’s up to date design was to reduce the outdated model’s hump over the axle. A have a look at the pedal reveals there’s now solely a slight bulge at both finish of the axle, and the center is useless flat. I’d say their slimming completed the aim; I don’t discover the slight humps noticeable in any respect.
The steel pins on the Chesters are longer than the molded pins, they usually sit larger than the pedal physique’s center part. This permits your ft to sink in and provides the Chesters a barely concave really feel.
Traction:
I rode two totally different pairs of sneakers with the Chesters; Crankbrothers Stamp Trails and Endura MT500s. I began out using the Stamp Path sneakers and located I had good grip, however nothing I’d name tremendous grabby. It wasn’t exhausting to regulate my foot place, and my foot did get bounced off the pedal a few times on tough trails.
The Chesters appear to grip the Endura MT500 sneakers extra forcefully. These sneakers instantly felt extra solidly caught to the pedals than the Crankbrothers, and it takes a bit extra effort to re-position them. The MT500’s triangular center lugs (vs the oblong Stamp Path tread sample) positively stick higher on the Chester’s pins. I most well-liked the grippier really feel of those sneakers, particularly on tough trails the place my ft stayed locked in place higher.
Sturdiness:
Attributable to my Knolly’s low backside bracket, the Chesters have suffered their justifiable share of pedal strikes! Regardless of this, the worst harm I’ve inflicted was flattening one of many molded pins on one pedal. In any other case, each don’t have anything extra to indicate than small scratches on the skin edges. Two of the steel pins seem to have taken hits, however all of them are nonetheless straight and absolutely intact. Must you mangle or break one, the Chesters’ bottom-loading pins ought to stay straightforward to take away.
I haven’t been beating on the Chesters for too lengthy however they’ve been put by moist and muddy fall circumstances. To date I’ve had no mechanical points with the internals, and the spindles are nonetheless straight.
Race Face’s up to date Chester pedals retail for $55, and can be found in eight totally different colours.
