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Submitted by
Aaron Vaden
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durable, fairly light. | | Weaknesses: | Pack up in muddy conditions. | | Similar Products Used: | Nashbar pedals. | | Bike Setup: | '03 Fuel 80 | | Bottom Line: | These pedals came on my 2000 Trek 8000, and have worked so well for me I transferred them to my Fuel. I have 3000+ miles of XC riding and racing on them, and no failures yet. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a Cross Country Rider
from austin, tx
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Walnut Creek | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | durable, reliable, fairly light | | Weaknesses: | none noted thus far | | Bike Setup: | gary fisher sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | Though these were my first clipless pedals, I am very happy with them. I've ridden them hard for about 4 years and never had an issue. They work fine with my Shimano cleats, and even work OK in mud. It seems from reviews that either you get RE-1s that break in a month, or you get ones that are unbreakable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell Ruggiero
a Cross Country Rider
from West Windsor
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Princeton (Various) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Jay's | | Strengths: | Build and Price | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano M858 (Own) | | Bike Setup: | Klein Quantum (triple)
Bontrager Race X Lite (seat post)
Bontrager Race (bars)
Bontrager RE-1 (pedals)
| | Bottom Line: |
Dear
Reader
The Bontrager RE-1's are a great value for the money. They weigh-in at 341 grams, and hold up well under normal riding conditions. These pedals may be currently purchased at $50.00, which represents a great value. They are light and strong, and if you need clip-less, then try a set of RE-1's. My Shimano M858's are more rugged, but not worth three times the price. If you want state of the art then go for the Speedplay X/1's or Zero's. However, if you are on budget, and want a solid clip-less offering, then pick-up a pair of Bontager RE-1's.
Thank You
Russell
PS: I have over 2KM on these pedals and they perfect. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Edwards
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Bike, Bristol | | Strengths: | sheds the mud, positive clip in | | Weaknesses: | they break, they are manufactured by bontager. | | Similar Products Used: | Onza, Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher - Paragon 1999 | | Bottom Line: | Otherwise a great product, I have been happy with them untill they broke last week. the front of the retaining footplate just clean snapped off, bearing and all other bits have been perfect, trying to get replacement parts is impossible, Trek/Bontrager seem to go out of their way to misguide and misinform you!
HAVE YOUR RE-1's BROKEN - WANT TO GIVE ANOTHER RIDER WHO CAN'T AFFORD NEW SPD's TO CONTINUE USING THEIRS, IF YOU HAVE THESE GATHERING DUST AND PLAN NEVER TO TOUCH THEM AGAIN, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH - georgee@blueyonder.co.uk | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from SLO, CA
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Enchanted Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | They work great when they're not broken. They release well in good conditions and work decently in mud (until it dries). | | Weaknesses: | They BREAK!!! The stupid toe end of the retention plate breaks off. | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | I cannot advise anyone to buy these pedals, and if they come on your bike, ask the shop to switch them out at purchase. I was super happy with them for the first couple months, then the toe end of the retention plate broke on my right pedal. Wrote Bontrager, they told me to take it to my shop (who winned about replacing them a lot) for warranty. Got a new pair, and was happy again. Then, the same part on the left pedal broke. I went for a ride today, and the same part on the other side of the left pedal was gone--only discovered this at the trail head. So I rode anyways. I am really dissapointed with Bontrager's stuff. Their alloys are total junk! The metal just plain fails! Why would Keith allow such poor quality? The materials are just really bad, and the constant breakage just SUCKS!!! I just want to ride. Bontrager's got to be loosing huge in market confidence.
Hope you all have good rides and few crashes. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan white
a Cross Country Rider
from wheat ridge CO
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light, durable, look decent. | | Weaknesses: | spd. | | Similar Products Used: | Old Icon crap, Crank Bros. | | Bike Setup: | Jamis - read my komodo review | | Bottom Line: | These are very good spds. They are excellent in all conditions except snow and mud. They are solid, reliable, and both still spin very smoothly on their axles after much use.
Not as good as Time or Crank Bros (obviously), but a very good spd choice in my opinion.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
OROZCO OSCAR
a Weekend Warrior
from GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | TOBOGANES ZAPOPAN,MEXICO | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | BIKEWORLD | | Strengths: | I HAD THIS RE-1 SINCE I BOUGHT A TREK 7000, THEY WERE MI INITIAL CLIPLESS PEDALS, I HAVE NOT ANY PROBLEM WITH THEM | | Weaknesses: | I HAVE NOT ANY | | Similar Products Used: | NO ONE | | Bike Setup: | TREK 7000 | | Bottom Line: | I TRY TO CHANGE THIS RE-1 FOR TIME ATAC CARCON BUT IT WONT RELEASE AS FAST AS MY ORIGINALS RE-1, TIME IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SHIMANO, IN MEXICO IS THE MOST POPULAR (SHIMANO). IN MUD I NEVER HAVE PROBLEMS. I ALSO RECOMENDED TO MY FRINEDS BUT THEY DID NOT FIND HERE IN MEXICO SO THEY HAVE TO BUY SHIMANO.
I REALLY HAPPY, I ALSO CAHNGE ALREADY MY BIKE AN OF COURSE I CHANGE MY OLD PEDALS TOO. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate
a Racer
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | oem | | Strengths: | Durable, light, easy release/entry | | Weaknesses: | problems in sticky mud | | Similar Products Used: | shimano, time | | Bike Setup: | Sugar 1, Ziggurat, Redline cx, Marin, Trek 8000 | | Bottom Line: | I have owned 4 pairs of these pedals since '98. In that time, I broke one pedal (which was promptly warrantied) and had virtually no other problems since, other than in very muddy conditions. I race expert class and put lots of miles on these. NO PROBLEMS. I get in at will. I get out when I want. Simple. All you guys who want to throw yours away send me an email. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | With 2000 paragon | | Strengths: | When cleat tension was adjustable it worked well | | Weaknesses: | It broke and the cleat tension just lossened | | Bike Setup: | 2000 paragon | | Bottom Line: | Considering I had not worn out a set of cleats yet this product is junk. I would never buy this pedal new. The cleat adjustment screw poped loose for a $70 retail pedal this is really crap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wrench
a Cross Country Rider
from Las Vegas, NV
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Navajo Lake Loop, Utah | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Coplands | | Strengths: | SPD compatibility, other than that.nothing. | | Weaknesses: | Quality, strength, reliablity, customer service. | | Similar Products Used: | Time ATAC, Shimano SPD - verious | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Sugar2 | | Bottom Line: | POS (Piece of S^&T). Broke one of the left pedals release plates on 2nd ride. Then broke the same metal piece on the right pedal the next day! Had a total of 11 miles on the first pedal before it broke, about 20 miles on the second pedal before it broke. I have never seen such poor quality on any "high" end bike part in my 14 years of riding.
Copland Sporting Goods then told me that "pedals" are a warranty item. Talk about absolute garbage customer service!
Bontragers customer service is also terrible, just try and find a phone number on the web site. The obviously dont want to talk to their customers.
Only reason they get 1 start is because I can't give them "0" stars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EYEDOC
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville, TN
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything fast and hilly | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles, ETC | | Strengths: | Easy to clip out of (perhaps too easy) | | Weaknesses: | Durability, quality of internals | | Similar Products Used: | 747's | | Bike Setup: | Merlin Echo-CrossMax UST-Sid SL-Full XT-Thomson | | Bottom Line: | Bought these pedals to use on my spare bike, and after a while, one became very difficult to rotate, and the other would spin like a pinwheel, making a horrible grinding sound. The LBS repaired them for $10, then the same thing happened after a few more rides. Also, my feet would occasionally pop out of them on rocky or bumpy terrain. I'm going to try the EggBeaters and see how they
do. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pierre
a Cross Country Rider
from Levis, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | came with the bike | | Strengths: | Yes they are pedals and they hold yours shoes in place | | Weaknesses: | Bearings auto-destroy rapidly | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude Comp 1999 | | Bottom Line: | These pedals came stock on my bike and they failed on me in a few months. I went back to the dealer and they replaced them with another pair that was taken off a Klein Mantra. After about the same period of time, I got the same problem. These RE-1 are just poorly manufactured and I can't understand why they were still found on high-end Klein bikes in 2001... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Can be melted down and recycled into a beer can. | | Weaknesses: | This about sums it up. It's a weak product. | | Bottom Line: | These pedals flat out suck. They lock up or release prematurely, in both cases without advance warning. Buying these was the worst decision I have ever made buying bicycle gear. I replaced them with Time ATACs and I could not be happier. Buy the Times and save yourself some headache (literally). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marc
a Cross Country Rider
from yonkers,n.y usa
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | van courtland at night | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | bike store in hawii | | Strengths: | there lite | | Weaknesses: | hard to clip in . to easy to release,to small a surface and to easy to come out in techincal spots and hard down hills. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano 737, 757 | | Bike Setup: | dean colonel with xtr rear derailer and shifters lx crank and brakes manitou six deluxe shock. | | Bottom Line: | they should give these pedals away rather then selling them.they suck!!!! if your trying to save a buck there ok if not buy a better quility pedal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt L
a Cross Country Rider
from Port Angeles
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | dry hill in port angeles | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | came with paragon | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | This pedal has broken 4 times since I have had them and twice they have been replaced. They are are ok in mud and such , terrible in snow, and overall they suck. the float feels terrible also and many times when i unclip the cleat gets caught in the pedal and i eat SH*T | | Similar Products Used: | time atac | | Bike Setup: | stock fisher paragon | | Bottom Line: | if these came with you bike, ride them until they break( which if you ride hard, it wont be very long) and then get some better pedals | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Racer
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | stock on fisher bike | | Strengths: | light, had no problems with this pedal | | Weaknesses: | small surface when not clipped | | Bottom Line: | I just had this pedal wear out on me after approx 1500 miles. I have thought these to be great pedals. I have raced in wet GA clay and have had no problems with them. I am trying to decide on a new pair to get. I am able to get the 2001 re-1 for $49 new. I may ride them for another 1500 miles. these weigh 347g. shimano 959 are 100g more. Time are 50g more. for the weight these have been a strong pedal although I have at times wanted a larger platform like Time for getting started with pedal not clipped. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a
from Ashland Oregon
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | Lightwieght | | Weaknesses: | Lightwieght | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey, Shimano etc | | Bike Setup: | Trek OCLV | | Bottom Line: | The float is easy on the knees.
If you hesitate during release, the mechanisam will snap and it will cost to fix it.
If the seat is too high it gets difficult to engage.
Get some eggbeaters | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fedude
a Cross Country Rider
from vancouver, BC, CANADA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | WR Cycle | | Strengths: | Don't have much to go on due to quality problems right from the start, but as far as the pedals themselves, they are relatively lightweight compared to some others. I never had any real problems with mud clogging.
As for customer service from Trek/Bontrager, a huge five chilis to Kevin who replaced my pedals quickly and courteously - thanks, dude! | | Weaknesses: | Retention clip broke on one pedal on my fourth ride out. I was extremely disappointed with this, natch.
Also, the bearings are pretty sticky at first (i.e., the pedals don't free-spin on the axles, but take effort to move) Probably just needs a re-lube, but that's not too cool with brand new stuff.
I took them back to the shop where I purchased my bike, and they blew me off when I asked about warranty replacement, saying it was an impact-related issue and that I was SOL, even though it was defective design/production and NOT impact. Not a way to win customers and influence people.
| | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 535, for many many years with no problems. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 3, stock. | | Bottom Line: | Overall, unless these pedals came on your brand new ride like mine did, don't buy them after-market - get something else instead. Check out the reviews here on whatever you are thinking of instead.
Kudos again to Kevin at Trek/Bontrager who replaced the busted pedals. If you broke yours, call/email the company or use their web page interface to let them know you've had problems.
As for my LBS, the one guy who blew me off like some Fred screwed up the fine work and assistance that every other employee there gave me (sorry guys). There's plenty of other places to get gear, so since you treated me like dirt, I'm heading elsewhere.
Value rating is low due to poor quality and breakage; overall is higher due to excellent customer service from Trek/Bontrager. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Koji Takahashi
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA USA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | el corte de madera/skegg's | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | pacific | | Strengths: | it's lasted 900 miles | | Weaknesses: | it's been tougher to clip in and out of lately | | Similar Products Used: | can't say...these are my first clipless pedals | | Bike Setup: | fisher big sur | | Bottom Line: | so these were my first introduction to clipless pedals. they came with the fisher i bought last year. to date, they work fine. never given me a problem on all my weekend rides. when they get a bit sticky, i put grease on the cleats. other than that, i just brush out the dried mud. they work good enough that it may warrant 50 bucks to get another pair from an online dealer. maybe i just got lucky. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
drew
a Racer
from charleston
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came w/ Bike | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Many. SPD style design is for the birds. Fill w/ mud like nothing else I've ever used. They break extremely easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Time, Shimano, Ritchey, Crank Bros.(The best ever for XC) | | Bike Setup: | XC bike is a Sugar 2 rigged to the teeth. | | Bottom Line: | THEY SUCK! I broke my first pair after a couple of months use when I was playing around on a picnic table. I tried to clip out in a quick reaction situation and ate it cause my foot wouldn't come out. I tried to clip in after that and the pedal was destroyed. I got them replaced on warranty, and the next pair broke the second day I used them, again in a situation where I tried to clip out suddenly. Left me walking cause I couldn't get back into 'em. Traded them in on Time pedals, and have never looked back since. If the fact that they break isn't enough reason to ditch them, then how about the fact that they are designed like shimano pedals, which suck (m646 is the exception here, but they are a freeride pedal in my book). Go to a Time or even better, go to a crank bros egg beater (best pedal i've used yet for xc riding). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
melvin
a Weekend Warrior
from slc, utah, usa
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | probably affordability, but mine came with my Fisher, Big Sur | | Weaknesses: | After riding the pedals for about 1.5 years, getting into the pedal has become difficult and they release easily. Tighting the spring does not help, it only makes getting into the pedal harder. They still release....very frustrating and potentially dangerous when riding tough trails. | | Similar Products Used: | I just bought shimano M536. They are supposed to be more durable. I cannot afford the higher-end pedals. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher, Big Sur. Shimano hallow core LX cranks, XT rear der, stock set-up, etc. | | Bottom Line: | The pedals are of poor quality. My friend sells bike parts to retail stores for one of the largest distributors in the south east US. He hates the quality of these pedals. It might have to do with the fact that they are built in Korea. Anyway stay away from these pedals. Buy something else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike M.
a Downhiller
from Telluride, co
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | stock on sugar 3 | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | They stink when they get muddy or sandy. Spent last summer in very wet alaska and almost died many times because they would not release | | Bike Setup: | Sugar 3 2000 | | Bottom Line: | They work if there dry and lubed but tough in mud.
They lasted 2 years of hard riding in alaska and colorado so they are durable. I wouldnt pay for them though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a
from Hilliard,Ohio
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Alum Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Easy to get in and out of when lubed and the trail is dry... | | Weaknesses: | Clogs very easily in anything not dry | | Similar Products Used: | TIME ATAC, LOOK | | Bike Setup: | F900 with shimano derailers, bontrager crank, RE-1 pedals | | Bottom Line: | Good for dry days, very light, easy to get in and out of, good for beginners and non trial people | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Kingston, On, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Light, good for *light* cross country | | Weaknesses: | -broke 2 cleat retention clips...i see others have had same problem | | Similar Products Used: | -various shimano SPDs, flats | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Paragon, Z2, Hayes oils, Bontrager race disk wheels | | Bottom Line: | -these pedals can't take abuse....ok for light cross country
-replacement parts are available, but for the high price of the parts, I'd rather put the cash towards pedals that don't break so easily.
-expensive for what they are
-I would advise agains buying them if you ride at all agressively | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Emma Long | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | lightweight, self-clearing - great in muddy conditions, reliable | | Weaknesses: | cleat receptor broke on one pedal after a year | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager Privateer Comp (cro/mo hard tail), SID XC, stock XTR | | Bottom Line: | Overall, I love these pedals and highly recommend them. It seems that the metal cleat receptor deal on these pedals was originally made from inferior metal(my guess) and thus is susceptible to failure, which really sucks when it happens in the middle of a trail. To my surprise, when I wrote an email to Trek(who now owns Bontrager), the rep asked me to send the pedals to them, and within a few days I had a new pair. Not bad. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KYLE
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | lbs with bike | | Strengths: | Still work, Works in Oregon mud. | | Weaknesses: | could work betterin mud | | Bottom Line: | lube them before every ride and you will have no problem, there good pedals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Avi Greenbury
a Cross Country Rider
from London, England
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Simple, Cheap, Adjustable, Non-Shimano, easy to get replacements. | | Weaknesses: | clogs easily with mud, not very good bearngs, | | Similar Products Used: | Time ATAC MTB, | | Bike Setup: | Specialzed rockhopper | | Bottom Line: | Good value, but you will want to upgrade after about six months, because they clog far too easily in mud. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | weight, cartridge bearings, mud clearing (for SPD's), cleat design, ease of maintenance | | Weaknesses: | Fisher, Trek, etc. not providing Bontrager's cleats when you buy a bike with these pedals | | Similar Products Used: | second pair of RE-1's. Otherwise, none | | Bike Setup: | Titus Racer-X, Diadora shoes | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up review on a second set of these pedals.
What really gets me is that I can really tell who bought these pedals aftermarket with the Bontrager cleats and who got them stock on a Trek or Fisher bike and is using Shimano cleats. The literature says they're interchangeable, but they're really not. Keith's design is very different and, I get the feeling, attaches to the cleat retention mechanism in such a significantly different way that Shimano cleats damage them--break the cleat retention mechanism--and Bonty cleats don't.
I've had two pairs of these pedals--first bike was stolen--and both work great with the right cleats. I bought the second pair of pedals for about $35 on eBay, which is great considering they retail for about $100.
They're super-easy to lube. Just unscrew the top cap, then undo the reverse-threaded inner screw, wipe the old grease off the pedal spindle, and pack new grease in the pedal. Plus the cartridge bearings will last a lot longer than needle bearings.
They also work fairly well in most kinds of mud, as long as you're willing to grind the cleat into the pedal a little. But I almost had to scrounge for a stick to clean them out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shem
a Cross Country Rider
from qld
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Weaknesses: | broke the mechanism within two rides. not so good. | | Bottom Line: | not so good. but warranty was no probs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bernard
a Cross Country Rider
from Quebec
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | Ligth, hold well, you can take the bearinf off to service them | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Welgo | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F400 | | Bottom Line: | These pedal are realy good. They clip in and out very well. Even in the mud. I had a couple of big crash and they didn't brake at all. They never release when I dont want to.
Very good pedals, buy them with no worries. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rand
a Racer
from Chico, CA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | North Rim/B Trail loop in Chico | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | ummm...light | | Weaknesses: | Weak! and they are SPD's | | Similar Products Used: | any SPD | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Mt. Tam, Z2 Atom 80 Air, Paul brakes and levers, SRAM plasma shifters with XTR derailleurs | | Bottom Line: | These pedals are light, which seems good, but they are the weakest pedal i have ever seen or ridden. I rode these for a couple weeks before breaking the release mechanism. I work as a mechanic at a bike shop, and have also seen 7 other pairs come through the shop broken in the same part of the release mechanism. It is definitely a trend with these pedals. It is stupid to run light pedals that cant hold up to everyday riding, so save your money and buy Time. They engage and release better than SPD, and they last forever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jj ll
a Cross Country Rider
from denton
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | cedar hill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | light at 346 grams | | Bike Setup: | 2000 sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | I have not had any problems with the pedal. I can clip in and out. They will clog in mug, most pedals will, even times. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff P
a Cross Country Rider
from Yorktown Heights NY USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mt | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Yorktown Cycle | | Strengths: | Easy in and out. Durable. Light. Easy to maintain. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Paragon | | Bottom Line: | Excellent pedal. I have been using for 2 years with no problems. Easy to get into and out of. Adjustable tension works great. Durable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sammy Jinkis
a Cross Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | * Troublefree
* Easy access in and out
* Relatively light with smooth motion | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Comp (These are so terrible that Specialized should be ashamed) | | Bike Setup: | '99 Klein Mantra Race. Everything stock minus the front Shimano Deore XT V-brakes (SQUEAL) which I happily swapped with the much better Avid 25's. | | Bottom Line: | These are great pedals in my opinion. They came stock on my bike and I've never had problems after 6 months of constant use. They provide smooth pedal motion, and after adjusting the spring tension, they provide easy access in and out with plenty of rotational float.
Since I weigh about 160 pounds, I don't think I'm heavy enough to cause much damage. As for mud shedding capability, I have not yet had enough experience to say if they clog up easily. Overall, a very good product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Saucy Boy
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Starr Pass | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | light, small
Good cleat design | | Weaknesses: | They broke, then they broke again.
useless in mud | | Similar Products Used: | Time ATAC, old Shimano SPDs | | Bike Setup: | Sugar 3 w/ Time ATAC pedals | | Bottom Line: | One side of the left pedal broke on the first ride out. Didn't have a chance to change pedals, so I rode the second ride using the good side of the pedal, until it broke an jammed the cleat in, making it very difficult to escape.
The pedals have very poor performance in mud (if you ride in any mud, go with the Times), though the cleat is a good design, and worked well with my old shimanos after I put them back on my bike.
I saw these pedals at my LBS for $120! There are so many p better pedals out there for cheaper( that don't break), so I would not buy a pair | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Cross Country Rider
from Amarillo, TX
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Hill's Sport Shop | | Strengths: | Decent pedals... pretty average | | Weaknesses: | Don't work very well when they get crud in them, but then, what pedals do? | | Similar Products Used: | Coda clipless | | Bottom Line: | I like them, despite the crummy reviews everyone else has given them. I have put 500+ miles on them and would reccomend them to you, although there may be better pedals out there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rick
a Cross Country Rider
from bancroft wis usa
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | rock lake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | camewithbike | | Strengths: | seem to work ok when clean | | Weaknesses: | almost inoperable when dirty. tough to get in or out. | | Similar Products Used: | onza and scott | | Bike Setup: | trek fuel 98 | | Bottom Line: | I thought these pedals were ok until they and my shoes got muddy. I couldn't clip in or out without cleaning both. It's a bummer. I never had that problem with onza , scott, or ritchey.I am going to bail on them for ritcheys. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon Solotko
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Richardson Bike Mart | | Strengths: | Light, durable, easy to adjust, work on. | | Weaknesses: | Front retainer broke once, got my shop to swap. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | XC | | Bottom Line: | After initial adjustment worked fine. These are my first SPD's, so I can't compare too much, but after 2 years, at 225 pounds these have taken a fair abount of punishment with only one failure. No bending or structural problems. Clip in and out at the right times. Rebuild/grease every once in a while, they will spin real sweet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
niklas
a
from Helsinki, Finland
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Helens | | Strengths: | Reliable, looks | | Similar Products Used: | shimano spd's | | Bike Setup: | Bianchi axis 2000 | | Bottom Line: | I've been happy with the RE-1. Been using them for 1year now both on and offroad. OK, so it doesn't work properly when buried with mud, but I wonder if any pedal does. Way better than my old shimanos. And I think they look good with my bike ;) No problems so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JD
a Weekend Warrior
from nj
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | across the street at Allaire | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Djs cycle and fitness | | Strengths: | They felt ok when I first clipped in them. not much of a strength i guess. Held me in pretty good till the rear retaining clip broke on the right pedal while trying to clip in. | | Weaknesses: | Everything. the right rear retaining clip broke within 10 minutes of riding on the road after I got the bike home while talking on my phone. I couldnt have been riding them too hard with one hand on the handlebars. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Clipless, possibly the best pedals ever I've had them for 6 years and nothing has gone wrong with other than 2 weeks ago when i snapped the tension bolt but they still work without flaw. HAHAHA! | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Klein Mantra (basically stock) Vetta seat old panaracer smoke dart up front old Onza Porc II in the back, much better than those cheesy Bontrager tires that it came with. | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy them Im gonna try and get the new set for nothing and then sell them and get new ritcheys and put the old ones back on my IBOC. Dont buy them buy Ritchey's youll never go back. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Paton
a Cross Country Rider
from Thgompson, CT
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bigelow Hollow | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Um, er, uh... none | | Weaknesses: | Crappy, crappy and crappy. Broke the right pedal first time out. Replaced for free as bike was brand new. Broke the left pedal yesterday - not covered under warranty because they look beat up. The guy at the shop offered to sell me another pair cheap - $50. I think he can keep his crappy pedals. I just took the Codas off my old ride (ridden two years without any trouble). | | Similar Products Used: | Coda, Scott | | Bike Setup: | 99 Mantra Comp - stock. | | Bottom Line: | Poor workmanship, poor quality, poor value. Don't buy them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Gettysburg, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything and everything | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Gettysburg cycle and fitness | | Strengths: | They perform well for me. I have been using Specialized shoes and shimano spd clips. Easy to use and reliable. | | Weaknesses: | None for me. I use them for cross country only. I learned how to bunny hop with them, and now I mainly ride with platform pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, specialized(total junk)
| | Bike Setup: | Trek 300 VRX I don't care what anyone says, that frame was made for my body and riding style. | | Bottom Line: | I think they are great pedals. As soon as my bike gets heavy enough to give me a challenge on the hills I'll swap them back from my flat pedals I'm beating on now. I rarely had any problems with unintentional unclipping. I keep my ankles strait. My brother has specialized clipless pedals and they are really junk. After a few rides they were bent so bad he couldn't clip in at all.(might that have something to do with the really low BB on the enduros?) have a good one, ride hard and keep it safe. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno, NV
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Flume trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | Excellent in mud and snow, easy entry and release | | Weaknesses: | weight | | Similar Products Used: | shimano 515, ritchey (also good) | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager Privateer, Marzocchi z-2 x-fly, full XT
| | Bottom Line: | I have never had a problem with these pedals an I'm hard on my equipment. In fact they work so good in mud and snow and other pedal clogging conditions I bought a pair for my 'cross bike and have had nothing but good luck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Edward
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came with Bike | | Strengths: | None. | | Weaknesses: | Broke. | | Bottom Line: | The first time I rode with these demon pedals I about broke my arm, and thought about getting platforms. But after considering the extra money I paid for shoes and the money I'd have to put into new pedals I decided to give them another chance. After some minor adjustments I thought that I had them set at a reasonable tention that I would be able to easily get in and out. But to my dismay today I found that the back retaining clip had totally broken off. I'm not too happy with these things and hope to find something that will better suit me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Saldaña
a Cross Country Rider
from University Place WA USA
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Ft. Lewis tank trails, OP 7 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Don't spin easily so they stay where you left them. Perform well in muddy conditions | | Weaknesses: | No caps on allen screws on the side of the pedal, had to reshape the hole after a few falls. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano m515 | | Bike Setup: | Trek 7000 xt/xtr, revolt tires, icon bar-ends, otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | These pedals have worked fine for me. It seems that if you get a pair that actually works you have no problem. I have had no problem of any sort while clipping or unclipping with the RE-1 cleats; when ridden with my shimano cleats my right pedal unclips while riding rocky/technical sections and adjusting the tension does not help. They are good performers and should be given a chance but if don't feel safe using them, replace them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D
a Cross Country Rider
from Spartanburg,SC,us
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | South Side | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | came with a friends bike | | Strengths: | never jam, mud has no effect on thier functioning, lite!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | BREAK!!!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | shimano 646 | | Bike Setup: | trek 8000 frame,xt cranks-deraulure-casset, manitou xvert R, hot s tires | | Bottom Line: | i liked the pedals alot before the getto things broke. now i have to but a 25 dollar pedal rebuild kit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
billy
a Cross Country Rider
from tulsa
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | still looking for one.. | | Weaknesses: | These pedals are dangerous | | Similar Products Used: | Time ATAC Carbon, expensive but worth every penny | | Bike Setup: | GF Sugar3, stock except for pedals and tires | | Bottom Line: | These pedals came on my sugar and were the first thing I replaced. I am disapointed that gary tried to cut costs on something as important as quality pedals. They never functioned properly even after countless adjustments. I finally just got some Times which have been flawless. I would discourage anyone to buy these and if they come stock on your bike try to get the shop to trade them out for something else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
edward
a Weekend Warrior
from houston
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ho chi minh | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | I know believe these are pretty decent pedals. It took some adjusting but now they are a pretty sweet setup. Great in every thing but very muddy conditions | | Weaknesses: | Muddy conditions sometimes prevent the pedal from sucking my shoe in as it does most of the time | | Bike Setup: | GF sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | Good pedals, they just need a little adjusting | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek L
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Greenbelt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | These pedals are pretty lame. They came with the bike, so I don't have any point of comparason but I'm sure there are better products out there. After using them about 2 months, the front retention clip on the left pedal had broken clean off. And then just recently, the rear retention clip just folded over broken. Also, even when turned up the the highest tension, they can some unclipped in mid hop. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Trek OCLV Elite 9.8 XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | Invest in some better pedals. It's worth the extra cash. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | None, other than they are compatible to my old Shimanos | | Weaknesses: | they don't always clip in, only one side works if any... | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Klien Mantra, Stock except for seat and now the pedals | | Bottom Line: | These pedals really bite. I could only clip in on one side, they don't spin easily, over all I spent more time unclipped because of these pedals and I am used to the Shimano pedals that use the same clip system. Spend the extra cash and get good pedals. I don't think anyone should buy these and if they come with the bike, replace them... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Curt
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View, CA
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | unknown | | Weaknesses: | break easily | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 535 | | Bike Setup: | '01 GF Mt. Tam w/ Shimano XT discs | | Bottom Line: | These pedals suck! I didn't even get a chance to ride with them! I was sitting stationary, testing the tension adjustment by clipping in and out. The second time I clipped out of the left pedal, I heard an unusual snap. On inspection, I noticed that the rear retaining bar of the pedal had broken!
They came stock on my bike, so I don't know the price. However, after this experience and reading the other reviews here, I wouldn't recommend these pedals at any price.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
drbll
a Cross Country Rider
from Kenosha
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pets | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Great quality and awesome looks | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Ritchey, Topo | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper M2, all XT, SID XC | | Bottom Line: | Very nice pedals, Smoothest clip in/out I have had. More secure than the Specialized. Not as stiff as Ritchey. Excellent in muddy conditions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe wilkins
a Weekend Warrior
from ny
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any good down hill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | stock with bike | | Strengths: | good in mud | | Weaknesses: | too much float. my right clip broke and can't fix My foot comes out some times on hard down hills thats no fun.Dont grease them or you'll be sorry. | | Similar Products Used: | topo cheap but I think i'll go back to them | | Bike Setup: | trek 7000 00 stock | | Bottom Line: | I really like them most of time, but cost too much to replace | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Media, PA USA
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissahickon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Strengths: | I don't know what everyone else is talking about. I've never had any problems getting in or out (see note in bottom line) of these pedals and they have performed flawlessly for me in all conditions. I've had them so packed with mud that you couldn't even see the pedal anymore and I could clip in without any problems.
| | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | TREK 6500, Bontrager RE-1's, Bontrager Crow Bar, Icon Stem, Everything else stock. | | Bottom Line: | Good product if adjusted properly.
Every once in a while, my foot will pop out while bunnyhopping or riding something technical. Probably my fault. I sometimes unintentionally turn my ankle in slightly when I bring up the rear of the bike. More my fault than the product.
Also, when I am really winded after a long climb I sometimes have a hard time clipping in because I lose control of my feet. Once again, my fault, not the product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
edward
a Weekend Warrior
from houston
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ho chi minh | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | these pedals r trying to kill me | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | These pedals are trying to kill me. This bike is possessed with these pedals. I cant ride worth sh**. I am unable to clip out at all. Someone give a good pedal rec. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chuck
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | Came with Bike | | Strengths: | Light weight, shed the mud | | Weaknesses: | Poor quality of metal in retaining mechanism. Both the forward and rear retainer broke. The pedal became 100% inoperative; total mechanical failure. With such a short time of use this pedal is not up to quality in strength and durability that is required. | | Similar Products Used: | m535 | | Bike Setup: | Klein, Manitou, Bontrager hubs (do not like rear hub) | | Bottom Line: | Poor showing. They must have cut corners in quality of material. Bontrager should be ashamed of themselves. To have a pedal fail in such a short period of time and the manner in which it failed is really a bad mark on an otherwise good name. I would not recommend this pedal to anyone. I am looking toward Shimano 535 as there is a proven track record of durability. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy
a Cross Country Rider
from Walnut Creek, CA
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Too Many to List | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Came On Bike | | Strengths: | Good float
Will work in mud but keep the water bottle handy
Firm platform | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 545s, Specialized SPD | | Bike Setup: | Sugar 3 with some upgrades | | Bottom Line: | I read all these complaints about breakage and how the pedal's tension won't keep you clipped in. I am a 200 lb plus masher (I try to spin, honestly) and these pedals have worked great for 6 months. I even used them over Mr. Toads Ride at Lake Tahoe and they got pretty bashed up on those granite bolders. There's enough float to save the knees. Setting the tension at midpoint keeps me in and still lets me out when I need to (we've all played handlebar superman). I must give these pedals 4 chilis for retails value and 5 chilis overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from SLO, CA
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Reliable in and out, pretty light, has some float, does well in mud, have taken a lot of hits on rocks and are doing great. | | Weaknesses: | None for me. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | I love my pedals. I pull hard on them, and they don't care. I only had problems getting out once, and that was because I had rock hard dried mud and rocks covering my shoe(I don't know how I got in.) I haven't had any other problems with these pedals. I would highly recommend them if you get a set that doesn't break like the reviews talk about. They've been great for me, too bad they all don't seem to be this way. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Pasadena
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | light weight, entry and exit not too bad, good float | | Weaknesses: | poor design in terms of strength - mine retention mechanism snapped off while in the pedal. | | Similar Products Used: | TIME Attacks, Shimano 858 | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz SL - the works | | Bottom Line: | Well, this is an up date from my earlier post. I did not have the engagement disengagement troubles that others have complained about, in fact, I had these babies tighted up all the way, otherwise my feet would continually disengage when riding anything remotely technical. This was often a frightening experience i might add.
I am a pretty experienced rider and ride easy on my bike - I'm definately not a thrasher. Boy was I surprised when while leaning my ass over the rear wheel going down a short technical section, the retention mechanism on my right pedal snapped off. Fortunately, I hung on with one foot.
However the rest of the ride I could only use one side of the pedal.
It seems that many thers have had this happen to them while riding these pedals. Just look at how little metal is used for those retention mechanisms and it is no surprise that they will snap. Sorry Keith, usually your stuff is high quality, however, these pedals are unsafe. Unless you pedal over smooth trails and roads, avoid these at all costs.
My bike store, swapped out these in exchabge for a set of twice used, Shimao 858 demos. Now these instill confidence! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Wallingford, CT
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tyler Mill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | They work and are light | | Weaknesses: | I really can't think of any! | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 747, 646, 515 | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Schwinn 4-Banger, Z2 X-FLY, XT, XTR. | | Bottom Line: | I must be really lucky to actually think these are a good set of pedals. Like the guy in the post below, I backed the tension screws out all that way and I have had absolutely no problem with these pedals. Exit and Entry are very dependable. I did have a problem with entering my right pedal a few months ago. So I took it apart and cleaned it out and sprayed some WD-40 all over. That was the last of that problem. Overall, I don't think they are as smooth as the 747's, but nevertheless, they are still a reliable set of pedals. Mine have been bashed quite a few times against rocks and they just keep coming back for more. But judging from all the other posts, I guess I was lucky enough to get a set that actually works!! Thanks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Poplar Bluff
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ozark trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | country cycles--poplar bluff | | Strengths: | Fairly easy in mud | | Weaknesses: | Loooong hard break-in period | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano products | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8500 with Englund air forks, Moxey seat post &Bontreger RE-1 pedals | | Bottom Line: | From what I've read here, I was probably lucky to have my pedals for over a year,because of breakage problems. But, what a terrible year I had initially, because of numerous falls due to the inability to click out. Probably 30 time I fell, because of the tight engagement. The dealer and I even backed the adjustment screw ALL the way out, to no benefit. They were just too tight!!
Now the pedals are working pretty well, even in mud. Will probably go with Time's next. My experience with the RE-1's don't justify another try. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chalky
a Cross Country Rider
from Alamogordo
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Too many to choose from | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Bike Setup: | 2K Trek 7K | | Bottom Line: | After a year of riding these pedals, I'm ready to review. I hated them for the first month. I could not clip out and have the scars to prove it. A buddy talked me into staying with them, as opposed to toe clips, and I am now 100% pleased. When everyone is caked in mud, twigs in hand, picking at thier pedals, whinin' about not being able to clip in, I'm sipping on my camelback whinin' about them holding me up. Lubing as required and these pedals are just fine. 5 flames for me. The 1 flame ratings, in my opinion, are a bit harsh. I've had bad experiences with other products that I still wouldn't rate a 1. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Boone
a Cross Country Rider
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | North Overlook | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Iowa Bike and Fitness | | Strengths: | Light. | | Weaknesses: | Lots of float. Hard to enter. Way to easy to just pop out of. Breaks often. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 5?? | | Bike Setup: | 2K Fisher Paragon. Shimano 535 pedals, flat stem, Velociraptor tires, Selle seat, (maybe new brakes) | | Bottom Line: | Came with my Paragon that I bought around 10-10-00. Several weeks ago I broke some support teeth 9(not sure on tech term) on the front of one. Odered a new plate, but before it got here I just broke the rear mechanism on it. Took it to the shop and he said "Defective" and traded over to some shimano 535s. I like these alot better. He said that the 535s were just better pedals. I must agree. Would not recommend them to any one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, WA ,USA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Smith Creek Epic | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Look Good. | | Weaknesses: | The pedal broke the first time I clipped out of them! | | Similar Products Used: | Richey W.C.S. Ti | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 3. Stock, except the pedals now. | | Bottom Line: | I am a 34 year old Mechanical Engineer. The first time I clipped out of them, the retaining mechanism broke. I have seen this type of failure on many things I have dealt with before. I believe this design is similar to the designs of a lot of other reliable pedals, however the materials used in this pedal are inferior. It is normal for a mechanism to fail on any mechanical device once or twice in a production run of several thousand items. However, repeated failures of the same type is not, unless the product is inferior. If you have read any of the other posts on this site, you will see similar failures of this pedal.
My bike is now outfitted with the one pedal that I have never had a problem with- Richey's W.C.S Ti. $59 at SuperGo.
Keep the flesh side up.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stuart McMahon
a Cross Country Rider
from Glasgow, Scotland
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Rear clips broke after 1 mile, ie first time I popped my foot out. Fracture face had signs of corrosion so they were already cracked from manufacture. | | Similar Products Used: | Cheaper bonties came with my last bike | | Bike Setup: | Stock Gary Fisher MT Tam Disc | | Bottom Line: | Insist on changing them if they come with your bike, otherwise don't even think about buying them. I swapped for XTs which are really nice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Abram
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | BikesUSA | | Strengths: | Not only did I get shafted with the BikesUSA collapse, I got two crappy pedals to boot! The same problem, brittle trays went snap and promptly ruined. Fortunately, I've still got one good side left but for how long is anyone's guess. time to replace. | | Weaknesses: | Cheesy! Brittle, poorly made brackets/clips, no replacement parts available. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | JudyKC 100 fork, Race face crank, turbine rings, xt rear, xtr front, rock shox post specialized race seat, hayes front, avid rears. | | Bottom Line: | It sucks. Buy something else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brendan
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Sports People | | Weaknesses: | Broke left side within first 2 weeks. The clips are really weak, and I have resigned myself to swapping them out as soon as I can. A bummer, since I just bought this bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Came with the Gary Fisher Sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | Poor quality. Am disappointed that GF would put this on the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sir Scars-A-Lot
a Weekend Warrior
from Burbank, CA
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | www.supergo.com | | Strengths: | - small
- light | | Weaknesses: | - quality
- cheap metal in clips | | Similar Products Used: | First clipless pedals came stock with new bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 3, except pedals which I will replace! | | Bottom Line: | On my first ride, I noticed I could not clip into my left pedal. At the end of the day I inspected my pedal and found out that both rear clips have snapped off! Looked like cast aluminum. I figured better metals (like hardened steel) would be used on the clips since they are constantly being pounded on. I was disappointed with the quality of this pedal. If you get these pedals on a new bike, trade them out to save you the trouble. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bryan taber
a Downhiller
from new bedford
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | ledge, lynn woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | scottee's cycle | | Strengths: | light, easy to clip in and out of, easy to clear mud,
eaasy to adj. | | Weaknesses: | price, weak, flimsy , no truth to the advertisemnt "easy
to rebuild" | | Similar Products Used: | wellgo, nashbar pedals spd knock offs. | | Bike Setup: | rm element race, race face lp cranks, marzcchi 3.5 100mm,
set up for some light freeriding, ad-10 cane creek rear supnsion, kona dh bars, race face comp hdset. mavic 517 sup
wheels. v-brakes. | | Bottom Line: | loved the pedals at first, the huge page adds in mba
was cool and made sense regarding mud clearence, and it
also said at the end, easy to rebuild if it needs to.
aftr 3 mos on these pedals, riding lots of technical rough
trail i snapped the clips on both pedals, can only entr on one side, this is a popular prblm, but trek has taken over the cus servc for these pedals and they told me flat out, these pedals are junk, we wont replace the pedal clips, you
need new pedals, i think at 100.00 pr i should get more than
3 mos, wellgo spd knck offs are stronger, going w/ shim 646
for strength now. i will review those in 3 mos. shame on
bontager for ripping me off. this clip looks to be the easiest piece to replace, and they cant replace it , then what is so easy to rebuild i ask. disgsuted. 1 flame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a Cross Country Rider
from Harleysville
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Jim Thorp | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came with Bike, original equipment | | Strengths: | The Cleat is a good design, better than standared SPD. Great for mud clearing. Works with any brand of SPD compatable pedals. Pedal slightly lighter than most. | | Weaknesses: | Peddal Clip broke after 1 year, poor design on attached in two points not 4 like most SPD compatable. | | Similar Products Used: | Welgo, Icon | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher F3 | | Bottom Line: | Buy the cleats as an upgrade to any SPD ATB pedal don't waste the cash on the pedals not worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Murfreesboro, TN
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | not on your life | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Came on GF Big Sur | | Strengths: | Light
Cartridge Bearings
Exit (when clean!)
Good release tension | | Weaknesses: | Sometimes difficult to enter
Lack of float-option cleats
Difficult to exit when dirty (even moderately) | | Similar Products Used: | DirkWerks (listed on site)
Fiances' 545's
| | Bike Setup: | GF Big Sur, WTW junk saver saddle, bontr. bar ends, Salsa red hot grips. | | Bottom Line: | I can't complain too much. These pedals haven't caused me to wipe out. But they aren't great. Except for weight, my old $30 Rockwerks outperformed them in every way - I wish I still had them. I'll keep these for now, but when the cleats go, it's Times, or, lottery willing, Speedplays. Don't pay more than $50 for these. Sorry Bontrager, everything else you put out is great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
2Elk
a
from IL
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | 1)SPD cleat compatible
2)slop-free & smooth bearings
3)easy entry (once the guide plates are found)
4)Bonty name | | Weaknesses: | 1)expensive for a Shimano clone
2)tighest retention setting isn't tight enough
3)too little float
4)guide plates are difficult to find
5)body is fragile | | Similar Products Used: | -Onza H.O. ti
-Icon Solemate
-535
-737
-747
-Time ATAC | | Bike Setup: | -97 Mantra
-98 Manitou X-vert
-98 LX group | | Bottom Line: | I run 747's on my main bike, but I have the Bonty's on the backup bike. They're on par with other Wellgo clones, but don't quite meet 747 standards. The bearings are impressively tight and slop-free, but that's just about it's only big virtue. Spring tension at its highest setting is way too loose and combined with its limited float doesn't inspire confidence when the going gets rough. I don't use these often, but even with its limited use, the pedal bodies are showing a lot of wear. The body around the spring retaining pins have already chipped off; not looking too good in terms of longevity.
Overall, they're a decent product, but nothing about them should make them a choice over a set of 535's. So unless you're a Bonty freak, skip these and stick with Shimanos.
For value....2 flaming turds.
For performance....3.
Overall....3. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | cartridge bearings, tension adjuster, fairly light, not expensive, easy to re-lube, great cleats | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | various toe clip pedals, my buddy's Shimano somethings | | Bike Setup: | Airborne Lucky Strike (pedals came with), Diadora shoes | | Bottom Line: | I love these pedals. When I go winter riding in the mud of Northern Oregon, I always know that, if I happen to dab in thick mud, I'll have no problem clipping back in, thanks mostly to Keith's genius cleat design. By the way, if you aren't using Bontrager cleats, you're not taking full advantage of these things. The cartridge bearings will out-last any inferior needle or roller bearing pedal Shimano or its copiers put out, plus re-lubing these things is as easy as loosening a pedal cap and internal nut, packing the body with bearing grease, and re-inserting the axle. Takes me less than five minutes for the pair. Also, because they use cartridge bearings, they don't spin freely, which is great for trying to get clipped back in. If I'm not mistaken, Easton uses the same technology on their Flatboy and Cully flat pedals to keep you from accidentally coming down on the edge instead of the platform.
Keith has my full support with these babies, plus I got them for half retail as part of my bike package. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Tofield
a Cross Country Rider
from Union, Me. USA
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Camden Snow Bowl | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Bath Cycles | | Strengths: | ? | | Weaknesses: | Back of the clamp knucles in and renders the thing useless. | | Similar Products Used: | various | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Zig. Slightly upgraded. (Pedals will be next for sure!) | | Bottom Line: | I've broken two left pedals and when the things were working it was due to the voluminous quantity of White Lighning I've resorted to bathing them in. As mentioned in some of the preceding reviews, if I were buying a new bike now I would have the pedal spec changed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from WI
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Like them all! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Like I said in an earlier post, they clip out pretty quickly. | | Weaknesses: | Very Very Very, WEAK! Not Durable at all! I think they are made out of cardboard. | | Similar Products Used: | Old Shimano M737s. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Trek STP 300 | | Bottom Line: | Worst pedals that I have ever had in my life! See earlier post after I had broken my second pedal. Well here I am with my third broken pedal in about one month of riding on my new bike. They should start selling these things on Kmart bikes, but even that may be too good for them. Bottom line, do not use these pedals spend the extra money for Shimano. Bontrager RE-1 Pedals are JUNK! I can't believe Keith would let them put his name on them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
walt
a Cross Country Rider
from raleigh nc
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | bike usa (out of business) | | Strengths: | good operation | | Weaknesses: | weak | | Similar Products Used: | ritchey, onza | | Bike Setup: | stumpjumper pro | | Bottom Line: | The pedals worked fine. Seem to work pretty well in the mud due to little stand offs on the cleats. My pedal broke when my foot got caught on a loop of flattened cattle fence that I was riding over. Now I can only clip in on one side of the pedal. I like to ride pretty technical trails and am pretty hard on equipment. The fence thing was pretty unusual, and stressed the pedal quite a bit. (Thought my toes were getting cut off!) I think they are fine for someone looking for a lower cost pedal and who isn't really hard on equipment. I think I'm going to change to the big S. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from WI
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Like them all | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Clip out quickly | | Weaknesses: | Little hard to clip in to at times, when they not broken that is. I have broken the metal clip on the left pedal twice since I bought my bike a month ago. The first time I was told it was a manufacturing error and I recieved a new pair, not even two weeks later here I am with the same problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Old Shimano M737s. Those monsters are bombproof! | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Trek STP 300 | | Bottom Line: | Bottem line...I should have stayed with shimano! I may just have to by a pair of 858s! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr. Martey
a Cross Country Rider
from Chico
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | All of the above, hard to get in and out of. | | Bike Setup: | Sugar3 | | Bottom Line: | The pedals look like they have never been used except that fact that I smashed the hell out of them on rocks. I broke the bottom clip in cuff on both sides in one day. These pedals could have been made out of plastic for all I know. Very weak and poor construction!Don't buy them and if they come on your bike, ask the bike store to change them out and go for some harder pedals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allan
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz, California
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Wilder Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Nothing to say | | Weaknesses: | Unpredictable: at times dangerous (fell a few times and could not get my feet out) | | Similar Products Used: | Unknown brand on an older Gary Fisher: they worked better than these | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8000 | | Bottom Line: | Have Read all the reviews: if you back the adjusting screw all the way out (actually one adjusting screw fell out and I have left it out) and use a lot of White Lightning, they work ok. But I still don't trust them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt
a Racer
from WI
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Rock Lake, CAMBA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Riverbrook Bike and Ski | | Strengths: | been pretty sweet so far, easy entry (i like that), seem pretty solid | | Weaknesses: | stick a little bit on the exit | | Similar Products Used: | shimano M858 | | Bike Setup: | G.F.Paragon '00 | | Bottom Line: | ive read a couple other reviews and so far havent had any problems, however i am using different clips (dont know what degree they are). seem pretty solid, but they do seem to stick on the exit even after adjustment | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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