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Shimano XTR Trail M985 pedals


Shimano’s range of Trail pedals have already become absolute classics. They incorporate Shimano’s time tested SPD mechanism and offer a great compromise between simplicity, reliability and a decent platform. Clipping in is slightly more fiddly over rough ground than with the Crank Brothers Mallet, but Shimano’s crisp, predictable mechanism is a joy to use.

Shimano shoes interface seamlessly with their Trail pedals but they engage faultlessly with a whole range of other shoes too. The platform is minimal, but provides useful support at each side of the mechanism. This is particularly noticeable when wearing flexy shoes. The float is fixed, but offers just enough movement without becoming a problem when unclipping: a great compromise. Release tension, on the other hand, is fully adjustable. Servicable cup and cone style bearings kept our set smooth and play-free and the hollow cro-mo axle helps shave grams. A Teflon coated binding help it shed mud too and we had no problems with mud clogging up the mechanism. We can’t ignore Shimano’s new XT Trail pedals though. Weighing just 30g more than and costing 30$ less, they’d be our first choice for those who would draw the line at jettisoning ten-pound notes to save grams.

Pricey, but quality bearings and low weight mean superb all-round capability

Weight 374g

Price 150$



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