Test: Choosing the right pedals is a matter of faith. The first question that arises is which pedals suit your own riding style. While most racers prefer clipless pedals, the majority of mountain bikers opt for the somewhat safer option, the flat pedal. Unclicked, this offers more room for mistakes and also teaches how to use the bike.
The Canadian component specialist Straitline has several such pedals in its range and is sending the AMP, a pedal specified for all-mountain and enduro use.
equipment and practice
The straight line AMP-Pedal is available in two versions. With both, Straitline uses a CNC machined aluminum body as a base. There are only differences in the axis. Whereby only is a bit of an understatement. The cheaper version comes with a steel axle, the slightly more expensive high-end model with a titanium axle.
This small but fine difference is particularly noticeable on the scales. Because while the steel axle model weighs 336 grams, the titanium axle model weighs only 276 grams. A total of 60 grams are saved by using the titanium axle.
At first glance, the pedal appears a bit unspectacular. Our test model, with the steel axle, comes in titanium gray and makes a solid impression. If you like it a little gaudy, there are seven other colors available.
With a simple shape, that counts AMP not necessarily one of the big eye-catchers on the bike. Instead, it wants to convince with a good performance. This starts with the storage, one of the most important features of a good pedal. Nothing is more annoying than having rattling and squeaking pedals on your bike.
The AMP-Pedal relies on Igus plain bearings, which means that, in contrast to a construction with roller bearings, it can be modeled very compactly. Another special feature is the double protection of the pedal body. Due to the design, the pedal should also be able to be completely disassembled and reassembled within ten minutes.
With a size of 93 x 103 millimeters, the pedal is not really big, but still offers enough space for a secure hold. To guarantee this, seven pins were screwed into the pedal body on each side. These can be replaced using a tool supplied.
The combination of a good shoe and a good pedal is worth its weight in gold. We drove that AMP with the FiveTen Impact and were already surprised by this combination on the first few meters - in a positive way! Because, as already mentioned, the comparatively small footprint offers a lot of grip with its non-slip pins.
As you would expect from a good pedal, it does its job unobtrusively and conveys a lot of security. Even on rough descents, the foot stays in place, so that the rider always retains control of the bike.
The small pedal body is noticeable when pedaling hard. The shoe tends to bend upwards, which is not necessarily the case with larger standing areas. Nevertheless, we are impressed by the AMP-Pedals. The simple structure scores particularly well in maintenance and cleaning work.
Conclusion
With the straight line AMP-Pedal is a high-quality all-rounder at the start. Thanks to its unobtrusive appearance, it does not distract from its task, instead concentrating entirely on it: offering the driver support. And the pedal can do that surprisingly well despite the comparatively small pedal body. However, the price of 169 euros for the pair is not a bargain.
product Highlights
- simple design
- compact design
- good grip
price and web
- 169,00 Euros
www.straitlinecomponents.com