Having already examined the Waveform in our previous test, we now turn our attention to the second flat pedal in Wolf Tooth's portfolio. The US brand from Minnesota has earned an excellent reputation for its high-quality bike components. A large portion of their products are developed and manufactured directly at their headquarters. Wolf Tooth focuses on precise CNC machining, well-thought-out designs, and ease of maintenance – characteristics that are consistent across their entire product range.
With the Ripsaw, however, Wolf Tooth takes a completely different approach than with the Waveform. While its larger sibling is uncompromisingly designed for maximum support for trail, enduro, and downhill riding, the Ripsaw is aimed primarily at touring cyclists, trail bikers, and riders who value freedom of movement on the pedal. Instead of fixing the shoe as rigidly as possible in one position, it is intentionally designed to be more easily repositioned without sacrificing the necessary grip.
The Ripsaw also differs significantly from the Waveform in its construction. The platform is also made of CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum, but at 102 x 102 mm, it's slightly more compact and features a slightly convex shape instead of the Waveform's double concave platform. This allows the shoe to sit less deeply in the pedal and move more freely. The platform is heavily rounded all around, designed to allow pedal strikes on rocks or roots to glide smoothly over obstacles. Ten stainless steel pins, screwed onto the back of each pedal, provide grip. Compared to the Waveform, which uses eleven pins per side and its pronounced concave for maximum grip, the Ripsaw is intentionally less aggressive. As with its larger sibling, Wolf Tooth includes spare pins, allowing for quick replacement of damaged ones. Inside, the same high-quality bearing technology is used, featuring three fully sealed industrial bearings and an Igus bushing, reliably sealed against water and dirt. The axle unit can also be completely disassembled and serviced, which means the pedal is designed for a long service life.
From the very first steps, the Ripsaw feels completely different from the Waveform. The initial impression is surprising: the grip is noticeably less, and the shoe is significantly easier to move or reposition on the platform. Those switching directly from the Waveform might initially feel as if the pedal lacks grip. It's precisely this characteristic that requires getting used to and building confidence in.
However, as the ride progresses, this initial impression proves deceptive. On tours, long climbs, and flowy trails, the Ripsaw generates sufficient grip precisely when needed. The shoe remains securely on the pedal without feeling uncomfortably stuck, and we experienced no unintentional slippage during testing. At the same time, foot position can be easily adjusted at any time – an advantage that riders who desire greater freedom of movement on long rides will appreciate.
However, as soon as the terrain becomes steeper, rougher, and faster, the convex platform predictably reveals its limitations. On challenging downhill sections, the pedal inspires significantly less confidence than the waveform design. The foot feels less secure on the platform, leading to an intuitive tendency to brake earlier and ride more defensively overall. This clearly demonstrates that the Ripsaw was not designed for uncompromising bike park sessions or demanding enduro riding.
For us, the Ripsaw is therefore an excellent flat pedal for tours, trail rides, and relaxed descents. It performs pleasantly unobtrusively, offers sufficient grip, and impresses with its high degree of freedom of movement. However, those seeking maximum control on fast, technical downhills or who regularly ride challenging trails will find the Waveform to be a significantly better choice. The Ripsaw is thus clearly aimed at riders who prioritize comfort and flexibility over maximum pedal grip.
