Tested – XPEDO GFX Pedals
Clips with plenty of grip
Xpedo has over 30 years of experience designing and manufacturing pedals for every kind of rider—from daily commuters to hard-core racers. If you’re in the market for pedals, especially for your mountain bike, then Xpedo has you covered. They offer a wide variety of pedals—from platforms to clip-ins and everything in between. Xpedo’s new GFX pedals definitely fall into the in-between category. It wouldn’t be fair, however, to call these pedals hybrids, because they are specifically designed to be the ultimate downhill race pedals. Many racers gravitate towards clip-ins because they keep their feet secure over rough or wet terrain. They can also be beneficial during a sprint section. Platform pedals, on the other hand, give riders more support for railing turns or hitting big jumps and drops. The GFX pedals look to blend these two styles. We grabbed a few different pairs of shoes and spun these pedals on a trusty test bike to see for ourselves if these were the ultimate downhill race pedals or just a heavy, yet good-looking, pair of clip-ins.
Tech features: The GFX pedals are loaded with many features aimed to please aggressive gravity riders. The heart of the GFX pedals is the latitude entry system, which positions the front claw upwards, allowing riders to seamlessly click into their pedals. Xpedo includes a pair of XPT cleats with 6 degrees of float; however, the GFX pedals are fully compatible with Shimano SPD cleats. The adjustable Posi-Fit retention system is surrounded with a 6061 forged-aluminum body, featuring eight adjustable pins per pedal to provide added traction. The GFX pedals weigh in at 472 grams and come in five different colors. A special-edition Oil Slick color is also available for an extra $40. The normal-colored pedals sell for $130 and can be found online or at your local Xpedo dealer.
Field test results: To truly test downhill pedals, we decided to use downhill and all-mountain-style shoes with soft soles and tacky rubber. This included a few different clip-in shoes from Five Ten and an all-mountain shoe from NorthWave. Our test shoes were equipped with SPD cleats, and we found they worked in the GFX pedals just fine. We then installed the pins to our pedals and ran them as low as possible to start. This gave us some float, which most clip-in riders will be familiar with. Riders who want a more locked-in feel should adjust the pins out a few turns. Getting out of these pedals is about as easy as with any other clip-in pedals, but where the GFX pedals really shine is getting into them. Our testers found the latitude entry system allowed them to easily hook the front of their cleat, and the large platform inspired confidence during the split second when we weren’t clicked in. These pedals might be overkill during a regular trail ride due to their larger size and weight, but enduro, all-mountain and, of course, downhill riders will find these pedals provide a well-supported and secure feel.
HITS
• Fast-engaging pedals so riders can quickly get on the gas.
• Large surface area for added support when riding
• SPD compatible
MISSES
• May be overkill for normal trail riders due to its weight and size
