The discussion about whether flat pedals or clipless pedals are better or worse will probably never end, but as long as Sam Hill wins Enduro World Series races without clips, the justification for flat pedals is more than warranted. And for this reason, we have also tested the new Spank Spoon Pedal for you!
General Information about the Spank Pedal
At Spank, they thought about developing a new pedal that, on the one hand, fits every shoe size and, on the other hand, convinces with innovative features. The result is the "Spoon" pedal, and the list of technical refinements is impressive.
First of all, the pedal is available in three different sizes for better compatibility with different shoe sizes. Size S has a 90 mm wide pedal body, size M, which we chose, has a 100 mm pedal body, and size L has a 110 mm large pedal. So there is something for everyone!
In addition, the pedal is only 14 mm thin overall, providing very good contact with the bike. You are practically standing directly on the axle, which is very comfortable. You don't have a wobbly or "too high standing" feeling.
In terms of pedal pins, Spank has not skimped and installs 20 adjustable pins per pedal. These are screwed into the pedal with the included Allen key or mini wrench and can be excellently replaced if they are damaged after a stone contact. The only downside: the pins are not pre-installed, so you have to screw in 40 pins yourself first.
If you occasionally take a foot off the pedal, you probably know the problem that it usually continues to rotate, and when you put your foot back on, you first have to find your position or even the platform of the pedal. At Spank, they have addressed this problem by positioning a sealing lip inside so that the pedal can hardly rotate on its own. But don't worry, it is by no means stiff, and this effect is not noticeable when riding.
The last exciting feature to mention is the rounded edges of the CNC-milled pedal body. The front and side edges of the "Spoon" pedal are flattened to prevent getting caught and falling to the ground during possible stone or root contacts.
As already mentioned, the pedal is made of CNC-milled aluminum and uses an internally oversized and multiple-sealed industrial bearing.
ON THE TRAIL with Spank Spoon
Now off to the trail. We rode the pedals on our long-term test bike from NS Bikes and not only went on numerous tours but also made a couple of trips to smaller bike parks.
The Spoon pedal in size M fit perfectly with our shoe size 44.5 and immediately provided a secure stand. It was clear from the first few meters that grip would not be an issue, as the pins practically dug into the shoe soles. We tried them with three different shoes (Afton Keegan, Five Ten Freeride & Impact) and with all models, you felt like you were cemented to the pedals. Whether on a bumpy single trail, rocky terrain, or Northshore line, once you position yourself on the pedal, you stay there. Even if you consciously want to reposition your foot, you have to lift it slightly because with full pressure, the shoe doesn't move a millimeter. This is overall very pleasant and provides a lot of security. You simply don't have to worry about your stance on the pedal. If you position your feet well at the start, you are likely to reach the finish line the same way. The grip is really excellent.
The mentioned internal sealing lip also does a good job and prevents the pedals from twisting if you intentionally or unintentionally take your foot off the pedal. As long as you don't turn the cranks further, the pedal stays in the same position.
We haven't been able to assess the rounded edges as positive or negative yet, as there simply haven't been any stone or root contacts. But since we also want to evaluate the durability of the pedal, we will provide you with an update during the season.
MTB Pedals Spoon by Spank – CONCLUSION
The Spank Spoon pedal is absolutely successful. It not only theoretically has various useful features but also makes a lot of fun on the trail. With an RRP well below 100€, we can warmly recommend the pedals, even if they are not absolute lightweights at just under 400 grams.
Buy pedals in the BMO online shop
Pedals | Flat Pedals | Spank Brand Shop
Spoon by Spank – the Pedal Specs
Weight:
Spoon 90 (375g / pair), Spoon 100 (395g / pair), Spoon 110 (425g / pair)
Sizes:
Spoon S - 90mm width (shoe size 39 and smaller)
Spoon M - 100mm width (shoe size 40 to 44)
Spoon L - 110mm width (shoe size 44 and larger)
