Flats, Klickies... what's better? Sorry, we don't have an answer for you here either! But whether Spank Spoon Flat Pedals are any good... we can definitely tell you after our test. The discussion about whether flat pedals or clip pedals are better or worse will probably never end. But as long as Sam Hill himself wins races without clips at the Enduro World Series, the justification for flat pedals is more than guaranteed.
And for this reason, we mounted the new Spank Spoon platform pedal on the MTB and tested it for you!
Spank Flat Pedals - all information
Spank wanted to develop new pedals that, on the one hand, fit every shoe size and, on the other hand, convince with innovative features and technical refinements. The result is the “Spoon” pedal. But has the freshness treatment worked, are these Spoon pedals really worth talking about? You'll find out here!
This is how Spank MTB pedals look after a fun day ;-).
Size matters (...so the pedal fits the shoe!)
The pedal is available in three different sizes . This way, the tread adapts perfectly to your shoe size.
- Size S features a 90 mm wide pedal body
- Size M (which we chose for the test) has a 100 mm wide pedal body
- In size L, you get a 110 mm large pedal.
The features of the Spoon Flat Pedals for MTB
The pedal is only 14mm thin overall, so you have very good contact with the bike. In the test, it feels like we are standing directly on the axle, the direct riding feel is really pleasant. No wobbling or the impression that you are somehow standing too high.
We tested the grip of the pins of the Spank pedal, unfortunately not the broken edge.
Also in terms of pedal pins Spank did not skimp and installed a total of 20 adjustable pins per pedal, which you can screw into the pedal with the included Allen key or mini-wrench and replace excellently if contact with a stone has done them in. The only downside: The pins are not pre-installed. You have to screw in 40 pins before the first MTB ride.
The pedal is made from CNC machined aluminum and brings an above-average large-sized and multi-sealed industrial bearing with it.
The front and side edges of the "Spoon" pedal body are rounded. They are flattened to prevent you from getting stuck and falling when contacting stones or roots.
So that your wheels keep spinning, but not the pedal...
You might know the problem: When you take your foot off the pedal, it keeps spinning. When you want to put your foot back on, you first have to adjust the pedal and find the top side of the pedal. The more intense the MTB fun, the more difficult it becomes to fumble for the correct pedal position! Here, Spank offers a solution: Inside, a sealing lip is positioned so that the pedal can hardly turn by itself. And don't worry, it is by no means stiff; this effect is not noticeable while riding.
Should we have washed the test Spank pedals before the photo session??
The practical test: The Spank pedals on the trail
Enough talk, let's hit the trail!
Where did we test the Spank pedals?
We mounted the pedals on our long-term test bike from NS Bikes and not only went on numerous tours, but also made smaller detours to local bike parks.
😲 The first impression: What grip!!
The Spoon pedal in size M fit perfectly, providing a secure stance right away. It became clear in the first few meters that grip would not be a problem, as the pins practically dug into the shoe soles. And since we are testing, we did it thoroughly, using three different shoes (Afton Keegan, Five Ten Freeride & Impact) and all shoes felt like they were cemented on the pedals. Whether on a bumpy single trail, rock field, or Northshore line, however you position yourself on the pedal, you stay there. Even if you want to reposition your foot, you have to lift it slightly because with full pressure, the shoe doesn't move a millimeter. This is very pleasant overall and provides a lot of safety. You simply don't have to worry about your stance on the pedal. If you position your feet well at the start, chances are good that you will land exactly that way at the finish.
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The grip is really excellent. |
A stable pedal position
The mentioned internal sealing lip also does a good job and prevents the pedals from turning if you take your foot off the pedal (intentionally or unintentionally). As long as the crank doesn't keep spinning, the pedal stays in the same position.
We haven't been able to evaluate the rounded edges yet, as fortunately, there have been no stone or root contacts.
🔎 Specifications of the “Spoon” Flat Pedals
Here again are the specs sorted by pedal size:
|
Size S |
Size M |
Size L |
|
90mm wide |
100 mm wide |
110 mm wide |
|
Shoe size 39 and smaller |
Shoe size 40 to 44 |
Shoe size 44 and larger |
|
375 gr weight |
395 grams weight |
425 grams weight |
- 14mm thick
- 20 adjustable pins
Spank Pedals “Spoon” – our conclusion
The Spank Spoon Pedal is absolutely successful. It not only theoretically has various useful features but also provides incredible fun on the trail. With an MSRP well below 100€ we can highly recommend the pedals, even though they are not lightweight at just under 400 grams.
You can find more tests of helmets, bikes, or bike parts here in the Bike Blog.
❗ Buy pedals in the BMO online shop❗
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