The best clipless MTB pedals you can buy

HT T1

Just unpacking the HT T1, our mouths were watering, because these little works of art are by far the best looking pedals we had on test. HT uses its own clip mechanism and offer cleats with different float angles. The contact area and size of the cage is similar to the Shimano XT PD-M8020, so the contact area with most shoes is quite small. Also, the interchangeable pins offer hardly any advantage as they are too far away from the shoe.

The standout features of the HT T1 only become apparent on the trail, since the proprietary clip mechanism is fundamentally different from other pedals. It can only be clipped in from behind but is very intuitive thanks to the V-shaped bracket. All of our testers preferred the cleats with 8° of float, as they allow a comfortable range of motion. Unlike SPD pedals, there is always a certain amount of tension on the cleat. If you turn your foot in far enough, a defined stop reminds you that you are about to unclip. The HT system feels like a mixture of SPD and Crankbrothers.

We really enjoyed the riding feel, but unfortunately, the HT T1 has some weaknesses regarding durability. After a single day’s use, our new pair already looked like the others did after half a season. In our review, the pedals showed clear play after a single week, and all screws had to be retightened – a pity.

Conclusion

On the trail, the unique feeling of the HT T1 and its generous amount of float fully convinced us. Unfortunately, they showed signs of wear early on in our test and had to be serviced after just one week – only for those who like tinkering.