The best MTB flat pedals you can buy

DMR Vault

As the name suggests the DMR Vault is built to be as indestructible as a bank vault. In fact, the solid aluminium platform and massive pins remind us more of a high-security safe than a piggy bank. But this also reflects on its weight: at 428 g the pedal is the heaviest in our test. The internal design is rather simple, using a DU bushing and ball-bearings. However, you can easily find replacement bearings for the Vault online.

If the eleven pins are too aggressive for your liking you can turn seven of them upside down. The oversized screw-heads dig into the shoe way less in this orientation but still offer great traction. In addition, the pins can be tightened with both an Allen key and an open-end spanner and can be easily replaced in the event of breakage.

As soon as we hit the trail we realise that there is only one way to attach the pins: the long-way-round! Simply because this means more grip. Whether you’re shredding bad-ass downhill lines or hanging mid-air above your favourite dirt-jump track the DMR Vault won’t let you down. Thanks to the open platform design the weather won’t affect your ride and the wet forest loam won’t stick to your pedals. Only the bearing seals disappointed us a little. These get pushed to the side a little too easily and let the dust, dirt and even water reach deep into the bearings.

Conclusion

The attribute “bombproof” suits the DMR Vault better than any other pedal — the 428 g reading on our scale confirms this. Unfortunately, the poor-quality bearing seals clouded the overall positive impression. On the trail, however, the DMR Vault pedals showed us what they can do best: deliver massive grip! Unfortunately, this is not enough to win our test this time.