Interbike 2014: HT Components X1 Pedals Review
HT Components has come onto the scene in a big way this year, sponsoring all world downhill rider Aaron Gwin. They’ve been around for about 60 years, started by the current owner’s grandfather in Taiwan. In 2005, they created the “HT” group of high-end pedals within their brand to meet increasing market demands. They’ve also picked up some key riders along the way who believe in their gear. Gwin, Neko Mullaly, Kyle Strait, and others know what they’re talking about, and with a US base in the San Diego area, they’re ready to take on the US market.
First, some details. HT Components X1 DH pedals.
- Pedal weight(pair): 470 g / per pr
- Body material: Aluminum extruded / CNC machined
- Spindle: CNC machined cr-moly
- Pedal bearings: Tri sealed bearings + one DU bushing
- Pins: Replaceable grip pins
- MSRP: US$169
HT does make an X1 T model, which features a CNC machined Ti spindle, will save you about 55 grams, and cost you $269.
Weights of Different Pedals:
- HT Components X1: 470 g / per pr
- Shimano XT Trail: 410 g / per pr
- Crank Brothers Mallet DH/Race: 479 g / per pr
- VP Components VP-VX Trail: 380 g / per pr
Initial Thoughts:
Getting home after Interbike and riding the new X1 pedals for a few rides has left these impressions on me. They clamp down like a vise on the cleat. Some riders will love this, some will not. They have an absolute solid grip on the cleat, and your foot, and do not like to let go. They are trickier to get into than my Shimano XT Trail pedals. And they are not as easy to get out of. Again, some riders will love this, because they don’t like the ease of which Shimano pedals release. Without having any kind of industry standard like a “DIN” setting on ski bindings, I did the best I could at approximating the relative tension settings between the pedals. To the best of my abilities, setting the pedals on similar tension, the X1’s have an awesome, locked in feeling.
The quality of the CNC machining and construction is outstanding on these pedals. They’ll take a beating and keep on ticking. For sure. They’re a downhill race designed pedal, and as such, are good and beefy. And the weight reflects that. But, I very quickly came to love the platform and pins on these pedals. You can actually feel it under your shoes, and that feeling gives you a nice “connected-ness” in a way that the Shimano XT Trails do not. In my opinion, the platform on the XT Trails is there just for protection of the actual clip less pedal, and that’s very important, because in enduro racing, or gravity oriented riding, rock strikes are going to happen, and blowing up a pedal is not hard to do, possibly ending your race. But in the case of the X1 pedal, what if you get that same protection, and possibly some performance benefits, and/or some “being one” with the bike? I feel that’s the case.
Bottom Line:
These are outstanding pedals. The platform and pins are great for helping to connect the rider to the bike. Construction is top notch, and with different anodized colors to choose from, you can get the look you need. If you like being locked into the bike, and not blowing out, give these pedals a good hard look. Yes, the weight is something to be concerned with, but aside from that, I’m riding happy.
Words, Photos: Daniel Dunn
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