For most of us, Shimano’s SPD concept or the Crank Brothers’ offering represent the best click pedal by far. But more and more new manufacturers are elbowing their way into the market, trying to usurp the market leaders with innovative or lighter systems. One of these is HT Components, whose new T1 pedals we tested over the last few weeks.

Die HT T1-Pedale kommen für den Preis von 195 € in einer schicken Verpackung.
The HT Components T1 pedals come in a nice box for the price of 135€.
Ebenso edel wirkt auch die Verarbeitung der Pedale.
The finish of the pedals looks just as classy.

On paper

We were able to inspect the pedals at this year’s EUROBIKE and present them in an article. The HT T1 pedal reminds us of a mixture of the well-known Shimano SPD system and a Crank Brothers pedal with a firm entry and moving spring. The pedals weigh 368g and two pins on each side are designed to offer extra grip. The pedal’s release tension can also be fine-tuned using HT’s own click mechanism. Two different types of cleat give you the choice of either 4° (X1) or 8° (X1F) of side-to-side play on the pedal.

Die Vorderseite besteht beim System von HT aus einer beweglichen Feder, dessen Vorspannung per 3-mm-Innensechskantschlüssel verändert werden kann.
In the HT system the front has a moveable spring which allows tension to be adjusted using a 3mm hex key
Praktisch: Am hinteren, festen Teil des Pedaleinsatzes kann auf einer Skala die Vorspannung abgelesen werden.
Practical: At the back end, which is fixed, the tension can be seen on a scale.
Mit einer Höhe von nur 16,8 mm sind die T1-Pedale sehr flach. Je zwei Pins pro Seite sollen auch uneingeklickt ausreichend Halt bieten.
The T1 pedals are very flat with a height of only 16.8 mm. Two pins on each side are designed to provide enough grip even when you are not clipped in.

On the trail

Wir haben die Performance der Pedale bei den denkbar widrigsten Bedingungen auf die Probe gestellt.
We tested the performance of the pedals under the most adverse conditions imaginable.
Nicht zu groß und nicht zu breit: Die Cleats lassen sich gut an der Sohle positionieren.
Not too big, nor too small: the cleats can be easily positioned on the sole.

Much more important than the theory is the actual performance outside on the trail. But how can the pedal grip be described best? Compared to the competition, the feeling of the HT pedal is more like that of the Crank Brothers’ system. The most noticeable thing, and the biggest difference to the SPD system, is that the resistance you feel when you twist your foot to the outside gets bigger and bigger until the shoe clips out. There isn’t really any free movement and just a small “hard edge” marking the point where the cleat breaks free, as with the Shimano pedal.

Nach kurzer Eingewöhnungszeit bietet das HT-Pedal optimalen Stand in jeder Situation.
After a brief period of readjustment, the HT pedal provides a perfect platform in any situation.

This is noticeable while riding but it doesn’t really have any negative effect on the ride feel after a short period of readjustment. The HT pedals provide a stable platform in any situation. Even when clipped out they offer just as much grip as similar clipless pedals, despite their small pedal body. It is not as easy to get clipped in on technical trail sections as it is with the Crank Brothers’ equivalent because the spring cannot turn. However, the pedal never got clogged up even in the worst conditions.

The needle bearings still run smoothly and without play even after several hard days on the trail and numerous rock strikes. The cleats are made of durable steel and show almost no wear. Their durability should be quite a bit greater than that of the Crank Brothers pedal.

Conclusion

HT Components skillfully combine the advantages of different click pedal systems. Details like the readable tension scale and the perfectly finished, machined pedal body are impressive. Because of this and their presumably high durability, the relatively hefty price of 135€ is completely justified.

More information: ht-components.com

Words: Daniel Schlicke Photos: Daniel Schlicke/Ross Bell


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About the author

Aaron Steinke

Aaron was our first employee and actively helped make our company what it is today, significantly shaping the look and direction of our various magazines. Aaron has been pursuing his own projects since mid-2020 but he continues to advise and support us on issues of marketing and technology. For many years, you would usually have found Aaron at casual enduro races, but increasingly you'll find him riding his road bike – long live freedom on two wheels!