MTB PEDAL FAQ | CANFIELD BIKES

What MTB flat pedals should I buy?

There are a few unique differences between Canfield Crampon Mountain and Crampon Ultimate / Magnesium MTB flat pedals. Both are excellent options for any kind of riding from trail, to all-mountain/enduro, downhill and freeride. All offer exceptional grip and feature Canfield’s patented convex shape (Patent #D615,003 S) that contours naturally to the foot aiding in grip and placing your foot as close to the spindle as possible for maximum pedal stroke efficiency, eliminating “dead spots.”

SIZE
First is the size of the flat pedal platform. The Crampon Ultimate / Magnesium MTB flat pedals are 105mm x 105mm wide and the Crampon Mountain offers slightly a slightly larger pedal at 106mm x 112mm wide. This may not seem like much but riders with larger feet sometimes prefer the larger platform. While both feature ultra-thin leading 6mm impact edges to reduce pedal strikes and hangups, the Crampon Ultimate is slightly thinner at the spindle than the Crampon Mountain.

WEIGHT
The Crampon Ultimate / Magnesium is still the thinnest pedal we make. The Crampon Magnesium is the lightest at 280 grams per pair. Crampon Ultimates come in at 342 grams per pair, with the Crampon Mountain weighing 50 grams more at 398 grams per pair.

MAINTENANCE
The Crampon Mountain also runs on a bearing and bushing hybrid system where the Crampon Ultimate / Magnesium runs a fully bushing set up. The Crampon Ultimate / Magnesium require slightly more frequent maintenance intervals, but a quick service will keep them running like new. A small amount of grease and a minute of your time is all it takes to repack the spindle. Crampon Mountain service is less frequent due to its bushing/bearing system, and requires a simple bearing replacement.

[WATCH] HOW TO: Canfield Crampon Ultimate Pedal Rebuild

Which pedal goes on what side? (How to install MTB pedals)
Each pedal is labeled left and right. Use an 8mm allen key to install and always apply some light grease to the threads. When looking at the pedals on the bike, the logos can be read from behind. Look at the threads. The right pedal threads to the right (righty, tighty). The left pedal threads to the left (lefty, tighty). When the bike is upright, you will always thread in/tighten the pedal toward the front of the bike. If in doubt, the left pedal has a line on the spindle shoulder.

My Crampon Ultimate pedal has some side-to-side float. Is this normal?

The Crampon Ultimate utilizes a FULL bushing design. Bushings rather than bearings were necessary in order to create a pedal this thin. Part of the simplicity and durability of this design is that there are no moving parts to fail. Because of this, the bushing relies on some degree of side "float." Think about this like tensioning a classic headset. When reassembling or tightening, snug the nut until it is tight then back it off a quarter turn. To help ensure quiet operation and minimal float, we recommend repacking the the pedal spindle cavity with waterproof grease every 3 to 6 months depending on how often you ride.

How do I replace pedal pins?

You can extract the pin using an 1/8'' allen wrench from either side of the pedal thanks to our double-headed pin design. This feature makes removing and replacing bent or broken pins much easier. In the event that the pin is too mangled to remove with an allen key, we recommend vice-grip pliers. Canfield Crampon replacement pedal pins come with blue Loctite already on the threads to ensure a secure fit.

Are there Canfield Crampon pedal service parts available?
Service parts are available for all current Canfield Crampon MTB pedals. The Crampon Ultimate and Crampon Magnesium version use the same rebuild kit. The Crampon Mountain pedal has its own kit. Be sure to order an 8mm thin-wall socket from us with your Mountain rebuild kit if you don't already have one, as not all 8mm sockets will fit the opening. Spindles are available for all pedals. Parts are usually in stock but please contact us if you’re not sure which parts you need or have any other questions.

Some grease came out of my new Crampon pedals when I rode them. Is this normal?
Yes. This is normal for a ride or two on new (or properly re-packed) pedals. They are packed tight tight with grease from the factory to create a good seal to keep the elements at bay and provide a longer service life. You can clean them up and keep riding, no worries.

Should I grease my pedal threads before installing? Do I need to use pedal washers?
We always recommend using a small amount of grease on the pedal threads before installing. As a general bike rule, left side of bike, left to tighten pedal, right side of bike, right to tighten. Pedal washers are an optional personal preference and are sometimes recommended by the crank manufacturer. They can be used to provide a slightly wider Q-factor.

My new Canfield Crampon pedals won't spin/feel tight.

Brand-new MTB pedals may feel "tight," or like they don't spin as freely as the used pedals they are replacing. This is normal. When pedals are new from the factory, they are packed tight with a thick, waterproof grease to ensure smooth operation, a long service life and to keep the dirt and elements from finding their way inside the pedal body. On pedals that utilize bushings (the Crampon Ultimate spins exclusively on DU bushings and the Crampon Mountain utilizes an inboard DU bushing and three outboard sealed bearings), the bushings that come from the factory are self-lubricating with a Teflon-like coating. The freshly packed grease and tight tolerance of the bushings mean the new pedals will feel as if they have more resistance than the used pedals they are replacing. As you ride and the pedals "break in," they will spin more freely.