Race Face Atlas Pedals Review
19.06.23 09:49 1.8542023-06-19T09:49:00+02:00Text: Ralf Hauser (translated by AI)Photos: Erwin HaidenWith a primary focus on gravity applications, the Race Face Atlas pedal is intended to be the first choice for rides that demand a lot from the equipment. Bikeboard reports on how each unique detailed solution performs on the trail.19.06.23 09:49 2.7172023-06-19T09:49:00+02:00Race Face Atlas Pedals Review
19.06.23 09:49 2.7172023-06-19T09:49:00+02:00 Ralf Hauser (translated by AI) Erwin HaidenWith a primary focus on gravity applications, the Race Face Atlas pedal is intended to be the first choice for rides that demand a lot from the equipment. Bikeboard reports on how each unique detailed solution performs on the trail.19.06.23 09:49 2.7172023-06-19T09:49:00+02:00
Crafted from 6061 aluminum, the concave pedal body of the Atlas-Flats measures a record-breaking height of just 12 mm. The usable surface area of the platform is approximately 110 mm x 101 mm.
Ten replaceable SHCS Hex Traction Pins per side are installed to build grip with the shoe even in rough sections. Additionally, they are height-adjustable using washers.
The short axles, which are one reason why the pair weighs only 386 grams, are made of chrome-molybdenum steel. Maintenance is possible without special tools, only a 30mm spanner is needed to loosen the bearing cover.
The pedal, available in nine colors for €199,-, comes with a 10-year warranty. Included are damages from crashes that occur while biking. So if something breaks, the Atlas will be replaced. Nice!
Plenty of grip, lots of ground clearance, high quality - all ingredients for a fine flat pedal
Shoe sole, what more do you want
Pedaling
The 2.5 mm thick pins are, compared to competitor products, on the thinner side, but especially on the longer side. So, it's no surprise that during the review period one or two of them bent when they came into contact with rocks. Presumably, this would have happened with other pins as well.
Once screwed in from below, the Atlas pins can easily be replaced.
Pins extend up to 6.2 mm above the surface of the pedal. Accordingly, the grip of the sole is high, as it digs firmly into the pins with the most common flat pedal rubber compounds and lies directly on top. Unintended slipping on the pedal is extremely rare, even in pronounced shaking sections. However, one usually has to lift the foot off the pedal if one wants to noticeably reposition it. At the end of a day in the bike park, you wouldn't want to miss the extra grip at all.
On the flip side, the pins in the longest setting are so long (for comparison: most others in my collection have a length of about 4.5 mm) that with thin shoe soles, the pressure points of the pins are clearly noticeable on the foot sole. Possibly irrelevant for some riders, I found this characteristic somewhat uncomfortable after several hours of enduro rides including numerous meters of elevation to crank up. Not so severe that it couldn't occasionally be tolerated; but still enough that it bothered me.
In the end, personal footwear will have a significant influence on this issue; for those with "thin skin," there is the option to shorten the length of the pins using the provided washers - although this also reduces the grip slightly.
By the way, one should regularly tighten the pins. During our test, we were several times close to losing one. If it does happen, four extra pins are included in the delivery, or you can buy them as a set.
It would probably be worth it in general to fix each pin with a drop of thread-locking agent to minimize losses.
Conclusion
Compared to other aluminum flats, the Race Face Atlas pedals are on the lighter side and can even compete with composite pedals.
The thickness of only 12 mm is excellent and provides good ground clearance together with the shape. The pins are also thin, which, coupled with their length, does not have only advantages in individual cases. Potential pressure marks and damage from ground contact are balanced here by excellent grip.
Just under 200 euros retail price is a lot of money for a set of pedals, however, the 10-year warranty and high quality are certainly justifying arguments.
