Without doubt my favourite pedals, the DMR Vaults combine everything that I want in a flat pedal. 400g for the pair, big platform, very grippy, strong, easy to maintain, slim and available in lots of colours. I’ve been running a green pair for a year  with no problems, they’re ready for new bearings now. However they’re just not going to match the new frame I’ve got coming so here is a new black pair. These are re-designed slightly with re-profiled ribs to make them more resistant to impact. If you compare them side on to my green ones, you can see the ribs get thicker as they taper towards the axle.

 

I get lots of people asking me for recommendations as to which flat pedals to buy. The requests come from people who have been riding flats for ages, who are looking to upgrade from a worn out pair, or who just want to brighten their lives with something new. Requests also come from people looking to buy their first pair, as they want to exploit the benefits of flat pedals for developing bike skills. I love these new DMR pedals and they are the ones that I’m suggesting people try at the moment.

The Vaults tick all the boxes for a good flat pedal. They are slim in profile, which means you hit them less often on the ground. On my scales they weigh 400g a pair which is spot on. The platform is big with loads of area to get your foot on to. This is different to DMR’s classic V12 and V8 pedal which I always found to be too small. The pins are really grippy because they are long and they have threads cut into them. The pins on the leading and tailing edge, which are the ones that get mashed up the most, are also easy to get out from the back with allen keys. If you like, you can change the way round that the pins fit to make the pins shorter and less grippy. I haven’t done this because I like them long and grippy. Vitally you can get a pair in a wild array of colours to match or clash with your bike and your personal get up. Finally they clear mud well as the cut of the platform is open. RRP is £89.99.

I’ve had my pair for a couple of months now and they’re running spot on, with no play at the axle. Nothing is broken and there has been no fuss. You can get titanium axles for them for less weight and more dollar, if that’s your thing.

Ed Oxley