Randoms: Magnetic Pedals, Vintage Bikes, & Prototypes - Crankworx Whistler 2022

Aug 9, 2022
by Mike Kazimer  
Crankworx Whistler 2022

Magped Enduro Pedals

The magnetic pedal world seems to be growing, and there are now several companies in existence with options geared towards mountain bikers. The claim is that the pedals should offer better retention than flat pedals, but with an easier exit and release than clipless pedals. Getting out requires lifting up a corner of your foot, rather than the twisting motion used to get out of clipless pedals.

Magped's new Enduro 2 pedals have a machined 107 x 97mm aluminum body with a magnet mounted to the rear center portion of each pedal. A flat metal plate on the bottom of an SPD-compatible shoe acts as the 'cleat', and it connects to a round magnet on each side of the pedal.

There are three different sizes of neodymium magnet available, as well as two different metal cleat plates, which allows riders to customize the amount of retention for their weight or riding style. In addition, the pedals come with 9 and 11mm pins for further cusomization.

The weight of the pedals varies depending on the magnet's size, but it's somewhere in the neighborhood of 447 - 477 grams, approximately 23% lighter than the original version. They're priced at $208 USD.


Crankworx Whistler 2022
The pedal body measures 107 x 97 x 16mm.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
Crankworx Whistler 2022
There are two different plates available to adjust how the hold level of the magnet.



Crankworx Whistler 2022

Crankworx Whistler 2022
Squidworx are working on a version where a clip-in mechanism can be added or removed depending on a rider's preference, creating a 2-in-1 pedal.
Crankworx Whistler 2022
A version with a Squamish-made aluminum body will be available soon.

Squidworx

Squidworx's flat pedals use an aluminum center portion that attaches to replaceable nylon composite cages. The design makes them very customizable – there are multiple sizes, colors, and pin options.

Squidworx will soon be offering a version with an aluminum body that's machined in Squamish, BC; moving towards local production will hopefully help with some of the supply chain issues the company has faces over the last couple of years. In addition, they're planning to make the pedal cage design open source, allowing tech savvy riders with 3D printers to print their own.

The Squamish-made pedals will only be available online, and will cost around $30 more than the current version, which is priced at $160 CAD.


Crankworx Whistler 2022
Crankworx Whistler 2022
There are three different cage sizes along with multiple color options.


Crankworx Whistler 2022
Richard Bedford, Squidworx's founder, has a soft spot for vintage DH bikes, and has been restoring this classic Santa Cruz Super 8.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
An Avalanche Racing shock...
Crankworx Whistler 2022
...and a new old stock Nokian Gazzaloddi.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
A YT Capra equipped with RockShox's Flight Attendant electronic suspension system.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
RockShox's Buttercups are found in MY23 forks, and use rubber pucks to help reduce the amount of vibration that makes it to a rider's hands.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
See, all-mountain isn't dead. That SuperDeluxe Coil Select shock is an interesting option - it's an inline coil shock, meaning there's no external reservoir, with rebound as the only adjustment option other than spring weight.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
The build of Emil Johannson's slopestyle bike was being carefully documented.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
Expect to see this bike flying high in the very near future.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
It's currently hot, dry, and dusty in Whistler, but that doesn't meant it's too early to start thinking about fall and winter riding. 7mesh had an early look at their new fall apparel line, including this windproof, breathable anorak.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
The material is designed to promote breathability during hard efforts while still keeping chilly winds at bay.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
New earthy colors for 7mesh's Glidepath pants.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
Crankworx Whistler 2022
7mesh's Copilot rain jacket can be stuffed into its own pocket and easily attached to a bike's frame or handlebar when it's not in use.


Crankworx Whistler 2022
POC's Kortal Race helmet in purple.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
The Octocon is POC's newest lightweight full-face helmet. After trying one for the past couple of months, I've been very impressed with the overall fit and comfort. There's a dial at the back to fine-tune the fit, and the plastic screen at the front of the chinbar can be removed for even more ventilation.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
The Argotal is the most aggressive option in Continental's revamped tire lineup (other than a full mud spike), designed for muddy or very loose conditions.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
This 1994 Giant Cadex originally belonged to Doug Detwiller, the found of Sprockids, a long-running program that uses mountain biking as a teaching tool.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
Crankworx Whistler 2022

Crankworx Whistler 2022
Crankworx Whistler 2022

Crankworx Whistler 2022
How it used to be.

Crankworx Whistler 2022

Crankworx Whistler 2022
Crankworx Whistler 2022
Visitors to the Giant booth could enter to win this Glory frame that was custom painted by Fresh Paints to commemorate Giant's 50th anniversaty.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
Crankworx Whistler 2022
Five Ten had several new colors of the Sleuth DLX shoes on display.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
Crankworx Whistler 2022
The Impact Mid is still in the lineup for riders who want maximum protection.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
Crankworx Whistler 2022
Racer's roots date back to 1927 when the French company got its start making ski gloves. Their lineup now includes multiple disciplines, including mountain biking. This safety jacket is for the ripping groms out there, and retails for $219 CAD.

Crankworx Whistler 2022
Anthony Messere was rolling around on Polygon's still-unreleased 170mm enduro bike. The versions we've seen before were all set up with single crown forks; assuming this is the same frame, it's good to see that it's dual crown compatible.


Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,719 articles

109 Comments
  • 93 0
 Can I run an all mountain fork in an enduro race? asking for a friend
  • 88 0
 Yeah sure, but only with goggles and an open half helmet combo.
  • 97 6
 @Fliberico: or a full face with sunglasses.
  • 7 0
 And only if you use at least 2 different methods to connect your shoes to your pedals that aren't flats or SPDs.
  • 1 1
 Why no oring photos
  • 6 0
 As long as you are on an Allduro bike then its fine.
  • 3 2
 @brianpark: that's the ebiker special, leave it to the old men
  • 5 0
 @brianpark: Hey, I resemble that remark.
  • 1 0
 @Fliberico: Goggles without the lens of course.
  • 3 0
 @brianpark: Thats freeride
  • 1 0
 Ask Vouilloz...
  • 1 1
 @brianpark: NOOOO not fullface and sunnies guy!
  • 50 1
 That Octocon helmet and a few others, starting to look like Stormtrooper helmets. You know what that means...you wear it and you miss every feature you aim for....
  • 10 0
 It's a helmet designed exclusively for cephalopods committing crimes by deception.
  • 34 0
 Quick - somebody huck that Super8 off of the nearest rooftop....to a nice grass transition or flat, I don't care Extra points for Zebrahead playing in background
  • 4 0
 After two minutes of Youtube familiarising myself with Zerbrahead, you are right.
  • 3 4
 Maybe a little Millencollin to or some Yellowcard???
  • 7 0
 for all the groms, skip to 26:00

youtu.be/8VMiA-yp010
  • 4 1
 @RadBartTaylor: I saw zebrahead back in the day with less than jake and new found glory… thanks for the reminder.
  • 2 0
 I sprained both wrists and an ankle just looking at that 58lbs of flat-landing urban-hucking goodness. Reminds me that I need to restore my 03' Big Hit DH with Monster T and Avalanche DHR.
  • 4 0
 @RadBartTaylor: Did you mean to link youtu.be/EOojjkb9ADQ ??

Everyone born after 2001, skip to 7:00
  • 2 0
 @Appealingweiner: this just hits differently
  • 2 0
 @bkchef2000: Zebrahead are playing tomorrow 45min from my home, but its been sold out since precovid Frown
  • 4 0
 That’s not a NOS Gazz on there, it’s been used since it was first introduced in 2001, they were just that hard that they never got worn…
  • 1 0
 Oh man I got in trouble for printing off Zebrahead lyrics and using them as a bookmark after watching that NWD. Many a drop to flat (probably no more than 3 feet) was done in appreciation on my Giant Warp.
  • 4 0
 Hi. I'm old too.
  • 1 0
 @bkchef2000: pennywise or bad religion?
  • 1 0
 @Bikes-are-awesome:

Depends but I tend to lean more Bad Religion. Such a fantastic show. Greg is looking like Homer these day!
  • 18 2
 Mag pedals are interesting because a lot of people came up with this idea on their own and they were the first to get something decent to market. I remember thinking opposite of the current set up though. Why not just have the flat pedal with grip rubber compound and shoe with spikes (soccer cleat) that also provide traction on the dirt. Save your shins, save your slips in the mud and save your soles longer than a season.
  • 3 0
 Interesting that you have that idea... I've been using football/soccer turf shoes (with small rubber cleats) whenever I am riding and trail working at the same time for that same reason, traction off of the bike while moving up the trail and carrying tools, bike, etc... So, I would use wide platform flat pedals and have no problems at all with that combination. Like you mentioned, I too believe that for every idea thought of there are five other people with the same idea and it's the first one to market with a legitimate product. However, I have been first to market on several occasions but it was the second and third that made the money primarily because I spent all my time and resources educating on the WHY and they came in on the I have the similar idea and here you go stage.
  • 10 0
 @chillaxin: Really interesting and real life application. Lets be third to market on soccer shoes to hockey puck pedals! haha but really everything is going electronic anyway...think voice command to pedals like the new Go Pros commands "SRAM shoes off, SHOES OFF, DAMMIT SRAM SHOES OFFFF!!!!!
  • 3 0
 I get it, but wouldn't it be best to stay with the rubber attached to the foot, not the pedal, because it is the foot that needs to flex onto the pedal? If my foot/shoe is stiff and the pedal is stiff (it can't be flexible) then the two won't mate as nicely as when one of the sides flexes. Sure, for some low-stress situations it might be okay, but when it makes the difference between breaking a femur or not...
  • 4 0
 Yeah man, it should be magnet in the middle surrounded by astro turf.
  • 3 0
 I've often thought pedal shoe interface could be made of those kids toys, Stickle Bricks. Both surfaces are then the spikes and the medium. Flats vs cleats are the two edge cases, there must be something in between.
  • 2 0
 @coombsd: Aha totally! almost velcro style
  • 1 0
 @iamamodel: All kinds of stiff applications exist like full shanked roadie shoes on stiff clipless pedals. But true, maybe the rubber pedal could have built in flex or soft edges like like rubber spatulas.
  • 2 0
 Here are the shoes - Icebugz. Carbide spikes in the sole for ice and they are flexible for running too. Then mount up the hockey pucks map-guy mentioned for pedals.

icebug.com/p/newrun-m-bugrip-gtx
  • 1 0
 @RVA: 100%
  • 1 0
 @RVA: i'm literally gonna remove the spindle from an old pedal and see if I can fit it into a puck.
  • 2 0
 @map-guy: careful if you take it to a machine shop - they may tell you to "Get the puck outta here!"

Yeah, I know.
  • 2 0
 @map-guy: Do it, i would love to see the prototypes. New pedal company started here. Pucker Factor Pedals. Trade marked, copy written, all the other crap that Fox and SRAM lawyers use to bash each other over the heads.
  • 2 0
 @map-guy: puck to flat
  • 2 0
 @littleskull99: @RVA @iamamodel check out my photo album Pucker Factor Pedals. I removed the spindle from RaceFace chester pedals, drilled a hole through a puck and placed them next to my IceBugs. This just might work! Once I find another puck i'll test them on the bike.
  • 2 0
 @map-guy: hmm... Now I get your concept - softish shoe. With a better pedal I'd try that before the magnetic monstrosity above.
  • 2 0
 I think this idea has potential. Golf shoes and track spikes would be other shoe options too.
  • 19 0
 f*cking magnets, how do they work?
  • 3 13
flag gooral (Aug 10, 2022 at 1:34) (Below Threshold)
 You do not know how magnets work? Back to school! NOW!
  • 1 0
 They’re gonna make an electro magnet version of magpeds in the future
  • 2 0
 Shout out to all the Juggalos....
  • 15 0
 We're still doing magpeds...?
  • 1 0
 It’s like hydro shifting…
  • 10 0
 A lot of soils contain furious particles. Magnetic anything that comes in contact with dirt is a very bad idea. I thought the magnetic buckle on my Leatt was genius until I accidently dropped my helmet on the ground. I can't imagine how frustrating it would be to have grime and grit all over those magnetic pedals without a way of removing. Hopefully in Magped's case, they had smart engineers figured out and not just a lack of product testing.
  • 8 1
 Ferrous^ I'd love to blame that on autocorrect, but really I just can't spell.
  • 7 0
 How about a visor that serves a purpose, instead of just getting them out of the way of a GoPro?
  • 3 4
 I've never understood why MTB specific helmets have visors anyway...most(or at least half) trails exist under a canopy of trails eliminating the need to cover eyes from the sun(what I assume the visor is meant for)..yet road helmets don't have a visor(mostly all exposure to sun). I can say I think the visor looks a little cooler(more aggressive or something), but, I'm always zip tying the visor as far back as possible otherwise they eventually fall forward blocking my forward vision.
  • 3 0
 @GlassGuy: i always want my visors down as far as they can go, and id generally love it if they were a little longer. I think theyre especially helpful if you ride in a place with patchy light, it keeps the glare down when you cross into a patch of bright sunlight. If the visor is blocking my sight, i know that i need to pick my head up and stop staring 2 feet in front of my front tire, lol. To each their own anyway, i guess its probably for the best that visors are removable so you can take it off if you dont need one.
  • 2 0
 @GlassGuy: my visor has definitely slowed down the impact in a crash, it's also been a mud shovel in the same circumstances. So, serving many purposes...
  • 1 0
 @GlassGuy: You might want to consider the difference between eyes up and head up. The idea with head up instead of eyes up is if your head is up you can easily scan further ahead and quickly move your eyes down when needing to further analysis.

Likewise on the road since less scanning is needed a visor is more likely to be in the field of vision since the more forward folded tucked position is more advantageous.
  • 1 0
 @adventure-in: Yeah..I get it. Been riding(sometimes competitively) for 30 years. Some visors get loose and fall forward..if I'm looking down the trail then the visor can block some of my vision, or it's just a sensitivity thing...I don't like loose sleeves too...the fluttering distracts me! All personal choices..body builds, etc
The visor on my current helmet is pulled back as far as it can and then zip tied to keep it yanked. I'd just remove it, but..I do admit helmets look less "cool" without it...and I tend to do some custom graphics which the visor is always part of Smile
  • 3 0
 The magpeds are interesting... Will they be the best of both worlds? Or just the worst of both? Would be interesting to try them, coming from someone who rides both flats and clips I don't see the need personally.
  • 8 0
 I think most of the reviews ive read on magnet pedals (this and another brand) seem to say that if you’re coming from clipless, you wont like it because it doesn’t hold as well as clipless. However if you’re coming from flats you’ll like it because it doesn’t hold as well as clipless. As someone coming from flats, id like to try it. I like a stiff shoe, but want to stand on a flat pedal. Ive done short stints on fiveten hellcats and mallet dh pedals. It wasnt an awful experience.
  • 3 0
 They will work well with my Feet Of Steel!
  • 3 0
 I think the Hustle Labs pedals are the best of both worlds, about the same design as magpeds.
  • 10 1
 @jojotherider1977: don’t.. I’ll keep on saying this. They are utter trash. Especially if you position your foot centered (ball of foot in front of the spindle). Magped only put your foot with ball on spindle. So the feeling of lack of stability is real.

Also when you hit a rock garden, your foot dislodges, and because you have a stiff shoe you can’t rely on the pins. Yes, those pins do absolutely nothing. All retention is from the magnet which is weak AF. 200 N = 45 lbf; that’s nothing the bike weighs 35-45 lb and since the base pedal doesn’t actually grip you can loose traction in mid air. So they give you a 2:1 factor of Safety on a product that is used for dynamic applications. And don’t get me started about the magnet caking up with dirt. I tried to make it work at snow summit and mammoth.

Oh yea, and those magnets are proprietary. I already looked McMaster doesn’t have a stronger pull force to fit the pedal.
  • 4 0
 @kroozctrl: Yep, as I said elsewhere, half the traction of flats is the foot shaping/mating to the pedal. The shoe is so important and I am like the Princess and The Pea when it comes to flat pedal shoes.
  • 2 1
 @kroozctrl: this is why i never tried the magnets - i don't want a clipless shoe on a flat pedal, i want my precious precious freeriders but a little more stuck down somehow
  • 2 1
 @kroozctrl: I definitely wouldnt give it a go on the magpeds specifically because of the positioning. On my hellcats I actually extended the channels just so i could get my foot more forward on the pedal. I noticed right away the magpeds would be a no go for me. The hustle pedals are what have sparked my interest. They look more like you would use the cage of the pedals. In theory the pins would do more work there. But at the same time its pretty cost prohibitive. Id rather ride my deity deftraps or the mallets.
  • 4 3
 @jojotherider1977: What If Im coming from stirrups and cowboy boots?
  • 2 1
 @kroozctrl: Only use I can see for it is colecting rockshox allenkey cherrys off the trails.
  • 3 1
 @jojotherider1977: my wife and I converted a pair of flats into magnet pedals like these and she has been using them for over a year.

She came from the clipped in side, but for the alps where we now mostly ride, the problem is clipping in fast enough. When you lose a foot in the very step techy stuff and you've come to a standstill, you need to be able to just put your foot back with full confidence. You don't have a meter or two to roll and find your footing.

That being said, I now run the mallet DH shoes and Mallet E pedals, and I never have problems clipping in immediately anymore. They mate perfectly for me.

And running flats isn't an option, since we ride enduro hardtails, and our feet rattle off otherwise.
  • 2 0
 One problem I see is they seem to be just using regular nickel coating on the magnets. The problem is that is not very rust resistance at all. When magnets rust, they lose their strength. Other issue, it magnets are brittle. If you rock strike on the magnet, I could see them breaking. It seems like the magnets are just standard items though so hopefully they are easy enough to replace.
  • 3 0
 Anyone considering magnet pedals should try Shimano SPDs with the multi-release cleats (SH-56).
Easy to get out, you don't even need a twist motion to do it.
Feet are always exactly where you expect on the pedal, and one less thing to think about while you are riding.
  • 2 0
 I used a Dremmel to make 4mm more place for the metal plate in a FiveTen Hellcat and fit is perfect now. My old Magped pedal bodys are full of rock scars but the magnets are intact. I received new ones for a very good price as the older ones had a design problem and bushings caught a lot of debris and started to play and no replacements are available. I now use them on another bike as flat pedals and have no problem with grip. They actually have the shape of DMR Vault which are one of the most used flat pedals. I'm still not impressed with the new pedal construction and think sealing could be better but I'll see how it will work out, the old ones lasted more than 2 years. 200N magnet is just enough for me to hold the shoes in place when riding and at the same time still allowing for a foot unmount with a vertical movement, I wouldn't install more powerful magnets. I'll keep using Magpeds as the work very good for an average weekend warrior like me, I would suggest you try a pair if you can.
  • 1 0
 @93EXCivic: they aren’t, they are custom made. I already look at McMaster a while back. And McMaster is just a drop ship company. It’s custom made to fit the “slot.” So if you try to replace it with the exact same pull force, the overall profile is larger.
  • 2 0
 Racer are on to something with their gear. Tried on their gloves and a few other bits and can’t think of any brand that has comfier stuff on the market. Also had a great leather palmed glove which was really comfy, breathable and hard wearing. Great concept for enduro riding. Hope to see more of their stuff in the U.K.
  • 2 0
 I've had the jacket with removable arms for two seasons. Really good, even on hot days with climbing.
  • 3 0
 Ive got an old set of Racer knee pads and they’re made really well. I also have the Fox Launch and reach for the Racer pads nearly every ride bc they’re cooler during the summer months and although they both stay in place pretty well the racer pads are made better and I’ll def be getting another pair. They did cost a bit more but seem worth the extra cabbage.Haven’t crashed w/the fox yet but the Racer pads have taken several hits with no problems.
  • 3 0
 Some of the parts on that cadex...the cranks alone fetch around $600 for a clean set these days. The brodie magnesium fork brace on the other hand flexed more than the stock aluminum one did.
  • 4 0
 Everyone loves seeing a bit of purple helmet outdoors in the woods at a weekend.
  • 1 0
 I have a set of Argotals in 27.5 x 2.6 on my Range right now. It's been pretty dry in Vancouver of late and they do surprisingly well on the hardpacked stuff. They definitely do shine in loose, loamy conditions or on trails that have a lot of loost dirt and pebbles. Clears very nicely...only drawback is the tire clearance on my chainstay bridge is SMALLLLLLL.
  • 1 0
 Where did you get your set? I'd love to try some of the new contis. How do you find the rolling speed?
  • 1 0
 @tuckfordouble: Rolling speed isn't the best when climbing or traversing flat trails, but they feel really nice on descents. I rode top-to-bottom Fromme last night and the grip on the chunky stuff was fantastic. Super grippy on the armoured bits of Seventh and Crinkum. Very good on Executioner. I've had them on for three rides and have been playing with pressures...feels great with a Cushcore on the rear.

I obtained mine from a friend down in the U.S., however I'm told they'll be hitting the market in mass pretty soon here.
  • 4 0
 If Rich Bedford is looking for a yeti 303WC hit me up.
  • 1 0
 The DH9 would be more era appropriate?
  • 6 1
 Impact Mid FTW
  • 4 0
 The plate on the left looks like one of the ghosts from PacMan.
  • 2 0
 Anyone else notice the cross-threaded pin on the mag pedal? Maybe someone slipped a non-stainless pin in and the magnets are wreaking havoc on it.
  • 1 0
 I can vouch for the Magped pedals as a good option for trail and xc riding. Fast rocky rooty chatter makes my slip off their pedals very consistently. a concave platform would solve this. their platforms are dead flat
  • 1 0
 Had some 5-10’s when they came out that lasted 5 years or so. I grab another pair after but now they only lasted a few month’s. Don’t know why but I guess I shoulda kept the old pair.
  • 1 0
 Right next to to Giants is a brand new super duper Trance E just released today!. Sexy bike and nobody noticed . Reign SX looked pretty wicked too.
  • 1 0
 I'm thinking electromagnets, have the on/off button exactly same as and right beside dropper button. Have camera ready for hilarious confusion!
  • 1 0
 Magnetic pedals-the disadvantage of a stiff shoe with a slippery metal cleat AND unreliable retention. Flats are great. Clip-ins are great. These are not great.
  • 1 0
 Sweet Giant with cool paint - fork is going to be a problem without bumpers, but I can take care of that.
  • 2 0
 Is anyone going to buy those white 5-10s?
  • 2 0
 Probably the same people who are going to buy the white PB Racing jersey
  • 2 0
 I think the only buyers for the white 5-10's will be people in health care, nurses, orderly's, etc.

"How long does it take for them to get dirty? I dunno, what time is it right now?"
  • 1 0
 Vintage MTB fest this sunday: www.vintagemtb.org preparing my collection of 90s Marin's
  • 1 0
 With long enough cranks, I bet those magnetic pedals could be used to pick up nails on construction sites.
  • 1 0
 Is the Glory discontinued?
  • 2 0
 that super 8 is hot
  • 2 0
 Who didn't have a chub for a Super 8 20 years ago. That Gazzaloddi is a classic also. After 20 years it's probably pretty hard.
  • 1 0
 Can you please sniff around the GT Pits? Should be a new bike there.... Smile
  • 1 0
 I had a super 8 like 15 years ago thing weighed 52 lbs lol
  • 1 1
 Please DO NOT make the magnetic pedals a thing. We DO NOT want them, it's stupid beyond compare.
  • 1 0
 I ve almost forget about those puzzle pedals
  • 1 0
 I'd do that super8
  • 1 2
 Is it just me who reads the helmet name as the KOC Portal?
  • 11 0
 yes







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