Canfield Brothers Crampon

Canfield Brothers Crampon Pedal Review

With a name like “Crampon,” Canfield Brothers is setting the bar high.

The newest iteration of the pedal was released to the world in July, with the Crampon itself being continually developed over the last seven years, a timeline that is more often in the realm of bikes rather than pedals. However, it’s impossible to argue the logic that more R&D leads to a more refined product. By putting in the time, Canfield Brothers made the exact pedal they wanted to make and believed was needed.

The major design element that is unique to the Crampon is the convex shape. Most other pedals have either a flat or concave platform, however, for the Crampon, the highest part of the pedal is above the spindle, with both sides tapering off. This not only leads to a pedal that is thinner on the edges—a whopping 6mm—but a shape that better conforms to the foot. This magnificently thin leading edge provides a very appealing aesthetic while also minimizing the surface area for pedal-strikes—a big win-win. And with 10 pins per side (all of which are replaceable with an allen wrench) no expense was spared in the name of grip.

Canfield Brothers released the Crampon in three models: the Mountain, Ultimate and Magnesium versions. The weight is reduced on each pedal, 400, 342 and 280 grams respectively, and the Mountain model has a bigger platform, 106mm by 112mm, whereas the Ultimate and Magnesium pedals both measure 105mm by 105mm. The Mountain pedal also uses a combination of sealed bearings and DU bushings, while the Ultimate and Magnesium both use strictly DU bushings.

The Crampon Mountain pedal has the largest platform of the three options, measuring 106mm by 112mm.
With a 6mm leading edge on the Crampon, pedal strikes are rare.
Ten pins provide excellent grip, especially combined with Canfield Brothers' patented convex shape.

I’ve been riding on the Crampon Mountain pedal for the last two months, putting them to the test everywhere from our local trails in the Northwest to Whistler Bike Park, where a single day provides enough laps to either make or brake anything on your bike. The first thing I noticed was the grip… once your feet are situated, you’re locked in. Whether pedaling, cornering, jumping or smashing roots, my feet refused to slip off the pedal. Pedal strikes also proved to be rare, thanks to the thin profile, and when they did occur, there was never a single hang-up.

The convex design gives amazing feeling to the pedal itself, as your foot sits just a few millimeters above the spindle, and your feet naturally conform to the shape of the platform. Riding with the balls of my feet centralized on the pedal, I could tell the front row of pins were directly under my toes, and the back pins underneath my arch. Shoes with a soft sole really let me feel where the pedal was at, and when using a shoe with more a more rigid base, I could feel the grip of the pins even more. It’s certainly a personal preference, but either way the Crampon provides a unique amount of pedal awareness.

It didn’t take long to figure out that the name “Crampon” is not only accurate, but justified and proven in the way the pedal rides. The Crampon’s price is on point with just about every other high-end pedal on the market, with the Mountain and Ultimate going for $149 and the Magnesium going for $199. The Mountain’s standout point is certainly the larger platform, and the Ultimate and Magnesium’s the weight, but what ever you may be looking for in a pedal, there’s a Crampon option that that will not only fit the bill, but exceed it.

Crampon Mountain
MSRP: $149

Crampon Ultimate
MSRP: $149

Crampon Magnesium
MSRP: $199

See more at www.canfieldbrothers.com