MTB

On Test: Hope F20 MTB Flat Pedals

We put the pedal to the ... mud, and got dirty with Hope's F20's

Established in the late 1980’s, Hope Tech has built up a highly esteemed reputation for designing and manufacturing top quality bike components, that last.

From brakes, to hubs, to headsets, Hope Tech carefully craft precision bike components from their UK operating base in Barnoldswick.

Because Hope offer many of their quality components in a variety of amazing colours, it’s almost too easy to get carried out and kit out your bike in a set of stylish bling.

A good place to start with pimping out your bike is with a pedal upgrade – and Hope can help with that.

Hope F20 Pedals

Unlike many aluminium and steel components which are cast in moulds, the F20 pedals are fully CNC machined from a solid block of aluminium. What does that mean? CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control which translates digital design information into numerical values to guide where the cutter needs to go. A little like map coordinates in 3D.

This method allows for ultimate precision in production of parts, which is exactly the standard you expect from a reputable brand like Hope.

Known for their durability, Hope ensures their F20 flat pedals will stand the test of time, and abuse. The bearings used in their pedals are solid to say the least, with three cartridge bearings per pedal, sealed in a chamber to protect them from dirt and grit.

The Cr-Mo axles are heat treated and plated to make them strong and stiff for the amount of weight and impact they will ensure.

The Test

Much to my delight, the Hope F20’s are available in six bright and attractive colours. A common safe option is a raw finish, or silver, as this doesn’t show off scuffs and scrapes as much. However, being the colour coordinated Power Ranger that I am, I opted for a pair of brilliant blue pedals for my very blue blue set-up.

Firstly, it’s not a simple case of opening the box, popping them on and off you go. Set aside a good chunk of your life to screw in all 40 grub pins. Yep, ALL THE PINS! Hope provide an Allen key, which is great if you have leather fingers, but best to use your own for this.

There are 20 pins per pedal, with an additional cost option of having titanium pins to save on weight.

Once I’d screwed in the pins in, and mounted the pedals, it was time to go out and give them a spin. I prefer a stiff pedal, one that doesn’t relentlessly spin when you kick off, and the Hope F20’s are pretty stiff. For me, the ‘Queen of Shinners’, this is a good thing.

Whilst riding, I thoroughly enjoyed the large platform beneath my FiveTen’s. The surface area gave me a confident grounding, and the well placed pins were securely gripped to the soles of my shoes.

Although designed to have a concave shape, I didn’t feel this as much as I would have preferred. The Hope F20 flat pedals are incredibly flat, and any concave design is just a little too slight.

Weighing 390g a pair, they aren’t the lightest flat pedals on the market, but they are incredibly tough and hard-wearing.

Verdict

Like many of Hope Tech’s range of bike components, the F20 are certainly high quality and well made. Although a little on the heavy side, they give you confidence with their large surface area and sturdy construction.

Hope products continue to make huge waves in the cycling industry with new components being churned out each year. This year we have their new cassettes and carbon seat-posts to look forward to, but next year, who knows?