JARGON

AXLE

Sometimes known as the spindle. Chromoly steel is the standard material used, for its strength and durability, but weight-saving titanium upgrades are often available, for a premium.

BODY

The bit you stand on. Houses the axle and provides the platform for your foot. Normally made from aluminium, but can be magnesium, to save weight, or nylon (plastic), on budget models.

CHAMFERING

To help them graze past obstacles, most pedal bodies are parallelogram-shaped (when viewed from the side). Some have a chamfered (sloped) outside leading edge for the same reason.

CONCAVITY

Most pedals are concave – they have a dip in the middle, to cup your foot and help hold it in place. More concavity means more grip, but also a deeper body that is more vulnerable to rock strikes.

INTERNALS

Most pedals spin on a nylon DU bushing and one large or two small sealed cartridge bearings. Rubber seals keep out the grime. A bolt on the end of the axle holds everything together.

PINS

‘Pins’ – generally grub screws – provide much of a pedal’s grip. Taller pins equal more grip, but make it harder to readjust your feet and can hurt like hell if you get them in the shins.