Crankbrothers has redesigned its composite Stamp 1 pedals giving the second generation of its most affordable pedals a significant upgrade in the process. The Stamp 1 Gen 2 now shares a similar layout and many features with Crankbrother's premium Stamp 7 but features a composite body and a considerably lower asking price. Previously if you wanted the best MTB flat pedals, metal was your only option but now Crankbrothers Stamp 1 Gen 2 composite pedals could offer an alternative to alloy.
Design and specifications
Looking down at the Stamp 1 Gen 2 you will see the first similarities these composite pedals share with the Stamp 7s. The platform has an identical platform dimension and pin layout to the “pro-level” alloy pedals. I have the large-sized pedal which has a 114mm x 111mm platform but Crankbrothers also has a smaller 100mm x 100mm option. The platform has a slightly concave shape measuring 15.5mm at its thickest and 13.5mm at its thinnest. The composite pedal body is available in a range of seven colors; Black, Red (tested), Orange, Blue, Purple, Sand, and Green.
The pedals feature 10 pins positioned around the edge of the platform. Rather than using grub screws, the Stamp 1 Gen 2 has long one-piece pins that screw through the entire pedal body with roughly 5mm exposed on each side. The pins only have an Allen key interface on one side, although if you damage one there should be enough pin exposed to still get it out. The straight-through design means you can't adjust the pin height if you're particularly picky with traction levels.
Like the Stamp 7s, the Stamp 1 Gen 2s spin on Igus LL-glide bearings and internals are easy to access by simply undoing two 2.5mm hex bolts to remove the Forged SCM 435 Chromoly Steel axle. Crankbrothers recommends a 50-75 hour service interval to keep them sweet, the process is simple and involves removing the axle, cleaning, and adding some fresh grease. The whole process is no more than a five-minute job. If you need to give them a proper refresh Crankbrothers sells rebuild kits too.
One area where composite pedals have always trumped alloy pedals is weight. My Stamp 1 Gen 2 pedals weigh 356g (large), while the considerably more premium Crankbrothers Stamp 7 comes in at 392g (large) for the pair.
Performance
Under the shoe, the Stamp 1 Gen 2 doesn’t feel like a composite pedal and the body offers a stiff and supportive platform when riding through rough sections or landing jumps. The Stamp 7 is one of my favorite flat pedals in terms of grip levels and by sharing the same pin layout, the Stamp 1 delivers much of the same performance. Unlike the first gen Stamp 1 there is no protruding axle bulge in the middle of the pedal so your shoe can properly sink into the concave shape and the pins can do their work. Crankbrother’s pins are a little fatter than those found on pedals like Look’s Trail Roc Plus and I like that it is a little easier to correct your foot position while riding, plus they better resist bending should you clatter them off some trail furniture.
One area you will notice a difference between the Stamp 1s and Stamp 7s is pedal thickness. If you want the ultra-planted feel that you get from thin pedals, metal still trumps composite as they can be machined a lot thinner. Still, Crankbrothers have done a great job of keeping the Stamp 1 Gen 2 as slim as possible and they are remarkably more svelte when compared to the likes of DMR’s V11’s (19mm), Gusset’s Slim Jim Nylon (18mm to 16mm concave) and on par with the entry-level Crankbrothers Stamp 3 pedals.
As the Stamp 1 Gen 2 comes in two sizes it's worth thinking about what pedal size you need, as bigger isn’t always better. I wear a size EU43/US10 shoe which puts me right in the middle of the two pedal sizes. While I liked the support of the large platform, not all the pins were engaging with the sole of my shoe when riding, whereas, with the smaller pedal, all the pins would be getting used. Larger platforms also reduce cornering clearance and I experienced several pedal strikes when cornering that may have been avoided had I been running the smaller platform version.
When I did strike the pedals on the ground the composite material helped reduce the shock transmitted through to the foot plus the material and chamfered edges feel like they deflect or slide a little better, rather than digging in or getting hooked up. My test pedal bodies are showing a few scars but nothing unsightly or any structural damage.
Previously I have had bad experiences with composite pedal durability but the Stamp 1 Gen 2 bucks the trend here. The bushings have resisted all manner of unpleasant weather over the last year of testing although I would recommend following Crankbrothers advice and giving them a quick clean and flush with fresh grease regularly to keep them running smoothly.
Verdict
It's never really been a debate in the past, alloy pedals have almost always offered enough performance to justify their higher asking price. With the Crankbrothers Stamp 1 Gen 2, that decision isn’t so clear cut as the platform grip and high-spec internals offer much the same performance as its premium Stamp 7 pedal at a significantly cheaper price point. While they don’t have the super planted feel of an ultra-thin metal platform and you can’t adjust the pin length, this is offset by the lighter weight and impact-dulling body of the composite construction.
Tech specs: Crankbrothers Stamp 1 Gen 2 flat pedal
- Price: $59.99 / £54.99
- Platform size: Large 114mm x 111mm / Small 100mm x 100mm,
- Thickness: 13.5mm to 15.5mm
- Weight: 356g (Large, pair)
- Colors: Black, Red (tested), Orange, Blue, Purple, Sand, and Green
