SQlab 50X – Put to the test in our big pedal shootout 2023
The German brand SQlab are known as ergonomics specialists and the 50X pedals are no exception. They’re available in three sizes, which differ by the length of the axles. This is intended to cover different shoe sizes and stance widths. We put them through their paces in our pedal group test.
Pin diameter 3 mm | Number of pins 11 |Pin insertion below | Manufacturer’s website
At first glance, the composite SQlab pedals look rather beefy. It’s no surprise that they’re the tallest pedals on test with a height of 19 mm, and they weigh in at 430 g, which also makes them the heavy-weight champions. However, this design allows them to have concave platforms despite the full-length axles – which all composite pedals have. Priced at € 79.95, the 50X are rather expensive for composite pedals. The 11 pins on each side have an average diameter at 3 mm, but they’re slightly shorter than the pins of most other pedals on test at a length of 4 mm. Since they get screwed in from below, they can be easily replaced if they’re damaged.
The SQlab 50X pedals on the trail
If you stand on the SQlab pedals, you’ll notice their height. It feels like you’re standing higher up on the pedals, especially when pedalling. The grip offered by the 50X can’t keep up with the better pedals on test due to the short pins, and you can feel your feet slipping when things get rough, despite the concave shape. This robs you of confidence to some extent and it makes you feel less planted on the bike in demanding terrain. On flow trails or relaxed terrain, on the other hand, the pedals are very comfortable and it’s easy to correct the positions of your feet. Thanks to the different axle lengths, you can also choose the stance width to suit your bodily proportions or preference. However, the platforms don’t have very large cut outs and they tend to pack up with mud.
The SQlab 50X flat pedals clearly bear the signature of the ergonomics specialists. Thanks to the different axle lengths, you can choose the pedals according to your preferred stance width. However, they’re quite hefty and you can feel how tall they are when pedalling, making you feel more on top of the bike than integrated with it. They don’t provide the best grip either due to the short pins, which is why the pedals are better suited to flow trails and relaxed riding than for singletrack shredding.
Tops
- different sizes for different stance widths
- pins get screwed in from below
Flops
- not the best grip
- very tall
You can find out more about at sq-lab.com
Click here for an overview: The best pedals for mountain bikers
all pedals in Review: Acros Klickpedal | Crankbrothers Mallet E LS | Hope Union | HT T2 | Shimano XT PD-M8120 | TIME SPECIALE 12 | Chromag Dagga | Hope F22 | Look Trail Fusion | Nukeproof Horizon Pro Sam Hill | OneUpOmposite Pedal | Race Face Atlas | SixpackKamikaze RA | SQ Lab 50X | Tatze Link Composite |