Interbike: VP Components new Aim and Harrier Altitude pedals and VX series updates
VP Components was showing off a few new platform pedals including the Aim, the Harrier Altitude and the kid’s specific Push Compact as well as some important updates to their popular VX series of clipless pedals.
Aim
The new VP Aim platform pedal was developed with input from Sam Reynolds who is a top rider on the FMB Diamond Tour. Reynolds wanted something more along the traditional lines of a BMX pedal so the Aim has a dual concave platform which is almost like a suction cup for your feet. It is really grippy and reasonably thin. Weight for the Aim is 415 grams per pair and it measures 17mm thick at its thinnest point. The pedal measures approximately 104x104mm and it has a squarish shape to it. The Aim has a full length axle and sealed bearing internals. Suggested retail price is $60.
We talked to VP Components Brand Director Erik Saunders and he explained, “The Aim is a high performance, low cost pedal. VP does their own design in the States and we own our own factories so we can make that happen at a reasonable price. This makes sense not just for dirt riders but also for a majority of flat pedal buyers whether it be urban cyclists, BMXers or mountain bikers. We’re really proud of that and we think its going to be a really cool, solid seller for our dealers.”
VX Trail Race & VX Adventure Race
The VX series of clipless pedals are mountain bike specific and have received some new updates for 2015. VP has changed the binding by moving the tension adjustment into the rear binding itself, eliminating the base plate which increases mud clearance. This makes the pedals a lot lighter across the line-up. The VX Trail Race should be around 370 grams which is very competitive for the category. The platform is still wide and extends around the back of the pedal so it offers a lot of shoe/pedal contact area for increased support.
VP also changed the shape of the rear binding to mimic a ramp. The ramp is also very wide and will help guide the shoe into the pedal easily. It is made to guide the cleat right over the ramp and into place. In addition, the width helps locate the front part of the cleat ahead of time, within the cleat pocket of the shoes.
Saunders described the redesign process, “We developed these features over the course of the year in the EWS (Enduro World Series) with our riders Ben Cruz, Marco Osborne and the Polygon UR Team. They gave us a lot of feedback and we immediately used their input into these new updates products. It still uses a high quality inner oil seal, two sealed cartridge bearings outboard and inboard uses a roller bearing. The VX pedals still comes with a 1 year crash replacement guarantee and a lifetime warranty. The bodies are also forged instead of cast, so they will be a lot stronger, too. This also gives us the ability to annodize them so we could possibly do some limited edition colors and fun stuff like that. We have also increased the amount of float in the cleat to allow more freedom of movement while still staying clipped in. You are still securely clipped in, but you have increased room for body english.”
The new VX series pedals will begin shipping in March of 2015 and pricing has not yet been set.
Harrier Altitude
VP’s Harrier is what they call their premium flat pedal for mountain biking and the Harrier Altitude builds off of that popularity but improves it with a Ti axle (and corresponding lighter weight). We expect many current Harrier users to upgrade to the Altitude versions soon. The Altitude has a forged Ti axle with a forged aluminum body. The steel pins are also forged and they are heat treated and replaceable. The finish is double anodized and the weight is 295g per pair (vs. 362g for the standard Harrier). Price has not yet been set.
Push Compact
The Push Compact is a junior pedal for BMX but can be used by groms on their mountain bikes or dirt jumpers as well. This pedal has a compact sized body that is made to fit smaller feet. The Push Compact has the same forged, heat treated and CNC machined cromoly axles as VP’s durable MTB pedals. They also use the same LSL and double sealed cartridge bearings which allows them to build a thin pedal for a better feel under foot. They nylon body measures about 90x90x17mm with replaceable pins and weights about 285 grams per pair. Suggested retail price is $54.
For more information visit www.vp-usa.com
This article is part of Mtbr’s coverage of the 2014 Interbike trade show in Las Vegas. For more from Interbike CLICK HERE.
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