Tioga MT-ZERO Pedal

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Tioga MT-ZERO Pedal - Tested

by Mike Levy

http://gp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8918328/p4pb8918328.jpg

Axle-Less Design

Tioga set out to design the thinnest platform pedals on the market, with the result being their 7mm thick MT-ZERO pedals. The usual limiting factor in platform thickness is, of course, bearing and axle size, and we've seen companies resort to smaller and smaller bearings, especially the outboard bearing, in an effort to bring down body height to previously unheard of low measurements. There are even models that have moved to an external bearing at the end of the axle, thereby avoiding being forced to squeeze it inside the platform. One of the major issues with this approach is that the smaller the bearing, the quicker it becomes rough and worn - a problem we've experienced with many of the micro, RC car-sized bearings employed on many current designs. Tioga's engineers took an entirely different approach by removing the axle and outboard bearing entirely and replacing them with a massive external bearing that sits up against the crank arm. This has allowed them to design an extremely thin pedal body that, at just 7mm at its thickest point (the leading and trailing edges), trumps all but the crank-specific Flypaper pedal.

http://gp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8913446/p4pb8913446.jpg

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Tioga-MT-ZERO-Pedal-Tested-2012.html

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http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8918315/p4pb8918315.jpg

The easiest way to understand how and why it makes a difference is to use an exaggerated example, and one that Tioga themselves cite: imagine yourself using pedals with 6'' tall wooden blocks strapped to them, effectively increasing their body height more than six fold. That inflated height means your feet will want to rotate back and forth easier around the center line of the pedal axle, making for what would likely be a very unstable feeling. Tioga employs the exact opposite approach with the MT-ZERO, bringing your feet closer to the axle center line. Sure, it may only be by a few millimeters compared to other pedals, but we believe that it is enough to actually improve stability.

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This;

The single large bearing is responsible for the job that would normally be done by at least two bearings (or bushings) on a standard pedal, but Tioga is confident that the design can stand up to some serious cross-country and all-mountain use. Interestingly, Tioga doesn't recommend the pedal for pure downhill or freeride-type riding, which is exactly the sort of use that most platform pedal users take part in. Yes, platforms are becoming more common as downhillers hang up their long-travel bikes for capable mid-travel rigs, but Tioga's warning still has us questioning just what market the MT-ZERO pedal is intended for.

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The MT-ZERO's body is so slim that there is no way it could be made from aluminum and stand up to any proper abuse, so Tioga manufactured the platform from investment-cast chromoly. This makes for a heavy-by-today's standards pedal that comes in at 480 grams per set, but remember that hitting a low weight target wasn't Tioga's goal with the MT-ZERO design

 

Catch20 - but still wouldnt mind trying a set

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Any takers