Deity TMAC Review

With over two years of research and development put into the TMAC's design, Deity developed what they refer to as “Your Dream Pedal.” The pedal has a simplistic symmetrical design and square/blocky shape, making it appear more substantial in size than its 110 mm x 105 mm dimensions suggest. Machined from durable aluminum and fitted with high-quality components, these pedals have a phenomenal grip with 14 pins per side. We loved these beefy pedals and feel they are an excellent option for downhill and aggressive enduro riding.

Performance Comparison

Grip/Traction

The TMAC pedals have impressive amounts of grip. There are 14 pins per side, located along the perimeter pin. Their locations, combined with two-and-one-half-millimeters of concavity, make your foot feel secure to the pedal. These pedals have so much grip that it's occasionally challenging to reposition your shoe while riding. This can be frustrating, especially when you're getting into a more technical section of a trail or about to hit a jump. There's nothing more annoying than that feeling of your foot being in the wrong position.

That said, the grip factor is so high with the TMAC that you can get away with riding with your foot in the wrong spot on the pedal for a section of trail. The weakness concerning grip is the lack of pins in the middle of the pedal along the spindle. The smooth anodized spindle section feels slippery with some shoes, especially in wet riding conditions. It's natural for your feet to drift outwards as you ride, and a center pin or two would help make your foot feel more secure and improve your grip if your footing becomes unsettled.

Platform

The TMAC pedals feature a large “block” platform that's 110 mm x 105mm coupled with one of the more aggressive concave designs on the market at two-and-one-half-millimeter. The pedals have a non-offset and symmetrical design with a square/blocky shape that feels much larger than it is. This is a double-edged sword; the large platform is great but leaves a large open space in the middle of the pedal. It's noticeable when your foot isn't on the pedal correctly and your contact point is in the open area of the pedal.

The pedal grips so well that it is hard to reposition your foot in the middle of your descent. The more you ride, the more you get used to this, but it is worthy of mention. The large size combined with the 19 mm leading edge thickness does present more potential for pedal strikes and contact with other features on the trail. We didn't experience any strikes that caused a crash while testing, but we made plenty of pedal-to-rock contact. The most vulnerable spots for contact are the leading edge and the outside edges of the pedal. The thickness of these pedals does make them less ideal for trail riders or those who frequent technical trails.

Mobility

Here's the blunt truth, the TMAC grips so well that it can be challenging to move your feet sometimes. The openness of the pedal design is noticeable, especially when climbing. The bearings work well and spin freely with no resistance. The pedals feature one of the deepest concave designs on the market, providing ample contact and control. Since the TMAC is one of the largest pedals we tested, the platform is plenty big to accommodate larger shoe sizes.

However, with smaller shoe sizes, the pedal's massive platform has an almost negative effect on allowing the rider's foot to stay planted in one position. Due to the large open areas between the spindle and front and rear of the pedal, if the rider's foot were to move into these zones, it gave us the feeling of our shoes falling into a hole.

Servicing/Build

The Deity TMAC is well constructed and visible across the board, from its high-quality parts to its sleek machined design. They are easy on and off the cranks. This may be the one for you if you're looking for a hassle-free, dynamite pedal.

The pedal's design considers load distribution while riding various terrain, and Deity has created a system to prevent bearing blowout. If a bearing blowout occurs while you're the owner of these workhorses, the rebuild kit won't set you back much at all and is available directly through the Deity website.

Weight

They are far from the lightest pedals at 440-grams, but they hold their weight well for their size. They offer great pedal traction and never feel out of touch with lighter pedals. The goal behind the TMAC was to deliver the largest platform available in the Deity pedal lineup at the expense of a little extra weight. Diety has created a pedal that feels much lighter than it looks. That said, the added heft and thicker profile make these pedals ideal for trail riding than other options we tested.

Should You Buy the Diety TMac Pedal?

If you're looking for a durable pedal with maximum traction and a large platform, ideal for gravity riding, we highly recommend the Diety TMAC. Its traction pins provide outstanding grip, especially when descending at speed. However, their thick platform may be a drawback to those who ride technical trails.

What Other Mountain Bike Flat Pedals Should You Consider?

Another great aluminum body flat pedal that excels at gravity riding is the Chromag Dagga. Its 15.75 mm thick pedal body is a bit thinner and less likely to get hung up on rocks. It also has a larger platform, measuring 111 mm x 116 mm, making it even more supportive for riders with larger feet. The 12 traction pins provide great grip, two of which are found along the axle, helping to provide traction in wet and muddy conditions.