DMR V-Twin Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
DMR V-Twin | |||||
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Awards | Best Overall Mountain Bike Pedal | Another Great Trail Riding Pedal | Best Bang for the Buck | Best for Enduro and Downhill Riding | |
Price | $172 List $165.94 at Amazon | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $105.57 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $53.50 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | A good pedal if you value performance and adjustability and really don't care about the weight | Stable platform, highly adjustable and available in a multitude of colors | Shimano's latest enduro approved pedal grows up a bit and the refreshes are mostly welcome | A solid choice for those wanting next generation stability at an entry-level price point | Solid, stable and heavy, we found the control they offer top-notch |
Rating Categories | DMR V-Twin | HT Components T2 | Shimano PD-M8120 XT... | Shimano ME700 | Shimano Saint SPD M820 |
Ease of Exit (25%) | |||||
Ease of Entry (20%) | |||||
Adjustability (20%) | |||||
Weight (15%) | |||||
Platform (10%) | |||||
Mud Shedding Ability (10%) | |||||
Specs | DMR V-Twin | HT Components T2 | Shimano PD-M8120 XT... | Shimano ME700 | Shimano Saint SPD M820 |
Weight per Pair (grams) | 610g | 380g | 430g | 482g | 550g |
Weight of Cleats and Bolts (grams) | 54g | 62g | 51g | 50g | 50g |
Cleat Type | SPD style mountain replica | HT X1 cleats | SPD mountain | SPD mountain | SPD mountain |
Style | mini-cage | mini-cage | mini-cage | mini-cage | mini-cage |
Platform Dimensions (lxw) | 107 x 82mm | 83.5 x 68mm | 100 x 71mm | 100 x 74mm | 100 x 79mm |
profile height | 20mm | 17mm | 18mm | 19mm | 19mm |
Q-Factor | 55mm | 56mm | 55mm | 55mm | 57mm |
Total Width from Crank Arm | 95mm | 90mm | 92mm | 93mm | 95mm |
Entry | 2-sided | 2-sided | 2-sided | 2-sided | 2-sided |
Adjustable Tension | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Traction Pins | 7/side | 4/side | 0 | 0 | 4/side |
Bearings | sealed and serviceable | Stainless Steel sealed cartridge bearings | dual angular contact, metal retainer | dual angular contact, plastic retainer | dual angular contact, metal retainer |
Cage Material | extruded / machined aluminum | extruded/CNC machined aluminum | anodized and machined aluminum | painted aluminum | forged and machined aluminum |
Pedal Wrench Type | 6mm allen | 8mm allen | 8mm allen | 6mm allen or 15mm open end | 8mm allen |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The DMR V-Twin brings a unique form of adjustability, promising more variations for grip and feel. Unboxing this pedal is interesting. There are more parts than we're used to seeing. Included with the pedals are, of course, cleats and pins. But they also come with steel shims that raise and lower the nylon pin platforms. The pin platforms feel a bit cheap and slippery, but the pedals' machining and anodizing look top notch. The pedals feel large and a little bulky, even before adding pins and shims.
The 4140 Chromoly steel axle sports a 6mm recess, there is no 15mm wrench flat. Similar to the Xpedo GFX, they use a spring-loaded cage to hold the engagement mechanism in an optimal position, ready to go.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Entry
With or without pins installed, the V-Twin allows rapid ease of entry. The cleat mechanism is open and highly polished, and the body does nothing to obstruct entry. It scores very well against its competitors as a result.
Although based on an SPD design, the engagement doesn't have the lock and load feeling of an authentic Shimano SPD pedal. The traction pins, which can impede entry, are not an issue on this pedal. The DMR pins are slightly larger in diameter and less sharp than others we've tested.
Ease of Exit
The upside of less aggressive pins is that these pedals are incredibly easy to exit. They scored well in this metric as a result.
Unclipping is quick, smooth, and consistent, requiring less effort than the Saint M820.
Adjustability
DMR set out to make the V-Twin customizable in its engagement, grip, and traction. The engagement mechanism is based on SPD and offers 15 clicks from low to high tension. It works well.
The ends of the platform have nylon bumpers that you can raise using the included steel shims. Seven bolts hold the bumpers in on each side. You can also swap each bolt for traction pins.
Weight
At 558 grams, they're some of the heaviest clipless pedals we've ever tested.
There's plenty to love about the V-Twin but the weight isn't one of those things. If you bolt on the steel shims that raise the nylon pin platforms,you're at a whopping 610 grams!
Platform
The larger DMR pins provide a bit less bite than the narrower ones used by HT and Shimano.
Regardless of shoe choice, we never felt like the pins engaged as well as they deflected, pushing back on the sole rather than cutting in.
Mud Shedding
We preferred the DMR over the Saint M820 on dry days. Putting the pedals in the mud changed our opinions a bit.
The DMR held on to the muck that prevented us from getting in a couple of times. More surface area on this pedal meant more places for mud to catch a ride.
Value
They're big and bulky and highly adjustable, a combination that will work very well for some, but they cost too much to spend much time rationalizing their cons. The Shimano Saint M820 is a far better value.
Conclusion
Big, bad and bold, the DMR provides excellent performance and industry-leading adjustability. We found the pedal to be stable, capable, and confidence inspiring. If weight isn't a concern of yours, you'll appreciate these pedals more.