Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
The newly launched Outlier Pendulum Pedals sit 12mm below the center of the axle to increase stability and control, are self-rightening, and weigh just 207 grams. See additional photos and learn more about the pre-order here…
Based in Alberta, Canada, Outlier is a mountain bike component brand owned by Peter Cowling and Cameron Belisle O’Donnell. In the mid-2000s, Peter came up with the idea for a lowering mountain bike pedal. He brought in an engineer to create a prototype, but after just a hundred thrilling feet of downhill riding, the prototype failed. As a result, Peter decided to put the project on hold. In 2020, Peter met Cameron, owner of The Inside Line bike shop, and they decided to take another crack at the design.
The Outlier Pendulum Pedals are the finished product, and as of this weekend, they’re available for pre-order. The Pendulum Pedals are unique in several ways. First, the platform sits 12mm below the center of the axle instead of 5mm or more above the axle, like most pedals. This effectively lowers the rider’s center of mass by 17mm or more, significantly boosting stability and control. During sudden decelerations, the pedal acts as a pendulum and swings forward, cradling the rider’s foot in a heels-down position. If you take your foot off a pedal, the pedals are self-righting. The design means there is no axle (or grip) directly underfoot, allowing the foot to flex a small amount for an exceptional amount of grip.
Our friend Skyler, owner of Mica Racks, has been testing a prototype pair of pedals out all year and explained the axle-less design creates a noticeably grippy surface that exaggerates the concave shape. Skyler explained the shape allows the ball of your foot to “hammock” into the hole, locking it into place.
The Outlier Pendulum Pedals have traction on one side, and the underside is shaped to deflect off rocks and other obstacles on the trail. The outer edge is just 7mm thin. The pedal bodies are CNC’d out of 7075 aluminum in Calgary. Each pedal houses two robust, oil-filled 6902 bearings, and the total weight is 207 grams per pedal. The lowering design means some riders may need to lower their dropper post to accommodate the new position, and folks with small feet (below men’s 7/women’s 8.5) may not be able to use them comfortably. The platform size is 120 x 115mm, there are 9 M3 pins per pedal (4 extras are provided), and they are available in black or raw with a clear anodization.
Pre-orders for the Outlier Pendulum Pedals opened yesterday for $299 CAD (~$213 USD) and are are already sold out. A second round is open, which is expected to be delivered in early 2025. Head over to OutlierMTB.com to claim yours. If the one-sided, lowering design isn’t your thing, Outlier designed a two-sided version with a standard position called the Void, which is also available and shipping now.
Further Reading
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