Versatile flat pedals for all-around riding: Crankbrothers Stamp 7
Hello, this is Ikeda from grumpy.
I believe the charm of flat pedals is their ease of use, as you can wear regular shoes or sandals with them.
For pedals designed for uneven terrain like trail riding, metal pins called pedal pins are installed on both sides of the pedal surface to prevent slipping. These pins dig into your shoes, providing incredible grip.
However, as anyone who has tried these types of pedals knows, these pedal pins can cause quite a bit of damage to your feet.
◆When the grip is too strong...
For example, you might slip your foot and hit your shin, leading to excruciating pain... Or, when starting to pedal, you might try to scoop up the pedal with the top of your foot, forgetting you were wearing sandals, and hit it, resulting in agonizing pain...
Yes, the pedals that are best for trail riding actually have too strong a grip for everyday use or bike touring.
Among flat pedals, the Crankbrothers Stamp 7 strikes just the right balance.
◆About the appeal of Crankbrothers Stamp 7
The Stamp 7 is also known as an "all-round pedal" because it can be used in a wide range of ways, not limited to just one.
For example, it's used by top MTB riders worldwide, as well as by bike packers traveling the world.
Recently, many versatile bicycles capable of various uses have been developed, and this pedal is perfect for such bikes!
Another feature is its extremely high durability, capable of withstanding heavy-duty use.
The Stamp 7 is a somewhat unusual pedal that combines several unique features not found in other flat pedals.
Let's go through them one by one!
◆About the pedal pins
The pedal pins currently used on the Stamp 7 allow you to adjust the grip by freely changing how much they protrude from the pedal surface.
For intense movements like trail riding, you can set the pedal pins longer to increase grip.
For city riding or bike touring, you can set the pedal pins shorter to achieve a grip that isn't too strong, just the right amount.
When set to their lowest, the pedal pins protrude about 1mm, making them less likely to damage the soles of sandals or sneakers.
Even at 1mm, which is considerably lower than other flat pedals, I've never felt insufficient grip when riding trails or in snow.
A word of caution: if you adjust the height of the pedal pins repeatedly, the thread-locking compound on the screws can wear off, making the screws prone to loosening.
Applying threadlocker to the pedal pins as part of regular maintenance is highly recommended.
◆Outstanding ease of maintenance!
It's no exaggeration to say that the Stamp 7 is one of the easiest pedals to maintain among the many available.
By simply loosening the two bolts next to the spindle with a hex wrench, the spindle body can be detached, allowing for easy disassembly for cleaning and greasing.
(It's also possible to inject grease through the screw hole in the center of the pedal, near the tip of the spindle.)
A common design for flat pedals is to have a spindle cap on the outside of the pedal.
While this design offers structural advantages, such as easier bearing replacement, if the pedal hits the ground or an obstacle hard, it can deform, making it impossible to use tools and remove the cap.
However, with the Stamp 7, this is not an issue!
Due to its design, the spindle stops in the center of the pedal, and there is no cap on the outside.
Therefore, even if the pedal hits something and gets scratched on the outside, maintenance can still be performed without any problems.
◆Pedals available in 2 sizes. If in doubt, bigger is better!
One of the things to consider when choosing flat pedals is the size of the platform.
People with small feet and those with large feet will have different sensations and grip when stepping on pedals of the same size.
The Stamp 7 comes in two sizes, S and L, to accommodate different foot sizes.
The manufacturer recommends size S for feet 26.5cm or smaller, and size L for feet 26.5cm or larger.
However, it gets tricky for those with foot size 26.5cm.
Since both options are available, do you find it difficult to choose? I was actually this size too.
I've tried both sizes, and I recommend choosing the larger pedal!
The L-sized pedal platform is a super big 111x114mm, and you don't often find pedals of this size.
When actually using it, it feels incredibly stable, like standing on the ground, and provides a wonderful pedaling experience.
Also, the Stamp 7 pedals themselves are thin, which gives a direct feel to pedaling.
Regardless of size, pedaling in an up-and-down motion is very easy.
The Stamp 7 platform has chamfered edges, giving it a clean shape.
Recently, I've been riding with the Stamp 7 pedals in various places, including off-road, in the city, and near sidewalk curbs, and I've been able to use them without hitting the ground or objects.
◆About durability
The Stamp 7 is a pedal highly regarded for its durability, owing to its shape and ease of maintenance.
Its overwhelming durability offers significant benefits for those who use it hard, such as bike tourists covering tens of thousands of kilometers on world tours. It's also great for daily bike commuters!
◆Pedals: "Stamp 7", Shoes: "Giro Tracker"
To get the most out of the Stamp 7 pedals, we recommend pairing them with flat pedal shoes!
Of course, your everyday sneakers or sandals are fine, but if you want to make them even easier to use, you should definitely give them a try!
Grumpy's popular flat pedal shoe is the Giro Tracker.
These shoes can be used for both cycling and walking, are quick-drying, lightweight, and have good grip.
They are also breathable, making them recommended for summer use! Even if they get wet during the rainy season, they dry quickly.
The Tracker is an "all-round" shoe with similar characteristics to the Stamp 7.
It's great for cycling, long rides, offers good grip on trails, and can be walked in after dismounting the bike.
It's perfect for those who commute by bike and also enjoy weekend cycling, handling various activities with one pair of shoes.
If you're using Stamp 7, you should definitely check out these shoes!
And so, that was an introduction to the Crankbrothers Stamp 7 pedals.
Beyond MTBs, please consider the Stamp 7 as an option for your everyday bike or touring bike pedals.
Crankbrothers STAMP 7 Price: 27,800 yen
※It's a bit confusing, but some sizes and colors are priced at 22,100 yen.
◆YouTube Video: About Crankbrothers Stamp 7