Introducing Ergon's PC2 Pedals: On Test
Friday, July 15, 2011 at 12:39PM Ergon- The company well known for those paddle shaped grips and the back packs? Yes, well now they not only have gloves, (a separate review coming soon on those), but also pedals. Pedals? Is Ergon getting into components now? Well, not really. Ergon is interested in contact points though, and when you think about it, pedals are, well........pretty dang important when it comes to contact points!
The Ergon PC2 pedalSo it was that Ergon sought to do what it had done for grips and back packs with pedals. What took me a bit by surprise was that they chose to do commuter pedals and not mountain biking pedals.
Re-inventing flat pedals for commuting is no small task. Flat pedals are out there in so many variations that it is hard to imagine how Ergon could have done anything much different, not to mention revolutionary. Well, they may have done just that with the PC2. But before we get ahead of ourselves here, let's take a closer look at what Ergon has here in the PC2 pedal.
"A More Efficient Pedal": Ergon sought to connect the foot with the bike more efficiently than other designs have done in the past. Here is their statement concerning this from the website:
" Ergon introduces the first flat pedal (or Contour Pedal as we call it) to provide an ergonomic and positive connection between bike and user. The first pedal designed with biomechanics and correct foot position in mind. Advantages are increased power transfer, more control and fewer hot spots and knee complaints. The Ergon PC2 is the first non SPD-type pedal constructed with the ergonomic biomechanical demands of the user as a priority."
"Contour" is the definitive word here. The PC2 is chock full of contours, and it is easy to see how a foot would be cradled by the pedal when you lay eyes on it. The profile of the PC2 shows how the pedal is concave, and not just simply curved, but complexly so. Obviously, the styling of the pedal works with this complex platform to enhance the visual aspect, but even some of this works towards better ergonomics. To call the PC2 a "flat pedal" is really doing it injustice.
The PC2 is heavily contoured in a complex and precise way.Sure- We've seen "free ride" flats that were concave, but Ergon took that idea and made it work better for folks that do not necessarily wear cycling shoes, and don't use pedals with binders, like Shimano's SPD's. The shape actually is designed to promote a better connection with the foot, and a surface treatment with a rough, sandpaper-like material by 3M helps in this regard as well.
What is more, Ergon has also, in their typical fashion, made the PC2 in two different sizings to accomodate those with larger or smaller feet. We have recieved the PC2-L, (large), for testing and review. It is a pretty big pedal, and is probably larger than most flat pedals barring a few, dirt jump/free ride specific pedals we've seen.
You can really see how the foot would be cradled from this view.I have taken these pedals and mounted them to my Xtracycle. Upon my first ride, it was readily apparent that these were not your average ol' pedals here.
The foot finds a place that is "happy" right away, and the 3M material, contouring, and size all work together to make your foot feel so much more relaxed and pressure free, you wonder if you are pedalling hard enough at first. I'll get in some more ride time before I flesh out my opinions further, but suffice it to say, there is something good going on with these pedals. I'll put in some miles and time with these and we'll try to acertain how the PC2 is to live with, and how the pedals hold up to the daily uses of a utility bike. Stay tuned....For now, let's take a look at the technical information from Ergon's site:
PC2, ergon, pedals in product test
Reader Comments (2)
Is it possible to attach toe clips on to these?
i think i'm gonna give myself a try on these.