If they’re being honest, its the pedals that are driving a lot of Nukeproof’s business. After resurrecting the brand a few years back, they’ve been busy developing a full range of mountain bikes, adding wheels, and sponsoring Sam Hill with totally sick custom bikes. But the pedals have been the best selling category for them. Their latest is the Horizon CS, a clipless flat pedal with a smaller, “trail-sized” platform and pin count, and it’s a bit of a game changer.
The Horizon pedals took some of the shaping and feedback of the Sam Hill edition flat pedal introduced a couple years ago and created a mid-sized platform clip-in pedal. What makes it unique is that it’s SPD compatible, but you can clip in forward, backward, or just stomp straight down. Around Nukeproof’s office, they were mixed between riders that liked Shimano’s trail pedals and Crank Brothers’ pedals, so they wanted to create something that offered the best of both designs.
Now, you can use your Shimano cleats (they make and include their own, too, which are more optimized for multi-angle entries), and you can clip in from any angle like on Crank Bros’ pedals.
It works by hinging both the front and rear retention sections, in contrast to the usual SPD design that fixes the front clip…which is why we normally have to step toe-first into that type of pedal. Tension is independently adjustable on each side of the pedal.
Specs include a T1-6061 cold forged then CNC’d body, chromoly axle (ti upgrade available) and a combination of a DU bushing and two sealed cartridge bearings. The platform is available in large (CL, not shown, is wider with 6 pins per side) and small (CS, tested) sizes. Both ends get two threaded pins, four per side total. They come in black, red, blue or copper colors. Actual weight per pedal is 218g, and the complete setup with cleats and bolts is 491g.
Nukeproof Horizon CL pedal review
I’ve been a fan of HT Component’s T1 pedals for years thanks to their mid-sized platform and light weight. These Nukeproof Horizon CS pedals are right there with them, with the added bonus of that multi-angle entry. Retention is similarly solid, and the platform size is perfect for trail and enduro riding. Compared to the T1, the CS’s body is a little wider and beefier.
The other difference is a more angular design that should help brush off rock strikes. It seems to work. I started pedaling a bit early out of a couple of aggressive corners and hit both roots and dirt on several occasions. Rather than get hung up, the pedals glanced off, and I kept rolling.
I’ve been riding them in normal mountain bike shoes with tread blocks, in which I can’t really tell if the pins are doing much. Maybe with flatter shoes like Five Tens. But the platform size makes it really easy to get started pedaling without clipping in for those times when your feet just can’t seem to find the right spot to clip in. Which, on the Horizons, is going to be rare. I could count on two fingers the times I’ve had to fish around to get clipped on…they’re just super easy to stomp into on the first try.
If you’re looking for the security of a clipless system and stability of a platform, the Nukeproof Horizon CS (and CL for anyone wanting a full size platform) are worth a look. They deliver the promised ease of entry, and if the build is up to Sam Hill’s demands, it’s a good chance you and I will get plenty of use before they need servicing.
MSRP is about $140, but street price is a lot lower.
