Today, Wolf Tooth Components announced the launch of three new clipless pedal models. The lineup includes the CTRL trail pedals, ALT cross-country pedals, and the single-sided DEL gravel race model. All three are built around the same SPD-compatible clip mechanism with the goal of prioritizing contact with the shoe for maximum pedaling efficiency and control. The pedal bodies vary by intended use, but “have class-leading specs for weight, thickness, stack heights, and platform area,” says Wolf Tooth.
According to Wolf Tooth, “The product development process began over two years ago. After spending countless hours riding other pedals, our engineers set out to build the perfect clipless pedal family that outperformed all others in the areas we deemed crucial.” The result is this new three-pedal range, which, like all Wolf Tooth products, is machined in the U.S.A. at the brand’s Minnesota facility.
While the New CTRL, ALT, and DEL pedals may look quite similar to other clipless pedals already on the market, there are some unique design elements and features that set them apart from the competition. Let’s dig into the details.
Design Priorities
The folks at Wolf Tooth had a clear goal of making pedals that performed better than what’s currently on the market. They told us that their design process was guided by eight goals and items that they deemed to be critical.
- Strong connection in the pedal/shoe interface
- Crisp, consistent, reliable clip in/out experience
- High cornering and ground clearance
- Reliability of hardware and ease of maintenance and repair
- Best fit for all riders via adjustable Q factor
- Best in class for weight
- Fresh aesthetics
- Consistent performance in all weather conditions
It seems that chief among these is the shoe-to-pedal interface and the contact area that each pedal’s platform provides. According to Wolf Tooth, “The massive platform areas on Wolf Tooth clipless pedals mean increased power transfer, unparalleled control, and enhanced performance.”
Wolf Tooth Clipless Pedal Models
There are currently three models in the Wolf Tooth Clipless pedal lineup. All three are built around the same SPD-compatible binding mechanism, which allows 5 degrees of float and a 12-degree release angle. With trail, cross-country, and gravel racing covered, we can only assume that an additional gravity-oriented model is probably in the works, too. We’ll keep you posted.
CTRL: Trail
Without a cage wrapping around the front and rear, the CTRL doesn’t look like other “trail” pedals on the market. Yet, Wolf Tooth claims that the platform actually has one of the largest effective contact areas at 941 mm2. While it certainly looks smaller than most modern trail pedals with cages, it’s important to remember that, for the most part, those cages don’t provide additional sole contact or support while riding.
By removing the cage from the equation, Wolf Tooth was able to keep the weight down to just 326 grams, the pedal body thickness at 15 mm, and the stack height at just 15 mm, too. So, while the lack of a cage might make it a tad harder to orient these pedals underfoot than other trail pedals, their size should provide additional clearance without sacrificing lateral support.
ALT: XC
While the ALT pedals are notably smaller than the CTRL trail pedals, Wolf Tooth claims that they have a substantially larger platform area — 443 mm2 — than other XC pedals. The brand states that this comparatively large platform area “means increased power transfer for XC racing, climbing, and riding gravel at pace.” At the same time, they are just 15 mm thick and weigh in at just 294 grams. Wolf Tooth says they have been tested in all conditions and they “performed exceptionally well in dirt, sand, mud, gravel, snow, and slush.”
DEL: Gravel Race
The single-sided DEL pedal is aimed squarely at gravel racers, and its design is relatively unique among 2-bolt SPD-compatible pedals. With a clip mechanism on just one side of the pedal, Wolf Tooth was able to keep the weight down to just 216 grams while keeping the pedal body super thin (14.7 mm) and shaped for aerodynamics. Perhaps more impressive is the size of the contact area, which is claimed to be 559 mm2. According to Wolf Tooth, “it is lighter than a road pedal with all the same advantages, but with a shoe and cleat system that works in all conditions.”
Construction
All of the new clipless pedals have aluminum bodies and stainless steel axles that are designed, machined, and assembled in Minnesota at Wolf Tooth’s headquarters. The familiar-looking SPD-compatible binding mechanism is made from stainless steel plates and hardware for durability and corrosion resistance. The pedal spins on the same bearing and bushing design as the brand’s popular Waveform flat pedals, with three low-friction cartridge bearings, one custom Igus bushing, and a custom radial seal to keep the elements out.
Adjustable Q-factor
One of the unique features of Wolf Tooth’s clipless pedals is the easily adjustable Q-factor. All three models are built around a relatively standard Q-factor of 55 mm. By rearranging the spacers and bearings, it’s possible to adjust the Q-factor by +/- 4 mm to 51 or 59 mm. Additionally, Wolf Tooth says that a set of 2 mm spacers will also be available to fine-tune the Q-factor between those numbers to 53 or 57 mm. We’re told that this adjustment is easy to do at home with standard tools and takes about five minutes to complete.
SPD-Compatibility
Wolf Tooth chose SPD compatibility for its clipless pedals. This system has been proven over the past 35 or so years and remains popular for a reason. Wolf Tooth includes a set of its own cleats with each set of pedals, as well as a set of shims to optimize the shoe-pedal connection if needed. Wolf Tooth says the pedals will work with existing SPD cleats, which is great news for everyone who already owns Shimano or other SPD-compatible pedals.
Right To Repair
The new clipless pedals are part of Wolf Tooth’s Right to Repair. This means that all of the individual components of the pedals are available as replacement parts, so you can fix any issues that may arise over time. If something breaks or simply wears out, you can replace the individual parts instead of buying a whole new set of pedals.
Additionally, all of the new pedals are also covered by a five-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
Wolf Tooth Clipless Pedals: Pricing and Availability
The new CTRL, ALT, and DEL pedals are all priced at $219.95 USD. Current color options are black and ultraviolet purple, and more colors are on the way. They are available now on the Wolf Tooth Components website as well as your favorite brick and mortar and online Wolf Tooth dealers.
We’ve got some of Wolf Tooth’s new pedals in for testing, and we’ll report back soon with our first impressions.
