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Motorcycle parts manufacturer, Yoshimura, have enter the cycling market debuting with a flat pedal for MTB, Dirt Jumping and BMX. The Yoshimura Chilao pedal is 100% made in the US, at the Yoshimura R&D HQ in Chino, California. At $180/$190 a pop, we expect these pedals to be high quality, especially given Yoshimura’s wealth of experience in component manufacturing for the moto industry. Let’s take a closer look.
Yoshimura Chilao Pedal
Yoshimura have been making parts for motocross since 1954, manufacturing high-end exhausts, engine parts and chassis parts. President Yusaku Yoshimura decided to enter the cycling industry born out of his love for the sport and a desire to contribute to the industry, more than to simply profiteer. He designed the flat pedal himself, developing it over the last 18 months with input from professional enduro and downhill riders.
The Yoshimura Chilao flat pedal is CNC-machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum. It gets 7075 T6-alloy pins, a sealed dual cartridge/bushing system and a v-ring seal design. All this rides on Yoshimura’s proprietary alloy steel spindle, heat-treated for strength.
The small platform Chilao flat pedal will set you back $180
Available in two sizes, the small Chilao pedal has just seven 8mm pins on each side and weighs a claimed 340g per pair. The platform measures 100mm x 95mm. The large Chilaos have an industry standard 10 pins per side and weigh a claimed 375g per pair. The platform measures at 110mm x 105mm. It is fairly slim in profile at just 14mm. This keeps the weight down and will assumedly help to reduce pedal strikes.
The large platform Chilao flat pedal will set you back $190
The pedal is slightly concave in shape, allowing your foot to “sit in” the pedal rather than perch on top. The platform sits very close to the crank arm, allowing for the maintenance of a small Q-Factor and permitting improved clearance on the trail. The pins at the front of the pedal face rear-ward for maximum traction.
Two outboard sealed cartridge bearings and one inboard bushing are said to provide smooth rotation, maximum support and longevity. V-ring designed dust seals are used for maximum sealing performance and enhanced bearing longevity. The recessed alloy end plug is protected from damage from rock strikes.
Pricing & Availability
The small and large Yoshimura Chilao pedals retail at $180 and $190, respectively. Both come in two colors; Pewter and KashiKote. Choose from blue, purple or black pins. A bearing and bushing service kit costs $25. The pedals come with 8mm pins as stock, but 8mm and 6mm replacement pins are available for $0.60 each.
Jessie-May Morgan is the UK & Ireland Tech Editor of Bikerumor. She has been writing about Mountain Bike Riding and Racing, and all its weird and wonderful technology for 4 years. Prior to that, she was an Intern at the Mountain Bike Center of Scotland, and a Mountain Bike Coach and Leader in the Tweed Valley.
Based in Innerleithen, Scotland, Jessie-May can often be seen riding the Glentress Trail Center, and its neighboring Enduro and Downhill Tracks. She regularly competes in Enduro at a national level, and has recently competed on the World Stage at a handful of Enduro World Series events.
For Bikerumor, Jessie-May is testing the latest mountain bikes, equipment and kit, letting readers know what’s hot and what’s not.
For context, she weighs 60kg and stands at 5ft 4″ tall (163cm).
I don’t ride flats, but these are the pedals I would ride if I did.
Lance
4 years ago
I ride flats on all my MTB’s and I’m pumped for these. Just waiting for the right colour way that matches.
Bo Lawrence
4 years ago
A little to costly for what I see. As far as designed by people in the industry? Yeah, they look like just about every other pedal that was designed by people in the industry other than colors. Ok so it has protection against dust. What I don’t see is mud shedding capabilities, like channeling. I do like the easy access to pins since these will be replaced often from rock strikes being aluminium but at .60 cents a piece, for an anodized screws that’s going to get bent? Going back to design. Ok they are close to the crank but if that was important why not angle the pedal itself towards the crank. I can think of at least 3 companies that do that. All in all it’s just expensive bike jewelry but hey, that’s ok. I can see the kashima coated ones on a blinged out bike.
Bo, they are about the same price as every equivalent.
I don’t understand the point of aluminium pins either. But the fact they were designed with space for a big button head means it should be easy to find something in a screw drawer that can be pressed into service.
Not huge on theplatform shape. I do like that there’s a central pin though.
Sarah
4 years ago
They look awesome. The clear difference with these is that they are made in USA. It’s a little more expensive but that is okay. My biggest question is how do I know which size to order?
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