The FlyPaper pedals are a revolutionary new take on one of the most fundamental bike components. They were invented by Dean Williamson, who was formally Josh ‘watch me plummet like a brick from a cliff’ Bender’s mechanic. So he certainly knows what pedals have to withstand.
Unlike your average pedal, the FlyPapers don’t have an axle running through them, which is how they achieve their uniquely slim 3.7mm depth.
The bearings are seated in the specially modified cranks on a super-stiff 17mm 7075 aluminium shaft. The two sets of bearings are positioned either side of the crank arm, with a 28mm inboard bearing being directly mounted into the backside of the crank.
Material is removed from the crank to achieve this, which is why Momentum have only been able to use specific cranks from the FSA Gravity range. We had the Gravity Maximus crankset on test but there are other options available to please everyone.
The FlyPaper pedals add another element to the equation, with their ability to avoid the ground unlike any other. The platform measures approximately 10cm x 10cm, which is larger than many other brands out there. Where the FlyPapers lose the extra foot space is down to the fact that you are unable to butt your foot up tight to the crank.
With normal pedals, you stand over the axle, but the FlyPapers have a bearing next to the crank meaning that what you see is what you get with the platform. They feel about the same size as the DMR V12 and make the sloppy art of slapping a foot back on something more of a precise technique.
The grub screw pins are extremely grippy and can be customised to any length easily. There’s no flex when you are stamping the power down and the benefits of the slimline design are fantastic.
Railing through steep rutted turns was no problem. Where others would hook up, these simply glided over and allowed for the power to be put down much earlier. It may only be a matter of millimetres, but it all adds up to putting the centre of gravity even lower on the bike and further aiding cornering ability.
With the current trend in low bottom brackets, pedals are getting smashed to bits, so extra clearance is always going to be an advantage. The FlyPapers are easy to maintain with a 2mm Allen key and grease gun, and the cranks used are flex-free at a reasonable weight.
