Pembree D2A flat pedals review

The UK-made Pembree D2A flat pedals boast a CNC-machined aluminium body, milled from a single block of billet aluminium.

Measuring 100mm(W)x110mm(L), they have 10 stainless steel pins per side, each measuring 5mm. The pins have a 5mm spanner interface for installation and removal, eschewing the typical use of an Allen key.

This should make the pins easier to install or remove when covered in mud.

The central axle support has 2mm of concavity, measuring 15mm at its thinnest and 17mm at its thickest. The trailing and leading edges are 15mm deep.

They spin on a stainless-steel axle with two sealed bearings and an IGUS bushing.

The bodies and axles are covered by a five-year warranty, while the bearings are warrantied for two. They’ve passed the Tri-Test MTB GR category 5 test and are approved for freeride and downhill.

Pembree prides itself on its pedals being recyclable, and this is true of the D2A.

My sample set weighed 456g.

Pembree D2A flat pedal performance

The D2A's large, symmetrical and relatively square platform creates impressive stability. You don’t have to balance or work hard to remain in contact with this pedal.

This puts the pins closer to the edge of your MTB shoes compared to smaller, shorter pedals, significantly reducing foot flex and claw, and therefore fatigue.

The non-chamfered body and small amount of tapering at the side means the platform is relatively square. Foot placement, therefore, doesn’t have to be as accurate as pedals with bigger side cuts.

However, the square leading and trail edges don’t feel as if they glance off floor and rock strikes as easily as chamfered ones.

While the axle support is technically concave, its thinnest point is no smaller than the pedal’s trailing and leading edges. The pedal, therefore, relies on the tall pins to create its concavity.

They do this well, with the pedal’s shape cupping your foot securely; plenty of your weight is focused on the pins.

However, large 3mm-diameter, rounded pins aren’t massively sharp and lack bite. While they’re impressively robust and long enough, and are perfectly placed around the pedal’s perimeter, sharper ones – potentially with hollow centres – would improve grip.

Although there’s some foot walk across the pedal’s surface, there’s no bouncing or jumping. This boosts the feeling of stability, especially once your foot has butted up against the cranks.

Readjusting your foot is easy; sliding it across the platform, rather than lifting and replacing is possible.

Unsurprisingly, the axles spin smoothly straight from the box, giving the pedals a first-class feel.

There are small left and right symbols, and there’s no denying the D2A pedals are made beautifully.

Pembree D2A flat pedal bottom line

The D2A’s large, square body provides impressive stability as it both cups and supports your foot.

However, while the pins are chunky, robust and well-placed, they’re not the sharpest, reducing grip.

Swapping to more aggressive pins would unlock heaps more performance and make the D2A one of the best mountain bike pedals on the market.