The people who brought purple back into mountain biking fashion, have a new pedal.
Hope has revealed its Union range, which now adds a clipless option to the brand's best mountain bike pedals and complement the existing F20 flat pedals.
These new pedals all feature the same cartridge-bearing internals as the F20 flat pedals, with the big news being that they use a propriety cleat system.
Although many rival clipless pedals ensure compatibility with Shimano’s SPD system, Hope decided to forge a new interface. The company’s clip mechanism is double-sided and made from stainless steel, for superior durability. With the Union pedal system, there is a specific Hope cleat which is also made from stainless steel.
The lack of compatibility with Shimano SPD might be an issue for some, but Hope is including two-cleat options with the pedal, for riders to select release angle and the preferred amount of float.
All-weather pedal
One of the design objectives with the Union pedal cleating mechanism was to allow easier reengagement for riders, out on the trail, especially in muddy conditions. This has been achieved by using a dual mechanism instead of the single rear clip mechanism found on Shimano SPD pedals. With both the front and rear parts of the clip moving Hope says it flattens the entry angle of the shoe and gives a wider cleat acceptance angle to quickly clip back in while riding.
The Union range starts with an RC racing platform aimed at cross-country riders. It has a minimalist platform, titanium axle and weighs only 324g.
Our guess for the most popular Union pedal will be the TC that is designed for trail riding. A larger platform creates the foundation for four traction pins, at a weight of 437g.
Extreme enduro and gravity riders can choose the Union GC. This Hope clipless pedal is machined to have a generous platform, capable of holding seven grip pins. It is also predictably the heaviest of Hope’s new pedals, at 498g.
Both the TC and GC pedals run chromoly axles, although Hope will be offering a titanium upgrade kit. Pricing for the RC and TC is set at $190, while the GC is $200.
And yes, purple is one of the six color choices.
