Thin, light, durable and grippy - There’s a lot going for Race Face’s flagship Atlas pedal but for the price, there would have to be. Although they money requires some commitment, for all of the reasons above, the Atlas is certainly one of the best MTB pedals but due to their shape amongst a couple of other reasons, they’re not for everyone.
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Race Face Atlas - Technical details
The Atlas has been a staple in Race Face’s range for years now and has received its most recent update in 2022. That update brought changes as to improve the pedals’ durability, traction and serviceability, all while expanding the range of colours on offer. The update also shaved some millimetres off its thickness, and increased its platform’s area.
Spinning on a Chromoly steel axle, that platform is built from 6061 aluminum and it’s just 12mm in thickness. It’s then home to 10 pins per side and it measures 110mm by 108mm. Race Face says the pedal weighs 386g, whereas I weighed it at 382g - Not bad.
We love seeing spare parts available for pedals, and Race Face has the whole shebang up for sale aftermarket, so that’s an axle kit, fresh pins and a general rebuild kit.
Internally, the Atlas is delightfully simple as it utilises a single cartridge bearing and a bushing. That’s alongside a rubber seal.
Race Face Atlas - Performance
While certainly unique, the Atlas’s shape is actually rather clever. It follows the form of the foot but it also provides easy access to the 3mm head on each of the pins. Thanks to that, pin changes are as simple as it gets should they shear and because the pins are long, and not threadlocked out of the box, that’s a handier feature than you would first think.
Owing to their length and lack of threadlock, I have found myself replacing the pins more frequently than I ever have. They’re not terribly thick either, so shearing them during a pedal strike is surprisingly easy. Even without any kind of impact, they tend to unwind themselves, so on a few occasions I’ve found that I’ve lost some pins. Unfortunately, a replacement pack isn’t included in the box.
But again, as the pins are so aggressive, traction is abundant. When matched with a pair of Five Tens with the Stealth S1 rubber compound, I’ve mistook myself for being clipped in when getting off the bike - that’s the level of grip they provide. Due to that heft of engagement, the Atlas provides an equal measure of stability when negotiating particularly chattery terrain. Unlike with some others, I’m yet to slip a pedal. Included in the pin kit, but not with the pedals are washers so if those pins are too long, they can be shortened.
However, that shape isn’t for everyone. Despite being made larger compared to the previous model, it’s still rather narrow in some areas, so careful and considered foot placement is required. And after hastey mid-corner dabs, that can be rather troublesome. I’ve got reasonably sized EU44, or UK 9.5 feet though. Smaller feet should get by just fine.
There’s little in the way of concave too, which I quite like but it’s worth noting if you prefer to feel more ‘in’ the pedal.
Pins aside, durability is very impressive. I’ve ridden these through some of the worst conditions I’ve ever ridden in and consistently through the UK’s winter and they’re spinning just as smoothly as they did when new. Servicing is simple too, requiring only an adjustable spanner to get into the internals.
Race Face Atlas - Verdict
Sat at £170, the Race Face Atlas is certainly a pricy pedal and there’s some seriously strong competition. Prior to testing these, I was riding the Deity Flat Trak pedals which are just as thin but a little heavier. There’s a shallow 1mm concave but importantly, while 3mm narrower, the shape is much broader, so there’s more support in a range of foot positions. Grip is excellent too.
Race Face’s Aeffect R is another excellent pedal that comes in cheaper at £130. Its build isn’t as posh but again, its shape is broader and it provides plenty of grip. However, pin replacement isn’t as straight foward and it’s a heavier and thicker pedal.
If it’s real lightweight you’re looking for, DMR’s Vault Mag SL is worth considering, although there’s a rider weight limit of 85kg. It’s available with a Ti Nitride SL axle and a magnesium pedal body, meaning that they’re claimed to weigh 332g per pair. The pedal body isn’t as large, however.
Thanks to the level of traction, the lightweight and thin platform, there’s a strong appeal towards the Race Face Atlas pedal. However, some small oversights and its unique shape hold it back, just make sure you’ve got a tube of Loctite on hand.