Azur Flatback Pedal – REVIEW
Flat pedals are like snowflakes—no two are the same. With so many brands boasting they’re stronger, grippier, and more concaved than their rivals, stumbling upon the Flatback no-fuss aesthetics is like finding a unicorn in your backyard. It’s got the rugged charm of a steak tenderizer crossed with a Wild West bear trap. Yet, beneath its rugged exterior, the Flatback pedal packs more surprises than a cereal box with a hidden toy!
Introducing the Flatback Pedal, meticulously designed by Australian MTB/BMX professional Craig Fisher. Fisher has over 40 years of racing and 35 years of industry experience. He brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to the creation of these pedals. Each detail has been carefully engineered to enhance rider control and comfort and withstand the harshest of weather conditions.
We’ve seen a lot of pedals over the years and there seems to be a trend for a full concave platform. This is all very well if you have a very soft shoe that allows your foot and the sole of your shoe to melt into the dip of the pedal, but a lot of shoes these days feature a hard sole that doesn’t allow the foot to completely connect with the pedal surface. The front and rear of the shoe are in contact with the pedal body, but the entire mid-section is floating above the mass of the pedal This is far from efficient and can be downright hazardous for foot slippage.
We spoke at length with Craig Fisher, the brain behind this pedal, and he knows what he’s talking about. Craig has been around the BMX and MTB scene for decades and was an Australian MTB/BMX Pro. Craig has over 40 years of racing and 35 years of industry experience that he brings to the concept and design of these pedals.
“The FlatBack pedal has a forward concavity and as by the name suggests it has a flat back that assists in keeping the Heel Down and forces the shoe into the pedal instead of across it, the tougher the trail the more grip is provided. The FlatBacks full body design also allows the shoe to have full purchase and support which provides additional rider stability and control.” – Craig Fischer
These pedals are built to increase rider control and comfort on even the roughest terrain. Get maximum shoe-to-pedal contact and take your riding to the next level!
Flat back design assists in keeping “heel down” and body weight behind the pedal improving bike stability and rider control.
11 Strategically placed 5mm pins provide phenomenal levels of grip regardless of terrain and conditions.
Flatback Pedal – Features
The unique features of the Flatback pedal boil down to a few key points. The most obvious and visibly clear is the raised front end and flat back platform design, hence the name Flatback. At first glance, this may not appear particularly important but it’s at the very heart of why these pedals are so efficient.
The Flatback platform features a flat rear section which keeps your heels down for more stability and control, while a raised front area forces the foot into the pedal and prevents your foot from slipping forward and not across the pedal. This combination keeps your foot in a secure and comfortable position with not a hint of concavity in sight.
Unique file surface deters trail build-up for consistent sole-to-pedal contact.
In combination with the platform design are 11 strategically placed pins with a pin height of 5mm. The pins used are larger and thicker than usual, with external threads for maximum amounts of traction and lesser chance of damage from trail hits. The pins are purposely located around the low points of the pedal to provide insane levels of grip while also allowing you to easily re-adjust foot positioning when needed.
The Flatback has an ample-sized platform (110 wide and 100mm front to back) which helps ensure full foot support, eliminating discomfort from overhanging shoes. This provides an even pressure distribution and minimizes hotspots and pressure points meaning you can enjoy longer rides without nagging foot issues.
One of the key selling points of the Flatback pedal is its robustness and ability to just keep going no matter how many months of harsh weather they have been through. Built from CNC machined aluminum with Chromoly axles IGUS bush and sealed bearings, these pedals can withstand some serious abuse.
Even the surface of the pedal has undergone the same meticulous treatment with a hard anodized finish that seeps into the aluminum surface, so you get fewer scratches and your pedals stay looking fresh for longer.
The lightweight cut-out design retains strength and sheds the thickest of mud.
Azur Flatback Pedal Specifications
- CNC machined aluminum body.
- Chromoly Axles
- 1x Cartridge bearing, 1x IGUS Bushing
- Under 320gr per pair
- Flat back design assists in keeping “heel down” and body weight behind the pedal improving bike stability and rider control.
- Kicked front forces the shoe into the pedal “toes up” increasing pedal grip and support through rough terrain and square edge hits.
- The lightweight cut-out design retains strength and sheds the thickest of mud.
- 11 Strategically placed 5mm pins provide phenomenal levels of grip regardless of terrain and conditions.
- Unique file surface deters trail build-up for consistent sole-to-pedal contact.
On The Trails
What we like about the Flatback pedal is that it forces you to re-think your footwear choice. No matter what pedal you have, it can be rendered useless if not paired with the right footwear. Concave pedals work best with a soft sole but not so great with a hard-soled shoe. This is where the Flatback pedal takes things back to basics.
On first impression, the Flatback has all the looks of a mid-’90s era pedal, even down to the shiny silver surface. We sort of like this, but it may not appeal to some and could be off-putting especially when you compare it to the likes of PNW or FUNN pedals with their very on-trend aesthetics. But don’t let that fool you. The Flatback has been carefully thought through and as soon as you get out on the trails it all becomes obvious.
Pedals, like other touch points on the bike, ideally should melt into the background and not cause distractions. The Flatback pedal did just that. Some of the feedback we had from our riders was brutally honest, but straight to the point “f*ck me! These are grippy!”. We were of course happy to hear this.
The slightly raised front end provides just enough of an angle to stop foot slippage and the flat back really does make a big difference in getting your heels down. We also liked the pins. These have been placed in just the right spots. The two top inner pins sit just under the ball of your foot, providing excellent positioning control.
The flatter outside curve also got a thumbs-up from us. This flatter angle simply adds more platform to the pedal. We’re not sure why there are so many pedals that have an extreme curve. You just end up losing the platform area. On paper, they make a lot of sense, but it’s not until you get them out onto the trails that it all comes together.
The Flatback works well in muddy conditions thanks to the large cutout spacing in the pedal cage which helps when it comes to clearing out the gunk. A solid kick down onto the pedal and most of the mud just drops out, and what doesn’t is super easy to get in there with a stick and scrape the rest out. No awkward nooks or crannies to deal with.
We tested the Flatback with several pairs of shoes but our Ride Concept shoes were a perfect match, and we were instantly wowed by the levels of grip they provided. There were a lot of “fu*k me, these are grippy!” expletives when we were trying to convey to each other how grippy they were and found ourselves lost for words. But the “fu*k me” descriptions are pretty well recognised in our camp and the message was received clearly.
But it’s not just the grip. The Flatback is a very comfortable pedal due to the design which reduces foot fatigue after endless hours of riding. The pedals have taken some abuse over the months and we are gobsmacked at how well they have held up. A couple of massive rock strikes haven’t done much in the way of damage, even the pins are all intact and in almost original condition.
Conclusions
If you’re looking to purchase a new set of flat pedals, stop right now and take a look at the Flatback pedals. Leave your preconceived notions of how a pedal should look at the door. You’ll be surprised at how good these are once you get out on the trails. A lot of pedals talk the talk but not many walk the walk.
The Flatback is a flat pedal with plenty of swagger to spare. Its retro silver design and aggressive grip make a brave and bold statement, while its low profile and rugged build ensure you dominate every ride. This pedal isn’t just about confidence; it’s about cocky, unapologetic dominance on any terrain.
Price / Where to Buy
Azur Flatback Pedal: $149.00 AUD
Ask your local bike shop to get them in stock!
