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review

Ergon PC2-S Ergonomic Contour Pedals

8
£54.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Good pedals offering comfort, efficiency and decent grip, but they're only worth the investment for regular and long-term flat pedal users.
Weight: 
452g
Contact: 
www.extrauk.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Ergon PC2-S pedals are ergonomically designed, comfortable and efficient, for commuters, tourers and recreational riders.

For those who aren't familiar with the work of Ergon, the company's raison d'etre is – the name's a bit of a giveaway here - to produce ergonomically designed bike components and accessories. Most famous for their handlebar grips, the PC2 is Ergon's first foray into the murky world of pedal production.

When you first remove the PC2s from their environmentally friendly packaging, it's quite a surprise how bulky they look. The pedalling platform is generously foot sized (the pedals come in two sizes to suit most feet), and at 452g for the size small pair, they're not that light either. What is immediately apparent is the thought that has gone into their design. There's no confusing left and right pedal – the shape is obvious. The pedalling surface is coated in a sticky abrasive (but not sole damaging) surface designed to improve traction. In terms of looks, they only really suit commuter, hybrid and recreational type bikes, looking quite out of place on anything overly sporty. That said, it's quite a pleasing design, all curves and, erm, ergonomics.

In use, the pedals spin freely and smoothly and have a reassuringly solid feel. The pedalling surface gives a good platform from which to pedal smoothly and the grippy patch gives decent traction, but my feet still slipped from time to time. I think this is the trade off from not using studs as many flat pedals do, but the grippy surface of the PC2s is a reasonable compromise in my opinion, and would certainly appeal to those who cycle in smarter shoes.

The broad surface area gives good efficiency to each stroke and pedalling on the flat feels comfortable and relaxed. The weight penalty is not obvious and Ergon will soon have some lighter models anyway. The large size does make storage in a multi-bike shed trickier, but there are no sharp edges to to damage other bikes (or shins).

The PC2s were pleasant to use, effective at providing a grippy, reasonably efficient alternative to more normal flat pedals, but they do mark quite an investment. If you use flat pedals daily with all sorts of shoes and want something with a more technical character that will last and last, that investment is probably worthwhile. For others, these may not quite be worth the money.

Verdict

Good pedals offering comfort, efficiency and decent grip, but they're only worth the investment for regular and long-term flat pedal users.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Ergon PC2-S Ergonomic Contour Pedals

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Aimed at commuters, recreational cyclists, tourists

Good alternative to more "average" flat pedals

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

GFK Composite body

6 degree angle for better joint alignment

Polymer bearings with radial seals

3M-SafetyWalk slip-free pedal platform

Integrated reflectors

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
10/10

Exceptionally well made

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Performed really well. They're comfortable, efficient for a flat and the non-slip surface works.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
5/10

Not unduly heavy, but by no means a lightweight option

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

Very comfortable pedalling platform and no sharp edges to pedals.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Good value if a well-engineered flat pedal with extra ergonomics is what you're after. The price means they're best suited to those who are likely to use them every day for years.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Comfort, stability, smooth running, reflectors

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Price, weight

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, especially anyone cycle commuting regularly in smart shoes.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

 

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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