Muddy Brown's Blog: Fresh Goods Sunday - Ritchey WCS XC SPD pedals

I always feel that pedals are one of the most ignored component of a bicycle but also one of the most important and its one of three parts that connects you to the bike - saddle, grips/bat tape & pedals. If you have followed my blog over the years you may have noticed that I have used various versions / models of Ritchey SPD pedals for nearly 30 years.

Some models / versions have lasted way longer than other ones but Tom has always made a few models of the same version. I have had numerous TI / wcs models, some where the bearings wear after a few years others have lasted for well over 5 years. The one thing that Ritchey have always done is put a cap on the end of the pedal body / axle so you can remove. I squirt in fresh grease and screw the cap back on. You repeat until the fresh grease comes through on the opposite side. I do this twice a year on all my Ritchey pedals and I think this increase's the life of the pedal massively. If the worst comes to the worst you can rebuild them with a new BEARING KIT

Over the last good few years there has been no new version come out and Ritchey no longer has a UK distributor. This makes it very difficult to purchase in the UK. I had to order these from Germany but had all the taxes, import duty, handling fees etc to pay.

This version is much more beefier in size compared to previous models and gives a lot more platform area for the base of your shoe. The tension is adjustable of both sides via an allen key and has markings so you can match up the tension on both sides.

As with age the springs loose their tension and you have to increase the tension up the scale. When you are at max and you still suffer from your feet jumping out it s time for a new pair. The cleats are Ritchey's own branded version but Shimano standard SPD cleats work perfectly well. As ever with pedals that are used off road the painted / anodising wears off quickly where your feet engage with the pedals.

Fitting is simple enough with an 8mm allen key from the rear of the axle end, always make sure to smear plenty of copper slip grease on the thread. As ever there is a left and right pedal as they are opposite threads. I find the amount of float, 4 degrees is spot on for me and never had any real issues.

The one issue I have found with some crank combinations is when I wear my winter boots the crank arm clearance is reduced and sometime suffer from rub so I fit a couple of extra crank washer to space the pedal out a little more.

If these last as long as my last version I will be more than happy with them. The rrp of the top end models has come down over the years and a standard comp xc version is only £55 inc cleats and only 33g heavier, great value in my eyes, but you get the push in end cap so servicing is a little more fiddly.

RRP £118.90 and I paid £105.77 from Bikediscount de inc p&p

Manufacturers blurb -

Having powered Nino Schurter to multiple World Championships, World Cup titles and Olympic medals (including gold), the Ritchey WCS XC pedals have proven to be one of the most successful pedals ever made.

The confident engagement system of the WCS XC pedals feature a fixed front claw that provides best-in-class entry and release and excellent mud-shedding characteristics. The axle system offers outstanding bearing life while achieving a low axle-cleat height, and a wide pedal body improves stability. The bushing, needle and cartridge bearing system promises long service life and excellent protection from the elements – and it’s completely serviceable.

Now available in black, the Ritchey WCS XC pedals draw on Ritchey’s rich mountain bike heritage to deliver performance fit for a champion and for all of your mountain bike adventures. As an added bonus, these remarkable pedals are now available at a very attractive price.