The Chromag Synth pedals caught my attention with their unmistakable lime green color. The rest of the package clicked the boxes too, so I ordered a setup to match the green theme I was doing on my Turbo LEVO eMTB.
Features & Specs (via Chromag)
- Material: Polycarbonate / Nylon
- Concave Design, 15.0mm at platform center
- Dimensions: 110mm x 107mm
- Stance: 60mm
- Pins: 18 per pedal
- Listed Weight: 380g/pair
- MSRP: $58 USD
As previously mentioned, it was the color that initially drew me to the Chromag Synth pedals. The lime green popped up during an online search, and with a loosely defined goal of building out a DVO-green theme—matching my CushCore valves and DVO shock—I had to give them a try.
On paper, the Synth checks all the right boxes. The polycarbonate/nylon body is built around a concave platform design measuring 110 x 107mm, with a slim 15mm thickness at the center. Stance width comes in at 60mm, and the internals are solid: a precision-ground, hardened chromoly axle spinning on a cartridge bearing paired with a low-friction metal bushing. Eighteen pins per pedal provide traction, and total weight lands at a very reasonable 380 grams per pair.
On the trail
Out on the trail, grip is confidence-inspiring. The grip factor is dependent on the shoe combination you select, but I have foundthat you either like the feel of a pedal underfoot or you don’t. I like the Chromags quite a bit, and generally pair them with FiveTen Freeriders, and they disappear underfoot.
The concave shape works as intended, and once your foot is planted, the pins provide ample grip. Speaking of Chromag’s pin design, the pins thread in from the back of the pedal, which makes replacing bent or bashed pins far less of a headache—an underrated feature if you ride rocky trails and don’t treat pedals as consumables.
They’re not the thinnest pedals, but have a reasonably low profile, coming in at 15mm at the center of the platform. If you’re looking for thin pedals though, you’re better off looking at alloy options.
Alloy pedals vs composite
I’ve long been a fan of polycarbonate and nylon pedals for two simple reasons. First, they’re a fraction of the price of premium alloy options. Second, they look better with age than most alloy pedals. Scratches, gouges, and trail scars blend right in—there’s no paint to chip or anodizing to mourn. They’re meant to be ridden, and they wear it well.
There’s also a third reason- that lower sticker price just makes me feel better after an inevitable impact with a rock on the trail. They also seem to take hits better, as opposed a hard hit that results in a snapping axle.
If you ride in an area with a lot of rocks, you may be familiar with this story. I’ve personally experienced this twice now. In one case, an alloy pedal snapped off at the axle after an impact. I had better luck with a set of composite PNW Components pedals, (sadly they died on the second time I rode them and never got a replacement to do the review on), with a bent axle. The crank was also toast, with the threads damaged beyond repair – but on the upside, I was able to limp back down the road and ride back to the car.
That also brings me back to the lower cost, which makes me feel better when these impacts do happen.
The Chromag Synth pedals are a good-looking, well-designed composite pedal that delivers trail-ready grip and durability, without the price tag of premium alloy options.
Check them out at Chromagbikes.com.