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The V-Twin is DMR’s first clipless pedal, and with plenty of experience in flat pedals, you’d expect good things.
The tension adjustable mechanism is based around the Shimano SPD system, so cleats are interchangeable, and it articulates around the axle within the cage.
The front of the mechanism is sprung to sit higher than the back, so engagement is relatively easy with a wide range of shoes. The leading edge of the mechanism, with regards to rock strikes, isn’t as well shaped as some, and can catch a bit more on rocks.
What we really like is the adaptability of the pedal. Nylon bumpers around the top of the cage can be raised or lowered with alloy plates, and pins can be inserted, altering the feel of the pedal – those with racier, stiffer shoes can run minimal support, while others can run a pedal that feels much more like a flat.
At 287g per pedal they can’t be said to be light, and at £130 they’re not cheap either. After a bit of use we’ve found one of the springs controlling the mechanism has got a bit grumbly, too – fortunately getting inside to pump full of grease is easy.
If you want plenty of support, like to adjust the feel and want a range of colours, the V-Twin’s a good trail option.
Authors
Tom Marvin is a technical editor at BikeRadar.com and MBUK magazine. He has a particular focus on mountain bikes, but spends plenty of time on gravel bikes, too. Tom has written for BikeRadar, MBUK and Cycling Plus, and was previously technical editor of What Mountain Bike magazine. He is also a regular presenter on BikeRadar’s YouTube channel and the BikeRadar podcast. With more than twenty years of mountain biking experience, and nearly a decade of testing mountain and gravel bikes, Tom has ridden and tested thousands of bikes and products, from super-light XC race bikes through to the most powerful brakes on the market. Outside of testing bikes, Tom competes in a wide range of mountain bike races, from multi-day enduros through to 24-hour races in the depths of the Scottish winter – pushing bikes, components and his legs to their limits. He’s also worked out that shaving your legs saves 8 watts, while testing aerodynamics in a wind tunnel. When not riding he can be found at the climbing wall, in his garden or cooking up culinary delights.
