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HT ME03 flat pedals review

Super-light, mega-thin pedal designed to wow with headline figures

Our rating

2.5

195.00
140.00
290.00

Ian Linton / Our Media

Published: March 7, 2022 at 9:00 am

Our review
A flawed platform shape results in performance issues that sharp pins can’t resolve

Pros:

Light weight; low-profile; robust

Cons:

Wedge-shaped platform; large bearing bulge

HT’s ME03 flat pedals are made from extruded magnesium that’s CNC machined to give them their shape.

They use the brand’s EVO System bearings that combine a needle roller bearing with an IGUS bushing to rotate on the chromoly axle.

A titanium spindle is also available for extra cost to shave some more weight.

HT ME03 details and specifications

The ME03’s platform is 93(L)x101(W)mm at its largest point, and its front and rear stepped and chamfered edges are 11mm deep.

The central axle spindle is 12mm deep at its thinnest point and 17mm thick at its largest, where there’s a bearing bulge next to the platform’s inner edge.

Its stock 7mm pins extend 3mm above its surface, giving the pedal a virtually flat profile, and 20 spare pins are included with the pedals.

HT ME03 mountain bike flat pedals
The pedals don't have a concave platform. - Ian Linton / Our Media

Each pedal has 10 pins per side, with eight around the perimeter and two in the centre. The pins are removed from the back side using a 2.5mm Allen key.

The needle bearing and bushing are claimed to have low spinning resistance and long life. My pair of ME03 pedals weighed 262g.

HT ME03 performance

I had high hopes for the ME03 pedals given their super-slim profile and light weight, but the wedge-shaped platform and inner-bearing bulge scuppered grip, focusing my foot’s pressure away from the grippy, sharp pins.

The platform’s shape also canted my foot outwards slightly and pressured my arches, which felt unnatural until I’d got used to it.

The two central pins helped improve grip, but couldn’t totally mitigate the platform’s shape.

HT ME03 mountain bike flat pedals
The axle house is wedge-shaped, which reduces grip and stability. - Ian Linton / Our Media

I found the perfect foot position was further forwards on my toes compared to other pedals, and once my feet weren’t on this sweet spot, they tended to slip forwards, with the pedals getting closer to my heels.

This reduced stability significantly and meant I had to work hard to keep my feet in the ideal spot. Foot-placement adjustment was simple, though, thanks to the aforementioned axle bulge.

Their slim profile meant rock and ground strikes were few and far between, and the pedals proved to be robust during the test period. Their low weight will appeal to plenty of riders out there, too.

How we tested

We've tested 13 flat pedals for mountain bikes in some of the harshest conditions on a host of terrain types – from bumpy on-the-gas sections through to flat-out rough and worn downhill tracks – to see how much grip they offer and help you find the perfect companion.

You can also find our top-rated reviews in BikeRadar's guide to the best mountain bike pedals.

Also on test:

HT ME03 bottom line

The wedge-shaped platform is an inherently flawed design for a flat pedal that both canted my feet outwards at an angle and focused pressure away from the pins, reducing grip and stability.

The ME03 is impressively light and thin, but I’d rather trade these qualities for more grip.

Product

Brandht_components
Price290.00 AUD,140.00 GBP,195.00 USD
Weight262.0000, GRAM (93(L)x101(W)x17(D)mm) - as tested

Features

FeaturesBody material: Magnesium extruded / CNC machined
Spindle: CNC machined cr-moly
Pins: 20 per pedal, 20 spare