Wolf Tooth SHIFT Gravity Pedals Launch

Wolf Tooth has added a new pedal to its lineup that is targeted to gravity disciplines. Much like Wolf Tooth’s other pedals, the Wolf Tooth SHIFT Gravity pedal uses an SPD cleat. The SHIFT Gravity pedal is intended to be a lightweight, large surface area and thin clipless pedal targeted at downhill, enduro and aggressive trail use.

Wolf Tooth SHIFT Gravity Pedal Product Details:

• Thickness: 15 mm
• Platform Area: 1,201 mm²
• Four adjustable/removable traction pins on either side (8 total per pedal)
• Machined stainless steel axles
• Three cartridge bearings, 1 Igus bushing and a radial seal to protect internals from the elements
• Q Factor: Adjustable from 51 to 59 mm
• Weight: 410 grams
• Colours: Black and Purple (other colours will follow)
• Machined and assembled in the USA
• Right to Repair: all replacement parts are available
• 5-year warranty
• Price: $239.95 USD / 380 CAD
• Availability: Now

The pedals are designed and assembled at Wolf Tooth HQ in Minnesota, USA. The large, CNC-machined bodies feature 6061-T6 aluminum, with extended platform frames in the front and rear for additional connection with the shoe. The cages and hardware are all stainless steel. Inside the pedal is the same bearing and bushing design as the Wolf Tooth Waveform Aluminum Pedals. The SHIFT pedals use a heat-treated 17-4 PH stainless steel axle, three low-friction cartridge bearings, one custom IGUS bushing, and a custom radial seal intended to protect the internals from the elements.

Adjustable Q-Factor

The SHIFT pedal’s adjustable Q factor is a neat feature. Two 4mm spacers accompany the three cartridge bearings in a configuration that can be rearranged. Each pedal is built with a default Q factor of 55mm, which is the same as most other clipless pedals. Rearranging the spacers and bearings can produce Q factors of 51 and 59mm. A set of two 2mm spacers is available as an extra and can also be installed for Q-factor options of 53 and 57mm. Adjusting the Q factor seems simple to do at home in about five minutes with standard tools. Instructions and a video guide are available to help on the Wolf Tooth website.

Like most Wolf Tooth items, SHIFT pedals are covered under Right to Repair. All individual components of the new pedals are available as replacement parts, from the body to the springs, to the bearings, and more.

I’ve been riding on the SHIFT Gravity pedals for a few weeks now, and I have nothing but good things to say. I’ve mostly used the pedals with existing SPD cleats, and the interaction has been flawless. The SHIFT Gravity Pedals are easy to clip into, and have a crisp snap on release. I don’t tend to ride unclipped often, but I’ve tried to a few times, and I do like the larger platform.

I’ve been exclusively on Shimano Pedals for years, and these feel like a Shimano Saint SPD pedal. That’s a huge compliment, then factor in a 136-gram weight savings, a thinner package and the adjustable Q-Factor, and I think these are quite interesting pedals. With these coming in lighter than the XT Trail pedal, this is starting to look like a very appealing package that could easily do duty on all my bikes.

The other comparative pedal that comes to mind is the OneUp Clip Pedal, which is of a similar weight. While the Wolf Tooth is more expensive, the adjustable Q-Factor of the SHIFT Gravity pedal is a nice feature. I haven’t had time on the OneUp, so I can’t comment on the feel of the two relative to each other.

The Wolf Tooth Gravity SHIFT pedals aren’t cheap. But they look fantastic, feel great, are light, and adjustable. I can see these replacing both the Saint and XT Pedals I use on all my bikes. I haven’t had enough time on these to comment on the long-term durability/serviceability, but I’ll keep running these and comment back later in the year.

Wolf Tooth SHIFT Gravity Pedal – 380 CAD / 240 USD