The magnetic ENDURO2 flat pedals by Magped in review

The Magped team has re-engineered their innovative flats, hoping to attract downhill-oriented mountain bikers. The new ENDURO2 pedal – still relying on the magnetic connection between shoe and pedal – offers quite a few innovations. We’ve checked it out for you to find out what it’s capable of and who it’s for.

In 2018, Magped launched the magnetic safety pedal. From that point forward, the company has step by step developed pedals for all bike categories: from racing and gravel bikes through eMTBs to downhill bikes. According to the manufacturer, a patented magnetic mechanism lets you release the shoe from the pedal in a safe, simple and quick way. Thus, an entirely new pedal category has emerged next to flat and clipless pedals. We have taken a closer look at the ENDURO2, the most robust pedal of the family, the only proper way we know – downhill! The pedal comes in two variants differing in the force of the magnet and also in weight. The 150 N magnet is recommended for riders with a bodyweight of up to 80 kg and the 200 N magnet for those weighing over 75 kg. Depending on the variant, the price is € 159 and € 179 respectively. If you are a fan of good workmanship, you’re in for a treat already when you start unpacking the pedals. They’re the most beautiful milling work from the aluminum block. Both the feel and the looks are quite something. In the latest edition of the ENDURO2 pedals, the weight has been reduced, which hasn’t stopped Magped from reinforcing the spindle. A pair weighs 477 g without pins. Due to the magnet, they are 50 g/pedal heavier than comparable flat pedals.

To use the Magped ENDURO2 pedals, you need a clipless shoe with a 2-hole SPD mount. So far so good, but don’t expect regular cleats, though, as they’re replaced by a screw-on flat metal plate, which connects to the built-in magnet. We tested the pedals with the Five Ten Hellcat Pro shoe, which should be well-suited according to the manufacturer because of the flat profile of the sole. We mounted the supplied plastic spacer under the metal plate to keep the distance to the sole at a maximum of 1–2 mm. Afterwards, we installed the supplied pins – as always relying on our tested motto: as many as necessary but as few as possible. It’s all about placing the pins in such a way that they grip the sole and are neither unsupported nor (even worse) push the shoe away from the magnet. Up to 16 pins can be mounted directly into each pedal. The pins have two sides. Depending on which side you screw in, they are 9 mm or 11 mm high. The height of the magnet is also adjustable in order to help find the ideal contact point. The pedal spindle is screwed to the crank using a 6 mm allen key. Next, you need to clip in. Should we still call it that? Just hover above the pedal and wait for the unmistakable “clack” sound. That’s it – you’re already connected to the pedal.

After a brief adjustment period, the “clacking in” is easy. As the magnets are mounted on both sides of the pedal, it doesn’t matter which side is up. You can always clip in without thinking, especially since the ENDURO2 can also be used without the magnetic connection (in case you get in over your head). Contrary to conventional clip-in pedals, this one can easily be used with regular shoes – in case you need to make a quick dash to the city, for instance. When properly adjusted, the pedal also withstands the pulling forces, and the circular motion is significantly smoother than with a conventional flat pedal. Once you get used to the smooth circular motion, returning to a non-magnetic flat will be difficult. Downhill and during jumps, the shoe is glued to the pedal resulting in higher stability and better contact to the bike. However, when you jerk your foot upwards, the pedal will release. So, if you were planning on cheating on bunny hops… think again. All in all, the force transmission is improved and the positioning of the foot on the pedal remains stable during the ride. The pedal effectively prevents any shifting of your foot. Actually, the whole thing works so well that you start to wonder if you’re going to be able to clip out of the pedals quickly enough. No worries there, though. A feisty jerk upwards or a slight sideways movement will release the shoe easily from the pedal. So, this innovative solution offers both: stability on the pedal and no worries about clipping out.

If, despite ordering the stronger magnets, you find the connection too weak, you can order STRONG shoe plates from the Magped shop for € 22. According to the manufacturer, these plates should increase the connection to the magnet roughly by another 30%. If you want your shoes to clip in at the same position each time, Magped offer POSITIONING plates, which make it possible. However, we would rather trade this for the flexibility to easily adjust the position of the foot on the pedal.

Ambitious mountain bikers who wish for more contact with the bike and don’t have a completely clean flat pedal technique will be thrilled with the ENDURO2. Those who often need to readjust the shoe on the pedal will experience a smoother and more stable ride with this pedal. Fans of sweating it out on the uphills will love the pulling force. And technical riders who want to step off the pedal quickly and easily when things get hairy have nothing to worry about with the ENDURO2. However, riders who want a really solid connection of a clipless pedal should stick to the tried clip-in systems. They may have got used to a riding style that could cause unintended releases with the Magped pedal. For us, on the other hand, both the pulling force and connection stability were absolutely sufficient during our trail test. So, the proof is in the pudding, so to speak. You may yet discover that you don’t really need a super solid connection.

The Magped ENDURO2 pedal shines with magnificent workmanship and offers high stability and contact with the bike without compromising safety. Therefore, it is ideal for riders who regularly need to readjust the position of the foot on the pedal or easily lose contact with the pedal when jumping. Thus, the Magped ENDURO2 creates a whole new species of pedals – a true asset that should help many riders enjoy the trails more and offer added safety.

For more information, visit magped.com

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Words: Erik Bötzle Photos: Thomas Weiss