Home > Reviews

Review: Versatile VP R62 flat-and-SPD pedals get you thru the trail & to the store

16 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

VP Components R62 flat pedals with single sided SPD clipless entry

During the off season, my cyclocross bike multitasks as a commuter and general purpose fun bike. Often, that means I need to hop on quick with whatever normal shoes I’m wearing, to the pedals need to accommodate something like a Keen Coronado or Commuter Sandal without any cleats installed (I love me some Keen shoes).

But I’ll still whip the bike out for a spirited ‘cross training ride, so being able to clip in with a proper mountain bike shoe without having to swap pedals is pure bonus, and the VP Components R62 pedals prove equally adept at multitasking.

With the build of the World’s Funnest Bike complete, these pedals replaced the Eggbeaters as a more all-round component and have worked for numerous runs to the store, trail rides and even a game of bike polo wearing Five10 freeride shoes…

VP Components R62 flat pedals with single sided SPD clipless entry ride review and actual weights

The pedals weigh in at 203g each, cleats and necessary hardware at 23g. That adds up to 452g with everything you need to ride in normal cycling shoes.

VP Components R62 flat pedals with single sided SPD clipless entry ride review and actual weights

If your shoes need the internal mounting plates, those are provided, too and weigh in at 7g per side.

VP Components R62 flat pedals with single sided SPD clipless entry ride review and actual weights

The cleats are SPD compatible, looking and acting just like Shimano’s parts.

VP Components R62 flat pedals with single sided SPD clipless entry ride review and actual weights

The flat side has a slightly concave profile with nubs along the body and pins at each of the corners. The pins did an excellent job of keeping my shoes stuck on the pedals during a ferociously amateur game of bicycle polo on the grass. They work just as well keeping shoes from slipping off while riding around town, too.

The platform is plenty big enough for my size 13 US feet to feel well supported.

VP Components R62 flat pedals with single sided SPD clipless entry ride review and actual weights

The clip-in side uses a standard SPD-style retention mechanism with adjustable tension. The pedal naturally rotates itself to an easy-to-enter position for this side, so clipping in felt perfectly natural when starting from a standstill.

VP Components R62 flat pedals with single sided SPD clipless entry ride review and actual weights

When I switched from Eggbeaters to these, I noticed the stack height of the pedal was taller, which required me to raise my saddle slightly to get the same leg extension. Not a complaint, just an issue worth noting and really the only thing that could even come close to a complaint here. The pedals spin freely and quietly and have held up very well to many months of riding. Even the black finish still looks new.

They’re available in black and silver. The body is aluminum and the axle is CNC’d chromoly rolling with roller and sealed cartridge bearings. Available online and in shops. Retail is $80.

VP-USA.com

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

16 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Bill
Bill
8 years ago

perhaps a tangent, but since the WFB Thread is now a month+ old, what crank/chainrings were too big when you tried? I got mine from Van Dessel shipped with a Rival 22 group, in compact, and the 50 clears it just fine. Might be that the BB/crank combo isn’t made for PF30? I notice on the rival PF30 setup all the spacers go on the drive side, which was odd after the last few years of BB30 having spacers on the NDS..

Bill
Bill
8 years ago

Back on topic.. these pedals actually interest me.. the shimano made(and performance/forte knockoff) clipless/platform combos seemed to be weighted to rest with spd side down, which is like, 90% of my riding. I like that these default to the SPD side up instead. The rare grocery store/ride to my buddy’s house in sneaker rides I want to be the exception, not my commute where I’m always wearing spd’s

THAT GUY
THAT GUY
8 years ago

I don’t know of any other Shimano combo pedals, but my PD-T780 are weighted to align vertically with the SPD facing rearward.

Roll forward to clip in and slap backwards for the flat. Works every time.

yogibimbi
yogibimbi
8 years ago

I am doing it the other way around: My usual cycling / walking shoes are the North Wave Gran Canyon. They have SPD plates on them, but those don’t disturb while walking. So, on my cyclocross I have the SPD system for practise and normal flat pedals on my folding bike for commuting. Plus I walk around in my cycling shoes no worries.

Seraph
Seraph
8 years ago

Is it really that much of a pain to ride clipless pedals with regular shoes on? If you have a caged or semi-caged pedal (such as the CB Candy), it’s super easy to ride with skate or running shoes on thanks to the “platform” surrounding the pedal. You don’t need a dedicated platform side for clipless-less riding.

MB
MB
8 years ago

Shimano A530s are lighter and half the price.

Bill
Bill
8 years ago

@THAT GUY – The PD-A530 is what I meant, and alternatively “Forte Campus” pedals from Performance.

@Seraph – Ehh.. I’ve never enjoyed that instable feeling of having sneakers on an SPD/time/egg beater cleat. I used to ride the “acid” pedals from CB which I think were a lot like the candy, but bigger, and even those weren’t comfortable over a half mile or so in my sneakers.

Lancelot
Lancelot
8 years ago

Can you use Shimano cleats with them?

David R.
David R.
8 years ago

I drilled and tapped my Shimano A530s for pins — easy upgrade and the price is right! I use them for technical mountain trails, as much for climbing as descending, to provide options for knee comfort and for a super quick foot down in big exposure situations. I also use them on long distance tours, so I can ride in sneaks or SPD shoes.

I’d be interested is the larger platform these offer. The taller stack height is not attractive tho — pedal strike city…

Erik
Erik
8 years ago

@lancelot YES they work with shimano’s cleats as well as our own VP-C01 cleat.

We are really proud of this pedal. We do most of the product for VP now in the USA and we have a growing office here with design and engineering staff who are full-time VP employees.

the easiest thing in the world to do was to put the pins in this pedal! i was actually using it on my town bike and it made the difference for me- any pedal like this without pins is a real waste of time… so i am glad this tiny feature is getting some attention!

thanks-

Banyan
Banyan
8 years ago

@David R – That’s a great idea. What size tap is required?

Roy
Roy
8 years ago

I just finished a bike and I went with these pedals, I really like them so far. The pins are what sold me. I got them for 50 though, but I guess they are the silver versions, which still looks sharp.

Steve
Steve
8 years ago

How is clipping/unclipping in these? As smooth as a Shimano a540? The last thing I want is the unclipping disasters I’ve had with Crank Brothers candy. The Shimano is so effortless to unclip. You just step off the pedals as if they were flats. Is the VP as good? I read not so great reviews about Xpedo in this regard.

dfsgauntlet
5 years ago

Got these on Rakuten for $12 shipped with coupon and after reading your review I still probably would have bought them for $30-$40

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.