This year the Race Face Chester mountain bike pedals got a refresh, and given that they’re from a brand that’s synonymous with hard-charging components, I had to test them to see how well they perform on the trail. Yes, the Chesters are new, but are they improved? Read on to find out.
Race Face Chester key specs
- Two sizes: large (115x110mm platform) and small (105x100mm platform)
- Weight: 354g (size large)
- Available in eight colors
- 9 metal pins per side, plus 2 molded pins for a total of 11 pins per side
- Price: $55
- Buy from The Pro’s Closet (on sale for $38.99 as of press time)
Since the Race Face Chester flat pedals have been around for a while, I’ll compare the current specs with the older version Singletracks reviewed in 2016 and again in 2020ish. For starters, the pin count increased from eight to 11, with nine metal pins per side plus two molded pins. The tips of the metal pins aren’t threaded, which is said to make foot repositioning easier and also protects the lower threads for easier pin replacement.
The pins on the Race Face Chester pedals vary in height with the ones on the edges poking out 4.5mm according to my measurements. That’s higher than a lot of the pedals I’ve tested, and the upshot is the pins dig in deeply with soft-soled shoes. They’re plenty sharp too, as the backs of my ankles and calves can attest.
The Chesters have slimmed down quite a bit in appearance compared to the previous version, though the weight is still roughly the same. The large-size platform (tested) offers significantly more surface area to distribute foot pressure, while the pedal body itself is thinner overall with a concave shape.
Race Face specs a chromoly steel axle for durability and stiffness, and the body is molded from a nylon composite material.
On the trail
I tested the Race Face Chester pedals with a pair of Fox Union shoes on a couple of different trail bikes and found the pedals deliver excellent grip in both dry and wet conditions. In theory, the non-threaded pin tips should make foot position adjustments easier, but I found these pedals lock in quite tightly, which is generally a good thing. Given the overall pin height, I found it necessary to lift my foot almost entirely off the pedal to reposition.
I’m not sure if I can feel the new co-molded pins located near the center of the pedals. Looking at the nubs, they are lower than the metal pins, which does give the pedal an overall cradled, concave feel. If anything, they likely provide a bit of extra support at the midfoot.
Despite the larger platform, I didn’t experience any extra or unexpected pedal drags or scrapes while cornering or riding off-camber trails. The pedal is supportive, comfortable, and whisper-quiet even while standing and mashing at full strength.
Share your Race Face Chester review
The Race Face Chester pedals have a good bit of spinning resistance right out of the box. I would like to see them spin a bit more freely, but then again, not so freely that it’s hard to get a foot back on after a dab.
It’s great to see so many color choices available, and naturally, I’m a fan of the Chester Cheetah orange version shown here. Perhaps this comes as no surprise, but the purple Chester is already listed as sold out on the Race Face website.
Pros and cons of Race Face Chester
Pros
- Super grippy pins
- Solid, large platform that’s comfortable and strong
- Bright color choices
- Great value
Cons
- Free spin is overly damped
Bottom line
I’m a big fan of nylon flat pedals, and the 2024 Race Face Chesters easily make my top five list. They’re a solid choice with tons of grip, and I’m confident they will survive countless adventures on the trail.
