Anyone interested in pedals will inevitably come across Crankbrothers. The brothers from Laguna Beach, California, have grown from a garage startup into an internationally renowned manufacturer of MTB components. Besides pedals, their product range now includes wheels, dropper posts, pumps, and tools. Pedals play a central role in their business. This is evident in the enormous breadth of the Stamp family, which ranges from the affordable composite pedal to the high-end Stamp 11 with a titanium axle. The Stamp 1 Gen 2 Large sits at the lower end of the model range, but it is by no means intended to be a budget pedal.
The Crankbrothers Stamp 1 Gen 2 features a robust nylon composite body and a forged chromoly steel axle. The large version measures 114 x 111 millimeters and is designed for shoe sizes approximately EU 43,5 to 49 (a small version is available for smaller feet). At 348 grams per pair, the pedal is also pleasantly lightweight. The concave shape of the pedal body is particularly striking. Instead of a completely flat contact surface, the foot is essentially placed into the pedal. Ten replaceable pins per side provide additional grip. The pins are a one-piece design, making them relatively easy to replace. Inside, serviceable IGUS bushings and a sealing system are used – technology that Crankbrothers also employs in higher-priced Stamp models. Compared to its aluminum counterparts like the Stamp 7, the Stamp 1 Gen 2 naturally requires some compromises in terms of materials. What's interesting, however, is what Crankbrothers has improved in the second generation of the Stamp 1: The platform is slimmer and more robust, the concave shape is even more pronounced, and the bearing and sealing unit has been upgraded. In addition, there are new one-piece, replaceable pins. According to Crankbrothers, the Gen 2 pedal is therefore not only more elegant but also more robust than its predecessor.
In my case, however, the Stamp 1 Gen 2 is more than just a short-term test candidate. I also use the pedal on my personal trail hardtail and have had it for over two years now. During this time, the pedal has been put through its paces, enduring numerous impacts with rocks and the occasional tree collision. To this day, it has weathered these impacts without complaint. The material also has a significant visual advantage over painted metal pedals: contact with the ground doesn't automatically mean bare metal is exposed. Scratches are therefore much less dramatic. In terms of grip, the Stamp 1 Composite doesn't need to hide behind the more expensive models. In combination with the right flat pedal shoes, the pedal practically digs into the sole. The foot sits firmly and securely on the platform, even when the trail gets rough. The concave shape naturally enhances this feeling. However, there is a small drawback: while this provides security at high speeds, it makes consciously repositioning your foot more difficult. Those who like to slightly shift their foot on the pedal while riding will need to lift their foot a little more with the Stamp 1.
