WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE LOAM PEDALS GEN 2
While the general look of the Gen 2 PNW Loam Pedals resembles the Gen 1, the Gen 2 is a completely redesigned platform. The fully CNC’d pedals are slightly wider than the previous generation and accommodate a wider array of foot placement. The dimensions of the PNW Loam Pedal Gen 2 now measure 115mm long by 109mm wide.
While the Gen 1 Loam Pedals favored riders who ride more on their forefoot, the new pedals have a different shape. They feature both a concave center, front to rear, and raised in- and outside edges. The former supports riders who tend to ride on the front of their foot, while the latter supports riders who tend to ride on the mid-foot. The body is 15.5mm thick at the leading and trailing edge, drops to 14mm in the center, and increases to 17mm over the axle.
PNW also reworked pin placement. For many riders, the two innermost pins (near the axle) of the Gen 1 Loam Pedal didn’t make contact with their shoes. This was due to the overall shape of the Gen 1 pedal, as well as the bulbous extra metal around the axle, which naturally pushed the foot away from the crankarm.
Speaking of pins, PNW has also gone with a completely new design, with Tectonic Pins. Rather than a traditional threaded pin for each side, eight of these long stainless steel pins are inserted completely through the body, and are secured with a center bolt. An additional pair of standard threaded grub screws is located on either side of the axle, nearest the crankarm.
The Tectonic Pins are easily replaced by removing the center bolt, sliding out the broken pin, and simply slipping a new pin in place. The pins are designed to break cleanly, so no need to bore out a pedal pin because it is bent.
Inside the CNC-machined aluminum bodies is a new cartridge axle system. This is designed to make service as easy as possible, requiring no specialized tools or knowledge. The bodies spin on a typical dual-sealed bearing and single bushing arrangement.
PNW offers the Loam Pedal Gen 2 in a choice of five anodized colors, with a retail price of $159.
THE DIRT
I didn’t ride the PNW Loam Gen 1 Pedals much. While they favored my forefoot riding placement, I didn’t get along with the bulbous axle. I ride with my feet relatively close to the cranks–closer than the Gen 1 platform allowed- so I never quite felt comfortable on the first-generation pedal.
So, I appreciated the revisions PNW made to the Loam Pedals Gen 2. Foot placement was good, although I still had some issues connecting with the innermost pins. This was an issue PNW noted with the Gen 1 pedal, and while the pin placement is much better, I still had to make a conscious effort to connect the two pins on each foot. The reduced taper along the outer edge of the pedal was appreciated too, giving improved support for the foot.
Not that those innermost pins were essential, by any means. The Tectonic Pins grip. Like, damn, they GRIP! PNW sent me a set of the Loam Pedals Gen 2 a few months before the launch, and I have been riding them since. Now, after nearly a year of riding the PNW Loam Pedal Gen 2, I continue to question if these are the grippiest flats I’ve ridden.
If they aren’t, they are certainly up there.
The Tectonic Pins are skinny and long and dig into every flat-pedal shoe I have tested. When reviewing pedals, I typically use several different shoes to assess the differences in grip. With the Gen 2 Loam Pedal, there seemingly wasn’t a difference. Regardless of the shoe and tread design, the pins on these pedals dug deep and held on tight. So tight, that the bike came with me on two separate crashes, almost like I was clipped in.
I didn’t have any broken pins while testing, and I appreciate how easy it is to replace the Tectonic Pins. Due to the pin design, breaking one pin essentially means replacing two, but it’s a small price to pay. PNW provides two replacement pins with the pedals, just in case.
Over the year of testing across a range of conditions – albeit not exclusively – the PNW Loam Pedal Gen 2 have held up amicably. They continue to spin smoothly, and have avoided any notable play on the axle. With a comparably reasonable price tag and high quality construction, the PNW Loam Pedal Gen 2 feels like a solid buy.
The Wolf’s Last Word
PNW Components wanted to improve on their first generation of the Loam Pedals, and they certainly hit the mark. Grippy, easy maintenance, and a set of pedals that simply work. Not crazy expensive, just quality, fuss-free products, as we’re coming to expect from PNW Components. 
Price: $159
Website: PNWcomponents.com
SHARE THIS REVIEW
ABOUT THE WOLF
The local boy — Travis was born and raised in Bend, OR. Skateboarding consumed his life until his high school years (yes, he can still kickflip), but was replaced by mountain biking…then rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and finally back to mountain biking. After a stint in the big city, Travis returned home, trading a teaching career to be an okay mountain biker and above-average journalist. He is an outspoken 90s grunge fan, cornering poor souls in conversations about the meaning behind the lyrics of Alice In Chains’ “Would.” Most days, Travis hopes to be outside, whether that is on an early morning ride or a hike with his family (the best days include both).
Rank: Contributing Writer
Size: 5’8” / 172cm | 195lbs / 88kg
Social: @travis_reill_writes
SUPPORT AND JOIN THE LOAM WOLF PACK
Did you find this review helpful? Would you like the chance to review (and keep) products? Are you interested in saving big bucks by getting exclusive Members Only discounts from industry brands all while helping support a small, rider-owned media crew? We have big plans for our members beyond big discounts and product giveaways! To learn more and help support small, independent media, visit our Member’s Page.