YOSHIMURA CHILAO SS PEDAL REVIEW

April 4, 2025

While Yoshimura has only been in the cycling world for a handful of years, their reputation in the motorsport’s world precedes them. The brand entered the mountain bike scene in 2020, introducing the Chilao pedal. Last year, Yoshimura took the pedal that put them on the map and made it even better. How’d we like the new Yoshimura Chilao SS pedal after a year of abuse? Read on to find out.

ABOUT THE YOSHIMURA CHILAO SS PEDAL

Taking rider and customer feedback, Yoshimura set out to improve their already successful Chilao flat pedal. The result is the new Yoshimura Chilao SS pedal, with “SS” standing for Yoshimura’s patent-pending Static Spring inside the pedal.

While the spring does allow for a millimeter or two of movement, taking forces that would previously damage bearings and the spindle, this isn’t the spring’s only purpose. The Chilao SS utilizes this internal spring to help prevent any play by keeping consistent pressure between the bearings and end cap.

Three bearings and one IGUS bushing are located on the Chilao SS’s proprietary steel alloy spindle. Sealing off the pedal’s internals is a V-ring dust seal, which Yoshimura claims to offer high levels of protection from dirt, grime, and moisture encountered while riding.

The Chilao SS’s body is CNC’d from 6061-T6 aluminum and utilizes twenty 7075 aluminum pedal pins per pedal, ten on each side. These pedal pins are designed to shear off with big impacts, and five extra pins are included to replace them when required. The Chilao SS’s platform is designed with subtle concave along the X- and Y-axis, and the pedal pins are slightly angled back at the leading edge.

Yoshimura has two size offerings for the Chilao SS — a 110mm L x 107.25mm W size large pedal and a 100mm L x 95.5mm W size small, which has fewer pins. Pedal weights are 360g and 334g, respectively.

THE DIRT

I’ve had the Chilao SS pedal on several bikes for several months. Before that, Robert shared his initial impressions in a first ride review, where he got along with the pedals well. I can say my experience very much mirrored his, and durability hasn’t lacked in the long term.

I figured we could get the price issue out of the way first, as it was the only “negative” in Robert’s first ride review and this long-term review. Yes, the Chilao SS is expensive, as we would expect any product designed and manufactured in the USA to be. However, the Chilao SS is a damn good pedal, and its performance over time might just be worth the price.

The Static Spring kept the pedals performing the same from day one to now. I’ve used the Chilao SS pedals in all weather conditions imaginable. They’ve also sustained hundreds of miles and hours on the bike rack behind my car. I have had zero issues with these pedals, with all the internals working as well today as they did on day one.

This quality performance also extends to the Chilao SS pedals’ dust seals. Near the end of my test time on the pedals, I decided to service them. This “service” was unnecessary, as the Chilao SS pedals looked essentially brand new on the inside, despite months of use. Taking them apart and rebuilding them was also incredibly easy, with Yoshimura providing a great how-to video series.

All three pairs of shoes I wore during my test time connected well to the Chilao SS’s pins, and I found them to have excellent grip. The dual-concave of the pedals is subtle, but helps keep your foot locked in and connected. This combines with the angled leading edge pedal pins to create a very secure, comfortable, and confident pedal platform. Pin durability is not excellent, with the aluminum shearing when hit hard enough, but they’re easy to replace and the five spares included should keep you rolling for a while. We’re a fan of the pins shearing in a hard impact, since it reduces the likelihood of snagging which can increase the chance of a crash.

The Wolf’s Last Word

We would be lying if we didn’t say the price of the Chilao SS pedals stings. However, these pedals will likely outlast others, while keeping a performance level that will remind you of your first ride on them.

Price: $224/$229 (small/large)
Website: yoshimuracycling.com

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

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