MEMBER REVIEWS

KONA WAH WAH II FLAT PEDAL REVIEW

Review by Dan Williams

March 18, 2025

Pedal perfection? That’s a big claim, but Kona’s Wah Wah II aluminum flat pedals come in swinging. Designed to “dominate the trails” and built for riders who demand durability and control, these full-sized platforms offer a sturdy aluminum construction that can take a beating. With a massive platform; ten replaceable pins per side; and fully serviceable bearings, these pedals promise a locked-in feel and a long-lasting ride. Whether you’re smashing through rock gardens or styling out jumps, the Wah Wah IIs claim to be your “trusty companion for every cycling adventure.” So, are they truly the epitome of pedal greatness? Let’s find out in this review by Wolfpack member Dan Williams.

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ABOUT THE KONA WAH WAH II PEDALS

The Kona Wah Wah II aluminum pedals are Kona’s premium mountain bike flat pedal option, offering a forged CNC alloy construction for durability and performance. As the higher-end sibling to the composite Wah Wah II, these pedals aim to provide riders with a larger platform, thinner profile, and fully rebuildable internals. With a chromoly axle, sealed cartridge bearings, and DU bushings, they’re built to take a beating while maintaining a smooth operation.

In today’s flat pedal market, the Wah Wah II aluminum competes by delivering a low-profile, wide-platform experience at a competitive price. They measure in at 120mm x 118mm, and 13mm thick. The CNC alloy pedal bodies feature eight replaceable pins per side. With multiple color choices and a fully serviceable design, these pedals cater to riders looking for a balance of size, grip, and long-term durability, with a retail price of $145.00

THE DIRT

Installing these pedals was a little cumbersome. I am not a professional bike mechanic, but I play one in my garage and have grown up working on bikes, motorcycles, and cars. For whatever reason, getting these pedal threads started in the cranks is fiddly. It’s odd, and I’m not sure if it’s the bearing bulge that doesn’t allow you to see the alignment or the threads on the pedal. The last thing anyone wants to do is cross-thread a pedal into a crankset. If you’re using crank boots, you’ll need pedal washers—I needed two per side! This caught me off guard and required a trip to the LBS to remedy it.

The Kona Wah Wah II aluminum pedals feature an extra-large, low-profile platform, with a concave shape that cradled my foot, enhancing grip and control without feeling restrictive. The combination of concavity and a wide stance provided a planted and stable feel, making it easier to maintain foot placement in rough terrain. The low profile also helped to reduce pedal strikes, while maintaining a balanced center of gravity. Compared to more square-shaped pedals, the Wah Wah II’s elongated design distributed pressure more evenly across my foot, offering better comfort on long descents.

With 8 replaceable pins per side, the Kona Wah Wah IIs struck a balance between grip and foot mobility, allowing for easy repositioning when needed while still keeping your shoes locked in through rough sections. For my feet, they truly offered the “goldilocks” balance of grip – not too little to feel sketchy, and not too much to feel stuck.

On the trail, these pedals delivered a confident, planted ride with plenty of real estate for foot placement. While the matte finish lacked the premium feel of some competitors and the required pedal washers added an extra step to installation, the overall package was a compelling option in the high-end flat pedal category, and I’d absolutely recommend Kona’s premium mountain bike flat pedal to a friend.

The Wolf’s Last Word

The Kona Wah Wah II aluminum pedals deliver big platform confidence, a sleek low-profile design, and a solid grip without feeling locked in. The forged CNC-alloy construction and rebuildable internals make them a long-term investment. Unlike some pedals that require completely unweighting your foot to reposition, the Wah Wah IIs allowed for quick foot adjustments on the fly—a game-changer after stop-and-start moments.

The Kona Wah Wah II are a top-notch pedal offering that are absolutely worth the money, and come highly recommended by Wolfpack member Dan.

Price: $145
Website: Konaworld.com

ABOUT THE WOLF

Grew up in Napa Valley and still call it home. Riding bikes was just what you did in the non-digital world of the 1980s—pretending to be Evel Knievel, building sketchy jumps with whatever you could find (or borrow from a construction site). I rode MTB during high school in the ‘90s and picked it back up in my late 30s. First trip to Whistler Bike Park was on my 50th birthday, and I plan to keep checking off epic riding destinations for as long as I can!

P.S. The Costa Rica trip this year was amazing!

Rank: Wolfpack Member
Riding Level: “Slower than Fast” Advanced tech – Intermediate jump line
Size: 6’4” | 250lbs
Social: @danwill44

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