Following a few years after its entry into flat pedals, Wolf Tooth has now added three models of SPD-compatible clip-in pedals: the ALT (XC), DEL (one-sided Gravel), and CTRL (Trail).
Wolf Tooth claims it saw an opportunity in the market in offering a range of premium SPD-compatible pedals that offered more cleat stability (via a wider surface area), lower stack heights, lower weights, and all with a fully rebuildable and serviceable design (with spares available).
The American manufacturer also landed on a neat internal spacer design that allows for adjustment of the pedal Q-Factor (between 51-59 mm).
Josh Weinberg has been testing the ALT and CTRL pedals for a couple of months, while I've had the ALT and, more recently, the single-sided DEL. We've got some early thoughts to share.
Highs: Wonderful function and engagement feel, adjustable spindle width is oh so smart, full selection of service parts, more-than-competitive dimensions and weights.
Lows: Lacking cosmetic durability, one sample set has minor side-to-side play, early signs of body wear. Single-sided DEL pedal can be harder to clip into.
Price: US$220 / £185 / AU$395 per pair.
Things in common
I'll kick things off with what the CTRL + ALT + DEL range of pedals have in common.
All three models of pedal share the same cleat compatibility. The pedals are supplied with Wolf Tooth’s own two-bolt SPD cleats, but Shimano and similar SPD cleats are fully compatible, too.
Each model features an in-house (USA) machined aluminium pedal body that is designed to optimise mud clearance through more aggressive machining around the middle. All pedals feature stainless steel axles and stainless steel hardware. And they all offer the same adjustable width, something I’ll explain shortly.
Wolf Tooth has been one of the louder proponents of Right to Repair in the bicycle industry, and this range of pedals continues that with full availability of spare parts, whether that’s a binding spring, a bearing, or a new pedal body. As usual, Wolf Tooth will also provide instructions on how to service and fix the products should you need to.
Currently, Wolf Tooth is offering each model in a choice of black or purple, but has teased that other options are likely to follow. Finally, expect to pay US$220 / £185 / AU$395 for either the CTRL, ALT, or DEL, the same marked price as Shimano XTR M9200.
The ALT for XC
The pedal Josh and I have spent the most time with is the ALT. This is the dual-sided cross-country and gravel pedal designed to compete with the likes of the new Shimano XTR M9200, Look X-Track Race, Hope RC (non-SPD cleat), Ritchey WCS, and really any other weight-competitive two-bolt pedal.
Compared to those options, the ALT pedals lower the pedal stack by at least 1.5 mm (per side), which benefits ground clearance and arguably biomechanics.
Stability in an SPD pedal system is largely earned through how the shoe's tread block interfaces with the pedal body, and here, Wolf Tooth offer a huge surface area. According to the company, the platform area measures at 442 mm², compared with XTR M9220 at 144 mm², while Hope's RC are at a nearer 420 mm². That extra surface does come with extra width to the pedal, and the ALT’s most outer edge sits 2 mm wider than the previous generation XTR M9100.
At 294 g for the pair (cleats not included), Wolf Tooth’s pedals are some 26 grams lighter than the new XTR M9200. The only SPD-compatible pedals that I’m aware of that are lighter also feature weaker titanium axles.
The DEL for Gravel
The DEL is a single-sided SPD offering aimed at gravel and road use.
This interesting take on pedals boosts the platform area to a massive 559 mm², which according to Wolf Tooth, aims to provide a contact area that more closely matches a road pedal. Through being single-sided, the stack height is also reduced further, to just 14.7 mm (.3 mm less than the ALT). Watt Weenies will point out that it’s surely a more aerodynamic shape, and it’s of course lighter, weighing an actual 218 g for the pair (cleats not included).
With this, Wolf Tooth is seemingly trying to fill a market gap left by the now-discontinued Shimano A600 gravel pedal, which carries a bit of a cult following who don’t seem satisfied with Shimano’s current offering, the ES600.
The CTRL for Trail
Finally, the CTRL is the more trail-oriented pedal of the range. However, unlike pedals with grippy surrounding platforms such as the new Shimano XTR M9220, OneUp Clip, or equivalent, Wolf Tooth’s version looks far more like a traditional SPD pedal with an enlarged surrounding surface. Perhaps the best comparison point would be the Crank Bros Candy.
With a huge 941 mm² contact area, Wolf Tooth claims its design gives a more secure engagement and better bike control. The pedals are claimed to 326 grams and have the same stack height as the ALT model. While we haven’t ridden it, this one is certainly intriguing, especially for riders who typically prefer the feeling of trail-style SPDs for even XC-style riding.
How the spindle width adjustment works
One of the more unique features to the Wolf Tooth’s CTRL + ALT + DEL SPD range is the adjustable spindle width. Ok, so technically it’s an adjustable Q-factor, but semantics aside, it’s a neat feature. Inside the pedal body, you'll find one long bushing (located on the inner side of the pedal body), followed by a row of three cartridge bearings. Alongside those cartridge bearings sit two aluminium spacers that determine where the pedal body sits in relation to the spindle.
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