Hope Union TC pedals tested: The best clipless pedals I've used?

Typically excellent work from Hope means that after a year of riding these are the pedals I'm happiest to clip my feet into for total surefooted, bombproof security on the trail. But why?
Thanks to Giro Cycling UK, Peaty’s Products and Crud XL Fenders for sponsoring the channel, Hope for sending the pedals in for test and for my Patreon supporters for their monthly pledges. If you like what I'm doing and want early, extended and exclusive edits, personal buying and tech advice and other Patreon perks click on the link here: www.patreon.com/GuyKesTV?fan_...
Any questions get busy in the comments.
Cheers
Guy

[@rickybarker4023]

Just had my first ride on the gravity version, really good pedal, fantastic support for enduro, I’ll be moving all my bikes over to them. I found them for £115 in the Uk. Look for sales.

[@nothinglessness]

Totally agree. Fantastic pedals, incredibly durable, all the best bits of Shimano, firm click, customisable tension, steel cleats, extremely reliable, feel fantastic. Never understood how anyone loves crank brothers, they are made of cheese and the cleats get worn quickly then have unannounced unclips, no thanks. Best saved for sponsored DH that never hime a bike. From now on I will stick with my ultra reliable, made in UK and totally serviceable Hopes.

[@Jon1Surf1Lim]

These are on my Christmas list 👍🏻

[@vicgregory7596]

Just bought my second pair after 1 month riding the first pair way better than any others

[@craigbarlow3291]

Totally agree.... Great pedals

[@GuyKesTV]

Cheers Craig

[@alexcunliffe3432]

Hmm, I hear you but still sticking to my flats!

[@thebrowns5337]

Never had a problem with crank brothers clipped pedals at all. In fact my very first set, which were the first edition egg beaters (the stainless version, not top end but not basic) are still going strong on the wifes daily commuter! I'dbuy more in a heartbeat if they ever need replacing... I just can't see that happening any time soon.

[@brand_engineering]

I also had a pair of these. they were go but i needed to service the bearings regularly.

[@shawnpritchard366]

Looks similar to the Nukeproof Horizon CS pedal. Which are also fantastic. Bonus, you can use Shimano SPD cleats with them. Sadly, they are no longer available, at least here in the US.

[@GuyKesTV]

Yeah the Horizons are really nice pedals but the Hopes are amazing quality, they just run and run

[@jadeson2673]

Hi Guy. What do you think of magnetised pedals?

[@davelloyd8454]

How do they work when you don't want to clip in for a particular section? Can you avoid clipping in or do they just guide the foot in anyway?

[@5hane_]

Currently running Crankbros DH mallets but would be interested in the GC version of these as a back to back. Cheers Guy!

[@GuyKesTV]

More smooth float with the mallets and they're the gold standard for easy entry and exit. I just get bored of servicing/replacing bearings on Crank Brothers.

[@thebrowns5337]

Why? Is something wrong with your mallets or did this guy just put you off them. All my CB pedals have been fine over many many years. People need to stop replacing decent kit just because there is a new version out or because some randomer tells you theirs is better. Lets all be abit more eco.

[@Ff6022]

Any experience on the nukeproof horizon. I’m looking at both these pedals but the price is sending me bk to the nukeproof. Just wondered if you had experience with them?

[@GuyKesTV]

I've not used the Horizons I'm afraid but they generally score well in reviews

[@foldinghome8593]

Thanks for the review. I'm on flats now but want to switch clipless. I'm torn between Mallets and TC/GC. Heard that big disadvantage of Mallet's is wear of cleats. With 20€ each pair I don't want to spend more on cleats per year than other pedals cost... What's your opinion?

[@GuyKesTV]

Yep, CB cleats wear really quick as the hoops of the clip less mechanism are relatively thin so they need to make sure the cleats don’t wear them out.

[@foldinghome8593]

@@GuyKesTV Thanks for your answer. Then hopes it will be for Christmas

[@tomjxn]

What do you reckon Guy, would you run these on a gravel bike? Or the racier ones?

[@GuyKesTV]

Definitely the RC if you care about weight. Hopefully have some on the way for test soon too.

[@globebusmotorhomeadventure8112]

Hi guy will the Hope TC pedals that come with the stainless steel cleats be compatible with the Latest Giro Sector gravel tb shoes? as I've just purchased a pair and looking at some of these pedals to buy

[@GuyKesTV]

Yes, I’ve been using those exact shoes with my TC. You’ll need to use the thinnest shim under the cleats though.

[@globebusmotorhomeadventure8112]

Hi Guy Many thanks for your advice and a great vlog with reference to the hope tc pedals 👍

[@danielreynolds5012]

Well Guy. Have you tried the big platform GC ones? Any difference of opinion to these? Ta.

[@GuyKesTV]

I've not I'm afraid but the feedback in the comments here has been really positive

[@martinhayes5087]

I had my first ride on the GC' this weekend after coming from crankbrothers, so far so good, they're harder to unclip from than crank brothers, even with them backed all the way off, but they give a good solid platform for my rise up the Golfie, enduro DH style trails. The only thing I would say, is they took a while setting up, you get bags of pins and washers and plates separately to cater to your shoe, but I think by the time I had them set up where I wanted, I was nearly 2 hours in! The bearings aren't that tight in mine either, they feel new, but not so tight that I'd be concerned they're causing any excessive drag when pedalling

[@markianross]

Problem is they are so expensive - would not be too bad if I only had one bike, but replacing all 3 bikes would cost a fortune. At least with Shimano SPDs I can stick with budget pedals on the turbo trainer bike and save the fancy pedals for my best bike.

[@vicgregory7596]

Go to Rutland cycles they have them for £119 GBP

[@markhancock7527]

i Have the RC pedals there really good.

[@GuyKesTV]

Thanks for the feedback Mark

[@gunterhackstock4480]

On a road or MTB specific bike? I'm interested in the stability point of view, using the RC on a 2-bolt shoe and a road oriented bike for future purchase.

[@markhancock7527]

@gunterhackstock4480 On my Roadbikes i have four pairs.

[@kurt9046]

I currently running Time Speciale 12 Enduro Pedals, would you rate the Hope over the Times?

[@GuyKesTV]

They've got a similar size and pin arrangement (if you use pins) and the bearings on Time are generally brilliant too. So if you're getting on fine with your Speciales then stick with them. I struggled to get into them compared to the Hope's though as I found they needed a more specific entry angle. The brass Time cleats wear much faster too.

[@kurt9046]

@@GuyKesTV great thank you, after your review I will be switching to Hope, one of the Time pedals has developed quite a lot of play after a year and it did take me a while to get use to clipping back in with them 👍

[@didzy9349]

@@kurt9046 hey kurt how you getting on with the new hopes? ive got time specialie too and they are starting to feel awful, loads of foot movement when climbing and lifting/noise etc, they feel awful and are hurting my knees, are the hopes totally solid? no play when climbing out of the saddle etc?

[@mistermoore5784]

4:20 "Hex key heads" The bolts you are showing to the camera appear to be T25

[@GuyKesTV]

Sorry, you're completely right. Must have had a mind fart but sorry for not picking it up in editing

[@mokotramp]

I'll take XT 8120 over these all day long! ✌️

[@nothinglessness]

I can’t see why, the Hopes are superior in every possible way except price. As much as I love XT and Shimano for their reliability, they do tend to develop play and the foot interface is no where near as comfortable. Personally I think the Hopes will outlast Shimano by a long way so you will get your moneys worth.

[@ondrejjanoska660]

Maybe you could really really said at the beginning that hope provided the pedals.

[@GuyKesTV]

Maybe I guess but I get all the pedals - Hope, Shimano, Crank Bros, Nukeproof, DMR, Time etc. sent for test free so it's not really relevant.

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

Been Running the same pair of Shimano XT Spuds for six years with no play whatsoever and another pair for nine years. These type of pedals are pointless, you either buy a cageless pair of SPD pedals or buy flats.

[@jameskroz1737]

have you tried any caged clipless pedals other than Shimano?

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

@@jameskroz1737 Yes Crank Bros mallets, Nukeproof horizons etc.

[@jameskroz1737]

@@fuckinellitsraymo fair enough, I use mallets and have no problem feeling the cage under my feet. Horses for courses I guess 🤷‍♂️

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

@@jameskroz1737 That's the problem. Using any shoe or boot with any form of tread pattern makes entry and exiting hit or miss unless you trim the soles. Not everybody rides with flat soled shoes especially in Winter.

[@justinsheldon5015]

Agree with you on Shimano. Used to be a Hope user, but got bored of hubs failing and brake issues and the best I have is a chainring now as that cant fail, down Snowdon or in Spain as myself and friends had with other components. Not been a great customer service with them either . So, although tried Time of various types but their service kits were crazy priced and other clipless pedals, I have gone back to Shimano. PD 540's are a sensible priced pedal. £150 for the Hopes are for Hope lovers . I use XT pedals on my best bikes and 540's on the rest. Bearings are smooth as silk from after 20 miles run in time. Easy to dismantle ( one spanner) clean the old grease. Pack some fresh and screw together, the old grease oozes out the axle seal and wipe off. Cleats are under a tenner a set. Bet the Hopes arent that cheap. They will wear out eventually. Also available anywhere off the shelf, should a problem happen out and about. As for shoe bolts getting seized. Torx screws are probably slightly better but a good blob of coppaslip and I never have had issues of seized cleats for over 25 years.