Deity’s New Deftrap Composite Pedal (How Does it Compare to Their Other Pedals)

Words by: Reamonn Ryan

Deity has arguably maintained its top position in the flat pedal market for roughly the past 10 years. By creating some of the most durable and grippiest platforms for riders competing in events like Red Bull Rampage as well as us weekend warriors, Deity quickly became a fan favorite. With burly pedals like the Tyler McCaul TMAC Pedal as well as the thinner and lightweight options like their Blade Runners and Blakkats, Deity created an alloy pedal for just about any rider. Let’s not forget their compound pedal though. With a nylon fiber composite body and removable pins, these pedals quickly gained popularity for their inexpensive cost, larger platform, and reliability, BUT, as the years have gone by and riders began to test the limits of bikes and components more and more, it was time for something new that everyone could afford. Which led us to now. The release of the all-new Deity Deftrap Pedal.

Deftrap Pedal: The New Kid on the Block

The Deftrap from first glance might just look like a composite version of the popular TMAC pedal and well, that’s because the TMAC served as the inspiration to make the next best composite pedal. From it’s non-offset symmetrical design to it’s concave platform, the Deftrap clearly looks like the little brother to the TMAC. With 10 removable pins per side, these bad jawns glue you to the bike like you wouldn’t believe.

Specs:

• All-new pedal design inspired by the world-renowned TMAC pedal
• Injection Molded Nylon Fiber Composite Body (material is 28% stronger than Nylon Composite used by most leading brands)
• Non-offset symmetrical design gives the rider perfect weight distribution across the pedal, creating a very stable platform through rough terrain.
• Large 113mm L x 103mm W footprint
• Featuring a true concave pedal body profile
• 2mm of concave shape in the pedal body
• 18mm at the center
• Best-in-class 10 pins per side (8 replaceable steel pins, and 2 fixed nylon pins)
• 2 sealed bearings with oversized DU bushing design is robust and reliable
• Brilliant design for all genres of riding...from Trail, Enduro, Downhill, Dirt Jumping, to commuters
• 391 grams per pair
• Full-color range available in Black, Red, Orange, Green, Blue, Turquoise, Yellow, Mint, Purple, and Pink options.

My Review of the Deity Deftrap Pedals

I didn’t get to spend a lot of time on the pedal, but right off the bat, these things reminded me of the TMACs I normally run on my Trail or Enduro bikes. The platform is similar in size, although it is just slightly longer. The pedal overall felt very solid. Having big feet that typically hang over the pedal, I have noticed a flex in a lot of other options on the market that I didn’t experience with these Deftraps. The Nylon material also slides easily over rocks and roots unlike a lot of alloy pedals so if you experience a lot of pedal strikes, consider running a nylon fiber composite pedal like this to avoid any hangups on those climbs. Lastly, these things can take a freaking beating! There is quite a bit of material, and even after tomahawking myself in a loose chattery section (a result of very poor line choice), these Deftraps didn’t have any large gashes or even a bent spindle. Everything continued to work perfect without hesitation!

TMAC Pedal: The Local Legend

Tyler McCaul has built a career around his burly riding style. Go big or go home might be a good way of explaining how this guy rides but a guy who goes as big a TMAC needs a pedal that can take a beating. Lucky for us, Deity decided to work with Tyler on creating what some might consider as the best flat pedal on the planet (at least that’s my biased opinion). A larger and durable body that could probably withstand getting ran over by a train. A concave platform to keep your feet glued to the pedal no matter how rough the trail gets. A simple design that clear Mud easily and a variety of colors to choose from. What more do you need out of a pedal?

Specs:

• The Tyler McCaul Signature Pedal
• Extruded and Machined from Deity molds and 6061 T6 aluminum
• The largest Deity pedal to date
• 110mm x 105mm footprint
• Super concave 2.5mm deep pedal profile per side
• 14mm thin at the center
• Symmetrical pedal profile for added foot support and stability
• Dual-sided pins with pre-applied Loctite
• Includes extra set of back up pins
• Load distribution system to prevent bearing blowout
• Multi micro sealed bearings and Deity DU Bushing internals
• Heat-treated Cr-Mo Spindle that is compatible with a standard 15mm wrench or 8mm Allen
• Available in 8 high polished ano colors: Black, Bronze, Platinum, Orange, Blue, Green, Red, Purple
• 409 grams

My Review of the TMAC Pedal:

I’ve been running the TMAC Pedals for a long time now and can easily say they are my favorite pedals. The reasoning is simple. The large pins and concave platform keep your feet on the bike at all times. It doesn’t matter how much a squid you are or how bad of a line you take, as long as you don’t ride off the side of a cliff, these pedals keep you on the bike. The pins are also far enough apart to let you easily remove your feet for certain corners and tricks. The thick body can take a beating too. I always seem to smack my pedals on something on a ride so having a pedal that won’t easily dent or even crack is a bonus. The last thing you want is to try and ride a bike with just 1 pedal.

Bladerunner Pedal: The Hidden Trail Bike Hero

I believe that the Bladerunner Pedal is very underrated and having to compete with its siblings only makes it get overlooked more often. That being said, I think the Bladerunner is the perfect Flat pedal for typical Trail riding. The thin lightweight design and large platform give you the perfect structure for those trails that don’t offer a lot of features but can still hold up to those occasional big features as well as those trails that do features sections that are prone to pedal strikes. Shorter cranks can only do so much and a thinner pedal can sometimes be just what you need to save yourself from hanging up and missing out on that KOM.

Specs:

• Extruded and Machined from Deity molds and 6061 T6 aluminum
• Thin 11mm profile at the exterior edges
• 103mm x 100mm footprint
• Concave pin profile
• Load distribution system to prevent bearing blowout
• Multi micro sealed bearings and Deity DU Bushing internals
• 10 Allen bolt pins per side keep your feet glued
• Machined traction grooves
• Minimal material in key areas to shed weight and mud build-up
• Stepped Black polished Cr-Mo axle is compatible with 8mm Allen keys or also a standard 15mm pedal wrench
• Fully serviceable without requiring removal from the bike
• Rebuild kits available
• Pedals come with an extra set of pins for backups
• Available in High Polished Black, Bronze, Platinum, Orange, Red, Green, Blue, and Purple Ano with laser logos... also available in White Powder Coat
• Weight: 370 grams (pair)

My Review of the Deity Bladerunner Pedals:

The Bladerunners were the first alloy flat pedals I decided to invest in when I started mountain biking a few years ago. Their sleek design and incredible grip had me sold right off the bat. They served me for a few years before I decided to give the TMACs a go but I wouldn’t hesitate to go back at any point. The thinner profile helped me clear rocks and roots with ease and the overall design made all my bikes look good. Even as hand me downs now, they are living on my good friends Enduro bike without a single issue. Some things are just meant to last!

The Black Kat Pedal: The One That Won’t Die

Deity really went out of their way to create a pedal that would outlast almost anything on the market. The Black Kat is built around a larger double sealed bearing system but they also managed to keep it sleek. Elevated edges the platform help maintain the concave design Deity is known for even with that little bump at the spindle. The Blak Kat is as Deity would describe, “is the perfect blend of weight, size, performance, feel, and the durability you expect from Deity.” Which is pretty accurate if you ask me.

Specs:

• The BLACK KAT platform pedal
• Extruded and CNC Machined 6061 T6 Aluminum Pedal Body
• 100mm x 100mm Platform
• Concave Body
• Deity Proprietary Extrusion
• Fully Serviceable DU Bushing and Double Micro Sealed Bearing System
• Intended Use: Downhill, FR/DJ, Enduro, All Mountain
• Bead blast ano finish for durability
• Full Ano color range available in black, bronze, red, purple, green, blue, orange and platinum
• Allen bolt style pins
• Additional Allen Pin kit included with purchase
• 402 grams per set​

My Review of the Deity Black Kat Pedals:

I have ridden the Black Kats the least out of the bunch and that is only because I have yet to own a pair myself. The others last so long already, I can only imagine how long these would go for. Nonetheless, I have been fortunate enough to hope on a friend’s bike with these guys under my feet. The experience was amazing, to say the least.  The exact amount of grip and comfortable platform you would expect from Deity and the added grooves did provide more grip as I tried to slip my foot around. I do need to spend more time on these but I would highly recommend keeping them on our radar.

The Compound Pedals: My First Taste of Deity

The first deity component I ever ran was a pair of these Nylon pedals back before I even rode mountain bikes. They served me a long time on my BMX bike and held up to a lot of abuse at the skatepark and in the streets. The nylon material held up and slid incredibly well for grinding and I learned years later after having them on a mountain bike that they would come in handy sliding over rocks. A result of my poorly timed pedal strokes and bad line choice (something I still struggle with…) The thing body helps clear rocks for fewer pedal strokes and the minimal number of removable pins lets you move your foot around more freely without getting stuck in a bad position.

Specs:

• Incredibly lightweight Injection Molded Nylon Fiber Composite Body
• Replaceable Cr-mo Pins
• Super thin profile
• DU bushing and double micro sealed bearing system
• Not the average plastic disposable pedal...the Compound pedals are fully sealed, rebuildable, thin, and offer the same grip as a traditional aluminum pedal
• Nylon Fiber blend does not get hung up on rocks or ledges
• Brilliant design for all genres of riding...from DH, DJ, Street, and even All MTN  
• Nylon fiber body does not shatter like cheap polycarbonate pedals
• Featuring black spindles and laser graphics on ano end caps
• Exclusive to DEITY in the USA at a price no one can beat
• Available in Black, Orange, Green, Red, Light Blue, White, and Purple
• Weight: 339 grams

My Review of the Deity Compound Pedals:

Like I mentioned earlier, the pedals held up to a lot of abuse on the BMX bike which is really good as pedals never really lasted me that long. When I moved on the MTB world, I was familiar and comfortable with the grip of these pedals and was confident enough to dig them out of the old parts bin and throw them on the bike. The lack of pins actually was a bonus for me. I am always taking my feet off and on so sometimes my foot doesn’t end up back in the right position and I need to quickly move it. This can be done very easily without a lot of pedals in the way. For most riding today I would have to say that you might be better off with the Deftrap Pedals since they do offer more grip but these are perfect for your DJ if you are the type of person to be doing a lot of tricks.

Conclusion:

“With probably the largest flat pedal line in the industry, Deity has proven they can and have dominated each type of flat pedal. From the burly and bulletproof DH pedals to the thin and lightweight Trail pedals, they dedicated the time and the money into making what the people want and need. Adding the Deftrap Pedal to the Deity lineup only moves them that much further ahead of the competition. A Plastic TMAC Pedal that the people can afford is big, and I hope people give it the chance it deserves. They won’t be disappointed!” - Reamonn

This article was written / authored by Reamonn Ryan. Reamonn has worked in the bicycle industry for 6 years now and currently runs our Instagram account along with testing products, editing video content, and writing blogs like this one you just read. Reamonn was a die hard BMX kid for over 10 years and once he started at Worldwide Cyclery made the switch to mountain bikes where he can send stuff better than most guys at the shop. If you like any of our Instagram posts or have gotten any responses from your DM's it was most likely from Reamonn, so give him a thanks. As with all of our employees, Reamonn is a key part of making Worldwide Cyclery the "Best Damn Bike Shop in the World".