I’ve been running the Pedaling Innovations Catalyst XL pedals for quite a few months now and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.

If you’ve seen the Pedaling Innovations Catalyst pedals you’re probably thinking the Catalyst pedal is already big enough already. So why do they need to make an XL version? To be honest I thought the same thing and just kept running the originals until I’d decided it was time to check them out for myself.

The Catalyst XL Pedal is designed for a size 13 & Over shoe. It’s a bigger platform, in fact the biggest on the market at 160mm long and 105mm wide. Of course a larger platform is a little heavier and a little more expensive. It offers all the benefits of the Catalyst scaled up for the bigger foot, delivering more contact area. So, in short, it provides an optimal platform which means even more power, greater efficiency and more comfort.

Catalyst

Catalyst XL

I’ve been running Pedaling Innovations Catalyst pedals for over 7 years now. I’ve found them to be the perfect platform pedal for doing everything on. Racing, dirt jumping, sprints, cruising around…like I said everything. They were doing a great job, so I stuck with them originally instead of moving to the XL pedal. The larger platform of the Catalyst pedal provides even greater comfort, stability, grip and I feel like I can get more power down without the concern of slipping or the pedal rolling under foot. The Catalyst XL is optimised for a bigger foot.

The even larger platform of the Catalyst XL, which is 17mm longer and 10mm wider, provided me with even more comfort and confidence than the original Catalyst pedal. With 18 pins per side the flat platform pedal offers greater grip than any other pedal I have ever used. This can also be attributed to the size of the platform. With more contact area you are going to have more grip. There’s also zero chance of the pedals rolling under foot that you get with more traditional sized platform pedals.

Now let’s talk about greater power output. A mid foot position where your foot is further forward than usual means a more stable contact with the pedal and it can feel a little strange at first, but it allows you to mash the heck out of the down stroke. I’ve heard people say it uses your leg muscles differently, and this is probably true, as your foot is more stable and you tend to use a stiffer ankle and less calf muscle.

Is it better than a clipless pedal when it comes to power? I’m not about to tell you that as I have no data to compare apples to apples. But if you are a flat pedal racer with a larger foor and you’re looking for the ultimate flat pedal this could be it.

Product features

• Designed to connect the front and back ends of arch of the size 13+ foot, it is the longest platform for your foot on the market
• Manufactured by VP Components using parts and materials with a proven track record for durability and quality
• Dual sealed bearings and DU Bushing internals
• Heat treated Cr-Mo Spindle that is compatible with a standard 15mm wrench or 6mm allen
• 18 pins per side strategically placed to maximize the new, optimized foot position possible with this design
• Shipped with longer (8mm) replacement grub screws to swap out for extra traction

Pedal Stats

• Length – 6.3″ / 160 mm
• Width – 4.13″ / 105 mm
• Thickness – .6”/ 16 mm
• Weight – 575 grams per pair

How do they ride?

As I said earlier I have been running the Pedaling Innovations Catalyst pedals for over 7 years. I found them to be highly reliable and grew comfortable with them very quickly. The biggest difference in using the Catalyst XL is that my foot was less likely to change position when riding on a rough surface. The extra width is a nice touch making the pedals super comfortable for long sessions on the bike.

Comfort is important to me, the more comfortable the longer I can ride before numbness and soreness settles in. My legs give it way before my feet do. I recommend the Catalyst pedals to anyone who suffers from foot or ankle pain and they provide a new level of comfort, even allowing me to ride with arthritis in my toe which isn’t noticable while riding with the Catalyst or the XL pedals.

Foot stability is vital when trying to race. Once your foot is planted you want it to stay that way to allow you to worry about getting to the line as quickly as you can. You will be hard pressed to find a pedal that provides more stability for a size 13+ shoe than the Catalyst XL.

Power and efficiency is key. When you have a stable foot and feel comfortable with getting power down is a whole lot easier. The science around the Catalyst pedal with a larger platform providing greater support and using a mid pedal foot position allows you to engage core muscles eliminating power loss through the ankle and foot flex. Every bit of power you generate will go through your cranks.

As a little bonus, the pedals have such a large platform you don’t need to worry about clawing your foot around the pedal, it’s not necessary to have a specific stiff soled shoe. Classic Vans will marry with these pedals to make a great pedal/shoe combo.

The comfort alone makes them ideal for me no matter if I’m riding casually, riding dirt jumps or racing.

Gallery

Rating 20/20

Comments

• Just when I thought the Catalyst pedal couldn’t get any better the Catalyst is perfect for the size 13+ shoe. You simply aren’t going to find a cheap platform pedal that offers the same performance specifically for a bigger foot that’s made to last and offers servicability.
• At 575 grams per pair they aren’t going to be a big hit with the weight weenie crowd, but they will with the big footed BMXers who are looking for a perfect platform.
• The ultimate platform pedal for a big foot. Built for power, efficiency, stability and comfort.
• There’s no question, these pedals are freakin’ HUGE. Once you get past that they have a nice stretched classic look, with four colours to choose from; red, blue, black and grey.

Check out pedalinginnovations.com for more information. Pedaling Innovations pedals are available in Australia from ecistore.com.au

Reviewed by Shane Jenkins/bmxultra.com January 28, 2025