Specialized Pedals

Fitment and Thread Standards

Every Specialized aftermarket flat pedal uses the industry-standard 9/16" thread, so they'll bolt straight onto virtually any modern adult crank - whether that's a Shimano hollowtech unit, a SRAM DUB setup, or a basic square-taper on a commuter. No adapters, no faff. Just check your current pedals are 9/16 and you're good to go.

The wider platform body of both the Boomslang and Bennies does push your foot slightly outboard compared to a narrow clipless pedal, which nudges Q-factor out a touch. For most riders that's a non-issue - some actually prefer it for knee comfort on longer descents. If you're running a very narrow stance, it's worth being aware of before you commit.

Specialized's current aftermarket focus sits firmly on flat pedals, which is where the interesting engineering lives. If you're after clipless options to pair with Specialized MTB tyres and shoes, the short version is: look at Shimano SPD or Crank Brothers pedals as natural companions - there's a full cleats category on Bikesy worth checking for compatibility.

Boomslang vs. Bennies: Where Each One Sits

Think of the Boomslang as the thing you put on a bike you actually care about. That ultra-thin 10mm centre profile is the standout number - it gives meaningful clearance over rock gardens where a chunkier pedal would be clanging off everything. The trap-door bearing access is genuinely clever: instead of pulling the axle out to service the bearings, you pop a small cover on the back face of the pedal body and get straight to the internals. Less time on the bench, more time riding. The custom undercut pins are what make the retention feel different - the undercut geometry bites into the rubber of your sole rather than just sitting flat against it, which is why Boomslang riders often report a confidence level that surprises them.

The Bennies are the sensible mid-range choice. Extruded aluminium body, standard grub-screw traction pins, and solid sealed bearings. They won't match the Boomslang's clearance numbers or its servicing convenience, but for trail riding where you're not threading through tight rock slots on every run, they do the job reliably and handle punishment well. Worth considering if you're building up a trail bike rather than a dedicated enduro rig.

At the entry level, Specialized also offer nylon composite pedals - lighter on the wallet and genuinely fine for commuting or hybrid riding. They won't survive the same rock abuse, but if you're pairing them with Specialized commuter and hybrid tyres on daily use, the grip is more than adequate. Comparing across the market, DMR pedals offer similar tiered options and are worth a look if you want to weigh up the field, and Burgtec pedals sit in the same conversation at the premium end.

Keeping Them Running Through a UK Winter

British riding conditions are hard on pedal internals. Peak District grit is almost abrasive enough to feel deliberate, and wet off-camber roots in winter demand that your pins are actually biting, not just along for the ride. The Boomslang's trap-door bearing system earns its keep here - after a season in the Tweed Valley or a muddy winter in the Brecon Beacons, getting into the bearings without a full strip-down is a proper time-saver. Pop the cover, regrease, done.

Before any pedal goes on any crank, apply anti-seize compound to the axle threads. Alloy cranks and steel axles have a way of bonding together with seasonal damp and grit, and a seized pedal is one of those workshop jobs that turns a five-minute swap into a deeply unpleasant afternoon. Left pedal is reverse-threaded - don't forget that in the car park on a cold morning.

Snapped traction pins are normal wear after rock strikes, particularly on the Boomslang where the pins are designed to break cleanly at a set point rather than bending and mangling the body threads. If a pin snaps flush, the remaining thread is usually grippable with a good set of needle-nose pliers. For stubborn ones, a left-hand drill bit often walks them out cleanly. Thread the replacements in with a small drop of blue threadlock - enough to stop vibration-loosening, not so much that your next pin change becomes a drama. Hope pedals use a similar pin replacement logic if you want to compare servicing philosophies across brands.

Open platform designs on both the Boomslang and Bennies help with mud clearance - thick winter clay moves through rather than packing solid, which matters more than most riders expect when you're mid-descent and feeling the pedal body flex underfoot. Pairing them with grippy rubber from the Specialized contact points range gives you a coherent setup from pedal through to saddle. Getting the whole contact point picture sorted - feet, hands, seat - makes a bigger difference to confidence than most single component upgrades.