iNVRS Pedals from Canadian company 9point8 turn the world of shoe/pedal grip upside down to change the traction versus skin loss equation.
The base of the iNVRS pedal system is the pedal itself. The surface of the pedal is a fairly soft, proprietary rubber surface with a slight concave to the surface. With a slight concave shape they are perfectly suited to stops around town on your fatbike, cargo bike or cruiser.
The pedals are rebuildable both by replacing the rubber on the face of the pedals with the iNVRS Rubber Repair Kit while the internal bearings and bushings can be rebuilt with the iNVRS Pedal Rebuild Kit.
But wait, there’s more! For added traction use the optional studs in the bottom of your shoe! If you’ve followed Seeley Dave’s Winter Frozen lake adventures you know you can still have fun in the winter without snow by riding frozen lakes so while pedal traction is important during winter fatbiking so is footwear traction! Running studded winter tires is great but just trying to stand up when you stop on a slippery frozen lake or trail can be challenging. Studs in your shoes give you the advantage over mother nature here! I did an article in 2013 about studding your riding boots and have been using studs in my boots for years. The combo platter of the iNVRS pedals and studded footwear are almost like they are made for each other. Which they are!
There are 2 ways you can get studs installed on the bottom of your shoes or boots.
Got 45NRTH Wolvhammers, Ölands, Wolfgars or any other SPD compatible boot? The iNVRS SPD Studded Cleat may be for you. The cleat replaces the standard SPD cleat and may be ideal for those who like to ride flat pedals in the winter.
Use the combination of the iNVRS Stud Driver Bit and the iNVRS 1/4″ Hex Handle to install the iNVRS Shoe Studs in your boots or shoes. There 2 different lengths that you can match up with different sole thicknesses.
Before studding a shoe, it is VERY IMPORTANT to check that the shoe is suitable for studding, and that you have chosen the correct studs for that particular shoe. (Boots are much more compatible because they have thick rubber soles with tall rubber lugs.) Learn more about What to watch for when studding your shoes or boots here.
Nervous about studding your favorite shoes? Stud an old pair first, to try iNVRS the system.
Stay tuned for the next part of this review as I get the pedals installed, the boots studded and go for a ride!
iNVRS Pedals are available now at https://9point8.ca
This looks like a good idea. Not sure it’s good enough to make me switch from Wolfgars on Pedaling Innovations EVO pedals, which grip very well and permit readjustment. I haven’t blooded a shin in 12 years of fatbiking. Suggestion: the SPD studded cleats seem to have a lot of studs per square inch, which may result in rubber compression rather than stud penetrattion. If the cleats aren’t as grippy as you need, try removing some studs.