The Taco Pedal was recently announced by SimWorks. You’ve all checked it out by now, right?
We’ve received many inquiries regarding when they will be available, and we are finally ready: Circles will begin accepting pre-orders starting at noon on Wednesday, May 3rd!
The Taco Pedal is being released via a pre-order system. Delivery is scheduled for the end of May.
So, why not grab a taco and read through this article while you wait?
As dynamic and simple as a taco—this is the Taco Pedal!
The Taco Pedal is a new pedal from SimWorks inspired by the Mexican dish, the taco. It’s a so-called "large pedal" that rivals the size of the popular Bubbly pedal.
Its defining feature is that the side plates are folded like a taco to extend the platform surface. This expanded area is equipped with 10 removable studs, providing a high-grip finish.
They are manufactured by the familiar MKS (Mikashima Pedal). By using cup-and-cone bearings, maintenance and adjustments are easy to handle.
Be sure to check out the SIMWORKS blog for the story behind how this pedal was born.
And since I got to use the Taco Pedal a little early, here is my (probably) world’s fastest review.
Lured by the spring warmth, I head for Japan’s pavé: the Nakasendo trail
If you’re going to test a large, high-grip pedal, it has to be on gravel, right? Following that simple logic, I took my bike on the train and headed for the stone-paved Nakasendo trail, known as the "pavé of Japan."
This road, which has existed since the Edo period, is paved with stone and winds through dense forests. Although the surface was dry, it offered varied terrain with fallen leaves, moss, stone steps, and, of course, the stone pavement itself. Well, you know—it was the perfect gravel.
Taco Pedal: How does it taste?
The main point today isn't the flavor of the taco, but the ride quality of the Taco Pedal.
These pedals have incredible grip. That's thanks to the studs, but the well-sized studs don't just provide grip—they also allow your feet to come off easily when you need to put them down in a hurry.
The size of the platform is also perfect for gravel and trail riding on an MTB. Because it’s so wide, you can pedal comfortably no matter where your foot lands, and it accommodates wide, barefoot-style shoes perfectly. (In other words, they pair amazingly with Bedrock Sandals or the new Clog!)
Great grip and a great platform, but...
The fate of any large pedal, its double-edged sword, and its inseparable weak point is the risk of pedal strike.
If you’ve used the Bubbly, you might already know this, but pedals with wide surfaces are prone to hitting the ground when the bike is tilted, such as during cornering.
In fact, I hit the pedal twice in the city and three times on the gravel/forest roads. On the gravel, it wasn't just because I leaned the bike; I also hit it because I was getting a bit too aggressive on tight lines...
Once you get used to the size of the pedal, you won't have to worry, but if this is your first time using a pedal of this size, please be careful not to get too aggressive.
A juicy pedal you can’t help but sink your teeth into!
That said, they are an excellent match for gravel bikes, MTBs, and ATBs ridden on trails. While I only rode in dry conditions this time, the grip is sure to provide a stable ride even on wet or muddy surfaces.
Just like a taco dripping with meat juices and topped with fresh salsa, this is a juicy pedal you won’t be able to resist.
【SimWorks by MKS】Taco Pedal
Size : 105 x 110 x 33mm
Weight : 498g (pair)
Body Material : Aluminum Alloy
Plate Material : Aluminum Alloy
Spindle Material : CrMo
Color : Silver / Black
Price : 9,680 JPY (tax included)
