Reviews You Can Rely On

HT Components T1 Review

Thinner, lighter, and less expensive than the XTR Trail with more usable platform and more adjustability
ht components t1 mountain bike pedal review
Credit: HT Components
Price:  $135 List
Manufacturer:   HT Components
By Joshua Hutchens ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Jun 10, 2019
87
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 19
  • Ease of Exit - 25% 8.0
  • Ease of Entry - 20% 9.0
  • Adjustability - 20% 10.0
  • Weight - 15% 8.0
  • Platform - 10% 8.0
  • Mud Shedding Ability - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

An incredibly well-executed mid-cage clipless pedal from HT, the T-1 strikes just the right balance to be our Editor's Choice. These pedals are lighter, lower profile, and less expensive than the Shimano XTR M-9120. If that's not enough, they also shed mud better, offer more adjustability, and have more shoe interface than any other mini-cage pedals in our test. They offer 4 or 8 degrees of lateral float and the grub pins up front help the pedal orient for quick access.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Adjustable
Low profile
Inexpensive
Available in many colors
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavier cleats
Float isn't as smooth as Shimano

Compare to Similar Products

 
ht components t1 mountain bike pedal review
This Product
HT Components T1
Awards Editors' Choice Award  Top Pick Award Best Buy Award  
Price $135 List$127.76 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
$124.40 at Amazon
Compare at 3 sellers
$65 List
$65.00 at REI
$50.00 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
87
82
79
75
68
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Pros Lightweight, adjustable, low profile, inexpensive, available in many colorsLightweight, low profile, available in 2 different axle lengthsSubstantial platform underfoot, legendary durability, solid valueCapable, versatile, inexpensive, easy to use and adjustableDecently lightweight, lightest adjsutable tension pedal we've tested, CHEAP
Cons Heavier cleats, float isn't as smooth as ShimanoNarrow platform, expensive, not recommended for trail or all-mountain ridingOversized locknut can interfere with proper fit and float feelSlightly heavy, bulky for some uses, painted platformMinimal platform, only come in black
Bottom Line Thinner, lighter, and less expensive than the XTR Trail with more usable platform and more adjustabilityA highly evolved, race proven pedal that provides exceptional stability for its sizeThe capable all-mountain pedal renowned for its durability and solid performance ratchets up the performance specsAn adjustable, full-featured pedal offering stability and ease of use at a reasonable price pointThe lowest cost clipless model tested that's also among the lightest
Rating Categories HT Components T1 Shimano XTR M9100 Race Shimano PD-M8120 XT... Shimano ME700 Shimano M520
Ease of Exit (25%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
Ease of Entry (20%)
9.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
9.0
Adjustability (20%)
10.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Weight (15%)
8.0
9.0
6.0
5.0
8.0
Platform (10%)
8.0
5.0
8.0
8.0
3.0
Mud Shedding Ability (10%)
9.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Specs HT Components T1 Shimano XTR M9100 Race Shimano PD-M8120 XT... Shimano ME700 Shimano M520
Weight per Pair (grams) 372g 314g 430g 482g 374g
Weight of Cleats and Bolts (grams) 62g 51g 51g 50g 50g
Cleat Type HT X1 or HT X1F SPD mountain SPD mountain SPD mountain SPD Mountain
Style mini-cage no cage mini-cage mini-cage no cage
Platform Dimensions (lxw) 68mm x 83.5mm 71 x 68 mm 100 x 71 mm 100 x 74mm 42 x 61 mm
profile height 16.8mm 17mm 18mm 19mm 22mm
Q-Factor 56mm 56mm 55mm 55mm 55 mm
Total Width from Crank Arm 90mm 84mm 92mm 93mm 80 mm
Entry 2-sided 2-sided 2-sided 2-sided 2-sided
Adjustable Tension yes yes yes yes yes
Traction Pins 4 grub pins 0 0 0 0
Bearings EVO+ dual angular contact, metal retainer dual angular contact, metal retainer dual angular contact, plastic retainer Dual Angular Contact
Cage Material extruded/CNC machined aluminum annodized aluminum anodized and machined aluminum painted aluminum n/a
Pedal Wrench Type 8mm allen 8mm allen 8mm allen 6mm allen or 15mm open end 8mm allen

Our Analysis and Test Results

The HT T-1 is a super slender mid-cage clipless pedal built tough enough for the rigors of enduro racing. The wide platform design, forward placed grub pins, and trick adjustable clipless mechanism make for quick and solid engagement. This pedal is feature packed and handily takes home our Editors Choice award. The lowest profile pedal in our test, the HT's machined aluminum bodies sport an ample surface area and provide a solid connection. They feature a minimalist engagement mechanism that allows for efficient mud clearing. Unlike the HT D-1 we tested previously, the grub pins provide no interference clipping in or out. Release tension is adjustable, and the fore-mounted grub pins can be adjusted up or down. Included with the pedals are two sets of cleats, the X-1 cleats provide 4 degrees of lateral float, and the X-1F cleats offer 8 degrees of lateral float. The movement within the range of float isn't quite as smooth as what we experience with the XTR pedals but didn't affect the efficiency or performance of the pedal.
The CNC machined Chromoly steel axles ride on Evo+ precision sealed bearings and IGUS bushings. The pedal bodies are CNC machined extruded aluminum and available in a staggering fourteen colors including stealth black that feature an anodized black clipless mechanism and spindle.
ht components t1 mountain bike pedal review
Credit: joshua hutchens
HT's cleat retention system is minimalist, featuring a bar on the front of the mechanism like the Time Speciale 8 and Crankbrothers Double Shot 3 but with a floating rear retainer. It's a clever design that aids in mud shedding, unlike Shimano SPD pedals with the static rear retainer, the front or rear can open independently. While there are many technical differences in the cleat retention mechanism itself, the feel of engagement and float feel similar to a Shimano SPD when using the X-1 cleat or like a Time ATAC when using the X-1F cleat.

Performance Comparison


The platform, feel, and adjustability of the HT T-1 was all excellent. Excelling in almost every category, the HT bested the venerable Shimano XTR M9120, notably being lighter, lower profile and featuring more adjustability.

Ease of Entry


Getting into your pedals should be quick and easy, allowing you to put the power down immediately. The machined aluminum pedal body of the HT T-1 is designed to catch the toe of the shoe with its two grub pins and orient the pedal for quick engagement. The mechanism is simple, and the pedal is thin and wide, offering a large target without much bulk to hang up on trailside obstacles.


As with the Look X-Track En-rage Plus, the traction (or grub) pins can help orient the pedal for quick entry. The traction pins are adjustable allowing the rider to fine-tune the amount of grab they get from the toe of the pedal. Throughout our test, we found the T-1 was easy to engage; it felt wide, easy to orient, and didn't require much thought. Even when wet the engagement remained smooth but never felt overly slippery. One notable difference using either cleat is that increasing release tension causes an increase in the pressure needed to engage, that's not the case with the SPD design.

ht components t1 mountain bike pedal review - low profile, large width platform, and wide open clipless mechanism
Low profile, large width platform, and wide open clipless mechanism
Credit: joshua hutchens

Ease of Exit


The HT T-1 offered effortless release but due to the lateral float in the cleats though it wasn't always as consistent as the Shimano XTR M9120. The pedals can be disengaged by turning your heel inward or outward, and release produces an audible click that won't leave you wondering if you're engaged or not.


The friction between shoe and pedal didn't change much with moisture as the shoe engages the smoothly machined aluminum platform.

ht components t1 mountain bike pedal review - a solid option for xc riders wanting a bit more real estate.
A solid option for XC riders wanting a bit more real estate.
Credit: joshua hutchens

Adjustability


Featuring adjustable release tension, height adjustable grub pins, and two sets of cleats offering different degrees of lateral float, the HT T-1 is remarkably adjustable. The T-1's adjustable release tension seemed to have greater range than the Time Speciale 8 or the Shimano SPD system. At their lightest setting, they released with almost no effort, on the opposite side of the tension adjustment they felt vice-like and required significantly more force to release than any other pedal in the test.

Release tension is easily changed using a 3mm Allen key and you can dramatically change the pedal's feel. The T-1 gives a reasonable 4 or 8 degrees of float using the 62 gram X-1 or X1-F cleats respectively. The HT cleats are a bit wider and chunkier looking than the more prevalent SPD cleats, but they created no issues in any of our test shoes.


Although the grub pins on this pedal are adjustable with a 1.5mm Allen key, they don't interface with the shoe when clipped in. As with the Look X-Track En-rage Plus and the Time Speciale 8 the grub pins act only to catch and orient the pedal for engagement.

ht components t1 mountain bike pedal review - comparing the engagement mechanism you can see that the ht has...
Comparing the engagement mechanism you can see that the HT has significantly less material up front.
Credit: joshua hutchens

Weight


At 372 grams, the HT's are the lightest mid cage pedal we've tested. Almost an ounce lighter than the XTR M9120 that don't have grub pins and 77 grams shy of the Look X-track En-rage Plus pedals. We found the HT's combination of low weight and solid platform quite compelling.


Weight-conscious riders may not opt for the additional weight of a mid-cage platform, but aside from the few additional grams, there would be very few reasons to eschew this pedal for XC use. They're a touch thinner than even the svelte XTR M-9100 with a profile height of 16.8mm placing the rider closer to the axle and keeping the bottom of the pedal that much further from trail side hazards.
ht components t1 mountain bike pedal review
Credit: joshua hutchens

Platform


The wide platform provided a solid footbed and unlike the XTR M-9120 wasn't comprised of useless real estate. The width of the CNC machined aluminum body underfoot felt substantial and stable under sprint and technical conditions. Additionally, the forward placed grub pins helped to orient the pedal as we kicked for entry.


ht components t1 mountain bike pedal review - the xtr pedal has more machined flat area but this doesn't equal...
The XTR pedal has more machined flat area but this doesn't equal more connection with the shoe.
Credit: joshua hutchens

Mud Shedding


We found the HT's to be top performers in their ability to shed mud, the fore mechanism is wide open and doesn't give mud anywhere to hide. While we've long regarded the fluorine coated Shimano pedals to be front runners in the mud shedding game, they've met their match with the HT's open front end. The Shimano mechanism, by contrast, is cupped in the front and only the rear of the mechanism articulates. The additional movement in the HT provided a solid connection with every type of mud we jammed into the cleats and got our top score for mud shedding ability.


ht components t1 mountain bike pedal review - the ht t-1 cutting through the mud and delivering performance
The HT T-1 cutting through the mud and delivering performance
Credit: joshua hutchens

Conclusion


This is a stellar pedal with very few compromises. It's light, low profile, adjustable, wide underfoot and sheds mud better than its competitors. The pedals had no durability issues during testing and have not needed readjustment with the included tool.

Recommended Pairing


This pedal is best paired with an enduro shoe (95-105mm in the toe box) where the soft rubber sole can take advantage of the wide platform. Shoes like the Specialized 2FO Cliplite worked particularly well.

Joshua Hutchens
 
You Might Also Like

Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by Testing.

GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.

Learn More