HT Components T2 Review

The HT T-2 is an ultra-thin mid-cage clipless pedal built for the rigors of enduro racing. The wide platform design, trick adjustable clipless mechanism, and catchy grub pins make for quick and solid engagement. This pedal is packed full of features and deserves our Editors Choice award. We loved the HT T-1, and the HT T-2 improves on that already compelling package by adding two additional grub pins on the rear of the pedal body.

The lowest profile pedal in our test, the HT's machined aluminum bodies boast a wide surface area and provide a solid connection. The simple engagement mechanism allows for efficient mud clearing and reliable engagement. Unlike the HT D-1 we tested previously, the grub pins provide very little interference when clipping out. The release tension is adjustable, and the four grub pins on each side of the pedal 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 cleat glides within the range of float but doesn't feel quite as smooth as the fluorine-coated XTR M9120 pedals, but that friction doesn't affect the efficiency or performance of the pedal.

The CNC-machined Chromoly steel spindles ride on dual IGUS bushings and a precision-sealed bearing. The pedal bodies are CNC machined extruded aluminum and available in a staggering thirteen colors, including stealth black that features an anodized black clipless mechanism and spindle.

HT's cleat retention system is pretty simple, featuring a bar on the front of the mechanism similar to the Time Speciale 8 and Crankbrothers Double Shot 3 but complemented by a floating rear retainer. It's a clever design that helps to keep the mud and grit out. Unlike the Shimano SPD pedals' design, which has a static rear retainer, the front or rear can move independently. While there are several technical differences in the cleat retention mechanism itself, the feel of engagement feels similar to a Shimano SPD. Using the HT X-1 cleat, you'll get 4 degrees of lateral float, and the also included X1-F cleat will give you 8 degrees of lateral float.

Performance Comparison

We found the platform, feel, and adjustability of the HT T-2 top-notch. 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-2 features four grub pins on each side, so you'll be hard-pressed to slip off and not engage. The engagement mechanism is simple, and the pedal is thin and wide, giving the rider 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 surface of the pedal. Throughout testing, we found the T-2 very easy to engage; it felt wide, easy to orient, and didn't require a second thought. Even when wet or muddy, the engagement remained smooth but never felt overly slippery. One notable difference between the HT mechanism and the SPD design is that increasing the release tension causes an increase in the pressure needed to engage.

Ease of Exit

The HT T-2 offered effortless release, but due to multiple moving parts, the release 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. New HT users coming from SPD should practice a few times before hitting the trail, as the release feels a touch more progressive.

Friction between the sole of the shoe and the pedal didn't change much with moisture as the shoe engages the smoothly machined aluminum platform.

Adjustability

Featuring adjustable release tension, height adjustable grub pins, and two sets of cleats offering different degrees of lateral float, the HT T-2 is remarkably adjustable. The T-2's adjustable release tension seemed to have a 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-2 gives a reasonable 4 or 8 degrees of float using the 62-gram X-1 or X1-F cleats, respectively. We found the HT cleats a bit wider and chunkier than the 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.

Weight

At 380 grams, the HT's are lighter than the XTR M9120 while also boasting traction pins, they're also 77 grams lighter than the Look X-track En-rage Plus pedals. We found HT's combination of low weight, thin profile, and solid platform quite compelling.

Weight-conscious riders that still prefer a bit of platform can opt for the titanium axle version of the T2 and save 48 grams but the ti spindles have a 176lb weight limit. Aside from the few additional grams, there would be very few reasons to eschew this pedal for XC use. They're incredibly thin at just 17mm, placing the rider closer to the axle and keeping the bottom of the pedal that much further from trail-side hazards.

Platform

The wide platform provides a solid footbed and unlike the XTR M-9120 gave us a little bit of traction to interface with. The width of the CNC machined aluminum body underfoot feels substantial and stable under sprints and technical moves. Additionally, the grub pins helped to orient the pedal as we kicked for entry.

Mud Shedding

We found the HTs 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.

Should you buy the HT T-2?

This is a stellar pedal with very few compromises. It is light, low profile, adjustable, wide underfoot, and sheds mud better than its competitors. The pedals had no durability issues during testing and did not need readjustment with the included tool. If you're looking for a high-end mountain bike pedal with no compromises that's an alternative to SPD, look no further.

What Other Mountain Bike Pedals Should You Consider?

One of our other favorite pedals of this style is the Shimano XT M8120, it offers reliable, trouble-free operation and a solid pedaling platform. If weight is of no concern, you might also consider the more substantial Shimano Saint M820