Description
DMR V12 Pedal – The Benchmark Flat Pedal, Refined and Improved
Since 1997, the DMR V12 has set the standard for flat pedal performance in mountain biking. For nearly three decades, riders worldwide have trusted V12 pedals for their secure connection, smooth rotation, and legendary durability. Now, DMR has refined this icon with an enhanced platform design that delivers even better performance whilst maintaining the essential character that’s made the V12 a legend.
The Evolution Continues
The original V12 established what flat pedal performance should be. Riders discovered pedals that simply worked – providing secure foot connection without excessive aggression, spinning smoothly for years, and surviving punishment that destroyed lesser pedals. The V12 became the reference standard, the pedal against which all others were measured.
This latest version builds upon that reputation with carefully considered improvements informed by thousands of riders’ feedback. The platform is 10% larger for enhanced support. The profile is slimmer to reduce pedal strikes. The weight is 20% lighter through optimised construction. Yet the V12’s soul remains intact – that distinctive concave feel, the confidence-inspiring connection, the bulletproof reliability.
10% Larger Platform Area
The redesigned V12 body measures 95mm x 100mm, providing 10% more surface area than the classic V12 shape. This expansion delivers real-world performance benefits that riders notice immediately. The larger platform distributes foot pressure across more area, reducing hotspots and improving comfort during long rides. The additional surface area enhances grip security, particularly when landing jumps or riding rough terrain where foot position might shift.
The size increase particularly benefits riders with larger feet (UK size 10/US 11 and above) who previously felt slightly cramped on the original V12. The new dimensions provide generous support across the entire shoe sole, improving stability and control. However, the platform remains compact enough for riders with smaller feet who prefer more manageable pedal dimensions.
The 95x100mm footprint strikes an ideal balance – large enough to provide excellent support without becoming unwieldy or prone to striking obstacles. Pedals that are excessively large feel sluggish and catch on trail features more frequently. The V12 avoids these compromises whilst delivering the advantages of a substantial platform.
Ultra-Slim 16mm Profile
At just 16mm deep, the V12 achieves an impressively low profile whilst preserving DMR’s signature concave shape. This slim design dramatically reduces pedal strike frequency on technical terrain – a constant concern for aggressive riders tackling rocky trails, root sections, and technical features.
The lower profile particularly benefits modern mountain bikes with lower bottom bracket heights and riders who favour technical trails with abundant rock gardens and tight sections. Fewer pedal strikes mean less momentum loss, reduced crash risk, and greater confidence to choose aggressive lines through technical features.
Achieving this slim profile without sacrificing concave shaping required sophisticated engineering. DMR couldn’t simply flatten the pedal – the concave cupping is fundamental to secure foot retention. The solution involved optimising material distribution and profile geometry to maintain effective concave shaping within a more compact vertical package.
The result feels noticeably lower than previous V12 versions without compromising the secure connection that concave shaping provides. Your feet nestle naturally into the pedal surface, held in position by the subtle dish working synergistically with strategically placed pins.
DMR’s Legendary Concave Feel
The V12’s concave platform shape has been fundamental to its success from the beginning. Unlike flat or convex pedals where feet sit on top of the surface, the concave design creates a subtle dish that cradles your foot. This cupping effect, combined with DMR’s pin placement pattern, provides exceptional foot retention without requiring overly aggressive pin heights that damage shoes or feel uncomfortable.
The concave shape proves particularly valuable during technical riding. When trails get rough and bikes move dynamically beneath you, the concave cradle helps maintain consistent foot positioning. You don’t need to actively grip the pedals with your feet – the shape and pins work together to maintain connection naturally and effortlessly.
This secure connection inspires confidence. When you know your feet will stay planted reliably, you can ride more aggressively, trust your bike through rough sections, and recover more easily from mistakes. The concave design explains why countless professional riders and everyday enthusiasts have relied on V12 pedals across nearly three decades.
Aluminium Construction – Proven Durability
The standard V12 features an aluminium platform body that provides excellent durability at reasonable cost. The construction delivers a 20% weight reduction compared to the previous V12 model, with the aluminium version weighing 430g per pair – impressively light for pedals with this surface area and feature set.
Aluminium offers an excellent balance of strength, weight, and cost-effectiveness. The material withstands the constant impacts, weather exposure, and mechanical stresses that pedals endure whilst remaining affordable enough for most riders’ budgets. The construction has proven itself through years of real-world use by riders at all levels.
The weight savings prove particularly noticeable for riders conscious of total bike weight, whether for racing, conquering climbs, or simply enjoying a more responsive-feeling bike. Reducing rotating mass like pedals has a disproportionate effect on bike responsiveness compared to static weight reduction elsewhere.
However, DMR didn’t pursue weight savings at durability’s expense. These remain proper trail pedals built to withstand aggressive riding season after season, not fragile race-day-only components. The aluminium construction undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets DMR’s exacting durability standards.
Sealed Bearing Performance
The V12 runs on fully sealed bearings mounted on a chromoly (CrMo) steel axle. This bearing system provides smooth, consistent rotation whilst protecting bearing internals from contamination by dirt, water, and mud – the constant threats to pedal longevity.
Sealed bearings require virtually no maintenance beyond occasional visual inspection. Unlike loose ball bearings or bushings requiring regular servicing, sealed cartridge bearings run reliably season after season. When bearings eventually wear out after thousands of riding hours, they can be replaced during servicing, extending pedal lifespan indefinitely.
The chromoly axle provides the strength necessary to withstand pedalling forces and impacts without bending or breaking. Chromoly steel offers superior toughness compared to standard steel, making it ideal for components experiencing high stress loads.
The combination of sealed bearings and chromoly axle creates a pedal that spins smoothly, wears slowly, and can be rebuilt when necessary – characteristics explaining why DMR pedals often outlast multiple bikes and drivetrains.
Replaceable and Tuneable Pins
All pins on the V12 are replaceable and adjustable, allowing you to customise grip levels matching your preferences, riding style, and shoe sole characteristics. The pedal arrives with pins installed, but you can add, remove, or adjust pin height to dial in your preferred feel.
Riders wanting maximum grip for aggressive downhill riding or muddy conditions can leave all pins installed at full height. Those preferring a less aggressive feel for general trail riding or to preserve shoe soles can remove selected pins or back them out slightly. Some riders create custom patterns, removing pins from high-wear areas whilst retaining them in key grip zones.
This adjustability means the V12 adapts to different riding scenarios. Configure maximum grip for bike park days, then tune it down for pedally trail rides or commuting duties. The ability to customise pin configuration provides significant advantages over pedals with moulded or non-adjustable pins.
Replacement pins are readily available from DMR dealers, ensuring you can maintain optimal grip even after years of use. Pin wear occurs gradually and predictably – simply replace worn pins rather than replacing entire pedals.
Fully Serviceable Design
The V12 is completely serviceable, meaning every wearing component can be replaced or rebuilt. When bearings wear out, they can be replaced. When the axle develops play, it can be adjusted or replaced. Pins can be swapped indefinitely.
This serviceability transforms the V12 from a consumable component into a long-term investment. Riders commonly report running V12 pedals for a decade or more, rebuilding them periodically rather than replacing them. This longevity makes outstanding economic sense – the initial purchase price exceeds budget pedals, but cost-per-year becomes exceptionally favourable.
DMR provides detailed service instructions and parts diagrams on their website, and replacement parts are widely available through dealers. Most riders can perform basic servicing at home with standard tools, though bike shops can handle servicing if preferred.
The serviceability also aligns with environmental responsibility. Rather than discarding worn pedals and contributing to landfill, you simply replace individual components and continue riding. This approach reflects DMR’s commitment to creating products built to last.
Extensive Colour Range
The V12 is available in seven vibrant colour options, allowing you to coordinate with your bike’s frame, create themed builds, or simply express personal style. Available colours include Black, Lem Lime (yellow), Tango Orange, Polished Silver, Pure White, Red, and Blue.
This colour variety makes the V12 ideal for riders who value aesthetic customisation alongside performance. Whether you want pedals that blend discreetly with your frame or prefer bold contrast colours that make a statement, the V12 range accommodates your vision.
The colours are applied through anodising or durable finishing processes that resist fading, scratching, and wear. Your pedals will maintain their appearance through years of regular riding, cleaning, and trail exposure.
Platform Size and Pin Configuration
The 95mm x 100mm platform provides generous foot support across the entire shoe sole. The pin layout distributes pins strategically to maximise grip without excessive shoe wear. DMR’s decades of flat pedal experience inform the pin placement pattern, positioning pins where they provide maximum effectiveness.
The pedal accommodates various shoe sizes and sole patterns effectively. Whether you’re running dedicated flat pedal shoes with soft, grippy soles or trail shoes with moderate grip, the V12 provides secure connection. The concave shape works synergistically with the pins – the dish positions your foot, the pins prevent slipping.
Proven Performance Since 1997
The V12’s longevity speaks volumes about its effectiveness. In a market where new pedal designs appear constantly, the V12 has remained relevant for nearly three decades. This endurance reflects fundamental design excellence rather than marketing hype or temporary trends.
Professional riders, weekend warriors, and everyday trail riders all rely on V12 pedals. They’re found on World Cup downhill bikes, cross-country race machines, trail bikes, dirt jumpers, and urban assault bikes. This versatility demonstrates the V12’s broad appeal and effectiveness across riding disciplines.
Customer testimonials and reviews consistently praise the V12’s reliability, comfort, and longevity. MBUK Magazine notes the V12’s “impressive stability for platform size; grippy, well-placed pins; smaller platform reduces ground strikes.” DMR’s YouTube channel features a customer review of V12 pedals that lasted an astounding duration, demonstrating real-world durability beyond DMR’s own claims.
Why Choose V12 Aluminium Over Other Options
DMR offers an extensive flat pedal range. The V12 aluminium occupies the mid-range sweet spot, offering exceptional performance and proven design at reasonable cost.
Compared to the V12 Magnesium, the aluminium version costs £20 less whilst adding just 80g per pair – excellent value for most riders. Compared to budget options like the V8, the V12 provides larger platform, better bearings, and superior longevity. Compared to the premium Vault range, the V12 offers proven design heritage and slightly different shaping appealing to traditionalists.
Choose V12 aluminium if you want proven performance, reasonable pricing, and legendary reliability. Choose V12 Magnesium if weight savings justify premium pricing. Choose V8 or V6 if budget is primary concern. Choose Vault series if you prefer ultra-thin profiles or the latest designs.
