Everything You Need to Know About Wolf Tooth's New Clipless Pedal Lineup
Wolf Tooth Components enters the clipless market with new CTRL, ALT, and DEL pedals. Learn about their class-leading platform size, low weight, and adjustable Q-factor.
Wolf Tooth Components, a brand renowned for its clever problem-solving components and high-quality chainrings, has officially stepped into the competitive clipless pedal market. Today marks the launch of three distinct models—CTRL, ALT, and DEL—each targeting a specific off-road discipline but unified by a singular engineering philosophy: perfecting the shoe-to-pedal connection.
After a development process spanning more than two years and leveraging a claimed 80 years of collective riding experience, Wolf Tooth's engineers aimed to address what they saw as shortcomings in the existing market. "After spending countless hours riding other pedals, our engineers set out to build the perfect clipless pedal family that outperformed all others in the areas we deemed crucial," the company stated.
Instead of reinventing the binding system, Wolf Tooth chose to refine the widely adopted SPD standard. The result is a family of pedals, machined in their Minnesota facility, that prioritizes massive platform contact, low weight, and rider-focused features like serviceability and adjustable Q-factor.
The Lineup: CTRL, ALT, and DEL
While all three models share the same stainless steel, SPD-compatible binding mechanism, their bodies are uniquely shaped for their intended use.
CTRL: The Trail Pedal Redefined Designed for trail riding, the CTRL pedal immediately stands out for its lack of a traditional wrap-around cage. Despite this, Wolf Tooth claims it possesses one of the largest effective platform areas on the market at 941 mm². This provides substantial support for softer-soled trail shoes without the weight penalty of a full cage.
- Weight: 326g
- Thickness: 15mm
- Platform Area: 941 mm²
- Comparison: The CTRL is lighter and thinner than a comparable Shimano XTR M9220 trail pedal (439g, 18.2mm thick) while offering a larger platform (vs. 883 mm²).
ALT: The Cross-Country Workhorse Aimed at XC and gravel riders who prefer a classic dual-sided entry, the ALT pedal focuses on efficient power transfer. Its 443 mm² platform is substantially larger than many XC competitors, designed to provide a stable base for stiff-soled race shoes. Wolf Tooth emphasizes its robust performance in all conditions, from mud and sand to snow.
- Weight: 294g
- Thickness: 15mm
- Platform Area: 443 mm²
DEL: The Gravel Racer's Edge The DEL is the most specialized of the trio, featuring a single-sided design to achieve a featherlight weight and aerodynamic profile. At just 216g per pair, it's lighter than many high-end road pedals but offers the versatility of a 2-bolt cleat system. Its most impressive stat is the 559 mm² contact area, which dwarfs its competition.
- Weight: 216g
- Thickness: 14.7mm
- Platform Area: 559 mm²
- Comparison: For context, Shimano's top-tier XTR M9200 pedals weigh 316g with a 144 mm² platform, while Look's X-Track offers 515 mm². The DEL is significantly lighter while providing a larger contact patch.
Core Features Across the Range
Beyond the specific designs, several key innovations unite the Wolf Tooth pedal family:
- Adjustable Q-Factor: In a standout move, all three pedals allow for easy Q-factor adjustment. By rearranging internal spacers, riders can shift between 51mm, 55mm (standard), and 59mm settings in about five minutes with standard tools.
- Durable, Serviceable Construction: The pedals feature aluminum bodies, stainless steel axles, and a proven bearing system using three low-friction cartridge bearings and an Igus bushing.
- Right to Repair: True to the brand's ethos, every single component of the pedals is available as a replacement part. This commitment to longevity is backed by a five-year warranty against defects.
Pricing and Availability
The CTRL, ALT, and DEL pedals are all priced at $219.95 USD. They are available immediately from the Wolf Tooth Components website and its dealers in Black and Ultraviolet Purple, with more colors planned for the future.
With this launch, Wolf Tooth isn't just adding another product to its catalog; it's making a bold statement by challenging the biggest names in the pedal industry with a meticulously engineered system focused on tangible performance benefits.
