Exustar E-PM811 SPD / flat combo pedals review

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Cost ★★★★☆

Performance ★★★★★

Overall Score ★★★★☆

Verdict: Designed to suit riders who need flexibility without compromising on performance, the Exustar E‑PM811 SPD/flat combo pedals are a versatile choice for mountain biking and bikepacking at a decent price.


Featuring a dual-interface design, these pedals offer an SPD clip-in mechanism on one side and a flat platform on the other, allowing you to switch between cleated shoes and regular footwear with ease. This makes them especially useful for riders tackling varied terrain or mixing technical trail riding with casual segments.

Built with a thermoplastic body and a Cr-Mo axle, the E-PM811 pedals strike a solid balance between durability and weight, coming in at around 333 grams per pair. The sealed LSL bushings provide smooth rotation and help keep maintenance low, even in muddy or dusty conditions. On the SPD side, adjustable tension lets you fine-tune the clip-in feel to suit your riding style and conditions. Meanwhile, the flat platform offers enough surface area and grip to support trail shoes when you’re not clipped in, ideal for downhill stretches or short on-foot sections.

 

For mountain biking, these pedals shine in their ability to adapt quickly. Whether you’re climbing technical singletrack where clip-ins offer power and efficiency, or descending fast where a flat platform provides confidence and quick foot release, the E-PM811s handle both situations well. This dual functionality gives them a clear advantage for riders who don’t want to commit to just one pedal style.

When it comes to bike-packing, the Exustar E‑PM811s are particularly well-suited. Long-distance riders often face a mix of terrain, from gravel roads to rocky trails to town streets, and these pedals accommodate it all. You can ride clipped in for long, steady efforts and switch to the flat side for when it gets more technical and it’s risky to be clipped in.

 

While the E‑PM811s may not offer the maximum grip of a fully pinned flat pedal or the lightest weight of a pure SPD model, they deliver a strong middle ground, especially for riders who value utility and simplicity. For mountain bikers and bike-packers alike, these hybrid pedals offer a durable, low-maintenance, and highly adaptable solution that lets you focus on the ride, not the gear.


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Chris Shirley MA FRGS

About the Author:

Chris is the founder of Hiatus.Design, a mission-driven branding and website design company that works with clients all over the world.

Over the course of his life, he has travelled to more than 60 countries across six continents, earned two Guinness World Records, completed the legendary Marathon des Sables, summited Mont Blanc and unclimbed peaks in Asia, become a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS), rowed across the Atlantic Ocean and obtained a Masterʼs degree in Business Management (MA).

https://www.hiatus.design
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