Are Hope Pedals Good? F22, F20, Union, Grip, Service, and Which Type To Choose
Hope pedals are good if you want machined metal pedals that can be serviced, rebuilt, and matched to a fairly specific riding style. They are not automatically the best pedal for every rider. The right answer depends on whether you want a flat pedal, a clipless pedal, an older F20-style platform, or one of the Union clipless models.
The mistake is treating “Hope pedals” as one thing. Hope’s current pedal range covers the F22 flat pedal for riders who want an open platform, and Union clipless pedals for riders who want cleat retention with different platform sizes. The older F20 still matters because many riders compare it with the F22 or look for spares, but it is not the current flat-pedal default.
Quick Verdict
Hope pedals make the most sense for riders who value serviceability, metal construction, color choice, and long-term parts support. The F22 is the obvious choice if you ride flats. The Union range is the choice if you want clipless pedals and are happy using Hope’s cleat system rather than assuming Shimano SPD compatibility.
They make less sense if you want the cheapest pedal possible, the lightest race-only option, or a pedal you never plan to service. They also need to match your shoes and riding style. Pedals are one of the main contact points on the bike, so two riders can disagree about the same pedal and both be right.
Hope Pedal Types
| Pedal type | Best for | Main check |
|---|---|---|
| Hope F22 flat pedal | Trail, enduro, downhill, e-MTB, and riders who prefer foot freedom | Shoe grip, pin setup, platform feel, and pedal thickness |
| Hope F20 flat pedal | Existing owners, used buyers, and riders comparing old versus new Hope flats | Legacy status, service parts, and whether F22 is the better upgrade |
| Hope Union RC | Race/XC-style clipless use where a smaller body and lower weight matter | Cleat compatibility, release feel, and shoe tread clearance |
| Hope Union TC | Trail clipless use with a mid-size body | Cleat setup, spring tension, pins, and shoe support |
| Hope Union GC | Gravity/enduro clipless use where more platform support matters | Platform size, pins, shoe interface, and release confidence |
F22 Flat Pedals: The Safe Starting Point For Most Riders
If someone says “Hope pedals” and means flat mountain bike pedals, they probably mean the F22 now. Hope’s F22 product page lists a 360g pair weight, reverse-loading pins, three cartridge bearings, an IGUS bush, internal and external sealing, a revised axle design, and a fully serviceable rebuildable layout.
The F22 is also where Hope moved on from the F20 shape. The useful change is not just a new name. The F22 gives more shoe support and a more modern concave platform approach, while keeping the serviceable internal layout that made Hope flats attractive to long-term owners.
For the deeper product-specific breakdown, read the Hope F22 pedals review. This guide is the broader pedal-family view.
F20 Pedals: Still Relevant, But Mostly As Legacy Context
The F20 still appears in searches because riders own them, service them, compare them with the F22, or find them used. That does not make the F20 the better current buy. It means the old platform still has enough history that riders want to understand what changed.
If you already own F20 pedals and like the shape, the practical question is service condition. Check axle play, bearing roughness, pin condition, and whether replacement parts are available before spending money. If you are buying fresh, the F22 is usually the cleaner place to start unless you specifically want the older feel or find an F20 deal that makes sense.
Union Clipless Pedals: Good, But Not SPD
The Union range is the clipless side of Hope pedals. Hope’s Union TC page says the pedals use three cartridge bearings and an IGUS bush, are fully serviceable and rebuildable, use a high-strength Cr-Mo axle, have titanium axle upgrade options, and come with cleats that offer different float and release-angle options.
The important buying point is cleat compatibility. Union pedals use Hope’s cleat system. They are not a simple Shimano SPD-cleat swap. That can be fine if you are building a bike around the Union system, but it matters if you share shoes between bikes, travel with spare cleats, or already own several SPD pedal setups.
RC, TC, Or GC: Which Union Pedal Makes Sense?
Think of the Union models by shoe support and riding style. RC is the smaller race-style option. TC is the trail middle ground. GC is the gravity option with the most platform support. If you ride clipped in but still want a platform under the shoe for rough descending, TC or GC usually makes more sense than the smallest body.
For long rides, shoe choice also matters. Clipless pedal feel comes from the pedal, cleat, shoe sole, tread clearance, spring tension, and float. If the shoe tread rubs the pedal body too much, entry and release can feel worse even if the pedal itself is well made.
Grip: Pins, Shoes, And Platform Shape All Matter
Flat-pedal grip is not only a pin-count contest. The F22 has adjustable pins and a shaped platform, but the shoe rubber and sole pattern still decide a lot. A sticky flat-pedal shoe can make a good pedal feel locked in. A hard casual shoe can make the same pedal feel less secure.
Rider discussions back up that split. In a Reddit thread comparing the Hope F22 with Race Face Atlas and Burgtec pedals, riders focus heavily on grip, platform thickness, pin design, and personal preference. Treat that as anecdotal, but it reflects the real buying problem: the “best” flat pedal depends on your shoe and foot feel.
Serviceability Is A Real Strength
This is where Hope pedals have a strong argument. Both F22 and Union pedals are built around cartridge bearings, an IGUS bush, sealing, and rebuildability. That matters if you ride wet trails, hit rocks, keep parts for years, or prefer rebuilding pedals instead of replacing them when they get rough.
Serviceability does not automatically make a pedal good for everyone. A rider who wants a cheap composite pedal for occasional use may not care. But for riders who keep bikes for a long time, pedal service parts can be a real ownership advantage.
What Riders Seem To Say
Public rider feedback is mixed in the useful way, not the confusing way. F22 owners often care about grip, support, pins, and whether the pedal feels worth the money compared with cheaper flat pedals. Union riders tend to focus on entry and exit feel, cleat compatibility, serviceability, and whether the pedal gives enough shoe support.
In a Union GC versus TC discussion, riders compare the Union feel with other clipless systems and point out serviceability as part of the attraction. A separate Union RC thread is a useful reminder that the Hope cleat system is part of the purchase decision, not a small detail.
Who Should Buy Hope Pedals?
Buy Hope pedals if you want a premium metal pedal with rebuildable internals, good parts logic, and a clear fit for your riding style. F22 suits riders who want flat-pedal freedom and a serviceable platform. Union suits riders who want clipless retention and are comfortable using Hope cleats.
They are also a good match if you care about color options and long-term ownership. Hope’s anodized colors are part of the appeal, but the technical reason to buy is the combination of machined construction, supportable internals, and a pedal shape that matches your shoe.
Who Should Skip Them?
Skip Hope pedals if you want the lowest price, need guaranteed SPD cleat compatibility, or are not sure whether you prefer flat or clipless. The Union range especially should not be bought casually if you already have multiple SPD shoes and pedals and do not want another cleat standard.
Also skip them if your shoe choice does not match the pedal. Flat pedals need suitable rubber and tread. Clipless pedals need tread clearance and cleat setup. The pedal alone does not fix a poor shoe-pedal interface.
Buying Checklist
- Choose flat or clipless first.
- For flats, decide whether the F22 platform shape and pin setup suit your shoes.
- For clipless, decide whether Hope cleats fit your bike and shoe setup.
- Pick RC, TC, or GC based on how much platform support you want.
- Check service parts if you are buying used F20 pedals or older Union pedals.
- Do not buy by color alone; fit and shoe feel matter more.
Bottom Line
Hope pedals are good when you choose the right model for the way you ride. The F22 is the strongest starting point for flat-pedal riders. Union pedals make sense for riders who want a serviceable Hope clipless system and are comfortable with Hope cleats. F20 is mostly legacy context now, useful for owners and comparison shoppers rather than the default recommendation.
The practical answer is simple: choose the pedal type first, then check shoe fit, pins or cleats, serviceability, and platform support. If those line up, Hope pedals are a serious option. If they do not, the Hope name and anodized color will not save the setup.
FAQ
Are Hope F22 pedals good?
Yes, if you want a serviceable aluminium flat pedal with a supportive platform, adjustable pins, sealed internals, and rebuildable parts. They are expensive compared with basic composite pedals, so they make most sense for riders who value long-term serviceability.
Are Hope Union pedals SPD compatible?
No. Hope Union pedals use Hope cleats. Do not assume Shimano SPD cleats will work.
Which Hope Union pedal should I choose?
RC is the smaller race-style option, TC is the trail middle ground, and GC is the gravity option with more platform support. Choose based on shoe support and riding style, not only weight.
Are Hope F20 pedals still worth buying?
Only in the right situation. F20 pedals can still be worth servicing if you already own them, but the F22 is the cleaner current flat-pedal choice for most new buyers.
Are Hope pedals easy to service?
Hope designs both F22 and Union pedals around serviceable internals, including cartridge bearings and an IGUS bush. That is one of the main reasons riders consider them over cheaper disposable pedals.
Do Hope pedals have enough grip?
For many riders, yes, but flat-pedal grip depends on shoe rubber, pin height, pin condition, and platform shape. If grip is your top priority, compare the F22 with other high-grip flat pedals and use proper flat-pedal shoes.