Offering a longer and shallower platform than the original, the Funn Python Mk.2 flat pedals might just be worth your attention.
In a world full of flat pedal options, how do the new Funn Python Mk.2 pedals stack up against the competition?
Key features:
- AL6061 forged pedal body
- Cartridge bearing with full length bushing axle system
- 11 removable pins each side
- Optional long pins for enhanced grip (Sold separately)
- W103mm x L110mm x H10.5mm
- Black / Red / Blue / Grey / Green / Orange / Turquoise
- 375g (pair)
- £110.00 RRP
- FunnMTB.com
So, the new Funn Python mountain bike flat pedal.
Funn’s first high-end, high-performance flat pedal since the 2020-released Funn Funndamental.
The Funn Funndamental was solid enough, a little lacking in longevity but limpet-like underfoot and with a reassuring list of ‘must have’ features. It was a decent pedal.
When the all-new Python landed I was a little taken aback, all those smooth edges and that wider-at-one-end design were pretty out there. And, I’m always a little wary of super-thin pedals, which often force slippy, curvy bumps into the design to accommodate axles.
Let’s see if I was right…
So what’s going on with the Funn Python pedal?
You’ve got 11 replaceable pins on each side, with optional longer pins “for enhanced grip”. You’ve also got an aluminium and forged (not CNC’d) pedal body. There are plenty of colours.
The dimensions are interesting. Funn has worked hard to create a low-profile pedal body, coming in at just 10.5mm. It’s thinner than most out there and, for comparison, the Funn Funndamental is 17mm, the previous-gen Funn Python is 11mm. The weight is also impressively low at just 375g a pair. For comparison, the awesome Nukeproof Horizon Pro is 430g a pair.
How much does all of that matter?
Ultimately, I’d argue that very low-profile and very light pedals aren’t going to make you faster or have more fun, but, if you believe in marginal gains then you should consider these. Extra pedal clearance never hurts.
The pedal body (the big flat bit) is 103mm wide and 110mm long, with a slight narrowing towards the outside edge. The forged design is a smooth, one-piece that looks slick and certainly stands out from other brand’s boxier, square-edged pedals.
That 103mm x 110mm size is sensibly large, without getting into “massive pedals” territory. They’re almost identical to a Deity TMAC, 8mm longer than a Burgtec Penthouse Mk5, 10mm longer than a Nukeproof Horizion Pro. The Crankbrother Stamp 7 in Large is a slightly roomier pedal, but there aren’t many others that can challenge the Python’s platform size.
I was a little irked by the longevity of the previous Funn Funndamental pedal which ended up with loose, squeaky axles after a winter of hammering. I’m yet to put that level of smashing into the Python, but so far they’re rock solid. No play, no poor performance, no graunchy bearings. The Funn Python pedal has, Funn say, a cartridge bearing with a full-length bushing axle system.
They’re serviceable with spare parts available from Funn’s website and Amazon account, though it’s not something I’ve had to get involved with so far.
In The Dirt
First rides on the Funn Python were classic rooty-and-rocky, South Wales stuff. I clattered them round Ardrock for my first race in vets (27th place, get in) and then whisked them off to Finale Ligure for a week of bone-dry, rough-as-hell rock clattering. That was probably a month’s worth of ‘usual’ riding, shoe-horned into a week. So far, they’ve had a decent test, in a mix of conditions.
My first ride was a little underwhelming. Jumping from a large, grippy pair of other-brand pedals I found those standard pins to be lacking in bite. For ride two, I switched out for those optional XL pins and that really brought the Pythons to life. The added pin height allowed my feet to really sink into the middle of the pedal much more securely.
I like a pedal with a deep, comfortable concave feel and those taller pins allowed me to create that. When I’m heels-down and hurtling along a trail I like to just dig my feet into the pedal and feel locked in. Result achieved.
From there I enjoyed that reassuring feeling of just being able to forget about my pedals and crack on. No worries about grip or chasing that ‘locked in’ feel. The Funn Python pedals just felt right. I was curious whether I’d feel any difference, especially in the wet, with that forged, smooth-edged design. Nothing to report there. They feel like pedals. No difference over anything else.
The real test of the Pythons came in Finale Ligure, as I clattered them into, across and over six days of Ligurian limestone. The first few days were hard on the Pythons, dragging pins screaming out of the pedal body and lost forever. No fault of the pedals, I was setting up a new bike, adapting to a lower BB and riding famously technical, rocky terrain.
The pedal body took some abuse but nothing beyond superficial scuffs and scrapes. I’m confident that fatter, less streamlined pedals would have suffered a little more abuse and the Python’s extra clearance helped a little.
The big bag of spare pins and that nice little pin-spanner tool made replacements super easy. I was able to replace all but one of the pins and get back to riding at full grip in no time. Easy job, evening faff to a minimum, down the beach without missing an Aperol Sour.
The slightly bad news is that one of the pins caused some damage to the pedal body, stripping the thread from the hole and leaving no chance of fitting a replacement. It was only a single pin, but, was severe enough that it’ll take some home-engineering to fix.
And finally, the price. The Funn Python pedals cost £110, and the upgraded, longer pins cost another tenner or so.
They’re by no means cheap, but, certainly not the most expensive and at the lower end of the range vs those other options with similar features. Nukeproof Horizons are £100, Horizon Pros are £170, Burgtec Penthouse Flats are around £115, Race Face Atlas are £170, Hope F22 are £145. Pound for pound, they feel good value.
What do we think?
The Funn Fundamental mountain bike pedals are lightweight, roomy and low-profile. Whilst they’re not a budget pedal by any means, their price tag sits nicely alongside similarly specced pedals.
Bag a pair and you’ll enjoy decent performance from a pedal that’ll stand out from the crowd. We’d recommend upgrading to the longer pins from the get-go to guarantee the best grip they can offer.
We love:
- Some of the lightest flat pedals around.
- Some of the lowest-profile pedals around.
- Large, roomy platform.
- Unique look with loads of colours.
Could Do Better:
- I experienced some damage to the pedal body from a pin being torn out.
- You may need to replace the supplied pins with the upgraded ones.
