First Look: Horst Engineering All-Conditions Cross Spikes Pro Kit
This is what happens when cyclists have access to a machine shop.
Horst Engineering is a large and experienced machine shop that primarily does business in the aerospace and medical fields. But the president and CEO, Scott Livingston, is an avid cyclist, and the company sponsors a master’s cycling team.
Unhappy with the performance of the commercially available shoe spikes, which are designed to improve traction in sloppy or wintry conditions, Livingston tasked the machines at Horst with making a better version. After some testing and refinement, the spikes became commercially available in 2014.
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The spikes are machined in Connecticut from stainless steel with rolled threads. On my scale, the averaged weight is about seven grams per spike. They’re jewel-like: I almost felt bad about stomping around in the mud and rocks. Almost.
Horst offers six different spikes: four blunt-tipped spikes from 12.2 to 17.6mm long, and two (17.6 and 13.3mm) pointy ice and snow spikes. They can be purchased in sets of four for $16.50 to $17.50, as well as combo packs for $46 to $63. The Pro Kits take it up a notch.
The $84 Pro Kit: All Conditions version I received is a collection of four -– ice and snow, long, medium, short– with blue thread locker, a nice tool for installing and removing the spikes, and a case to keep everything organized. The Pro Kit, $67, is the same, but eliminates the ice and snow spikes.
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