1. Impeccable quality and design
I absolutely love the design and quality of these rearsets. The adjustment mechanisms are simple and intuitive, making customizing ergonomics as easy as it can be.
This is my first set of Vortex rearsets. Previously I've bought Woodcraft on a couple of bikes, so I can directly compare them.
In terms of quality they are both great, but the Vortex has an edge. The anodization appears thicker and stronger and all the fasteners seem to be bespoke and super high quality.
The adjustment mechanisms on the Vortex are also superior. They provide a good range, but more importantly, adjustment of the toe ends is much cleaner. On the Woodcraft, the toe levers are a bit clunky depending on the model and the orientation of the toe piece, so your foot can hit the edges in a way that doesn't provide great control and ergonomics and takes some getting used to. The Vortex is just designed better on this part, even if you flip the toe piece into it's most "awkward" position.
In terms of feel and grip, the Woodcraft definitely has the edge over these. The knurling pattern just gives ridiculously good grip and connection. This excellent connection is somewhat dampened by how far the rearsets stick out. I prefer the length of the pegs on the Vortex better.
Additionally, the knurling on the toe piece of the Woodcraft is pretty hard on gear, so even though it feels better, it'll chew up the boot engagement pad. I wouldn't be surprised if Woodcraft offered a part with a rubber boot, though. They usually have all sorts of additional parts.
In summary, these rearsets are fantastic and I wouldn't hesitate to buy anything from this company in future.