bookishboy
05-09-06, 06:09 PM
Ok, I had a few bucks from my tax return and went ahead with upgrading my pedals. The plastic resin pedals that come with the DT are serviceable, but I'd been thinking of replacing them with a couple of goals in mind.
My hand was forced because one got smashed up when I took a curb too quickly and it hit against a cement plant-potter.... just couldn't turn fast enough. It broke apart and wasn't worth trying to recover. I was originally thinking about switching to an alloy folding pedal, but saw some quick-release pedals over on Sheldon Brown's/ Harris Cyclery's website.
I bought one set each of the platform pedals and the cube-clipless ones. Both use the same quick-release mechanism, and I can't stress enough how quickly, easily and tool-lessly these things can be taken off. I haven't used clipless pedals at all before, but will be going down to the park this week. I want to get used to them in a relatively safe environment before I take to the roads with them.
The clipless pedals are not compatible with Shimano SPD systems, and this apparently has turned some people off from buying them. Since I wasn't already locked in to any particular system, I was happy enough to just take the included cleats and install them on a pair of Shimano sandals.
So far, they seem to be Ok, but I'm noticing a persistent clicking sound in the right pedal, just as it is turning near the top of the pedal stroke. It almost feels like the inside of the QR adapter isn't completely round or something, but may be an errant grain of sand that just needs to be worked out.
Pros:
-FAST, EASY attach and dis-attach of pedals.
-The QR adapter is the only thing which protrudes from the crank arm, and not by much, so the bike becomes easier to pack, store and carry. Fewer odd bumps poking out from the soft carry-bag.
-If I have to lock up the bike outside somewhere, the pedals come off. Harder to pedal off on it.
-I plan on sticking with this system if it works well, so if/when I get more bikes, I can mix/match my pedals at-will
Cons:
-You need to be more aware of keeping them lubed and clean.
-Cleat system isn't Shimano-compatible, but will screw onto standard shoes.
-(Edit) You'll need a thin wrench like a cone wrench to install.
-Price(!) The Clipless Cube ones were about $120 from Harris Cyclery, and I wouldn't have sprung for them except for my extra few bucks, and the fact that I plan on recycling them to future bikes as well. I'm sure these seem like a silly expense to put on a less-expensive bike, but I'm thinking about upgrade paths and using with different vehicles.
I'm hoping to eventually get the bike upgraded to the point where I can do a tool-less breakdown in order to pack it for trips or storage. Further down the road I'll look into breakaway chain and cables.
Pics below of pedals, and switching one pedal out for the other. Do NOT drop these things in the sand like I mistakenly did; keep them clean, lubed occasionally, and store them in their included cloth pouch when you disattach them. Other than stopping to take the pics (with my crappy PDA camera, so sorry about the quality), it just takes seconds to switch pedals over.
My hand was forced because one got smashed up when I took a curb too quickly and it hit against a cement plant-potter.... just couldn't turn fast enough. It broke apart and wasn't worth trying to recover. I was originally thinking about switching to an alloy folding pedal, but saw some quick-release pedals over on Sheldon Brown's/ Harris Cyclery's website.
I bought one set each of the platform pedals and the cube-clipless ones. Both use the same quick-release mechanism, and I can't stress enough how quickly, easily and tool-lessly these things can be taken off. I haven't used clipless pedals at all before, but will be going down to the park this week. I want to get used to them in a relatively safe environment before I take to the roads with them.
The clipless pedals are not compatible with Shimano SPD systems, and this apparently has turned some people off from buying them. Since I wasn't already locked in to any particular system, I was happy enough to just take the included cleats and install them on a pair of Shimano sandals.
So far, they seem to be Ok, but I'm noticing a persistent clicking sound in the right pedal, just as it is turning near the top of the pedal stroke. It almost feels like the inside of the QR adapter isn't completely round or something, but may be an errant grain of sand that just needs to be worked out.
Pros:
-FAST, EASY attach and dis-attach of pedals.
-The QR adapter is the only thing which protrudes from the crank arm, and not by much, so the bike becomes easier to pack, store and carry. Fewer odd bumps poking out from the soft carry-bag.
-If I have to lock up the bike outside somewhere, the pedals come off. Harder to pedal off on it.
-I plan on sticking with this system if it works well, so if/when I get more bikes, I can mix/match my pedals at-will
Cons:
-You need to be more aware of keeping them lubed and clean.
-Cleat system isn't Shimano-compatible, but will screw onto standard shoes.
-(Edit) You'll need a thin wrench like a cone wrench to install.
-Price(!) The Clipless Cube ones were about $120 from Harris Cyclery, and I wouldn't have sprung for them except for my extra few bucks, and the fact that I plan on recycling them to future bikes as well. I'm sure these seem like a silly expense to put on a less-expensive bike, but I'm thinking about upgrade paths and using with different vehicles.
I'm hoping to eventually get the bike upgraded to the point where I can do a tool-less breakdown in order to pack it for trips or storage. Further down the road I'll look into breakaway chain and cables.
Pics below of pedals, and switching one pedal out for the other. Do NOT drop these things in the sand like I mistakenly did; keep them clean, lubed occasionally, and store them in their included cloth pouch when you disattach them. Other than stopping to take the pics (with my crappy PDA camera, so sorry about the quality), it just takes seconds to switch pedals over.