Folding Bikes - Folding pedals that are not slippery when wet?

I'm looking for some very grippy [ie. not slippery when it is wet]l folding pedals. I've tried some plastic ones and found them a bit treacherous when it is wet out.

I've seen some metal pedals that look good, but they don't fold they just come off the bike without tools. I prefer not to have to carry the pedals separately.

Any suggestions?

I used to use a folding metal pedal from MKS:
http://tinyurl.com/yr7ysd

They're available from QBP, so your local bike shop should be able to order them for you.

I wouldn't call them "very grippy," but they're better than the plastic folding pedals they replaced.

That being said, I gave up on folding pedals after breaking three sets (including these) in not too many miles. I switched to regular platforms and don't plan on going back.

I used to use a folding metal pedal from MKS:
http://tinyurl.com/yr7ysd

They're available from QBP, so your local bike shop should be able to order them for you.

I wouldn't call them "very grippy," but they're better than the plastic folding pedals they replaced.

That being said, I gave up on folding pedals after breaking three sets (including these) in not too many miles. I switched to regular platforms and don't plan on going back.

I have been using those as well, but my experience is that they're more slippy --I mean, EVEN more slippy-- than the standard issue plastic ones. Going back to regular platforms is not an option for me, though.

This seems to be a difficult problem for a lot of us. The MKS removable pedals may be an option for some. I gave up and just put some M737 SPDs on. They only stick out a little farther than the folding pedals they replaced. They aren't all that comfortable when not wearing bike shoes though, so they aren't the best answer if you will usually wear regular shoes.

hmmmmm.....thanks for the replies. Do you think I could paint on some of that anti-slip stuff they sell for stairs or for tool handles? It doesn't sound like there is a silver bullet out there so perhaps making the existing pedals work better is the way to go.

hmmmmm.....thanks for the replies. Do you think I could paint on some of that anti-slip stuff they sell for stairs or for tool handles? It doesn't sound like there is a silver bullet out there so perhaps making the existing pedals work better is the way to go.

Yes, I think there are many options for making the shoes grip the pedals better, starting with just changing the shoes. Ironically, the shoes I wear on dry days seem much better than the ones I wear on wet days (I know this only because I got caught in unexpected rain one day last week).

My uninformed reaction to the idea of anti-slip paint is that it would be useful only at a couple of high points on the pedal 'tread' from which it would rub off so fast that you'd notice no improvement at all. A good solution, I imagine, would be metal studs; perhaps if you drill and tap a few small holes, put steel bolts into them, then clip the heads off and sharpen them up with a file, that would do the trick.

For what it's worth, I had much more trouble with my feet slipping on the pedals when I was using longer crank arms; now that I've switched to short ones, the problem has gone away... but perhaps I'm just plugging my other thread....

There are a couple options. An SPD pedal takes any wet issue out of play. If you're clipped in, it doesn't matter. I run the Forte pedal from Performance that has a cage on one side and an SPD clipin on the other. It works well, is cheap, and lighter than the Shimano.

Like the other poster wrote, it doesn't really stick out that much further than the folding pedals. Unless the space is a massive deal, you're better off with non-folding pedals.

There are a couple options. An SPD pedal takes any wet issue out of play. If you're clipped in, it doesn't matter. I run the Forte pedal from Performance that has a cage on one side and an SPD clipin on the other. It works well, is cheap, and lighter than the Shimano.

Like the other poster wrote, it doesn't really stick out that much further than the folding pedals. Unless the space is a massive deal, you're better off with non-folding pedals.

I don't want to run a SPD pedal - I'm moving away from bike specific shoes/pedals on everything, but my performance bikes. Ultimately the convenience of riding in everyday shoes is far more useful than the benefits of being clipped in and having to wear bike shoes.

...
I've seen some metal pedals that look good, but they don't fold they just come off the bike without tools. I prefer not to have to carry the pedals separately.


If you're handy, you might be able to create a carrier that can hold the pedals for you. See what Steveroot has done on his Dahon folding bike to hold the MKS EZY pedals at http://www.dahon.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1114&view=findpost&p=6744. He built a keeper using brass tubing that fastens under the bolt holding the kickstand.

I'm not sure where I read it, but I did see an article/post about someone modifying their folding pedals to take Powergrips. It involved drilling some holes, longer bolts & washers.

I don't want to run a SPD pedal - I'm moving away from bike specific shoes/pedals on everything, but my performance bikes. Ultimately the convenience of riding in everyday shoes is far more useful than the benefits of being clipped in and having to wear bike shoes.

I'm in the same boat.

Right now I'm using non-folding MKS Sneaker pedals on my Tikit. They are pretty good with all of my shoes. They stick out when the bike is folded, but it isn't too bad.

I've ordered, but haven't picked up yet, a pair of MKS EZ pedals to use on the Tikit. They stick out a lot less than folding pedals, so I should be able to just click off the pedals when packing. They will ride better than the stock folding pedals. I don't expect to fold/remove pedals all that often, so having to put them in a bag isn't a big deal.

The Brompton folding pedals might be what you are looking for, but are very expensive (about $65 per pedal). On the Tikit you can get away with just a right one that folds.

I'm in the same boat.
I've ordered, but haven't picked up yet, a pair of MKS EZ pedals to use on the Tikit. They stick out a lot less than folding pedals, so I should be able to just click off the pedals when packing. They will ride better than the stock folding pedals.

Alex I had a look at the MKS EZY pedals and given the other alternatives I think that will be my solution for now.

I'll see if I can find a Canadian source for these...:rolleyes:

I appreciate everyone's input - thanks!

I often ride to work in leather soled shoes or shoes with a flat rubber sole (no "grip" nubbies like on athletic shoes), so I don't like metal or even hard plastic pedals like those that ship with the Brompton.

I fitted some Suntour folding pedals which have a nice grooved rubber grip. They're not light; I can't remember exactly but I think the weight penalty over my Brompton pedals is in the range of 200 grams. But I couldn't find anything else that I thought would fold or remove AND provide improved grip for work shoes. I looked at the MKS EZ pedals but they seemed to be either metal or hard plastic = slippery.

http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=22&idproduct=529
$30
512 grams

Be aware that there are two styles of MKS Ezy pedals.

The AR-2 road pedal is silver colored and has a small tab on the rear to make it easy to flip with your foot if you have installed toe clips or PowerGrips. The top surface of this style is pretty much flat.
http://harriscyclery.net/merchant/370/images/large/mks-rr2-ezy.jpg

The other one is the MTE which is anodized black and has small points extending up from the top of the platform but no rear tab.
http://www.dahon.com/images/detail/large/mksezy.jpg

Be aware that there are two styles of MKS Ezy pedals.

The AR-2 road pedal is silver colored and has a small tab on the rear to make it easy to flip with your foot if you have installed toe clips or PowerGrips. The top surface of this style is pretty much flat.
http://harriscyclery.net/merchant/370/images/large/mks-rr2-ezy.jpg

The other one is the MTE which is anodized black and has small points extending up from the top of the platform but no rear tab.
http://www.dahon.com/images/detail/large/mksezy.jpg

Thanks for the distinction. I am thinking about the lower pedal - the MTE.

Thanks for the distinction. I am thinking about the lower pedal - the MTE.

There also appear to be a number of others:. You can see 5 here: http://www.jbpi.or.jp/english/JBG/PARTS&ACCESSORIES/MIKASHIMA%20INDUSTRIAL_1.pdf.
In the central EZY photo, the AR-2 is @ 12:00, the MT-E is @ 2:00, the Cube is @ 5:00, the Promenade is @ 7:00 and the XP is @ 10:00

The Cube: a clipless style: http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/accessories/pedals.html

The Promenade: 2 sided with separate pieces for spider and treads : http://shop.vendio.com/benscycle/item/870232498/index.html

The XP: A black nylon pedal: http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=10085

I've been thinking about using these plus Power Grips. I've been wondering whether the AR-2, the MT-E or the Promenade would be best for me and what the bearing quality is like.

David

The other one is the MTE which is anodized black and has small points extending up from the top of the platform but no rear tab.
http://www.dahon.com/images/detail/large/mksezy.jpg

I went down to my LBS so my GF could test ride a Dahon Speed D7. They had a pair of the MKS EZY MTE pedals in stock and gave me a better deal on them than the online sources I had found - cool...:D I test rode a Dahon Speed TR that had the same pedals on it and I didn't find them slippery at all.

http://bp0.blogger.com/_vUEhS0lU3eU/R2RnqttQG9I/AAAAAAAAD1g/jYDjpMPdm1M/s400/sarah+dahon+1.JPG

Thanks for all the info.

A quick question for those of you using MKS EZY pedals - do you use the plastic safety clips or is that just a liability reduction measure? Seems like having to take the plastic safety clip off each time you wanted to remove a pedal and then not lose it would be a bit of a drag.

MKS EZY XP are nylon = hard plastic, not rubber.

A quick question for those of you using MKS EZY pedals - do you use the plastic safety clips or is that just a liability reduction measure?
I don't think anybody uses those clips, but make sure those quick-release hose couplers are fully engaged. They can get sticky sometimes.

...I've been thinking about using these plus Power Grips. I've been wondering whether the AR-2, the MT-E or the Promenade would be best for me and what the bearing quality is like.

It seems to be pretty good. At least they're designed to be serviced. Steveroot on the Dahon forums rebuilt one of his AR-2's and reported on it in great detail (http://www.dahon.com/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=3560&view=findpost&p=27361). I think he said he had used them over 5,000 miles.

A quick question for those of you using MKS EZY pedals - do you use the plastic safety clips or is that just a liability reduction measure? Seems like having to take the plastic safety clip off each time you wanted to remove a pedal and then not lose it would be a bit of a drag.

I don't use them either. They're sitting somewhere on top of my dresser. It's just about impossible to even contact the collar to release the pedal with my foot, since I have PowerGrips attached to my pedals.

I don't think anybody uses those clips, but make sure those quick-release hose couplers are fully engaged. They can get sticky sometimes.


I don't use them either. They're sitting somewhere on top of my dresser. It's just about impossible to even contact the collar to release the pedal with my foot, since I have PowerGrips attached to my pedals.

Thanks guys. I'll keep the plastic clips in my parts box and just ride the pedals without them...:)

I've used these pedals for a few rides now and they work quite well except that they've come loose while riding once already. I use running shoes and don't have any clips or powergrips on these pedals so my foot can move around quite a bit...it seems too much! I ride fairly aggressively so last thing I want to worry about is my pedals coming loose. Oh well....I'll put the plastic safety clips on. They are good pedals and they solved my slipperiness problem.

The clips aren't a deal breaker, but they make an elegant solution a little more cumbersome.