Folding Bikes - Folding or Non-Folding Pedals?

Hi all,

Still not ready to buy what will most likely be a dahon speed p8 from thor, but I still figured some basic part shopping and planning would be in order.

I'm not too keen on the stock resin folding pedals, and I've got some excellent bontrager pedals w/ cartridge bearings that should work great w/ powergrips, which I prefer.

So do folding pedals make a big difference when folding? I'm only looking to to store it in the backroom at work, in the trunk of a car, or on a train(mainly the latter two).

The other nice thing about the pedals is that they have a hex wrench fitting which makes them a bit easier to remove should I need to.

So whats your pedal preference? And how badly do non-folding pedals affect the fold?

If I don't need to fold it small, and I often don't, I put on ordinary strong metal mountain bike pedals with really good grips. I've used plastic folding pedals of the cheap sort and thrown them out. The worst sort wear out in no time. I have some lightweight alloy MKS pedals which fold great and look like they'll last well, but are a little too slippery in the wet for powering uphill out of the saddle. Any serious non-folding business to do and I swap to my ATB pedals. Obviously, folding gets compromised by this; how much depends on the design of the bike.

My Dahon (speed pro tt) does not have folding pedals. There have been some instances, such as bringing the bike on a crowded commuter train, where I would have preferred to have folding pedals. However, in most instances (especially the situations you're describing) folding pedals won't make a bit of difference.

Folding pedals are, for me, a necessity.

Unfortunately folding pedals are, in my experience, junk. The really junky ones that came with my bikes were nasty, but folded up fairly well; the relatively expensive MKS ones that I got afterwords are not much better mechanically, and don't fold up as well.

As far as I can tell, folding pedals are one of those brilliant inventions that have not actually been invented yet.

If you can live without them,

Folding pedals are essentual for me. I can't have a folding bike with non-folding pedals. I need the bike to fold up to as narrow/small a package as possible. And trust me, the pedals not jutting out on both sides does make a difference.

I'm looking upgrade my folding pedals to something slightly lighter and easier to fold. The stock folding pedals are pretty bulky, heavy and hard to fold/unfold easily.

I saw a set of removable QR MKS pedals at Bike Friday which looked pretty nice...decent sized flat metal platform and the hydraulic QR fitting they use is easy to operate. I don't need to remove my pedals often or fold them, but it's a nice feature to have if you don't compromise the functionality of pedal in the process.

I've been abusing the stock pedals on my Tikit for about a year and they work quite well. The only time I don't love them is when it's really wet out as they get slippery.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2297937755_5574b381ec.jpg

I bought some MKS EZY pedals last winter because they had a grippy metal platform. They worked great when it was wet, but the platform was curved and I didn't find that particularly comfortable. I haven't put them back on this winter and have just been making do on the odd wet day.

The reason that folding pedals wear out rather quickly is that inevitably the two bearings are close together.
Personally, I favour quickly detachable pedals which have a bearing at each end spread well apart as for normal pedals.
These are also a useful anti theft device when removed from the bike since a thief can't pedal off with the bike.

I prefer the aforementioned MKS quick release pedals over standard folding pedals.

I've used the symmetrical, non-curved flat MKS pedals, they're quite nice. Am considering between a set of those, or the clipless version, for my new Pocket Llama.

This is something i'm thinking about as well, as its either the MKS Promenade, MKS Cube, or something from Crank Brothers, probably the Eggbeater or Candy 2Ti. Can get Crank Brothers at cost, which is the dilemma :)

I too have MKS EZY pedals on both my bikes. I also have size 13 feet and find the larger platform (available on one side) quite sufficiently grippy in all weather conditions but the (smaller) flip side feels somewhat precarious beneath my formidable field mouse flatteners.

Still, like them enough to own two pairs. Makes my folder extra compact and I like that. A lot.

Also, what thief of convenience (as most random street thieves are) wants to steal a bike without pedals?

I'm just sayin'...

I don't have folding pedals on my Dahon. Trimming weight have been my priority with upgrades.

I prefer the aforementioned MKS quick release pedals over standard folding pedals.

I've used the symmetrical, non-curved flat MKS pedals, they're quite nice. Am considering between a set of those, or the clipless version, for my new Pocket Llama.

Do you know anyone who sells flat MKS EZY pedals in Calgary?

I got the MKS FD6. It's an OK folding pedal but far too slippery in the wet for UK use unless you stay in your seat on hills.

http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/catalog/fd-6a_1187_general.jpg

Do you know anyone who sells flat MKS EZY pedals in Calgary?

Nobody does from my asking around so far, Vik.

Sad thing, shops who carry Norco can bring in MKS, but Norco doesn't stock the EZY pedals, just the standard versions.

Another vote for MKS AR-2 EZY detachable pedals. I got these as an upgrade when I found that my folding pedals were waaay too slippery in the rain, and wouldn't accept toe clips. I put Power Grips on the MKS AR-2s and I find that the Power Grips make a convenient hanger when the pedals are off the bike. I just fold up the bike and hang them off the handlebars. Works great.

I also have the MKS with a coupling system ,I am happy with them

Another vote for MKS AR-2 EZY detachable pedals. I got these as an upgrade when I found that my folding pedals were waaay too slippery in the rain, and wouldn't accept toe clips. I put Power Grips on the MKS AR-2s and I find that the Power Grips make a convenient hanger when the pedals are off the bike. I just fold up the bike and hang them off the handlebars. Works great.

+1 for the AR2/power grip combo

How does the MKS EZY AR-2 compare to the MKS EZY MT-E in actual use? It looks as though the MT-E might be a bit wider which is not a bad thing if you cycle with hiking boots.

Don't MKS also have a new one that does not need a securing "stopper" ring

Does anyone know a good on line source to get the MKS pedals and the Power Grips at the one place?

David

How does the MKS EZY AR-2 compare to the MKS EZY MT-E in actual use? It looks as though the MT-E might be a bit wider which is not a bad thing if you cycle with hiking boots.

Don't MKS also have a new one that does not need a securing "stopper" ring

Does anyone know a good on line source to get the MKS pedals and the Power Grips at the one place?

David

Off the top of my head, ThorUSA carries both products:

http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/accessories/pedals.htm

To me folding pedals are a necessity. I take Metra quite a bit into Chicago and in crowds they just help make the bike that much easier to move around and to store the bike on the train. I have a Dahon Jack that does not come with the folding pedals - I took the ones off my old Bazooka Navigator. I also bought folding pedals for my daughters' non-folding bikes to make it easier to store in the back of the van w/o pedals getting caught in spokes or taking up more room. I'll personally never have non-folding pedals again.

Oh, and if you ever happen to take your bike to the Indiana Dunes via the South Shore a folding bike in a carrying case is mandatory. Metra's rules say it is during rush hour but I've never had a conductor yet tell me to put it in the case, as long as it is folding.

I like the pedals in abneycat's links. I have no problem with the plastic ones myself, but I dod like the spring-activated ones. I don't care for the ones where you have to turn a thumbscrew to lock and unlock them - I found a pair on eBay and replaced them after a few months. One of the screws fell out with little prodding or effort.

The old style unpainted alloy Wellgo FP8 was a good folding pedal from my experience, this seems to have been replace with the quicker to release but short lived black anadised FP8 version. The older verions came on my Downtube and are the only folding pedals other than the MKS FD6 mentioned earlier that have lasted any time.

The old FP8 were 3 years old and were still working perfectly when I sold the Downtube bike that had this pedal on from new.
However the pedal is a little slower than others to fold as a small sprung lever needs to be pulled upwards whilst the pedal is folded. OK,but a little more fiddly than others. This pedal is all alloy looks good and I never noticed any problems with slipping. It looks like durabliity has been sacrified for faster folding,first impression in the bike shop I guess.

Now the bad news ,I do not think they are still availabe as the wellgo site only mentions the fp7,and the black FP8 which is a good pedal ,but will only last around one year in my experience.
Wish I had swopped the pedals of the Downtube now before selling it !

I have used many of the detachable and folding pedals and the only options seem to be as follows.

1)just use standard pedals if they dont get in the way
2)SPD are just compact as folded pedals
3)detachables work well, and have the advantage of being able to swop from bike to bike or from (MKS) clippless to standard .Also anti theif derrent.\but cost more £40-£80 for clippless.
4) The MKS folding works well but some find it slippery.
5)last option buy a pair of wellgo FP from Ebay each year and treat them as compumables,like tyres,brakeblocks
6)Hunt down some old sytle wellgo FP8.

I am currently experimenting with a MKS folding on the left and the detachable on the right.I have never tried the Brompton pedals, but the cost puts me off and I have heard mixed reviews on them.How long do owners of the non slip suntour folding pedal find it lasts? I have these currently fitted to a new Mezzo,long term durability?

Surley there must be a relatively faultless durable folding pedal out there?

MKS all the way.
Got MTE's on my Mu & EZY's on my Swift. Both with Powerstraps.
The pedals that came with my Mu were soft, slippery, and the bearings went out in one side in less than 2,000 kms of use..

For me... it's folding pedals all the way. No, they're not as good as regular or detachable pedals, but they make multi-modal commuting a snap.

I do wish I could find a folding pedal that worked with power grips.

--sam

Ended up with the MKS Promenade pedals, with powergrips. They work wonderfully, and I can fit them in my seat bag after I fold. I took one look at the stock pedals and realized it was well worth it.

Also after you remove them the bike takes up less space than with folding pedals, another bonus

Folding right pedal is key for my Downtube fitting in the "coat closet" on my Amtrak train.

Whilst were mentioning pedals, any suggestion in making the MKS FP6 less slippery?
ie 1) using a file on the grips to get some sharper points ( used to do this with BMX pedals with mixed results).
2) Inserting studs like some platform pedals have. By threading and inserting small "grubsrew" type alley bolts. It looks to thin to do this however.
3)Fit another cage around the main body like some BMK pedals have.Using a spare cage and carriage bolts.

Any other/better suggestions ?

BTW, this wrench works well with the MKS EZ, it is thin enough to fit in the tight clearance and is strong enough to allow sufficient tightening.

Park Tool SCW 15

http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=18&item=SCW-15

Kam

Dragging this thread back to the top, Norco is now supplying the MKS EZY series pedals for 2009, so most retail bike shops across Canada should be able to get a pair for you! Good news for us!

Currently, they are carrying the "Esprit", which is an asymmetrical pair, and the "Promenade", which is the symmetrical pair that I personally really like.

They are also carrying the resin and alloy MKS folding pedals as well.

I have those Prolite folding pedals shown at Thor. Thought they would be an upgrade over stock Dahon pedals but would not recommend them. There's a plastic tab at the end that broke after a 30mi ride.