Commuting - Kona Wah Wah Pedals

I am thinking of getting some Kona Wah Wah pedals for my Cross Check.

http://www.sicklines.com/review/kona_wah_wah_pedal/kona_wah_wah_pedals8s.jpg

I have a short commute, but also I plan on getting into touring and some long distance rides. The MKS Lite Touring pedals I don't like. I don't like wearing cleats and the surface areas was too small with two pressure points leading to hot foot.

Anybody ever try platform pedals like this for longer rides?

Yeah, my brother does and he did a century no prob. If your used to it I dont think it really matters as long as it is comfortable to you

I have flats like that on my commuter, but for that purpose couldn't justify spending $80 on pedals. Mine were $10 take-offs from the LBS.

I have flats like that on my commuter, but for that purpose couldn't justify spending $80 on pedals. Mine were $10 take-offs from the LBS.

My commuter bike is my all around bike. I ride long rides on the weekend and as a teacher with summers off I plan to start touring. I don't like cleats and clipless, so looking for something that is comfortable with regular shoes and five tens.

My commuter bike is my all around bike. I ride long rides on the weekend and as a teacher with summers off I plan to start touring. I don't like cleats and clipless, so looking for something that is comfortable with regular shoes and five tens.

Oh I'm not knocking them, they're cool pedals. I'm a little wary of replaceable pins for pedals that I'm not riding off-road (I'd worry they'd constantly fall out), but then I don't really know anything about riding off of the pavement.

With a few pairs of shoes I wear I can feel the pins, but it's not an issue with others.

I installed a similar set of pedals - Mec "RnC" pedals - on my bike, and I love them. They are very comfortable and I feel like I have a lot more traction on them.

I also looked at the Grip Kings. Basically I am looking for a big flat pedal for comfortable riding. The wah wahs are indeed pricey. Maybe worth it if the feet felt good after long rides. Wish REI had them so I could take them back if need be.

What about the CB 5050s?

http://media.rei.com/media/s/1534374.jpg

REI has them.

divtag, I have MKS grip king pedals on one bike, and MKS BMX-type platform pedals on another. The grip kings have a lot of surface area, but in the middle if you are wearing flat sole shoes or sandals it feels like there is a lack of foot support there because the front and back are so far apart. Those wah wah pedals look pretty good, I might like to try a pair. Most of my rides are in the 25 to 30 mile roundtrip range, but I occasionally ride 40+ miles on a weekend leisure ride. Platform pedals and sandals are what I ride with all year round.

I've been using some $19 polycarbonate Odyssey pedals (e.g., http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6022) . Good support, good grip, no sharp metal bits to bite your shins. And they have models that glow in the dark. A good choice for commuting, and maybe for longer rides as well. Durability? So far, so good -- but I can't really vouch for that yet.

divtag, I have MKS grip king pedals on one bike, and MKS BMX-type platform pedals on another. The grip kings have a lot of surface area, but in the middle if you are wearing flat sole shoes or sandals it feels like there is a lack of foot support there because the front and back are so far apart. Those wah wah pedals look pretty good, I might like to try a pair. Most of my rides are in the 25 to 30 mile roundtrip range, but I occasionally ride 40+ miles on a weekend leisure ride. Platform pedals and sandals are what I ride with all year round.

That is pretty much my M.O. Have to love the SoCal weather for that. Except I don't do sandals a lot, but Vans. I am looking to get some stiffer sole shoes for longer rides. The MKS I have:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Eb1XAKBWL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

Are killing my feet. I may take a trip to the Path and buy the wah wahs. I think they are ~80 there. Expensive, but pedals are one of three contact points on the bike.

Velo-Orange touring pedals (http://www.velo-orange.com/votopesebe23.html). I love 'em. And just $49.
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-84224226242177_2068_18151610

http://www.nashbar.com/images/nashbar/products/large/NS-LCP-NCL-ANGLE.jpg

Nashbar Landcruiser (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes//CatalogSearchResultView?storeId=10053&catalogId=10052&langId=-1&pageSize=30&beginIndex=0&searchType=resultSet&sortBy=savings%2F%2F0&cn1=&searchTerm=landcruiser)
$27.90 Plenty wide, flat, and support in the center.

Those could well be the last platform pedal you ever buy, esp if you're just on the road and not bashing them off of things. They cost so much because they are uber light, and have a dual bearing-one bushing setup which makes them pretty nigh bombproof. Also, the pins come Loctited, mine haven't moved in two years except when I adjusted them myself. These are a good buy.

The Kona's Wah Wah are lighter than the Speedplay Drillium's, but at half the price MKS DD cubes weigh the same as the Kona's.
http://www.outsideoutfitters.com/p-3308-mks-dd-cube-platform-pedals.aspx
http://www.cheapbikeparts360.com/products/mks-dd-cube-platform-pedals/

The problem with Kona's 'in the past' has been the tendency to have their pins work loose and bearing life.

Or go different with a pair of these...lol...j/k:
http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/LED-Light-Up-Aluminum-Pedals/3290939/product.html

I went with the Kona Jack****s. The were near identical to the Wah Wahs, just not as thin, but $30 cheaper. I'll see how they do tomorrow.

I've been trying to convince myself that these MIGHT be worth the cash, but I can't. Look comfortable though.
http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.drillium

Those Velo Orange pedals look very good for my purposes: I ride in street shoes. I have the MKS Grip Kings right now, and they've been very good, but one of the pedals has developed a popping noise under load - when climbing hills, for example. I have a question about the Velo Orange pedals, as follows:

Are those studs on the outside part of the pedal removable? All the manufacturers assume that you want the outer part of the pedal to be higher (and the pedal to be concave). I don't. I hate that; that doesn't work for me at all. I want the pedal to be grippy, but essentially flat. And I don't want pins that destroy my shins (or those of some passerby). Yes, I AM a fussy old man!

The shoes I like for riding have Vibram soles welded to leather without the spongy intervening layer that makes shoes squishy. This makes for a reasonably stiff cycling shoe that you can walk in and work in indefinitely. I just can't walk comfortably in any cycling shoes I've found.

Those Velo Orange pedals look very good for my purposes: I ride in street shoes. I have the MKS Grip Kings right now, and they've been very good, but one of the pedals has developed a popping noise under load - when climbing hills, for example. I have a question about the Velo Orange pedals, as follows:

Are those studs on the outside part of the pedal removable? All the manufacturers assume that you want the outer part of the pedal to be higher (and the pedal to be concave). I don't. I hate that; that doesn't work for me at all. I want the pedal to be grippy, but essentially flat. And I don't want pins that destroy my shins (or those of some passerby). Yes, I AM a fussy old man!

The shoes I like for riding have Vibram soles welded to leather without the spongy intervening layer that makes shoes squishy. This makes for a reasonably stiff cycling shoe that you can walk in and work in indefinitely. I just can't walk comfortably in any cycling shoes I've found.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NJ5-Dromo-Track-Pedals-RED-BLACK-Fixed-Gear-Road-NEW_W0QQitemZ360181915739QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item53dc83e05b&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14 + toe clip.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NJ5-Dromo-Track-Pedals-RED-BLACK-Fixed-Gear-Road-NEW_W0QQitemZ360181915739QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item53dc83e05b&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14 + toe clip.

Pedals like that give the OP (and me, incidentally) two pressure points from the miniscule surface area.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:iyVjDT-UUQGHvM:http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2367142615_deb8b6c838_o.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2367142615_deb8b6c838_o.jpg)I have the DMR V8 pedals on one bike and have ridden 40 + miles with flip flops - very comfortable pedals. I also have the CB 50 - 50 pedals on a Cannondale fifty-fifty, they need all the pins put in to be grippy enough.

I am thinking of getting some Kona Wah Wah pedals for my Cross Check.

http://www.sicklines.com/review/kona_wah_wah_pedal/kona_wah_wah_pedals8s.jpg

I have a short commute, but also I plan on getting into touring and some long distance rides. The MKS Lite Touring pedals I don't like. I don't like wearing cleats and the surface areas was too small with two pressure points leading to hot foot.

Anybody ever try platform pedals like this for longer rides?

I use low profile BMX pedals on all my bikes now - incl a set of Wah Wahs. They are awesome for city riding as well as touring. I ride them for 10hrs+ with no issues using some 5.10 Impact Low bike shoes.

Note that low profile pedals have a significant advantage over the taller old style BMX pedals as they won't roll over as easily and that saves your shins and calves from a lot of abuse from the sharp pins.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3563375036_b9696af731.jpg

Hi divtag,

You said "I went with the Kona Jack****s. The were near identical to the Wah Wahs, just not as thin, but $30 cheaper. I'll see how they do tomorrow."

How is it working out? I am considering the wah wahs, Jack Primo....

Platform pedals for touring have been done since bicycle touring began. Even in the late 1800's fellows were bicycling across the rough and rugged American continent with platform pedals, so "Yes" it can surely be done.

What I think you will miss is the solid connection to the pedal and the lost power opportunity on the lift stroke. You might consider at least having toe straps or cages on your pedals, so choose pedals that allow for this hardware.

The worst platform pedals I ever had were on a 1980's vintage Raleigh three-speed. The platform was only on one side. The other side was supposed to be weighted to make the platform side lay flat and upward - didn't work. Don't fall for this kind of gimmick. Stick with the tried and true design.

Also, I find that steel platform pedals are much better than aluminum. The aluminum type just don't grip shoes as well as steel, no matter what the pattern.

The shoes I like for riding have Vibram soles welded to leather without the spongy intervening layer that makes shoes squishy. This makes for a reasonably stiff cycling shoe that you can walk in and work in indefinitely. I just can't walk comfortably in any cycling shoes I've found.

+1 I agree. I like wear hiking boots for cycling too. It gives great ankle support and makes for comfortable power tranfer to the pedal.

I find that when I wear hiking boots with Vibram soles, I don't get hot-spots on my feet like I do with other shoes and bicycling shoes.

Of course, once you make the leap to hiking boots, the weight weenie thing is out the door and I fear think that one's Fred-credits go way up.

Those (Kona Wah Wah) do look interesting, even to a confirmed SPD guy.

Hendrix used a Wah Wah pedal.

Hendrix used a Wah Wah pedal.

... and Fenders. He was such a Fred.

The Jack ****s are working out great. Awesome pedal. I don't see the need to pay the extra $30 for the Wah Wahs unless you really need the slimmer profile. There wasn't that much difference, I looked at them side by side at the store. The platform is big and the little screws grip no problem. Two thumbs up so far, but I haven't done rides over 30 miles, yet. I am also getting a pair for my MTB.

I use MKS Lambda pedals, which are the same as Riv's Grip King pedals. They're great, they're relatively inexpensive ($45) and they're pretty looking.

I had some pedal strike issues on my bike - the thin and narrow Tioga Spyder platform pedals solved it for me. They're narrow, but fairly long. So far no hot spots (and no road rash spots either)