Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Old road conversions: UPGRADE PLATFORMS

It's anecdotal, I know, but still worth saying. I've been riding my fixed gear for a little over a month, it's made from an early 80s Schwinn Le Tour.

Yesterday, during hard acceleration away from a light, the axle inside the left pedal snapped, sheared clean off. I fell off, smash my bike, and skidded on the road a little.

My handle bars got mushed, both my wheels noodled, and I got a nasty road rash on my elbow, tore up my tummy, and cut my shin and hands, also wrecked the two shirts I was wearing at the time.

elbow : http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~ingramgr/elbow.jpg

I’ll be getting some bmx platforms now

what pedals were you running?
And your owie is reminiscent of a happy, happy pokemon
Heal soon

That's a bummer. Heal quickly.

Please post a pic of the pedal if it is convienent for you. I would like to see what I should avoid. I've got an old set of Ofmega pedals I was thinking of slapping on my bike but now I'm not so sure I want to do that.

picks of the pedals:

The only markings on the pedals say KKT RT-SF
http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~ingramgr/pedal.jpg
http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~ingramgr/axle.jpg

Ouch.

This kind of stuff can happen to any part that is subjected to large cyclic loads over long periods of time. Although in this case, unless these are ancient heavily used pedals, I bet there was some defect that initiated a crack. Is there a dark area in the broken surface?

Look at these pics (high end campy stuff too)...
http://technology.open.ac.uk/materials/mem/mem-ccf.html

I like using platform pedals on all five of my fixies.
I've managed nearly 37 mph spiining on them.

I had the same thing happen to me on my old road bike. I was just riding along and snap! there goes the pedal. Thankfully I didn't crash but it was a nasty surprise!

robbie, i had a mid 80s le tour do the exact same thing. right pedal sheared right off. luckily i was just starting up a hill and wasn't thrown. probably the same pedals too, don't remember them exactly.

the picture of your elbow looks like something you would see after eating some mushrooms. Not that I would know anything about that.

Dammit you guys I finally got over my phobia of parts failure and now this

http://www.jrbicycles.com/moshsteppedals.htm are what I run, a bit cheaper than DMV or Wellgo, seem to be running well and no axle problems (I jump a little).

I found that some Airwalk skate shoes had the best bottoms for grip to the pins.

just get mks pedals

Hey - Are you in the Engineering department over there in Corvallis? Maybe you should do some cyclic load tests on the next pair you buy.

RobbieIG, thanks for the pics. That is scary! I will keep an eye out for pedals like that and be sure to avoid them. Thanks again.

Check out BMX sites for a good selection for platforms. The BMX stuff is ususally built a bit tougher to take more abuse. I run redline, wellgo and primo pedals on my 3 bikes. I would say my redlines are my favorite. I would avoid the platforms wiht the cast-in anti slip bumbs, go for the screw in type.

I used to run mtb beartraps. Check out the mangleage from pedal strike. I guess I didn't take a photo and I gave them to a freind so I can't know, but before they left, one was severely deformed from a particularly nasty hiccup I had coming off a bridge into a corner.
http://www.zweknu.org/tmp/pedal.jpg

Great pedals. I'm still thinking about whether I want to get another set for this winter or stick with platforms and straps.

It would seem more logical to go with clips and straps especially of your riding fixed.

I used to run mtb beartraps. Check out the mangleage from pedal strike. I guess I didn't take a photo and I gave them to a freind so I can't know, but before they left, one was severely deformed from a particularly nasty hiccup I had coming off a bridge into a corner.
http://www.zweknu.org/tmp/pedal.jpg

Great pedals. I'm still thinking about whether I want to get another set for this winter or stick with platforms and straps.

man, those look like they'd give you some good shind-burger

When I bought 'em, the guy at the shop was like, "got any scars on your leg?" and I was like, "no."

"Don't worry, you will."

I only clipped myself a couple of times and never did much damage though the potential is clearly there.

so, you dont use straps and cant pull on the pedal at all? isnt that really ummm frustrating?

so, you dont use straps and cant pull on the pedal at all? isnt that really ummm frustrating?
no, not really. I mean, I love my GR-9's under most circumstances, but when it's icy and nasty out, being strapped in isn't always so useful.

i see.

i just got a pair of gr-9s. not exactly the smoothest pedals but cheap and i dont think there are any other touring platforms still being made. once i get some straps i will probably have some crash reports to post...

Shinburger! (http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com/parts_pedals.htm)
http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com/images/parts_pedals.jpg (http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com/parts_pedals.htm)

Shinburger! (http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com/parts_pedals.htm)
http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com/images/parts_pedals.jpg (http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com/parts_pedals.htm)

that pedal is awesome.

picks of the pedals:

The only markings on the pedals say KKT RT-SF
http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~ingramgr/pedal.jpg
http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~ingramgr/axle.jpg

I've got a pair of these sitting on my workbench. they came off an old Ross 10-speed I picked up at a yardsale. Anybody want em ;)

engr at osu huh?

seems like there are a few guys on here from corvallis. sorry about the bike bro.

I prefer using platforms on all of my fixed-gears and single-speed setups. I have used SPD's, but
would rather not. Platforms give me lots of foot positioning.

Hm i have those pedals on my fuji 12 speed...

engr at osu huh?

seems like there are a few guys on here from corvallis. sorry about the bike bro.

This topic sure is back from the dead. Ok, I like to play with dead things, too.

Last year I noticed about 3 other fixes around campus, someone had a nice gunnar I parked next to everyday. This week alone I've counted at least 10 different fixes, 2 of which were driven by beautiful womens, and one shiny new Jamie Roy Iro. I am off the schwinn le tour and on a Centurion Dave Scoot Ironman with Stonglight cranks and eggbeaters. The elbow scars are still noticeable and the gash in my side doesn't look any different then the day it was made.

If any of your Corvallis peeps are reading this, it would sure be a blast to go for a ride sometime.

Shinburger! (http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com/parts_pedals.htm)
http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com/images/parts_pedals.jpg (http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com/parts_pedals.htm)


those things are cool. I think I might look into them for winter pedals. I tend to wear overshoes (over my shoes) that make your feet HUGE in the winter. It's gonna be really weird to not be clipped in again, but I nobody makes a winter clipless shoe that's wide enough for my flippers.


also nice are the Syncros Mental Pedals. I'd totally buy some if they weren't twice as much as the Time Aliums I normally ride.