Pedal advice from a pedal expert? Personal search for the perfect pedal...
 

Hello, hello. I was just hoping to get a little advice from someone that really knows pedals. I haven't been searching for very long, only about a week, but I'm looking for my very own version of the perfect pedal. The bike... it's a road bike, primarily a commuter, an '87 fuji absolute. Aesthetically, I would really like something simple and small, minimalist really... from the little looking I've done it seems like a track pedal fits that description the best? Functionally, I want something with some really grippy teeth or traction pins, er something. I'm not interested in clips or straps, maybe in the future tho, so clip compatible might be nice. Like, a nice small simple platform pedal with pins...
I suppose some might say (?), when it comes to platform-type pedals, that a pedal's a pedal's a pedal. But, for the time being I'm enjoying trying to make my bike just right, which means I need to be picky picking the perfect pedal.

Anyway, maybe you have a specific pedal you can recommend? Or, maybe just a recommendation for the best compromise? Even a recommedation for a website with a huge pedal catalog? So far, AEBike . com seems to have a nice selection...

Honestly, I'm not even sure what size spindle I need... and I'm not exaclty sure how to find out, aside from asking the LBS. I suppose I could measure them simply with appropriately sized wrenches? And, what's the deal with sealed vs. loose bearings? Based on the terminology (and prices) sealed seems like the way to go...

So, any advice would sure be appreciated. Thanks!

The best pedals for everyday use are high quality BMX pedals...the sort of BMX pedals that good bike shops sell for $40 to $80. Such pedals have a broad platform that supports the entire forward portion of your foot. They "bind" to any rubber sole shoe and to most leather soled shoes, even when riding in the rain. They have high quality bearings, which means they are likely to outlast both you and your bike.

Many bike shops also carry plastic BMX pedals with cheap bearings that sell for under $40. They don't last long and don't work as well as "pro" quality BMX pedals. By the mile or by the year, an $80 pair of BMX pedals is much cheaper than a $20 pair of BMX pedals.

The "Grip King" sold at Rivendell will work great with any rubber soled shoe and most leather soled shoes...so you can ride with sandals, flip flops, tennis shoes, or wing tip dress shoes if your job requires "dressing up.

http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/pedals_and_so_on

The problem is that the people most expert in pedals generally aren't using platform pedals.

I'm not sure what a track pedal is. I just assumed track racers used similar pedals to what they use on most road bikes, which are not platform pedals.

By spindle, do you mean the thread size? If so, most 1-piece cranks (ie, old cruisers and stuff) use 1/2", and everything else is 9/16". If in doubt, take one out and take it to the bike store when you go shopping.

Keep in mind that the left pedal is reverse-threaded. The pedals should have a "L" and "R" on them.

I've got a set of BMX-type metal pedals on my bike now, and they work fine. They don't have to be too sticky to work well for normal biking.

By "platform" pedal, I'm referring to a generic pedal that's flattish on each side. Some people use that term for one specific type of pedal which hardly anyone actually uses.

Thanks Rusty, I can appreciate the advice about pedal prices and longevity. I think I'm convinced that a pair of BMX pedals might be the way to go... though, I looked at the Grip King's and they're awful beefy. I'm hoping to find something on the smaller size. Which is one of the reason's I'm still kind of drawn to the track pedals.
Stephen, I guess the best way to describe the track pedals is to say they're very minimal, cage platform pedals (platform in the sense that they're flat on both sides, not clip-ins) with very little traction... I think because they're meant to be used with straps and clips. I used that terminology because they're labeled that on retailer's websites and shelves...
Thanks fellas.

You want Velo-Orange Touring Pedals. They are great...very nicely made, lightweight, excellent traction on your shoe of choice. They have several variations avaialble. http://www.velo-orange.com/petoeclandac.html
http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/yhst-8422422..._2056_20285273

You don't want to put slippery pedals on a commuter bike if you aren't using the straps they're designed to be used with. If they're slippery now they're just going to get slippier when it rains. I mean, I don't really know how much you're willing to sacrifice utility in the quest for aesthetics, but IMO no amount of aesthetics is worth falling over on your bike in traffic in the rain.

Power Grips comes with smaller pedals if you want to use straps:
http://www.rei.com/product/788131
http://media.rei.com/media/oo/a3844d...d39694ef23.jpg

I kind of like the Specialized Globe pedals:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=41892
http://www.specialized.com/media/equip/0919-2075_d.jpg

I'm just saying there's a reason why it's hard to find platform pedals that aren't huge - larger pedals have a large area to connect to your shoe.

Track pedals typically do not have much in the way of teeth to really grip the shoe sole. They are designed to be used with toe clips and straps. Proper shoes for them historically included a cleat that fits over the rear cage on the pedal, hard to find now.

I like the Shimano A-530 pedals for both aesthetics and function. Platform on one side and SPD on the other if you ever decide to learn to ride with clip-in type pedals.

For no slip platform type pedals good BMX pedals are probably the best design.