windjammer1

I went to my local bike shop and asked what flat pedals would be best for long-distance touring for my new Genesis Tour de Fer 2016. Was advised to get the large DMR Vault pedals with 11 studs on top -'good broad pedals to spread the pressure and non-slip studs'. So I bought them, c £90. Just back from doing 2000 miles in Scandinavia in a month, and the last 2 weeks were hell. It felt like my feet were raw blisters. In fact the skin wasn't broken at all but the stud pressure points made my feet agony.
I've just written to DMR Vault and received a reply that these pedals are designed for mountain biking and they would not recommend them for touring. Feel kind of aggrieved about the wrong advice I was given but will have to stomach it.
Could anyone recommend a good flat pedal for touring? I know nothing about pedals so any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks!

jefnvk

If you are set on keeping flats, the studs are removable, you could try removing (or flipping) some or all of them, and see if that helps. What kind of shoes were you wearing? If they had a soft sole, switching to something a bit more sturdy may help, too.

Tourist in MSN

I usually use SPD type cleated shoes, but if I switch to non-cleated shoes which I sometimes do on rough terrain or cold weather I use hiking shoes or trail runners that have a pretty stiff sole. Not as stiff as a cycling shoe, but still pretty stiff.

Clyde1820

The MKS Sylvan "rat trap" style touring pedals seem to pop up on the web pages of many people who do recreational touring. Nowhere near as wide (at 94mm) as the DMR Vaults (at 115mm), but the "rat trap" type grip is far less intrusive than many of the multi-stud pedals out there, particularly of those studs are higher than you prefer. 395gr/pr.

If wanting lighter but still willing to do a "rat trap" style, the Wellgo C201 might work (110mm wide, 291gr/pr).

Neither of these have invasively grippy points, as do some of the multi-stud pedals.

JMO

Happy Feet

Yeah, I have wide Evo platforms with studs (which I like) but the studs are adjustable.

How did the studs effect your feet though? What kind of shoes?

gauvins

I know nothing either, yet am waiting for a pair of Shimano MX (Saint). Not designed for touring, but reviews suggest that they are extremely durable.

Wrt to design - I am now mostly using non SPD sandals (Teva) and was looking for a platform + pins pedal. The MX has "adjustable" pin height - you put or remove a washer such that the pin protrudes less or more.

So, my inclination would be that a thick soft sole should allow the pins to penetrate somewhat and pins should not be felt by your feet. Maybe you were riding with thin sole sneakers?

I am not familiar with the pedal that you are using. You may want to make the pins less aggressive, or remove them altogether.

djb

First of all, 3000km in a month, that's quite an achievement.

Now, this comment isn't meant to be meanspirited, but why didn't you remove the studs during your trip when it became apparent that they were causing issues due to your shoe choice?

If you are happy with the build quality and size of these pedals, why not just stick with them and if it is not possible to remove the studs, go at them with a borrowed grinder or one of those grinder disk things that go in regular drills, and shave the studs down a whole bunch.
The pedals are pretty pricey, so I would imagine they have very good quality bearings in them and overall high quality, certainly worth keeping using if you are able to get them to work better for your shoe choice.

manapua_man

Those pedals have removable pins, why not try changing, removing, or grinding them down a little before going for new pedals? And just out of curiosity, what kind of shoes were you wearing? I usually go for stiffer soles, even when I'm running platforms.

fietsbob

I had to look it up.. DMR Vault Pedals > Components > Pedals > Platform Pedals | Jenson USA
They seem fine.. set screw grip pins can be screwed in further, even flush. if you like..

Others seem to want you to buy another pedal, do that if you wish..

You can tour in regular, walking friendly comfortable shoes, maybe add a stiff arch support, insole . Or even sandals..









.....

seeker333

I have Wellgo MG-1 pedals (discussed here) on one bike, they are pretty good for platform pedals. I need to remove a few of the 9 pins, as it's impossible to make small adjustments in foot position by swiveling feet a bit. I must lift shoe completely from pedal and replant because those pins really lock into the treads on my trail runner shoes.

However, I prefer Speedplay Frogs overall, as they are more comfortable and efficient than platforms (at least the ones I've tried).

steve-in-kville 

Not touring, but I've been running a pair of Wellgo BMX pedals for 7 years now. Can't kill 'em and feel great in hiking shoes.

Happy Feet

And from the website:

11 ‘flipPins’ per pedal can be fitted short or long to fine tune the grip

The pins are threaded and have a hex head on one end. Not really cool to blame the pedal for your problems.

BigAura

Shimano MX80 Flat Pedals are excellent, IMO. I did 2.300 miles on them in 2015 and they worked perfectly.

I've also done most of my other tours in SPD's, but flats are great in their simplicity.

windjammer1

Thanks for all these replies and suggestions. I was wearing high quality thick-soled trekking shoes (Anatom Tri.aria with Vibram soles, also £90 worth - a sponsor gave them to me!). I even picked up a bit of torn lorry tire and sandwiched that between sole and studs but perhaps by then the damage was done and it didn't help much. I think I allowed the discomfort to go on too long and and upset nerves - still tingling a week after no longer cycling).

Yes, the studs are adjustable but were on so tight I almost broke my allan key trying to loosen one but I think you're right, this is the next step. Some of the studs are reversed for some reason and the head protrusion can't be reduced below it's minimum (about 4-5mm) but I can remove them.
I'll remove them and see how I get on. If slipping is a problem I guess I can always stick on some thin rubber.

The suggestions for alternatives are much appreciated, and thanks to everyone who replied. Sometimes it's not easy to see the obvious solutions!

jonc123

Another vote for the MKS Sylvan Touring. Shoes are New Balance Trail Runners. Very grippy combo.

djb

listen, I would bet that all of us have not seen obvious solutions at times, I know I have. Live and learn from it, that's what's important.

and yes, it does sound like you zinged your feet nerves a bit, if still feeling funny a week after.
Too bad the studs were on so tight that you couldnt take them out at the time. I would suggest going back to the store, the mechanic will have a socket head that will get them out and suggestions how to put them in with a minimum protruding amount. Go by at a not busy time and Im sure they will do it at no charge.

can sympathize with a bolt/whatever that is a hard bugger to get out, last summer I had some shifters that were new and I had to take them to my favorite store to get help removing a bolt that was threatening to break my allen key as well. Mechanic had to heat the bolt up with a gas torch flame to expand it a bit so his socket kit could loosen it--so, it does happen sometimes.
cheers, hope you sort it out

Aushiker

I bikepack with flat pedals, DMR V12s in my case and whilst I have not done your mileage (closer to 1,000 km for me) I am very happy with them. However I matched them up a suitable pair of shoes so maybe that is the difference. My shoes in my case are Scarpa Crux Approach.

southpier

I like mine plenty. no clips or cleats. Quac Pham low cut touring shoes. ideally, I position my foot with the ball over the pedal spindle and just a wee bit of pedal corner shows on the upper outside of my shoed foot. this is my "index location" and throughout any given ride my feet float back 'n' forth but I always return them to "home".

initially I wanted toe clips, but have given up on that notion.

tspoon

I also use the MKS Sylvan, and, like southpier, enjoy the possibility choosing foot position, instead of having it chosen for me (i.e. clip systems). They last well, and are both good quality, and serviceable.

windjammer1

Good advice, djb, and thank you for it. That's exactly what I'll do. What a great community out there. Really appreciate the thought and time folk put in answering my query.

revcp 

I have Shimano Saints (pinned platform) in my commuter/tourer, and wear Five Ten Freeriders. They're very soft soled in order to grab the pins (Five Ten began making exclusively climbing shoes, and they use the same "stealth" rubber on their cycling shoes). I've put in superfeet green insoles that do a great job of dissipating pressure points.

manapua_man

Might be a good idea to invest in a nice set of allen wrenches. Good tools are one thing I pretty much never regret spending a little extra on.

djb

Wind, internet forums can certainly be hit and miss with all kinds and conflicting suggestions/opinions, but one can generally pick up good points and ideas here, I have.
Cheers, happy riding

fietsbob

Sponsor gave you free shoes? better use them..

aroundoz

Different strokes but the DMR Vaults are the best touring/platform pedal I have ever used and the only one that doesn't make me miss having SPDs. I suspect it is more of a shoe issue than a pedal issue with you and it wouldn't have mattered which platform pedal (with pointy studs) you used. Get a stiffer shoe or sandal and this may solve your problem. Or a true MTB shoe designed for platforms because the soft sticky rubber on the sole will absorb the pins so most of the pressure ends there. Or like others have said change out the studs to shorter ones.

I wouldn't give up on the pedal or blame the pedal; the large platform with the right shoe is amazing.