Pedal suggestions for 1973 Motobecane
 

Hey everyone,

If there's already a thread like this I apologize, I'm not 100% sure I know how to search threads. I'm in the market for a new set of pedals for my '73 Motobecane Super Mirage. The stock Lyotard 136r's are a little too small for my shoe (about 6cm x 8.5 cm) and aren't ideal when I'm trying to get going from a stop at a red light with traffic behind me. My buddy has some Kona pedals that are a good size and stick to your shoe well, but they're a little too aftermarket looking for something that I'd ever put on my bike as I'm looking to keep it more-or-less period correct.

The best ones I've come across so far are the Lyotard 23's (same brand & time period), however they're pretty classic pedals and thus are a little pricey. Any suggestions?

On a related note, does anyone that's tried cages recommend them over bare pedals?

MKS Sylvans are relatively inexpensive and look very good on vintage bikes. I have them on several of mine. And I always use the toe clips and straps, they keep my feet on the pedals as I tend to push forward pretty hard. I don't tighten them too much so I can slip my feet in and out easily during a ride.

edit. I don't know if your crank is English or French threaded. MKS is only available in English that I know of.

For Lyotard 23’s, look at MKS Urban Platform, and add MKS half clips. For city riding, I love half clips because they position your foot and still make it easy to remove your foot. Flipping the pedal up becomes second nature pretty quickly.

As the other posters have mentioned, it's difficult to go wrong with a pair of MKS Sylvan pedals and half-clips. They do the job and won't break the bank.

https://www.mkspedal.com/?q=en/product/node/345

https://www.amazon.com/MKS-Sylvan-Ro.../dp/B005I6D4BS

https://www.mkspedal.com/?q=en/product/term/13

With any sort of rat trap pedal, you want toe clips. Having your foot slip off the pedal towards the front of the bike will leave you with a gashed calf where the teeth on the pedal eat the back of your calf.

Half clips will prevent the injury. Full clips and straps are the way to go for period authenticity.

For my fat feet, 11E, I like the MKS Sylvan touring pedal. They give a bit more area, and since I am not criterium racing, I don't need to worry about pedaling around sharper corners. And they look right. I also have a pair of Lyotard 23's that I am emotionally attached to. They are French and period correct. More than anything though, I like the innovative (for the time) design. They are not particularly wide though. My Sylvan Touring pedals are a bit wider.

As others above mentioned the MKS urban Platform pays homage to the Lyotard 23 with updated materials.

I put a big fat composite pedal on my wife's Mixte, It is great for spreading out the pedaling forces for a big or small foot, but it is not vintage looking. Nobody see them when your riding and they are comfortable.