With the Addage "put your money into the stuff that spins" I usually am ready to pay more for BB's, Wheels and Pedals that get the lions share of RPMs and skimp on stuff that rarely gets used on a typical bike. MKS pedals look like a great deal for a retro-style build. Are they of good quality? they're a steal compared to many other offerings and their style definately smacks of 70's - 80' retro.

Anyone with experience using them give a shout

Phil

I've been using and installing MKS pedals in a variety of different styles for many years. One thing you must bear in mind: You definitely must overhaul them before you put them on a bike and use them. Most every complaint I've heard about them is from people who had no idea what I meant when I would say: "Did you overhaul them first?" Deer in the headlights expression.

So open them up. Clean everything out completely. Put in fresh grease and then the loose 1/8th-inch bearings. Adjust and torque down the locknut tightly. Install & ride.

I find them to be very nice pedals. They run smoothly and don't give me any problems. They're great with toe-clips & straps.

My wife and I each have a bike equipped with GR-9s. They don't spin as freely as my Shimano road pedals, but they have been durable and good for commuter duty.

Correct - they're always set too tight, with inadequate grease. Out of the box/clear packing, they spin worse then $2 Wal-Mart nylon-bearing "use-'em-and-trash-'em" pedals because of this. Your raceways and bearings will be gone before you start.

Your first purchase should therefore be accompanied by the dustcap remover tool, or else it'll be impossible to service them.

-Kurt

I've just been opening mine with pliers, though, and they haven't damaged anything.

MKS are good stuff, made here in Japan instead of Taiwan or China. I have a few pairs and have never had a problem with them.

I have three pairs of MKS pedals and really like them all, one is from the 80s and the other two are new.

Like it was said, both of mine were very poorly adjusted when I got them. It's worth the savings though, after that everything has been roses.

Your dustcaps will be shot sooner or later - either that, or your pliers happen to fit the dustcap grooves unusually well.

-Kurt

OK thanks. Asthetically they are what I'd want in a set of retro pedals. Too bad they don't come a little better from the factory, but I'll take the advice and "crack 'em" before I ride em. I got plenty of Phil Wood grease and it seems to be great for lighter grease jobs like wheels and padals.

I have a set of MKS Sylvan "track" pedals that a friend of mine gave me, he told me that he didn't like the look of them, I think they are just about the best pedals I've owned, they fit my feet way better than most other pedals I've used, and they work great with toe clips.

+1 for MKS. I have the Touring pedals which are similar to the old Atom 440's, and a set of GR-9's that are sort of like a modern Lyotard Berthet pedal. I'm not a huge fan of the GR-9's due to the narrow platform, but I really like the MKS Touring pedals.

I just pry the dustcaps off the pedals with a small screwdriver. They get a little scuff, but they can be reused many times. This being for the gray-plastic caps. You can actually buy new caps from MKS. I did once, but haven't had cause to use them.

My GR-9 pedals on my hybrid spin very nicely - after I overhauled them.

For the grey plastic, yes - but don't try it with the silver ones. Those are threaded.

-Kurt

Anyone have a link for these? I have 3 or 4 pairs on different bikes. They are durable along with everything else, but I have never greased the bearings.

https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...ff3a9e63ee9675

-Kurt

My incredibly pricey T.A. touring pedals don't do anything my MKS pedals can't do.

Very true, though the oval Raleigh block pedals that came on my Robin Hood Sports did have an additional built-in feature that neither the T.A. or the MKS can boast.

They'd fly off their pedal spindles at will.

I don't think that's too much of a desirable feature, however - unless you happen to be James Bond. Pay attention, 007.

-Kurt

+2
I use the Sylvan Touring pedals on many of my bikes(probably 10-15). I love the wide platform and symmetric design.
I see them more as a modern, higher quality version of the Lyotard 460d although they are also similar to the Atom 440.

Yup, I always overhaul them as soon as I buy them.

from rivbike.com (grant peterson):
"Maintenance note: They come with a "factory/assembly line adjustment," which isn't ultra smooth. If this bugs you, get a pedal dust cap tool, remove the dustcap, and readjust the bearings. SHOULD it bug you? Nope. The price is low, and even if you don't touch the adjustment, they'll smooth out over time, and you'll get years of good hard use from them. We say, put them on and forget 'em; but rest assured, they're easy to repack/service when the time comes."

i concur. mine are fine without monkeying with them.

Whatever works for ya.
Personally, I like my bearings adjusted correctly, and I like enough grease in there to actually lubricate them.

Please look at these.

https://www.velo-orange.com/petoeclandac.html

Velo Orange track pedals plus italian ALLOY toe clips and straps,
A little more a little better????
bill