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Flat pedals for drop bar commuter

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Old 05-02-16 | 04:12 AM
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Flat pedals for drop bar commuter

I have just bought a Bombtrack Audax drop bar bike for commuting and need pedals. I think some flat pedals can look a bit large on road style bikes. So far I've found the Wellgo R146 and C260 pedals which are more compact and would hopefully look better.

Are there any other brands which make something comparable to this?
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Old 05-02-16 | 06:36 AM
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I can't say much other than to avoid sharp metal...I would find someone local giving away their cheap plastic pedals that came on their bike. There's just not a lot worse than a metal pedal coming full speed into your achilles...other than the accompanying taint full of saddle you'll also receive.
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Old 05-02-16 | 06:49 AM
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To me the Wellgo seemed like it would be large and heavy so I wind up with inexpensive MTB style platforms. Steel or aluminum cage, steel spindle. Put some min-toe clips aka half-clips on and call it done.
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Old 05-02-16 | 06:52 AM
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Many bmx pedals have metal pins because they help your feet stick on the pedals esp. in the wet. I commute all winter in Iowa and run bmx pedals with metal pins precisely for that reason. Nothing else works as well in the snow and wet. Most of those pedals are probably too large for the OP.

MKS touring pedals will look good on a road bike/commuter: https://www.amazon.com/MKS-Sylvan-Tou.../dp/B003Z6PGZU
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Old 05-02-16 | 07:10 AM
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Originally Posted by bikemig
MKS touring pedals will look good on a road bike/commuter: Amazon.com : MKS Sylvan Touring Pedal Double Sided : Bike Pedals : Sports & Outdoors
+1

I added a Wellgo reflector kit since I ride home in the dark in the winter. Got the kit on Amazon.
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Old 05-02-16 | 08:02 AM
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+1 on the mini clips. Make sure the pedals you choose will accommodate them. Add washers to the mounting bolts as needed to make sure the ball of your foot is over the pedal axle.
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Old 05-02-16 | 08:19 AM
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As Feynman said, "why do you care what other people think?" Pick some good pedals you like. Your feet will cover them while you're riding.
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Old 05-02-16 | 08:20 AM
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These: Amazon.com : Origin8 Pro Track Light Pedals : Sports & Outdoors

+

These: https://www.amazon.com/MKS-Toeclips-P...rch_detailpage

+

These: https://www.amazon.com/Zefal-Bicycle-...rch_detailpage

=

Done.
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Old 05-02-16 | 08:22 AM
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I thought the Wellgo pedals were light, the R146 are 266gms. I've read they were designed for road bikes. Here's a photo I found on Google:

Attached Images
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Old 05-02-16 | 08:48 AM
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I believe my Renegade has these Shimano platforms - I bought the bike on Small Business Saturday sale at a respected LBS, and the owner threw in these pedals and other accessories at like 40% off or something like that - so I didn't take much time to shop. They are smaller than the pedals that bike shops typically put on a road bike when you test-ride one with regular shoes.

Been happy with them so far, with good grip, but I don't know how the grip is when it's raining. They did get wet a couple of times when I was forced to ride through puddles on the MUPs here but I'm not sure that's a real test.

Amazon.com : Shimano Pd-Mx80 Platform Pedals : Bike Pedals : Sports & Outdoors

My Uptown 8 - not a drop bar bike, btw - has these - they look like they belong on an Iron Maiden album cover but they're pretty decent:
MKS Grip King Pedals
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Old 05-02-16 | 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by pjtn
I thought the Wellgo pedals were light, the R146 are 266gms. I've read they were designed for road bikes.
Don't see any good way to attach clips. Even if you're not planning on using them, it's an option I always like to keep open. Especially on a road bike, you're likely to want them eventually unless you're planning to have a set of clipless pedals to swap in for a long ride every now and then.
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Old 05-02-16 | 10:02 AM
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The wellgos should work fine for you. I was going to endorse Wellgo MG-1 and MG-3, they work great for me and my wife. Light, big wide platforms, sharp replaceable pins stick well into regular sneakers as well as 5Ten mtb shoes. Ordered carefully and got them for just over $20/pair off eBay.
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Old 05-02-16 | 10:41 AM
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Ive been using an Older French Lyotard 460D for Decades . similar style, the MKS are Nicer.

Were the Go to Cyclocross racing pedals before the Look and SPuD Pedals were made .

Last edited by fietsbob; 05-07-16 at 10:01 AM.
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Old 05-02-16 | 10:45 AM
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That just looks like it would bite into soft soles.
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Old 05-02-16 | 11:45 AM
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White is a pretty common color for platforms, I think you should have plenty of choices. Don't overthink it. I want those 146 pedals, I think I've mentioned them before. They are available in red to match my bike, but not in the States. I don't think the style of the Slyvans matches the stormtrooper paint job and otherwise modern components on the bike.
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Old 05-02-16 | 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Darth Lefty
I want those 146 pedals, I think I've mentioned them before. They are available in red to match my bike, but not in the States.
Available from fleabay

I don't think I would like those though. I would rather have sharp pins than 'safe pins', and the platform profile looks too narrow for me. I gots wide feets.
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Old 05-02-16 | 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by pjtn
I thought the Wellgo pedals were light, the R146 are 266gms. I've read they were designed for road bikes. Here's a photo I found on Google:

I was considering these Wellgo-R146-Pedals which are allegedly 390 grams
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Old 05-02-16 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by RubeRad
Available from fleabay

I don't think I would like those though. I would rather have sharp pins than 'safe pins', and the platform profile looks too narrow for me. I gots wide feets.
yes, all from the great state of TW. Maybe I just need to learn to trust!
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Old 05-02-16 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by wphamilton
I was considering these Wellgo-R146-Pedals which are allegedly 390 grams
I see listed weights all over the place. If I look at the white ones on Amazon it says 310.
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Old 05-02-16 | 12:56 PM
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The VP Components VP-Vice Pedals are fairly sleek in person:
https://www.amazon.com/VP-Components-...H7M/ref=sr_1_1


Or their other ones might be more stylish in person (the black pic is weird but look at the colored pics and imagine black for what it looks like in person):
Amazon.com : VP Components Bike Pedals, Black : Sports & Outdoors


The Specialized Bennies that I use are not overly large, but their appearance is slightly larger than the VP Component ones above.


I initially started going down the route you're talking about, looking for the smallest looking pedals, but then I realized that if they're to small I end up with hotspots on my feet when I ride and I wanted to avoid that. You don't want a pedal smaller than the bottom of your shoe.

If you want to spend more money for less weight, a number of people make super super thin pedals now, here's one:
Tioga MT-Zero Platform Pedals in Tree Fort Bikes Pedals

Last edited by PaulRivers; 05-02-16 at 03:42 PM.
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Old 05-02-16 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by deapee
I can't say much other than to avoid sharp metal...I would find someone local giving away their cheap plastic pedals that came on their bike. There's just not a lot worse than a metal pedal coming full speed into your achilles...other than the accompanying taint full of saddle you'll also receive.
Plastic? Nothing worse than wet plastic pedals and your feet slipping off then and then hitting your shin. I like aluminum pedals with steels pins, no slipping.
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Old 05-02-16 | 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Darth Lefty
yes, all from the great state of TW. Maybe I just need to learn to trust!
It's where they're made, isn't it?
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Old 05-02-16 | 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by PaulRivers
The VP Components VP-Vice Pedals are fairly sleek in person:
https://www.amazon.com/VP-Components-...H7M/ref=sr_1_1
VP pedals are really nice. My wife has been long-term borrowing a pair from a friend, they're the same as the ones rivendell sells. They spin real smooth, and grip great (even missing a couple pins apiece)
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Old 05-03-16 | 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Darth Lefty
I see listed weights all over the place. If I look at the white ones on Amazon it says 310.
Yeh, and they (Wellgo) look pretty good honestly. Personally though I just couldn't see paying $36 for them when I could find some BMX style for half that, having metal spindle w/bearings and aluminum cages and closer to half a pound weight.
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Old 05-03-16 | 01:25 PM
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I've used Nashbar Scratch pedals and Cannondale 6 Point 3.
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