Flat pedals for drop bar commuter
#1
Thread Starter
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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?
Are there any other brands which make something comparable to this?
#2
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.
#3
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.
#4
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From: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
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
MKS touring pedals will look good on a road bike/commuter: https://www.amazon.com/MKS-Sylvan-Tou.../dp/B003Z6PGZU
#5
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Joined: Nov 2013
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From: California, USA
Bikes: 2011 Raleigh Grand Prix, 2014 Raleigh Sojourn, et al
MKS touring pedals will look good on a road bike/commuter: Amazon.com : MKS Sylvan Touring Pedal Double Sided : Bike Pedals : Sports & Outdoors
I added a Wellgo reflector kit since I ride home in the dark in the winter. Got the kit on Amazon.
#6
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From: WKY
Bikes: 2014 Trek Crossrip LTD, 2013 Raleigh Misceo
+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.
#10
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Joined: May 2015
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From: Washington DC Metro Area
Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, Jamis Renegade Expert
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
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
#11
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.
#12
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From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
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.
#13
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
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 .
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.
#15
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From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
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.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
#16
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From: San Diego
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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.
#17
#18
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From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
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.
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.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
#19
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
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From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I was considering these Wellgo-R146-Pedals which are allegedly 390 grams
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
#20
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Minneapolis, MN
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
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.
#21
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From: North of Boston
Bikes: Kona Dawg, Surly 1x1, Karate Monkey, Rockhopper, Crosscheck , Burley Runabout,
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.
#23
Keepin it Wheel




Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 5,205
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
The VP Components VP-Vice Pedals are fairly sleek in person:
https://www.amazon.com/VP-Components-...H7M/ref=sr_1_1
https://www.amazon.com/VP-Components-...H7M/ref=sr_1_1
#24
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.



