OEM folding pedals - concerns
 

After 2+ weeks of owning/riding a Folder, I've become less than confident that the OEM folding pedals will hold up.
The 2 plastic "tabs" that connect the pedals look like a failure waiting to happen.
I've been reading about MKS and Wellgo folding pedals and they seem to be a good option.
I think I need to do my first upgrade.....
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e7b4a97b28.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...073c40764c.jpg

Those companies do make better pedals but also consider quick release ,better still IMO.

MKS Ezy pedals have a quick release mechanism so you can remove the pedal. The part of the mechanism that remains on the crank arm is much smaller than the typical folding pedal, but that does mean you have to worry about where to put that separate pedal you just removed, which might be dirty to handle.

I'm looking at the quick release pedals but I'll probably end up misplacing/loosing one.......

I've been stomping on the stock pedals of my Zizzo Liberté for 5+ years now without issue. I don't fold them often these days, so there's been no wear from that, but I do stand often on the small hills and rises in town and stand on them on dirt trails that I ride from time to time

I have noticed some flex if my foot is placed further from the crank arm so I take care to position my foot closer and more over the part of the pedal that doesn't fold.

I found the OEM pedals are short so placing my feet closer to the crank caused the inside heel to occasionally hit the rear horizontal frame. Changing footwear with a narrower heel solved that issue.
I noticed on the Helix site that they use Liteplus folding pedals. So I ordered a set.......

There are pedal holders you can buy that you can mount to various places on the bike,so you just swap the pedal form one place to another and it doesn't leave the bike.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3fce64d14.jpeg

I put mine at the end of the axle so the holder is right there when I fold it.

This is important! I've seen these pedals snap if the rider's entire weight is supported only by the part that folds. Ideally, the ball of the foot should be on the non-folding part. This may be a problem for people who ride "bow-legged".
The MKS removable pedals do not have this problem. As mentioned, there is a bit of awkwardness with the greasy spindle when the pedal is off the bike. I use "strapless" toeclips, and am able to simply hang the pedal ofer the frame or part of the rack. BTW, you probably only need to remove one of the pedals; on my Dahons and Terns it is the right pedal.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ace1127f34.jpg
Here are both pedals stashed on the rack. In practice, only the right pedal needs to be removed.

I see above that you have ordered some other folding pedals.

If they do not work out for you and if you try the MKS Ezy pedals that remove easily, all you need to do is get a small saddle bag that is big enough to hold both pedals. Or, maybe you can leave one on the crank arm?

I received/installed my Liteplus pedals today.
The red anodised aluminium construction seems to be very nicely done. Looking forward to many rides.....
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8a8db8b046.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...663b59d3b0.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f757c4f3a0.jpg

The failure mode I had on my original folding pedals on my Dahon Speed, was the stamped bearing cups; Pressed into plastic body, which doesn't have a high stiffness modulus, the cups could expand a tiny amount under load, so that one cup eventually failed via a radial crack. I grabbed the first pedals I had access to, which were platform ones with cage and strap off a hybrid bike I have, ALSO plastic body, but they seem to have held up for a lotta years and miles now, though they have no seals on the inboard side, so if I get caught in the rain, I need to overhaul the pedals. I should look for some good folders, though I fold mine quite rarely and the pedals are not an issue, but if I fly I'll want pop-offs.

Well, after a few rides I am very happy with the new pedals!
Not only do they look great (imo) but they spin smoothly and the folding mechanism is precise with a solid "click".
If they're good enough on a Helix then they should be good for this Old Fart's folder :)

I like quick release pedals, but I have indeed lost a couple over the years. I eventually set up a routine like I have whenever I leave my house, I check to make sure I have it. When I walk out the door from home, I touch both front pockets and my rear pocket to make sure I have my phone, my keys, and my wallet. When bagging my bike, I squeeze the pedal pocket before walking away from where I packed my bike.