Folding pedals
 

i am thinking about using folding pedals to solve storage and transporting problems with my bike (non folding). Another forum user has suggested to me that some folding bike riders do not use them, because of "latent problems intrinsic to them" and that "some people find them undesirable" and have them removed. What are your experiences?

We used them on on our Dahon's, and our current Bike Fridays - they work very well, but we are just casual riders. Serious "roadies" used to being attached to their pedals, or riders concerned about every extra ounce would probably not like them.

Our daughter uses them on her, and her son's, Mtn Bikes because it makes them easier to transport inside her SUV.

I've got folding plastic pedals on my Tikit and Dahon D7. The only problem I have had is they get a bit slippery when wet so not ideal for winter use. I don't want to clip in on my folding bikes so just having a platform isn't an issue for me.

I'd like to find a grippy metal folding pedal with a flat platform. If anyone knows of one I'd love to hear about it.

MKS makes some detachables that are well regarded I believe.

Bobmat,

I've broken two sets of Dahon plastic pedals already. I don't care for them. They are slippery when wet and break easily. (I just commute but sometimes I like to boot it).

I'd say go for the MKS EZY metal pedals if you don't mind the price. I got them from Harris Cyclery: http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails...ogId=39&id=655

They're Japanese so rather hard to find.

The nice thing about them is if you also want to go the route of clipless you can get the MKS Cube with the EZY connector and swap at will: http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails...gId=39&id=2268

MKS also makes metal folding pedals: http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails...ogId=39&id=660

But for the most part I stick to oversize BMX/downhill platforms with spikes on them. I get the ones that take a pedal wrench in addition to a hex (allen) key. I've got these on two folders and take them off with an allen key when folding. It's quick and works well. I don't fold/unfold frequently. These are much grippier and comfortable than either the plastic Dahon pedals or the MKS.

BTW if you have large feet, the MKS RR-2s are somewhat small.

I've got folding plastic pedals on my dahon ciao, but they don't seem to make much of a difference in terms of saving space.

I've mks detachables on my dahon mu sl and they're much better for grip and making a true difference to the size.

If you're in the UK you can get MKS pedals from:

http://www.foldingbikes.co.uk/accessories_pedals.htm

The best folding pedals in terms of the compactness of fold are the ones fitted as standard on Bromptons; They aren't madly light and look a bit clumpy, but have a clever cantilevered hinge that makes the pedal fold behind the crank-arm which is unique to the Brompton design and a great space-saver. No more bashed shins with these little fellas!

Not sure about US stockists but in the UK they can be got from SJS cycles

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk//images/p...rompton_xl.jpg
http://www.foldingbikes.biz/assets/i...aniumpedal.jpg

The Brompton pedals are nice and not hard to find in the US, but very expensive. How well do they hold up with such a small bearing surface?

The MKS EZY series of pedals are nice, but the ones that I bought are too narrow for most of my shoes and single sided (they are designed for toe clips). I wish they make a EZY version of the RMX pedal. It is big, double sided, and comfortable.

I don't like the folding pedals that came with my Bike Friday Tikit. They don't fold enough to be very useful and have pretty rough bearings.

Welcome to the 'un-normal' side, Bobmat :)

Ha ha, thanks :) It would seem that folding pedals are just like most other things - you get what you pay for. Dont think the Brompton pedals would look too good on my non folding (i'm not going there £em in Pa) bike. Tha MKS detachables look well made and the best so far, thanks.

I use folding pedals on my full sized bike. I could get it into the back seat my small car by just removing the front wheel. Adding folding pedals made it much easier.

How exactly did the pedals break? Do you have pictures? Did you report the breaks to dahon?

vp 112 folding pedal. cheap as dirt and tough.
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Bicycle-Foldi...d0w~~60_57.JPG

You have brought back to life a thread from 2008 so I doubt you get a reply from the OP, but cudos to you for searching the forum before you ask ;).

General cencus.
1 cheap folding pedals might be ok for casual riders.
2 some better pedals wear better ie mks fp 6/7 brompton
3 use folding , but treat as consumerables and replace yearly
4 use spd as small anyway.
5 opt for detachables mks or wellgo. This also means can swop for spd sytle or standard pedals depending on footwear.

Quick note. mks cleats are compactable with shimano spd but spd cleats don't work with mks. So get mks and it will work with your spd pedals.

Thanks, badmother. I'm trying to contact people who've had their dahon pedals break.

the bearing itself is quite large, ID greater than 9/16" .. because the core piece shoulders against the crank arm.
There are RH& LH thread core pieces, so a pair of them can be fitted..
the Left pedal is the standard one .. the core plug for the Light er bike is Titanium,
but I dont think a Ti RH one exists
both do in steel. 24mm hex , or the newer Allen Bolt version...


FWIW: update, noted a couple hairline stress cracks in the aluminum.. bearing carrier
at 6:00 & 12:00 ..
so will chat up the service dept & see if this was in the consideration of newest version


Yes I'm aware that there are the Steel R/H cores . Noted via SJS..
I considered it to equalize the pedal weight..

I bought one (but not in Titanium) some time back to be able to mount two Brompton pedals on one bike. Did this becouse I fitted detatchable pedals to my B and found it a waste to just ditch the pedal. This was before the hex upgrade. I do not like traveling with the old bolt since you need the huge spanner/socket to remowe it and who bring such tools when traveling?

@ ShonB: Folding pedls break, that is theyr main mission in life :). If yours broke just after the phurcase you should complain to the seller, if not replace and go on. I suggest you try some detatchable pedals. Better quality, smaller fold and if you keep bike and pedals separate it can prevent theft.

you a lawyer who wants to get rich ? Tell us why you need to make contact with peeps who had a problem with their folding pedals ?

Despite the chatter on the Interweb there are very very few folding pedals with problems... some of them cause they hit the ground ( Curb ) when pedaling some of them due to transport misshaps and so on..... but cause of millions and millions of those pedals out there manufactured by a 2 or 3 reputable companies ... very few real breakages ...

They arnt the best performers and are possibly the first item which can be upgraded, that why I sell MKS pedals as well ... but they are certainly not junk either

Best Thor

Bearig siezing, play are the death of folding pedals. Not usually breakage as such. Only broke one ever that was bunny hopping on my used onzo mini, before I realised they were fitted.I have been know to take mks 6 on bmx tracks on a dahon curve. I should not have risked folding pedals in hindsight.