RoadWearier

My other option is to buy these inserts that will "convert" the existing pedals to be flat on the SPD side. Anyone use those?

SpedFast

When I consider how many miles I go per the pennies I spend, it's a cheap sport. It also has the side benefit of keeping me healthy.

RoadWearier

Oh please. Yeah, and they also are known to spontaneously combust and cause your feet to rot off too, right? Every few weeks my arse.

phughes

Yeah, I wouldn't go that far, but I would still up the game a bit if you want flat pedals. I run DMR V12 magnesium pedals, but, I also used to run Welgo flat pedals on hte same bike, and they worked very well. The form factor is the same, and the overall quality is good. I have done commuting on them as well as a bicycle tour. They still work fine, though I have the DMR pedals installed.

For $26 you can get a pair of Welgo pedals with pins, that would work fine, and would hold up well, and I would get them before resorting to pedals from Walmart. . https://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-Pedals...s%2C81&sr=8-31

RoadWearier

What are your thoughts on these? I don't have a pedal wrench so the added wrench is nice. I know it's a cheap wrench but still. Plus I think you can also tighten with a hex key.

Zacro Mountain Bike Pedals with 2 High-Speed DU Sealed Bearings, Bike Pedals of 9/16 Inch, Aluminum Bicycle Flat Pedals, Non-Slip and Durable Pedals for MTB BMX Road City Curiser Bikes with Wrench https://a.co/d/ahrWigy

ScottCommutes

Seems like a pretty good value in the Chinese knockoff sort of way. The wrench is garbage, by the way. You can tighten pedals with a regular wrench, an adjustable wrench, or a multi-tool, or a hex wrench. You can even use your fingers and your pedaling should snug them up.

GamblerGORD53

Those pedals look good on the outside. So did the cheapo $30 version of Vsixty pedals, but they had stupidly useless 1/16" balls that can NOT be set properly.
I have been using the very good $60 Vsixty pedals with one sealed bearing and a bushing on the inner end. The play is automatic by design.
I have another 1/2" thread pair with both sides cup/cone and 11 balls 1/8" or 5/32". They will spin 6 revs easy.
IF it has needed cone adjustment, then most likely they come TIGHT and need loosening.
But in any case, the best ones have a METAL frame.

veganbikes

So get good quality pedals from a known quality and quantity. Nobody has mentioned getting whatever fake name pedals from the Billionaires. Race Face, Crank Bros (again CRANK not rock), MKS, Shimano, Spank, Look, Yoshimura, Odyssey, DMR, One Up, Wolf Tooth, Fyxation, Pembree, Nukeproof, Supacaz, Chromag, E*Thirteen, Deity, Stolen or even Wellgo are good options.

If you are just going to bottom feed just do it then and buy whatever from wherever but if you want good pedals above are 20 options for decent to excellent pedals in no particular order (but the top 4 would be favorites by happenstance)

LesterOfPuppets

One thing I like about the Cult Daks is they have room for a full size 17mm open end wrench, so you don't need to dig up an actual pedal wrench, or ground-down 15mm, or whatever.

No allen wrench on the inside though.

RoadWearier

Unfortunately the nut is too narrow for any wrenches I own. Can't get the wrench in there. Was trying to avoid buying a pedal wrench but maybe I just need to get one

ScottCommutes

Sounds like a pretty good excuse to buy another tool. There's an outside chance you could find a wrench laying around and grind it thin enough to get in there, but you are probably better off just buying the pedal wrench. I'm looking at some in the $7 range.

Edit: I don't own a pedal wrench, but I've struggled with enough pedals over the years that I probably should have one.

veganbikes

Get a pedal wrench and get one that is easy and comfortable to use. It will save you a lot of hassle and pain. They are not super expensive tools. The cheap-o Park Tool one is $20 and will do the job and the professional pedal wrench is only $40 and is quite nice to use (I have used both and would rather spend a little more to have the better grip and easier to use head)

smd4

You can get a Unior pedal wrench for $7 bucks, also a pro wrench. I preferred this style over the Park with the grip.

t2p

Platform Pedals Question (from someone who overanalyzes everything)

RoadWearier

Are all pedals 15mm? That seems to be the standard wrench size

smd4

Kids bikes and some cheaper bikes used 1/2”.

RoadWearier

Should this one be ok? I found one locally for $10

smd4

Sure. Bottle opener is a bonus!

veganbikes

I had that pedal wrench (well one purchased through an authorized distributor) traded it to a mechanic was totally fine but it was not full tang and honestly I got his nicer Pedro's wrench and some free labor so it was a no brainer. But it was a fine wrench worked well was comfortable I just want full tang baby!

LesterOfPuppets

There are a couple of BMX pedals that take 17mm

t2p

not too common - but some pedals will require a hex (only) - 6mm or 8mm hex

HelpSingularity 

I had the same problem with MKS Lambda EZY pedals.
I have two different brand pedal wrenches.
Both were just a smidge too wide to fit on the flats.
I purchased a 15mm cone wrench and fixed that problem.
It turns out MKS does sell a special narrow pedal wrench just for these pedals.

PS Make sure to grease/anti-seize the crank and the pedal threads before installing the pedals.

LesterOfPuppets

One of my favorite stupid things to do is just grab a regular 15 end wrench and try to put an unkown pedal on, cinch that pedal down and not be able to get the wrench out. Then complain about how I have to dig out the pedal wrench.

ofajen

I really like the VP-538. Sealed bearings, plastic pedals with molded plastic “pins”. They go for $25-$30.

Otto

Trav1s

I'm a fan of Raceface Rides (Raceface Chester without the metal pins) on hybrids. They grip the sole of the shoe without tearing it up. Plus, they are available in multiple colors. Shop around and you can get them for $30-35.
ttps://www.raceface.com/products/ride-pedal?variant=31913987276882

If you want something heavier, the Shimano EF202 is a nice option. Maybe a bit less grippy than the Rides but they are solid. I've used these on my Quick for about 4 years then swapped them to the Trek Multitrack. They are also available in multiple colors.
https://www.rei.com/product/184860/s...02-flat-pedals