Best Clip, Strap, & Pedal setup?
05-30-10 | 10:10 PM
#51
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
As far as zombie threads go, this is a good one.
Because of the neuropathy in my lower left leg have been moving toward using clipless pedals to provide solid foot placement although I am keeping some clips and straps on a few vintage bikes, if only for aesthetics and display purposes.
Aside from TA pedals, which are the finest ever made, there is almost nothing better than Suntour Superbe and XC Pro pedals which have been my favourites for longer than many people here have been riding.
The define smooth and are superior to MKS pedals and the equal of the classic Record pedals on which they were modeled.
Because of the neuropathy in my lower left leg have been moving toward using clipless pedals to provide solid foot placement although I am keeping some clips and straps on a few vintage bikes, if only for aesthetics and display purposes.
Aside from TA pedals, which are the finest ever made, there is almost nothing better than Suntour Superbe and XC Pro pedals which have been my favourites for longer than many people here have been riding.
The define smooth and are superior to MKS pedals and the equal of the classic Record pedals on which they were modeled.
Hey, you actually had me search for the pedals you mentioned because while the MKS's are definitely worth the money (less than $30), are easily rebuilt (ahem - those damn press fit caps on the GR-9's aside) and unless the inside bearing seals are total crap will outlast me with reasonable maintenance I never doubted there were/are smoother bearings to be had. Unfortunately, and as I'm sure you know, your beloved pedals simply cannot be found new (well, I couldn't find them new) and the used ones come at a significant cost. ARGH. All that dribble aside, I'd guess that a man willing to replace the stock ball bearings (I wonder what size those bearings are anyway) with something better and use very thin grease could come close to ecstasy inducing smoothness.
05-30-10 | 11:37 PM
#53
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 152
From: YEG
Bikes: See my sig...
Sixty Fiver,
Hey, you actually had me search for the pedals you mentioned because while the MKS's are definitely worth the money (less than $30), are easily rebuilt (ahem - those damn press fit caps on the GR-9's aside) and unless the inside bearing seals are total crap will outlast me with reasonable maintenance I never doubted there were/are smoother bearings to be had. Unfortunately, and as I'm sure you know, your beloved pedals simply cannot be found new (well, I couldn't find them new) and the used ones come at a significant cost. ARGH. All that dribble aside, I'd guess that a man willing to replace the stock ball bearings (I wonder what size those bearings are anyway) with something better and use very thin grease could come close to ecstasy inducing smoothness.
Hey, you actually had me search for the pedals you mentioned because while the MKS's are definitely worth the money (less than $30), are easily rebuilt (ahem - those damn press fit caps on the GR-9's aside) and unless the inside bearing seals are total crap will outlast me with reasonable maintenance I never doubted there were/are smoother bearings to be had. Unfortunately, and as I'm sure you know, your beloved pedals simply cannot be found new (well, I couldn't find them new) and the used ones come at a significant cost. ARGH. All that dribble aside, I'd guess that a man willing to replace the stock ball bearings (I wonder what size those bearings are anyway) with something better and use very thin grease could come close to ecstasy inducing smoothness.
Have MKS SQuartz road pedals, Sylvan touring pedals, and MKS 1000 as well as a good number of SR 100 and 150 models which are really under rated as they are extremely well made pedals with outstanding bearings.
Will probably be having a pedal sale here once I decide what I am going to keep and what I don't need...the local hipsters and fixed gear riders are gonna love this.
I have to fund the purchase of more clipless pedals...
05-31-10 | 08:14 AM
#54
Beausage is Beautiful
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 13
From: Saitama, Japan
Bikes: Nabiis Alchemy
Still the best setup I've used. I love it, have no desire to change anything about it.
SR SP-11 pedals, Toshi doubles, MKS clips w/leathers by Swamp, hypalon doublers.
SR SP-11 pedals, Toshi doubles, MKS clips w/leathers by Swamp, hypalon doublers.
__________________
Yo. Everything I’m doing is linked on What’s up with Dave? but most of note currently is Somewhere in Japan.
Yo. Everything I’m doing is linked on What’s up with Dave? but most of note currently is Somewhere in Japan.
05-31-10 | 05:07 PM
#55
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 0
From: NC
I don't understand people spending $100 on toshi doubles and then folding them down into the clip. It seems like a waste considering you can't really tighten them down when they are like that, especially not whilst riding.
Unfortunately I had to put the cages back on the fixed gear because I switched the clipless over to the new geared bike. I use wellgo pedals, plastic double cages, comet? laminated single strap on the front with a nylon on the back. Works pretty well, but it's no clipless.
Unfortunately I had to put the cages back on the fixed gear because I switched the clipless over to the new geared bike. I use wellgo pedals, plastic double cages, comet? laminated single strap on the front with a nylon on the back. Works pretty well, but it's no clipless.
10-30-10 | 11:10 AM
#56
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Go here..........
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/pedals.html
............and scroll down to the MKS GR-9 pedals.
I have these on my Long Haul Trucker and they are great! Toe-clip pedals always want to hang upside-down, because of the weight of the aluminum toe clip. The little triangular tab that you see lets you "wipe" your foot across the pedal from front to rear, and the pedal flips over right-side-up so you can slip your foot into the clip.
I have large feet - size 13 to 14 depending on the fit of the shoe. I have the XL size toe clips from the same web page. The only problem I've found is getting straps long enough. I think eventually I'll take a set of the leather straps I bought that are too short to a harness shop or shoe-repair place and have them custom-make a strap that's long enough.
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/pedals.html
............and scroll down to the MKS GR-9 pedals.
I have these on my Long Haul Trucker and they are great! Toe-clip pedals always want to hang upside-down, because of the weight of the aluminum toe clip. The little triangular tab that you see lets you "wipe" your foot across the pedal from front to rear, and the pedal flips over right-side-up so you can slip your foot into the clip.
I have large feet - size 13 to 14 depending on the fit of the shoe. I have the XL size toe clips from the same web page. The only problem I've found is getting straps long enough. I think eventually I'll take a set of the leather straps I bought that are too short to a harness shop or shoe-repair place and have them custom-make a strap that's long enough.
10-30-10 | 04:01 PM
#57
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 535
Likes: 5
Keep this in mind.
All these pedals you see are not made for normal shoes. They are made for slotted cleats. You see that pic of those custom neuvo up there? That ridge in the back is where you're going to be stepping on. It makes very little sense, and also hurts like hell with soft sole shoes, and partially soft sole shoes will be better until that thing cuts into your shoe.
Almost all pedals are like this. The fancy track pedals are even worse because they have an even higher ridge designed to sit deep in the cleat, like the mks rx-1.
There are 2 pedals that can take clips that aren't like this. The mks gr -9, and the White industries urban platform pedal. I have the white industries pedal on the way in the mail, so can't comment on it. The gr9's are pretty narrow, I wear size 12 also, so passed on them.
I am sure there are some oddball older pedals, or very rare unknown pedals that take clips and have a nice platform. But as for available brand new from a store, those are the only 2 I know of.
You are better off with clipless over picking a pedal made for slotted cleats. I don't see how people can ride with those, but if it works for them, that is great. Sure didn't work for me.
All these pedals you see are not made for normal shoes. They are made for slotted cleats. You see that pic of those custom neuvo up there? That ridge in the back is where you're going to be stepping on. It makes very little sense, and also hurts like hell with soft sole shoes, and partially soft sole shoes will be better until that thing cuts into your shoe.
Almost all pedals are like this. The fancy track pedals are even worse because they have an even higher ridge designed to sit deep in the cleat, like the mks rx-1.
There are 2 pedals that can take clips that aren't like this. The mks gr -9, and the White industries urban platform pedal. I have the white industries pedal on the way in the mail, so can't comment on it. The gr9's are pretty narrow, I wear size 12 also, so passed on them.
I am sure there are some oddball older pedals, or very rare unknown pedals that take clips and have a nice platform. But as for available brand new from a store, those are the only 2 I know of.
You are better off with clipless over picking a pedal made for slotted cleats. I don't see how people can ride with those, but if it works for them, that is great. Sure didn't work for me.
10-30-10 | 04:10 PM
#58
Old fart
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,411
Likes: 5,350
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Keep this in mind.
All these pedals you see are not made for normal shoes. They are made for slotted cleats. You see that pic of those custom neuvo up there? That ridge in the back is where you're going to be stepping on. It makes very little sense, and also hurts like hell with soft sole shoes, and partially soft sole shoes will be better until that thing cuts into your shoe.
Almost all pedals are like this. The fancy track pedals are even worse because they have an even higher ridge designed to sit deep in the cleat, like the mks rx-1.
There are 2 pedals that can take clips that aren't like this. The mks gr -9, and the White industries urban platform pedal. I have the white industries pedal on the way in the mail, so can't comment on it. The gr9's are pretty narrow, I wear size 12 also, so passed on them.
I am sure there are some oddball older pedals, or very rare unknown pedals that take clips and have a nice platform. But as for available brand new from a store, those are the only 2 I know of.
All these pedals you see are not made for normal shoes. They are made for slotted cleats. You see that pic of those custom neuvo up there? That ridge in the back is where you're going to be stepping on. It makes very little sense, and also hurts like hell with soft sole shoes, and partially soft sole shoes will be better until that thing cuts into your shoe.
Almost all pedals are like this. The fancy track pedals are even worse because they have an even higher ridge designed to sit deep in the cleat, like the mks rx-1.
There are 2 pedals that can take clips that aren't like this. The mks gr -9, and the White industries urban platform pedal. I have the white industries pedal on the way in the mail, so can't comment on it. The gr9's are pretty narrow, I wear size 12 also, so passed on them.
I am sure there are some oddball older pedals, or very rare unknown pedals that take clips and have a nice platform. But as for available brand new from a store, those are the only 2 I know of.
https://www.whiteind.com/pedal.html
You are better off with clipless over picking a pedal made for slotted cleats. I don't see how people can ride with those, but if it works for them, that is great. Sure didn't work for me.
10-30-10 | 04:40 PM
#59
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 535
Likes: 5
Oh, if you are using cycling shoes with slotted cleats, all those pedals would be great. You wouldn't have that ridge digging into your foot. It would be sitting in the cleat like it was designed to.
What I meant is using them with normal tennis shoes.
What I meant is using them with normal tennis shoes.
10-30-10 | 05:28 PM
#60
Fueled by Tigers Blood
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Echo Park, California
wow, amazing information in this thread. Scordzilla, could you add this to the newbie FAQ?
Also, Sixtyfiver, any chance you could pass me a list and ship one of them nice pedals yer gat thar? I'd be willin to pay good cash moniez for'em
Also, Sixtyfiver, any chance you could pass me a list and ship one of them nice pedals yer gat thar? I'd be willin to pay good cash moniez for'em
10-30-10 | 05:56 PM
#61
THE STUFFED
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,671
Likes: 21
From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: R. Sachs Simplicity; EAI Bareknuckle; Madone Gen 8
If you've got the $$$:
https://www.whiteind.com/pedal.html
Works fine for me, but I've been using regular pedals with slotted cleat cycling shoes for over 30 years now.
https://www.whiteind.com/pedal.html
Works fine for me, but I've been using regular pedals with slotted cleat cycling shoes for over 30 years now.
10-30-10 | 10:11 PM
#64
Riding Engineer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 835
Likes: 0
From: Tokyo
Bikes: Kiyo Kiyo Kiyo
Anyone know Tioga Surefoot 8? It is a narrow platform pedal. You can use different spikes and special toe clips for it. I am an old school so, I usually go for track pedals or quills, but it might be nice for long distance.
It's an oldie, but Surefoot 6 was niiiiice. It's a standard pedal with a grease port. I really like that part. I hate taking apart MKS pedals because if I screw up the lock nuts, those nuts are M7 and are kinda rare ... and easy to strip. If I can do regreasing without taking apart the pedal (like with speedplay pedals), I wouldn't complain much else. ... except it doesn't work with double straps. I wish Tioga would "modernize" them.
It's an oldie, but Surefoot 6 was niiiiice. It's a standard pedal with a grease port. I really like that part. I hate taking apart MKS pedals because if I screw up the lock nuts, those nuts are M7 and are kinda rare ... and easy to strip. If I can do regreasing without taking apart the pedal (like with speedplay pedals), I wouldn't complain much else. ... except it doesn't work with double straps. I wish Tioga would "modernize" them.
