Modifying "Thin Gripster" Pedals

[Mike On A Bike]

I have used GripKings exclusively for a few years now, but I am tiring
of the frequent bearing maintenance needed for them. I think if they
had sealed cartridge bearings and metal dustcaps they'd be the perfect
pedal, but that's not the case.

I'm thinking of replacing them with the "Thin Gripster" (VP
Components) pedals that Riv sells, but the only problem is I don't do
pedals with studs because they tear up my Birks and other shoes. I am
thinking of taking the studs out and gluing on carefully cut pieces of
skateboard grip tape or some other grippy material. Anybody have
experience doing something like this?

Also, does anybody who has these think they would grip OK with no
studs and without modification?

I'm sad that the GK's aren't totally perfect, and I hope MKS will
someday tune them up with more reliable construction.

[Philip Williamson]

I've done it on MG1s with grip tape on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/philipwilliamson/8354821866/

I'm way overdue writing up a blog post for it. Grip tape is sticky, and you can cut it with an Xacto knife, either on the pedal, or before applying.

MKS GR9s with grip tape: http://www.biketinker.com/2011/projects/griptape-on-platform-pedals/

Philip 

www.biketinker.com

[Garth]

That is cool Philip !

I would have imagined the tape would not be sticky enough to stay on the pedal long term.  How long have you been using the Grip tape ? 

[Garth]

I use MG-1's with all my Birkenstock's too, but don't mind the indentions on the soles.  Without the studs they would not hold the feel too well.  The Grip tape Philip showed looks like a great idea, as long as the tape stays on the pedal !  

Have you checked if the pins are in as far as they can go ?  I just thought of this also, but with the right tap and a drill you could make the holes deeper too. Just a thought. 

[Mike]

Have you considered the Ergon pedals? They seem like they'd be great
for riding with Birks given their size (big) and shape. Check the
Ergon website.

--mike

[Philip Williamson]

I've only ridden this set for a month or so, but the tape hasn't moved. The MKS pedals worked great for many months but a couple weeks of hot days made the tape slide gradually off the metal. The tape on my wooden pedal decks has never budged at all. I think the tape will stick to the MG1s better than the MKS pedals because of the paint, the greater surface area, and mostly the lack of protrusions.
I'll keep you posted.

Philip
www.biketinker.cm

[clyde canter]

There are some cheap beartrap pedals available that I have come to love. They are made by VP (google VP beartrap pedals).  The bearings come set too tight (IMO).  A little futzing with the adjustment and they work beautifully.  You can get them for less than 20 bucks.  I have 3 sets and I really  like them.

 

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[Mike On A Bike]

I just checked in at Velo Orange and it they have a really nice
looking sealed cartridge platform pedal. Check it out here:
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/pedals/grand-cru-sabot-pedals.html

It looks like it's shorter than the GK's at 10 cm (picture on Riv
shows GK's at 11.5 cm), but also wider at 10cm. I most likely will be
buying these soon and if so I'll be sure to write up a review on
them.

On Jan 15, 11:10 pm, Sean Cleary <1upand1d...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Mike, I concur with your Grip King comments, having repacked the same pedal twice in one season-cmon! I've gone 10 years without doing such maintenance on old Shimano pedals. However, being the owner of some VP Gripster pedals, I can say that your plan will likely fall short because of the pesky axle ridge, or hump, in the pedal platform which won't allow for good grip. It's only tolerable WITH the pins since they prevent your foot from hitting the axle hump.
>
> If you do buy them, I suggest just remove a few of the pins, actually Allen set screws, to see if they really do tear up your shoes that much and I suspect they won't. I don't find the screws all that grippy in actuality. I just really don't care for the pedal, it's too thin, doesn't have good platform size or ergonomics. I feel there are much better options.
>
> Good luck,
> Sean

[Liesl]

"I just checked in at Velo Orange and it they have a really nice
looking sealed cartridge platform pedal. Check it out here:
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/pedals/grand-cru-sabot-pedals.html

It looks like it's shorter than the GK's at 10 cm (picture on Riv
shows GK's at 11.5 cm), but also wider at 10cm. "

The Epicurean cyclist came back from (active) hibernation and has a side-by-side comparison/photo of the VO pedal and the Thin Gripster.  The VO is bigger in every way. 

http://epicureancyclist.com/spotted-velo-orange-sabot-pedal-vs-thin-gripster/

I have a pair of the Riv Thin Gripsters and, as I've posted before, *love* them.  Here's my best measurements using a cheap caliper:

Thin Gripster deck size:
94 mm wide at the axle
71 mm wide at the front and rear edges
83 mm fore/aft (just the deck; not front to back because the top and bottom decks are off-set)
9mm thick (deck, not axle)

Grip King Deck size:
46 mm wide at the axle
74 mm wide at widest
112 mm fore/aft
18 mm thick (deck, not axle)

Another comparison; MKS Touring cage size:
89 mm wide
58 mm fore/aft

[Liesl]

Whoa I love it!  What a useful set of photos of those four pedals!  thanks, Liesl