Bear trap pedals.

[clyde canter]

 Anyone still use them?  Thougts.

Best

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

There are oodles of bmx style pedals now, which seem to have supplanted the bear trap style. The only bear traps I've seen lately have been cheapies.

[Jim Mather]

On Tue, Oct 9, 2012 at 9:48 PM, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery
<thil...@gmail.com> wrote:
> There are oodles of bmx style pedals now, which seem to have supplanted the bear trap style. The only bear traps I've seen lately have been cheapies.
>

I have an older mtb with the original Suntour beartraps. They are
certainly sturdy, but I don't think they are better in any way than an
inexpensive bmx pedal, which, as Jim said, are plentiful. I recently
bought on sale some magnesium bmx pedals that are relatively light and
provide an ample platform for my size 14's. Far more supportive than
the bear traps.

jim m
wc ca

[soapscum]

I also have some magnesium, sealed cartridge bearing platform pedals, and while they are really nice they have an annoying tendency to draw blood at the slightest provocation in the summertime. When I couldn't source suitably short replacement pegs, I bought a pair of cheapie bmx plastic platfoms. They're burdened with the dreadful moniker "Shadow Conspiracy Ravager" pedal, but at least they're black. They have molded grippy nubs that have been fine in both we and dry weather, and they have easily serviced ball bearings. Best of all: $18

[velomann]

When I can get the old Suntour pedals in good shape at a decent price, I snatch them up. I just find them so comfy and versatile. That said, I recently acquired two pairs of the older Diamondback rectangular bear trap style pedals. First test ride I bobbled a steep uphill and ripped the heck out of my shin - Ouch! those suckers are sharp! 

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012 11:49:57 AM UTC-7, ccanter wrote:

[clyde canter]

Thanks to all who gave input.  I had found a pair of VP bear traps online for less than 12 bucks shipped to my door.  I have always wanted to try them. They get here tomorrow so I'll be able to form my own opinions soon. I was interested to see how many , of few used and liked them here, hence my query.

 I've been pedaling free (no retention) for about a year now and the pedals I've tried are as follows. 

MKS Grip Kings, Lambda.  I love the length.  Grip is adequate, but they seem a tad narrow for me.  I have seen the list member who has made the modification to these.  I haven't tried that yet, but haven't ruled it out either.  Clever idea.

MKS Sylvan touring pedals.  Love the width, just wish they were longer.  My toes sometimes go numb on longer rides. Grip is as good as any pedal I've tried.  I find bladed pedals grip better for me than platforms. I have a mod  to lengthen these,I have been wanting to try , just haven't been able to execute it to my satisfaction. All that said these are still my favorites so far.

VP-001 gripsters.  I've had these for a short while now and until recently thought they were going to be the ultimate.  Last couple of rides though I've been getting some hot spotish pain in the balls of my feet. Again on longish rides.  Too much contact area perhaps?  Move my feet around more?  I haven't given up on them yet. The for and aft dimensions seem perfect and the grip is fantastic, even in the wet. These would be my second favorite. I should note that I've bled a little with these too.  Those pins are a tad on the sharp side.  Probably would use a bit of file work here and there.

The bear traps seem like they might be the ticket.  Bladed like the Sylvans but with a larger footprint, ie...less contact over a larger area.  I'm anxious to give them a trial.

Again thanks to all for the input.

Best,
Clyde

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[Joe Bernard]

You should try the MKS RMX pedals Riv sells. They're a classic example of a product that would probably have a better reputation if they cost more. I have Grip Kings and Touring and they work ok, too, (Touring is better for singletrack, hence their presence on my Bstone MB-1 mtb), but for most riding the RMX is better.

 

Joe Bernard

Vallejo, CA.

[clyde canter]

They certainly seem to be popular Joe.  They just don't look to me like they would have much grip in wet conditions.  Reviews seem great on them though. 
Thanks for the tip.
Clyde

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[clyde canter]

The bear traps came yesterday. They felt really cheap in my hands.
How best to describe the bearings? Stiff? Tight? Crunchy? All are
accurate. I did a ride of about 25 miles on them and they didn't feel
cheap underfoot. They felt great! Going to keep them on.
Attached are photos from my crappy phone camera.

Clyde

>>>> out of my shin - Ouch! those suckers are *sharp! *
>>>> *

>>>> *On Tuesday, October 9, 2012 11:49:57 AM UTC-7, ccanter wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Anyone still use them? Thougts.
>>>>> Best
>>>>>
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[Joe Bernard]

Green, like the bike! Very nice.

 

Joe Bernard

Vallejo, CA.

[ekoral]

I have a set of beartraps on a rockhopper/albatross/2.5" tire hunq-style bike and i love them. At one time, i had two of the suntour xc-II bear traps which i thought were the absolute best. On a long dirt ride, the suntour bit the dust (mud) and was decimated on the long, bearing-less ride home. i went to the LBS and picked up one left side beartrap that was a knock-off with the same dimensions, only clearly more cheaply built. when i ride them together now, i notice absolutely no difference. in fact, i think now, the cheapy's bearings are in better shape than the suntour. 

long story short, i love my bear traps just as much as i like my grip-kings and mks tourers. in fact, i switch between them very often because i can't decide. 

happy riding!

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012 11:49:57 AM UTC-7, ccanter wrote:

[Garth]

I would only add that I do not take it for granted that a pedal comes from the factory properly put together if it uses ball bearings. If the bearings do not feel right upon putting on the bike , double check the adjustment of the bearings.  If they are too tight or loose they won't last long !

[charlie]

Right on Garth........a little adjustment and some good quality grease. I have an inexpensive pair on my old single speed with thousands of high rpm miles and they are smooth running. New bearings are cheap also and its good to have a small supply in various sizes in your tool box.

[Garth]

Yes Charlie !  Grease !!!!  Every pair of my BMX style Wellgo MG-1's have little if any grease inside them. Like most of the cartridge bearing pedals ... the cartridge bearing is only on one end ! The rest they give all sorts of terms but is essentially no bearing, but a bushing of the whole axle.  If not greased, they tend to develop a crunchiness and looseness, for lack of a proper term.  Loaded with grease .... all is well :)  I have 4 sets of them and they all had zero grease on the axle/bushing.  Awesome pedals though !!!

[Ryan Ray]

My experience has been remarkably similair. I probably won't try anything other than the mks touring pedals again.