Pedals, MKS XC Bear Trap III vs. MKS Bubble Pedals

[maxcr]

Hi Everyone,

I decided to get new pedals for the bike I'm building. First I went to my LBS (Cambridge Bicycles) and they suggested the Simworks Bubbly pedals - I really liked the spin on them and the looks, but unfortunately they only had the olives in stock. They sent me to the Simworks website, but the polished were sold out. (Their next order was going to be in about a month at best)

Reading through the forum I saw good comments on the Blue Lug Bear Trap III and ordered them in silver. 

They arrived today and I'm surprised because they feel much less smooth than the bubbly ones. To be fair they are much less expensive $62 vs $100 but still, is this normal?

Is it the lack of sealed bearings that affects rotational performance?

Will I feel a real difference if I go with one over the other?

Thanks for your opinions and knowledge.

Max in Boston

[Jared Wilson]

Hey Max,

Can't speak to the "why" aspect, but you're not crazy in your observation.

We have (3) pairs of the BL BT III and (1) pair of the Bubbly pedals and they're not in the same category. Not to say there's anything wrong with the Bear Traps, but the Bubbly pedals are on an entirely different level.

That said, either option good and you shouldn't regret your decision, you did what works for the time being and maybe later on down the road you get to try the alternative, but I wouldn't dwell on it all that much.

Jared in SLO

[Luke Hendrickson]

I have the OG Suntours and they spin for days. Get a rebuilt pair plus add some vintage charm!

[Garth]

Max,  your description sounds like they may be adjusted too tight, and/or you're simply noticing a difference between the open and cartridge bearings. Most pedals that I've owned didn't come with much grease either. More grease.... until it oozes out the sides !  Then make sure the bearing isn't loaded too much. Pedals from the factory are no guarantee of proper adjustment, not unlike Shimano hubs. 

As for the ability to spin, as long as it spins freely, it'll spin freely. Don't bother comparing the "feel" to cartridge bearing hubs because they're not cartridge bearings in the hubs. Neither bearing type means one will spin better or worse than the other.

[Ryan Frahm]

The bear trap will get smoother over time but never match the Bubbly, the Bubbly is the smoothest pedal I’ve ever seen. I prefer the larger platform of the Bubbly (they are on my commuter) but haven’t bought a set to replace my bear trap pedals on my Susie. Nothing wrong with the bear traps at all. 

[maxcr]

Thank you everyone for your replies, here's my takeaway after reading your comments and taking apart the bear traps to make sure they were properly greased and tightened (full disclosure this is the first pedal I take apart):

I found this video from Ron: https://youtu.be/sjGrbm2XxhM - take a look at minute 5:10 - mine definitely don't spin like that, but I'm not sure why, maybe they'll get smoother with use, since these are brand new out of the box.

It does seem like Simworks Bubbly & sealed cartridge will feel way smoother than Bear Traps period, but that might not translate to any improved feeling when pedaling. Also, the consensus is that Bear Traps are ok/good pedals.

Thanks again, I'll install them and see how they feel.

Max

[Minh]

i have the bubbly (in copper, had to order from japan last year), and they do spin crazy with your hand, but i'm not really sure if there is a lot of value to this?  

one thing i'd like to hear is people's feedback on the bubbly and hot spots, IMHO, i can feel the edges of the bubbly cage more than my lambda pedals.   but then i ride in soft sneakers.  

[lucky...@gmail.com]

Unhelpful to the spin convo but I was pretty disappointed at the lack of grip with the beartrap. They look great but riding in Converse my feet just slip too much. Just traded one of my three sets for a pair of Lambdas. 

Are the Bubbly pedals grippy?

On Dec 9, 2022, at 07:49, Minh <mgian...@gmail.com> wrote:

i have the bubbly (in copper, had to order from japan last year), and they do spin crazy with your hand, but i'm not really sure if there is a lot of value to this?  

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[Scott Luly]

Max:

I would bet the pedals will break-in and spin easier with use. I would expect a cartridge bearing system to be as smooth as they get right from the box, but I would not expect the same of a free bearing system like the pedals you feel are snug out of the box.

As referenced below, I have a number of new 90s XTR shimano hubs (free bearing style, not cartridge) that have some resistance when I spin axle by hand, but once they are built up with rims and run for a bit they become buttery smooth and spin with far less resistance than when new.

I doubt they are overtightened from factory, probably just right. It's unlikely they lack grease straight from factory and that you'll be able to improve tightness. In some rare cases overtightened/undergreased, maybe, but very unlikely. The factory isn't like us trying to set "tightness."

Just my 2 pennies.

Scott

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[Josh Brown]

I have blue lug sharks that I've put upwards of 2k miles on this year and they don't spin like any of my mks pedals. They're great/look great but I'm fairly certain they are the last non-mks pedals I'll buy and I'm pretty ok with that. Of course ymmv...

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[Eric Marth]

I believe MKS uses varying grades of bearings in their pedals. For example, they sell the Sylvan pedals at several different price points and the deluxe super-spinner bearings are in the more expensive version. 

Behold: the Bubblies have better bearings than the Bears? 

[Eric Marth]

All of this aside, when do you need a pedal to spin more than 1/4 turn? 

[Ryan Frahm]

Most pedals I’ve had do not spin at all. I can’t imagine that resistance doesn’t add up on a long day (with all those watts I put down!). Even if it’s a perceived gain, I’ll take it!