Folding bicycle pedals. Review and questions.

[Jeff Liebermann]

I've been riding with folding bicycle pedals for about 2 months so see
how well they work and evaluate the design. I bought some Sunlite
2067302 pedals on eBay for about $18:
<http://www.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/bicycles/Sunlite%2067302%20folding%20pedals/index.html>
<http://www.ebay.com/itm/290981572428>

They *may* have originally been made by Hsing Ta Industrial Co., Ltd
as HTI-F2 pedals. They are no longer listed on the web pile, do not
look anything like their other pedals, and therefore may be some other
company "borrowing" the HTI name:
<http://www.hti-pedals.com/ht_portal/product/list?cname=pedal>

So far, they function marginally, and I can see problems with the
design. Note the "lump" in the aluminum casting that sticks out
slightly above the pedal platform. That's intentional so that the
bulk of the shoe pressure hits the stronger aluminum, and not the
weaker plastic resin. That results in a tendency for my foot to slide
outwards. When that happens, and I'm pushing beyond where the resin
pin fits into the aluminum socket, causing the resin part to bend.
It's especially bad when wearing flat bottom street shoes or grinding
my way up a hill.

Note the location of the round aluminum socket hole in:
<http://www.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/bicycles/Sunlite%2067302%20folding%20pedals/slides/Folding-pedal-01.html>
It's located roughly in the middle of the pedal. That's the end of
the strong part of the pedal. The connection and locking mechanism
worked nicely, until I buried the pedal in mud. Getting it apart was
easy enough. Putting it back together was difficult because the pin
and socket arrangement didn't like the dirt piled up in the interface.
Without any place for the dirt to go, nothing would fit. I'm tempted
to drill some exit holes in the aluminum socket to see if that helps.
In the end, I had to use my water bottle and a rag to wash out the
mechanism.

Despite the marginal design, the folding pedals have been quite
useful. They allow me to store my bicycle in my office and not smash
into the projecting pedals every time I walk past. They add an
additional layer of security when I park my bicycle in that few
bicycle thieves are likely to just jump on the bicycle and ride off
with the pedals unlocked. It also makes the bicycle fit better in
back of my Subaru and on the bike carrier hung off the rear hatch. It
also makes it easier to store my bicycles closer together and not get
them tangled in the pedals. I like the concept, but not the
implementation.

Does anyone know of a better folding pedal design? Something with an
exposed locking mechanism, that doesn't collect dirt and is somewhat
self cleaning. Maybe an all metal design. Easily removable pedals
are acceptable. I have some ideas for making my own, but I would like
to see what's available first.



--
Jeff Liebermann je...@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

[AMuzi]

There's a very nicely made MKS pedal whose aluminum body
snaps (no tools) on and off:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/MKSEZOFF.JPG

Not specifically a folding pedal but it is quality if the
format works for you.

--
Andrew Muzi
<www.yellowjersey.org/>
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

[Andre Jute]

Thanks for posting a bicycle-related thread to a bicycle-tech group, Jeff. -- Andre Jute

[Zarniwoop]

Brompton uses 1 large bearing , and mounts it to the crankarm with a core ,
flanged on the outside , a washer to press against the inside of the bearing ,
and fix it to the crank arm..

the threaded core is made in steel, RH and LH thread, and in Titanium in the LH thread
on their bikes a folding RH pedal is unnecessary.

[Radey Shouman]

They also seem to have a folding pedal:

https://www.google.com/search?q=mks+fd7&tbm=isch

I can't comment on these in particular, but have been satisfied with
several MKS pedals.

--

[avag...@gmail.com]

https://www.google.com/search?site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1231&bih=539&q=german+folding+bicycle+pedals&oq=german+folding+bicycle+pedals&gs_l=img.12...3393.21059.0.23996.29.16.0.13.13.0.126.1802.0j16.16.0....0...1ac.1.32.img..7.22.1836.n4f5SASifMg

[Martin Riddle]

I've been using the RMS pedals for some time, not folding but almost
1/2" shorter than their standard touring pedal. I have both and can't
tell the differance.
<http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/pe2.htm>

If I wanted a folding pedal, I'd go with MKS.

Cheers

[John B.]

On Sat, 23 Nov 2013 09:31:52 -0800, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com>
wrote:

See http://www.nycewheels.com/p-pedal-removable-mks-sv.html

Not folding but removable.
--
Cheers,

John B.

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Sat, 23 Nov 2013 11:56:36 -0600, AMuzi <a...@yellowjersey.org> wrote:

>There's a very nicely made MKS pedal whose aluminum body
>snaps (no tools) on and off:
>http://www.yellowjersey.org/MKSEZOFF.JPG
>Not specifically a folding pedal but it is quality if the
>format works for you.

Thanks. I looked at the MKS EZY and EZY-Superior line of pedals,
<http://www.mkspedal.com/English/1W-out.pdf>
and decided to try something cheaper when I saw prices at $50 to $90.
Still, it's tempting to buy a collection of MKS EZY-Superior adapters
for all my bicycles, and just rotate a single pair of pedals between
machines.

I don't like the little yellow clip that is suppose to keep the EZY
locking mechanism from spontaneously releasing. Apparently it's a
problem with the EZY line, but has been fixed with EZY-Superior.
<http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/623254-Removable-Pedals-Ezy-vs-Ezy-Superior>

Much as I like the idea of removable pedals, they can easily become a
problem if I decide to go somewhere, and need to leave the bicycle
locked to a bike rack. I have to remove and carry my junk bag,
headlight, helmet, and pump. Two pedals would need to be added to the
list which is another reason why I tried folding pedals first.

<marti...@verizon.net> wrote:
>I've been using the RMS pedals for some time, not folding but almost
>1/2" shorter than their standard touring pedal. I have both and can't
>tell the differance.
><http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/pe2.htm>

The shorter pedal might be useful on some rides, but my problems are
storage and car carrying, not riding. I need to lose something like 4
inches off each pedal, not 1/2 inch. Also, I sometimes wear
construction boots, which might slide off the end of a short pedal. No
thanks.

On Sat, 23 Nov 2013 10:04:33 -0800 (PST), Andre Jute
<fiul...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>Thanks for posting a bicycle-related thread to a bicycle-tech group, Jeff. -- Andre Jute

Y'er welcome. Hopefully that should adequately restore my karma loss
from previous transgressions, topic drifting, and digressions into
irrelevant trivia.

<fiet...@gmail.com> wrote:
>Brompton uses 1 large bearing , and mounts it to the crankarm with a core ,
>flanged on the outside , a washer to press against the inside of the bearing ,
>and fix it to the crank arm..

>The threaded core is made in steel, RH and LH thread, and in Titanium in the LH thread

>on their bikes a folding RH pedal is unnecessary.

Clever design:
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqqnJHHYO-o>
However, it doesn't seem to be available as a separate product.

John B. <sloc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>See http://www.nycewheels.com/p-pedal-removable-mks-sv.html
>Not folding but removable.

Yep. MKS seems to be the favored pedal maker. However, that model is
the EZY with the yellow locking clip, which I would like to avoid.
Same idea, but in the EZY-Superior series might be better.

[avag...@gmail.com]

a Brompton design may show in the Images page I posted.

the deal is dirt/wear/materials...looks good for MKS. How's the MKS seal/bearing/lube level ?

old school thought is plastic pedals ship with plastic bearings SOP unless you're traveling to planet LOOK

[LF]

>
> Does anyone know of a better folding pedal design? Something with an
>
> exposed locking mechanism, that doesn't collect dirt and is somewhat
>
> self cleaning.

I'm pleasantly surprised with how well the plastic Dahon folding pedals work (stock with my old Dahon Speed-7). <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlUgeASrRho>

They even grip well in wet weather -- at least with shoes having rubber/synthetic soles.

I don't know if the more expensive ones with some metal parts are any good.
Best,
L

[avag...@gmail.com]

^^^^^^^^^^^^

THATSnot the story...how many miles are on the Dahon pedals ?

[Jeff Liebermann]

That looks like it's an improvement over the cheap pedals I purchased.
Like all such folding resin pedals, they probably can't handle much
pressure towards the end of the pedals. For example, I was thinking
of buying these similar pedals:
<http://www.ebay.com/itm/160877504524> $10
However, in the description, I find:
4. During riding, pedal force point should be centre position,
cannot concentrate at the end of the pedal.
which is the same problem I was noticing on the cheap folding pedals
that I purchased. Do your Dahon pedals flex if you apply pressure
towards the end?

I'm beginning to get the clue that such resin folding pedals only work
if the pressure is applied on the non-hinged inner parts (usually
metal). I'm looking at MKS FD-7 folding pedals, which are all metal
and presumably stiffer.
<http://www.ebay.com/itm/331066630775> $43
However, they seem to stick out further than the other folders, and
certainly more than the removable variety (MKS EZY). I'll need
measurements to be certain.

It doesn't take much to find folding pedal horror stories:
<http://www.ternbicycles.com/us/forum/my-tern-eclipse-p9-pedal-has-snapped>
Folding pedals only last 500 miles?
<http://cdn.ternbicycles.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/wysiwyg_imageupload_colorbox_preset/users/uploads/1755/img_1258.jpg>
STOMP brand folding pedals, which appear to be all metal.

Transparent folding pedals.
<http://www.ebay.com/itm/110669165563> $20
At least I can see the dirt when it jams the mechanism or light them
up with an LED.

[avag...@gmail.com]

TAKE CRANKS AND A COUPLA SMALL SKS to the machine shop

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Sun, 24 Nov 2013 09:11:59 -0800, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com>
wrote:
(...)

Here's another removable (quick-release) design from Wellgo:
<www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=wellgo+quick+release> $42 to $70.

Anyone have any experience with these? In particular, does the
locking mechanism hold together (as compared to the MKS EZY)?

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Sun, 24 Nov 2013 10:46:04 -0800 (PST), avag...@gmail.com wrote:

>TAKE CRANKS AND A COUPLA SMALL SKS to the machine shop

I don't think it's necessary to threaten the machine shop with SKS
rifles in order to have them work on the cranks:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SKS>
Besides, SKS rifles are banned in California. Wouldn't it be easier
to just pay them to do the machine work?

[LF]

On Sunday, November 24, 2013 12:11:59 PM UTC-5, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >> Does anyone know of a better folding pedal design? S

> that I purchased. Do your Dahon pedals flex if you apply pressure
> towards the end?
>

>I've been riding the Dahon for 2 years, and haven't noticed pedal flex. Maybe the partially metal more expensive ones (touted by my LBS) are un upgrade -- your guess is as good as mine. When I first got the Dahon, I purchased a set of steel MTB pedals ... erroneously assuming the plastic Dahon pedals were crap. I was wrong -- thus pleasantly surprised. When I fix up the Bike Friday that appeared in my driveway, when a friend moved, I'll look for some of those plastic dahon pedals to replace the rigid high quality ones on the BF now.
My road bike pedals are GripKings, and I like the Dahons just as well. The dahon pedals seem to grip better in wet weather.
Best,
L