Bike pedals

AndyW
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Bike pedals

Postby AndyW » Mon Nov 22, 2021 2:18 pm

Hi all,

I'm looking for a durable, bmx-style, wide pedal for my hybrid bike, for extra stability. The stock pedals have been ok but rubbish when wet.

I was considering this one but looking for one with an aluminium body, preferably around or less than $50.

Any recommendations?

https://www.99bikes.com.au/pedal-azur-s ... o_s=gplaau

Cheers,
Andy

Andy01
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Re: Bike pedals

Postby Andy01 » Mon Nov 22, 2021 5:04 pm

I think they are a MTB platform/flat pedal style (I have no idea what bmx pedals look like :oops: ).

I have a set of these DMR V8 alloy pedals and they are very grippy due to the abundance of sharp studs. Almost too grippy at times as it can be awkward to move your foot on them (sliding your foot over them is almost impossible with a pair of runners). They can also be pretty lethal if your foot slips off as the studs are pretty good at removing bark from shins :D Compared with most standard flat pedals (the ones that typically look something like this - https://www.pushys.com.au/azur-streamli ... ilver.html ) they are wider and much grippier (and VERY solid - they weight about 100g per pedal more than the plastic platform pedals) - be aware that the extra width can result in more pedal touches in corners etc if you haven't lifted enough on that side.

https://www.pushys.com.au/dmr-v8-pedal-black.html - $70 (they also have silver)

Mine are black, and in hindsight I might go for the silver if I did it again because the black paint does scratch and chip if there is contact with the road, curbs etc.

I am currently using the stock Giant platform pedals that came with my new Roam 1 and they actually are not too bad. Almost identical shape and size to the DMR V8 but plastic. They are not as grippy but better than the commonly supplied cheap pedals with the thin metal edge that runs around the outside of the pedal.

My Giant pedals look remarkably like these (they are not listed on any Giant website)

https://www.pushys.com.au/bbb-trailride ... black.html - $35

DMR also make a plastic version called the V6.

https://www.pushys.com.au/dmr-v6-plastic-pedals.html - $35

Wait for Pushy's to offer discounts (maybe BF ?) or at least free shipping.

Alternatively the ones you linked are a little cheaper ($50) at BikeBug. I have no experience with the Azur pedals.

https://www.bikebug.com/azur-stout-pedal-.html - $50 instead of $59 at 99Bikes

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Derny Driver
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Re: Bike pedals

Postby Derny Driver » Mon Nov 22, 2021 9:17 pm

I bought these for $31 on Evilbay. Fantastic quality. I recommend.
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RockBros MTB Bike Pedals Platform 4 Bearings Bicycle Flat Alloy Pedals 9/16"

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Duck!
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Re: Bike pedals

Postby Duck! » Mon Nov 22, 2021 10:46 pm

BMX & MTB platform pedals are basically the same thing. For good grip you want pedals with steel studs, either fixed or adjustable height, not the plastic knobs of more basic pedals. Steel studs will bite into your shoes' soles really well, but you'll have little grip on plastic knobs.
I had a thought, but it got run over as it crossed my mind.

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Re: Bike pedals

Postby Nobody » Tue Nov 23, 2021 8:50 am

Just be warned that steel studded flat pedals bite into your shoes and wear them out faster. They also bite into your shins if you have a miss/accident. If you are doing a lot of distance commuting, you'll fare better with a clipless setup. No extra wear on shoes and they won't bite your shins as hard if you miss. But yes they cost more including shoes.

If your sold on studded flats, then I've found the DMR V8s in silver/plain alloy to be reliable, smooth operating and rebuildable. They also come in a number of colours. Probably worth the extra over what you listed.
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AndyW
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Re: Bike pedals

Postby AndyW » Tue Nov 23, 2021 5:38 pm

Thanks for all your replies.

Andy01 - Yes I was referring to the MTB platform pedals. The DMR V8 pedals looks great, as well as the Rockbros ones that Derny Driver suggested.

However, the shredding of the shoe soles wasn't something I considered. I was purely looking for an upgrade from the stock pedals that I got for better grip (especially in the wet) and stability.

The current ones I have look similar to this model:
https://www.pushys.com.au/giant-city-co ... lsrc=aw.ds

Would anyone suggest any other style of pedals which might be in between my current ones and the mtb platform ones? I didn't want to go clipless at this stage to keep it simple.

Andy01
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Re: Bike pedals

Postby Andy01 » Tue Nov 23, 2021 7:43 pm

AndyW wrote:
Tue Nov 23, 2021 5:38 pm
Thanks for all your replies.

Andy01 - Yes I was referring to the MTB platform pedals. The DMR V8 pedals looks great, as well as the Rockbros ones that Derny Driver suggested.

However, the shredding of the shoe soles wasn't something I considered. I was purely looking for an upgrade from the stock pedals that I got for better grip (especially in the wet) and stability.

The current ones I have look similar to this model:
https://www.pushys.com.au/giant-city-co ... lsrc=aw.ds

Would anyone suggest any other style of pedals which might be in between my current ones and the mtb platform ones? I didn't want to go clipless at this stage to keep it simple.
Have you looked at the plastic platform pedals (the DMR V6 and the BBB I think it was - both $35) I linked above ? I agree with Duck about the raw grip of the metal studs/pins, but the plastic lugs/pins are better than the flat surface (which would have close to zero grip, especially if the shoes or pedals were wet/damp) on your current Giant pedals, so they might be a reasonable middle ground ?

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trailgumby
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Re: Bike pedals

Postby trailgumby » Tue Nov 23, 2021 8:42 pm

AndyW wrote:
Tue Nov 23, 2021 5:38 pm
However, the shredding of the shoe soles wasn't something I considered. I was purely looking for an upgrade from the stock pedals that I got for better grip (especially in the wet) and stability.

<snipped>

Would anyone suggest any other style of pedals which might be in between my current ones and the mtb platform ones? I didn't want to go clipless at this stage to keep it simple.
There isn't really an effective middle ground. If you want wet weather riding security, it needs to be either clipless, toeclips (erk!), or MTB studded pedals. Some pedals have more studs than others. The shredding is not that bad. It's certainly better than having to deal with the consequences of having a foot slip off unexpectedly.

For commuting I use and recommend clipless. Some shoes have a little flex in the sole so are easier to walk with, although I prefer them as stiff as possible myself.

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Mububban
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Re: Bike pedals

Postby Mububban » Wed Nov 24, 2021 9:01 pm

AndyW wrote:
Tue Nov 23, 2021 5:38 pm

However, the shredding of the shoe soles wasn't something I considered. I was purely looking for an upgrade from the stock pedals that I got for better grip (especially in the wet) and stability.

Would anyone suggest any other style of pedals which might be in between my current ones and the mtb platform ones? I didn't want to go clipless at this stage to keep it simple.

If you get some basic MTB flat pedal-specific shoes, combined with the proper MTB pedals, you'll feel almost as secure and grippy as being clipped in, but can still put a foot down when commuting etc.

For my MTB, I upgraded the pedals and they were much better than the plastic stock ones. But the pins would still fit in between the tread on my hiking-style shoes.
Then I got flat soled MTB shoes, and it was another night and day improvement. They just don't slip, at all. Damn near as secure and confidence-inspiring as my road bike clipless pedals.
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bychosis
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Re: Bike pedals

Postby bychosis » Wed Nov 24, 2021 9:12 pm

I’ve got various mtb flat pedals with nasty big pins on them. Some cheaper pedals I bought with moulded studs were nowhere near as good. Despite looking like they provide decent grip, unless the pins/lugs are quite pointy they aren’t as good.

Son has DMR V6. His shins can attest to the pins being pretty grippy, was a toss up wether to go ER or not. Sure, they pins aren’t as robust for rock strike etc, and aren’t replaceable but they certainly do the job.
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Andy01
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Re: Bike pedals

Postby Andy01 » Fri Nov 26, 2021 9:06 am


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Thoglette
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Re: Bike pedals

Postby Thoglette » Fri Nov 26, 2021 12:32 pm

The standard rubber pedal (eg from MKS) is surprisingly grippy in the wet with rubber/synthetic soled shoes.
Another option is “power grips” I bought a set, loaned them to someone and never saw them again (presumably because they worked well)
Personally I use recessed sole shoes with SPD pedals for commuting.
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AndyW
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Re: Bike pedals

Postby AndyW » Fri Nov 26, 2021 4:06 pm

Thanks for the suggestions and feedback guys.

For my use, since it's mainly for weekend fitness/casual rides on bike paths up to 50ks, I probably don't need something super grippy (i.e. DMR v8) like some of you.

I do fine with the current stock ones but would like an upgrade. I'm considering the BBB or DMR v6's at this stage and going to see some in the flesh. The DMR v8's look great but what's put me off them is how they can be harsh on my jogger soles. The aluminium seem like they will last a lifetime!

Nobody
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Re: Bike pedals

Postby Nobody » Fri Nov 26, 2021 5:48 pm

Thoglette wrote:
Fri Nov 26, 2021 12:32 pm
Another option is “power grips” I bought a set, loaned them to someone and never saw them again (presumably because they worked well)
Tried them in the early '90s. They work well, but decided that eventually I was going to fall the wrong way and do my ankle an injury. So moved to SPDs for MTB and haven't changed since.

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trailgumby
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Re: Bike pedals

Postby trailgumby » Sat Nov 27, 2021 2:53 pm

AndyW wrote:
Fri Nov 26, 2021 4:06 pm
Thanks for the suggestions and feedback guys.

For my use, since it's mainly for weekend fitness/casual rides on bike paths up to 50ks, I probably don't need something super grippy (i.e. DMR v8) like some of you.
<snipped>
.
In that case, no reason not to go with MTB SPDs.

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