Which Pedals
Now for the pedalsAfter using the Shimano M324 and destroying them on 2 trips in no time (I'm a slow learner) am leaning towards the flat variety.
Any suggestions. Would like one I could actually grease and take apart if I had to. The 324 needed a special tool that cost more than the pedal. After writing them with no response tend to stay away from their gear.
I don't even mind having to use the straps. That way I wouldn't need cycling shoes anymore, which was limiting walking on slippery rocks.
The newest Ergon pedals look OK too
Any comments
1
I used MKS Sylvan Road pedals on my old Miyata 1000 and they lasted the entire 170,000km life of that bike. The replacement bike is 27,000ish km down the road and I've only regreased its Sylvans once. They're easy to service and pretty much indestructable - use locktite on the end caps though.Combine them or the Sylvan touring pedal (same innards, slightly different design) with Zefal half toe clips and you'll have an excellent touring setup that can be used with walking/hiking shoes. The clips don't lock you to the pedals but will stop your feet slipping off on rough terrain.
Where are you off to next?
2
I don't tour anymore, but when I did, I used cage pedals (requiring no special shoes). Rarely had a problem with them, maintenance is a no brainer and they lasted the life of my biking lifestyle. Sometimes they're difficult to find, but if you hop bike shop to bike shop, you're bound to find a pair. Cost about $12 or 20 as I recall.3
The M324 is not a suitable pedal for touring as you've found out, its designed for light recreational use, it's not particularly strong or well sealed.With Shimano cleatless pedals, you need to look higher up the range - the XT or XTR level are very tough and rarely fail even after much misuse. Expensive, but in the long term worth it I think. Most have a 'trekking' version such as this XT.
SKS pedals are tried and tested by numerous tourers, its hard to go wrong with them.
There is an interesting review of the Ergon pedals here.
5
If you want to go the "clipless-less" way, then I recommend flat pedals with pins - the kind usually used on BMX bikes. (search google for "bmx pedals"). my pedals review6
I also use MKS pedals. Not the more expensive (and better) Sylvan, but a fairly cheap CT Lite model, with toe clips and straps. They last a few years - 30,000kms plus before I replace. In theory they are serviceable and adjustable but at the price ($25 or less), I rarely try to get into the innards.http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mks/cycle/pedals/?referid=googwig&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=RTC_mks&utm_adgroup=MG_MKS_Pedals&utm_term=+mks++pedals+broad
7
I've got a very old pair of XTR pedals - must be 10 years now and I've really abused them but they still work perfectly. They can be stripped and serviced with no special tools, although it's rarely needed. Worth paying the extra in my view. Mine are M959 which are no longer available, but I guess the current version is just as good.I've also used very cheap M515s, which are mountainbiking pedals. They lasted well too, but the mechanism sometimes jammed in very dusty conditions. The XTRs never jam.
10
Bit late now, but in case anyone else is interested, I'd really recommend Time All-Road Grippers. It's single-sided, in case you need to ride in normal shoes for a while, and easy to take apart and service. And, as far as I'm concerned, indestructible. I've tried several different pedal systems over the years, and Time are the only ones I've never managed to wear out. (Even the cleats last longer, and still clip in even when there's hardly anything left of them.)ADVERTISEMENT
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