Choosing pedals for a bike

A bicycle is a vehicle that allows you to travel short distances without spending a lot of money on maintenance. For a comfortable ride, you need to have comfortable pedals, a seat and a steering wheel. Today we'll talk about bike pedals: what they are and how to choose among the many options.

These are standard and not the most reliable pedals. As a rule, they are made of plastic and begin to crack with prolonged use. These can be found on cheap or children's bicycles. Also, some people install them for a while until they get better quality options.

Better and more expensive bike pedals. In their structure, they do not particularly differ from walking ones, but they are much stronger and more durable. They are made from alloys of various metals, often aluminum. You can find models that make titanium or steel... These pedals are designed for heavy loads as more physical strength is required in mountainous conditions. There are also common names for them - "Treadmills" or "platform pedals".

Bicycle pedals that are variation of walking. Of the advantages, a more durable structure can be noted, since metal alloys, compactness and low price are used in the manufacture. If you want to keep out of the ordinary for a walk, these pedals are great. When transported by public transport they can be pushed towards the bike without getting in the way from the side.

A very popular type of pedal among cyclists. Contact models are used in competitions, over long distances and for the whole leg to actively participate in the work. The special feature of these pedals is that you need to have cycling shoes to use them. It is attached with contacts, which are of two types: either in the Look version or SPD.

These bindings are designed to put additional stress on your feet while you are cycling. If, in the case of using conventional pedals, you can simply press in your foot (and in the upper part they will reach by themselves), then for contact type pedals it is necessary to pull the pedal up in order to lower the other. To overcome long distances, you need to have strong legs that can be trained using this type of pedal.

This approach is for those who are planning or already professionally involved in cycling. The Look method was created so that the leg was fixed as tightly as possible. You can fix your foot and not even remember that your foot can move or fly off the pedal. This fastener is used for road racing where there is not a lot of stress and the likelihood that the fasteners may not hold up. SPD option is more variedbecause it is great for mountain and highway trails.

This is a great option for those who combine sports trails with regular walking. Such pedals can be fixed like contact pedals, but at the same time they can be twisted without cycling shoes, like folding or walking pedals. The fact is that the surface of these bike pedals is different. On the one side there are fasteners, but on the other - they are not.

A cheap analogue of contact pedals. This type differs in that the straps are not taken as the basis. With their help, you can fix the foot, and the main load will be on the platform, which is held on by belts. Compared to clipless pedals, these have both advantages and disadvantages. Of the pluses it is lower price, ease of fixing the foot and convenience during a regular ride. Of the minuses - less strength, insufficient fastening strength and a small assortment for those people who have a large foot size. Contact problems have no problems with these parameters.

To find quality bike pedals, you need to understand their structure. This will help those who are just starting to get involved in bike rides or trail rides.

This part is screwed into the connecting rod and holds the platform in it. The axle has different types of threads in order not to confuse parts when installing them on a bicycle. L stands for left pedal and R stands for right pedal. In order to install the left one, you need to twist counterclockwise and twist clockwise. With a right-hand thread, the opposite is true. The axle can be lengthened or shortened, depending on how much weight the manufacturer wants to make.

The main part, due to which all pedal work occurs. It is on this mechanism that the foot rests during riding. Each manufacturer sees the design of the case differently, so it is made from different materials and creates distinctive designs.

With their help, the body rotates along the axis. Mostly the service life depends on the bearings. If all other components of the pedal are made of quality materials, but the bearing is not very strong, then the whole structure will stop working in the near future.

Most often found in the walking version of bike pedals. The main function of the reflector is the work of reflectors, which are installed on the side of the case. This thing is useful because in the dark, it will help drivers to see the cyclist.

Attachment for clipless pedals.There are two types of spikes: removable and built-in. Replaceable ones are a little more expensive, because in case of breakdown or inconvenience, they can be replaced, and for this you do not have to buy whole new pedals. They can also be set to a specific height.

For use with foldable pedals only. The frames are attached to the body and are a decorative piece. They come in a variety of shapes, colors and protrusions to grab the buyer's attention.

Also found only on folding pedals. It is they who attach the frame to the body.

It all depends on the size of your feet or the shoes you are using. Some manufacturers make the body very wide so that there is more contact between the foot and the pedal. If you want to choose contact models then don't forget about cycling shoes. It is attached to the body and should fit snugly against the foot.

The manufacturer must also be considered. Some make cycling shoes in the form of small sizes, while others sell models that are one size larger so that nothing gets in the way of the foot. On this basis, and choose the size of the pedals.

The body is made of either polymers or aluminum.

Polymer compounds are good because they are inexpensive, weigh little and can dampen vibration. You can safely use the polymer pedals during city driving. Some cyclists are confused by the quality and strength of the construction of such pedals, but some manufacturers give a 4–5 year warranty, so polymer models can also serve for a rather long time.

Aluminum is the main material from which the body is made. Metal types of pedals are stronger and more durable than plastic ones. This material is suitable for those who like an aggressive riding style, uses tricks and often jumps on a bike. Among the shortcomings, one can single out greater weight, price and inability to damp vibration.

Also, the cases can be iron and steel.

The axle is made of chrome-molybdenum or plain steel. This material makes the structure strong and durable. The chrome-molybdenum coating is much more expensive, but it protects well against dirt and rust.

Bearings are of several types, namely: bulk, industrial and hybrid.

The bulk option is the simplest. It is not particularly durable or has a long service life, but it is much cheaper and easier to assemble. Such analogs are installed on the cheapest and children's bicycles.

NSIndustrial bearings are the main option for the cycling enthusiast. They are quite durable, can last a long time and have an average price. This type of assembly is most often found in expensive bicycles or mid-range models. Industrial types are used only with a metal pedal body, since the polymer one can work out much less than the bearing itself.

Hybrid combine sleeve and industrial version details. This provides very high endurance in extreme conditions, strength and durability.... If you like to ride especially hard and do tricks with a lot of load on the bike, then this option is best for you. Hybrid parts are used by professional athletes in disciplines such as Freeride and Downhill.

First of all, choose according to what style of travel you will have.For ordinary walks, there is no need to choose a pedal with industrial bearings, since there will be no special load on the part. In this case, you can purchase a walking or folding model. with polymer casing and loose bearing. It will come out cheap and be fine for simple use.

If you prefer an aggressive riding style, then better choose among aluminum or titanium models assembled with industrial or hybrid bearings. It doesn't make much of a difference whether these pedals are clip-on pedals or tool-clip pedals. It all depends on what characteristics you want to see in the device. Do not forget about cycling shoes and the fact that their length should be suitable for the cleats of the contact pedals.

For those who like to ride in the rain Better to buy anti-slip pedals to keep your foot from jumping off.

The best model from the low-cost segment. It is designed exclusively for city driving. The main part of the pedal is made of a polymer compound that can withstand all loads in urban environments. The set includes plastic spikes that can hold the shoes during the trip. Bulk bearings are installed, therefore too active and abrupt use of the bike is excluded.

Price - 550-600 rubles. Among the advantages are low weight, good strength and a rather long service life (4–5 years). The disadvantages are insufficient strength and slip of the foot when the pedal surface gets wet.

A very cheap and simple model that works well for kids' bicycles. Present reflectors, so you do not have to worry about the child not being visible to cars. The base is made of aluminum, the bearings are bulk, there is a frame.

The price is about 350 rubles. Among the advantages are lightness, ease of installation and high strength at a price. Disadvantages include poor bearing quality, low load transfer and short service life.

One of the best walking models. The body is made of aluminum for strength and durability. These pedals have built-in cleats that will improve traction even in rain conditions. It uses hybrid bearings that are known for their durability and strength. These pedals are suitable not only for the city, but also for walking in the forest, because this allows their performance.

Of the additional devices, there are side reflectors. The axle is made of chrome-molybdenum steel, therefore you can do jumps and some light tricks... Price - 1500 rubles. Strength, beautiful design and reasonable price are the advantages. The disadvantages are that they can be beaten off against the stones, you cannot change the spikes.

Model from a famous German brand. This part has a very solid base made using a special technology. Industrial-type bearings, and there are two of them at once. They provide good rotation and durability. The whole structure is closed, so moisture and debris cannot enter.

It is very difficult to disassemble this model in order to replace some parts. This is not so necessary, because the manufacturer gives a 5-year warranty. The price is 3000–3200 rubles. Among the advantages - high strength, long service life, good price for its quality, the presence of replaceable pins and an interesting design. Of the minuses - impossibility to make out.

One of the most popular types of pedals from a Japanese manufacturer. This model is very versatile. It is durable, lightweight, can be used in extreme conditions and is made using modern technologies. The bearings are sealed so there will be no corrosion. There are durable studs that increase traction even in rain conditions. The service life is 5-7 years, which is much longer than that of the previous pedal variants.

The price is about 3700 rubles. Of the many advantages, the main ones are strength, the ability to withstand heavy loads, a long service life and a beautiful design. Minus one - and this is the cost.

Attractive and original appearance, quality, reliability - all this is about this pedal model. The main advantage is efficiency under heavy loads... This result is made possible by a strong housing base, efficient bearings and high quality materials. The main body of the bike pedal is protected from moisture or dirt.

The price is 5400–5500 rubles, and the service life is 5–7 years. Strength, efficiency and durability can be called a plus. The only drawback is a certain amount of scrap due to assembly.

Has characteristics for harsh conditions. Professional athletes often use these pedals in competition. Very high strength and quality go well in this part. The difference from other contact options is that there is an opportunity to quickly unfasten the spikes. This will help the moment you might fall.

You only need cycling shoes to ride with these pedals. Price - in the range of 11,000-11,500 rubles. The advantages are quality, efficiency and low weight. The downside is that you need a special type of shoe to ride.

The most expensive and efficient pedal model. It is used only by professionals and has been tested in many world competitions. The body is made of high-strength alloy, bearings are hybrid, there is protection against dirt and moisture. The service life is 5–7 years even under the most severe loads. The unique design makes this model better not only from the inside, but also from the outside.

Price - 14,000-14,400 rubles. There are no downsides, for the price it is the best choice.

For an overview of bicycle pedals, see the following video.