Pedals for walking boots ?

[JohnR]

The problem with ball bearing pedals is that any half decent ones are expensive and are metal which I don't like. I want plastic pedals with good bearings -- I don't think it's a thing.

I use the MKS MT-FT pedals which are plastic and have cup and cone bearings https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-clea ... als-black/.

[Brucey]

..... I got fed up with ball bearing pedals failing.......

what do you mean, exactly? AIUI the Raceface pedals turn on an outboard ball-bearing and an inboard 'DU bushing'.The 'DU bushing' is notable in several respects, one of which is that they have a frictional coefficient that is at least ~x100 more than a good ball-bearing. Kind of ironic really, considering that the mass-production of ball-bearings started 150 years ago, primarily so that better bicycle bearings could be made. The use of DU bushings' is arguably a step backwards.

The problem with ball bearing pedals is that any half decent ones are expensive and are metal which I don't like. I want plastic pedals with good bearings -- I don't think it's a thing.

DU bushings can often be substituted by 'drawn cup' needle roller bearings instead, which are noticeably more free-turning under load. I believe Crank Bros 'Candy III' pedals are a case in point. However, I don't know of any plastic pedals which are so equipped from new.

[Cowsham]

The problem with ball bearing pedals is that any half decent ones are expensive and are metal which I don't like. I want plastic pedals with good bearings -- I don't think it's a thing.

I use the MKS MT-FT pedals which are plastic and have cup and cone bearings https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-clea ... als-black/.

I tried those once and they started to click after about 6 months.

[Brucey]

The problem with ball bearing pedals is that any half decent ones are expensive and are metal which I don't like. I want plastic pedals with good bearings -- I don't think it's a thing.

I use the MKS MT-FT pedals which are plastic and have cup and cone bearings https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-clea ... als-black/.

MKS pedals are quite good; and because they often use the exact same spindles/bearings in plastic-bodied pedals as more expensive Al-bodied models, they can make excellent donors when rebuilding more expensive pedals.

[Brucey]

..... I tried those once and they started to click after about 6 months......

this may have been symptomatic of the steel cups working loose in the pedal body, which is considerably more likely with a plastic-bodied pedal.

You see, plastic and rubber mouldings often continue to shrink, long after they are made. The 'shrinkage' is a little odd, because it can cause holes to become larger, not smaller. This is less problematic for plastic fitted parts than for metal ones, because they are much less stiff, so can be made to 'expand more' without coming loose. Often a part which is in danger of loosening, or has actually loosened, is better secured with adhesive instead.

[Cowsham]

..... I tried those once and they started to click after about 6 months......

this may have been symptomatic of the steel cups working loose in the pedal body, which is considerably more likely with a plastic-bodied pedal.

You see, plastic and rubber mouldings often continue to shrink, long after they are made. The 'shrinkage' is a little odd, because it can cause holes to become larger, not smaller. This is less problematic for plastic fitted parts than for metal ones, because they are much less stiff, so can be made to 'expand more' without coming loose. Often a part which is in danger of loosening, or has actually loosened, is better secured with adhesive instead.

What would be ideal is if the bearing casing was all one metal bit and then the plastic moulding around it so that the only problem can be the plastic moulding separating from the metal case which would be unlikely.

[Brucey]

FWIW I'd probably favour rubber mounting.