martin_nv

I just bought a new Giant Talon 2 at the local bike shop, and the sales guy asked if I wanted pedals with that. I was kind of surprised at this, but of course I wanted pedals so I said yes. Is this a common thing now, a new bike not coming with pedals?

Reflector Guy

Yes.

blacknbluebikes 

Higher-end bikes don't come with pedals because different riders use different, non-compatible clipless solutions. Shimano, Look, Speedplay - they all use different cleats. When I get the next bike, I'll add pedals that "fit my ecosystem."

mack_turtle

this has been common for decades on anything above the most basic, low-end bikes. manufacturers don't include pedals because there are so many different kinds of pedals out there and every rider has a different preference. if they included cheap flat pedals with all their bikes, 99% of riders would immediately take them off and put on something different from Shimano, Crank Brothers, Speedplay, Look, etc. it would be a waste to include all those pedals.

Koyote

Ahem.

The Giant webpage for this bike clearly pictures it with platform pedals, and the specs indicate the same.

The shop owes the OP a pair of pedals.

MRT2

According to the Giant website, the Talon 2 comes with a cheap platform pedal. Most people put their own pedals on though, depending on what sort of cleat system they use. Even those who go with platforms often use pedals with oversized platforms and pins for better grip.

MRT2

True, unless the shop just assumed OP would be using his own pedals. Even so, the shop should give him the stock pedals unless the customer tells the shop just to keep them.

mack_turtle

I stand corrected in this case. with an entry-level bike like the Talon 2, it would normally come with pedals. the website clearly shows pedals and lists pedals among the bike's specifications.

it could be an honest mistake from a new employee who is used to selling more high-end bikes without pedals included, but that's a mistake that a bike shop should be allowed to make once. I would let the bike shop know that the price includes pedals per Giant, and offer the opportunity for them to make it right. if they insist on making your buy pedals separately, I'd not shop there at the very least, and tell Giant what they are doing if you have time and want to see that resolved for everyone else' sake.

Koyote

And if the shop doesn't have the pedals, ask for some store credit (cheapie platform pedals are worth about $20, I'd guess) to use towards some better pedals. But one way or another, that bike should come with pedals. Giant wouldn't appreciate a retailer selling its bike without a piece of spec'd equipment.

AlmostTrick

Even in the case where pedals are not included, the shop almost certainly has a box of cheap platform pedal takeoffs and would likely be happy to throw in a pair for the asking for anyone buying a bike. Then the buyer can come to BF to ask what upgraded pedals they should get.

Phil_gretz

I like the cheap platform pedals that sometimes come with bikes. They're good as take-offs for use in flips. I wouldn't want stock pedals for my own use. Meh...

79pmooney

Another reason to have those stock pedals - say you are spending a week in a resort place. Being able to put those on could be just the ticket for cruising town in your sandals. Swapping pedals takes about two minutes (as long and no grunts are allowed to tighten them).

chaadster

I’d be surprised if a showroom bike didn’t come with pedals! I’d be surprised if a online bike didn’t come with pedals! The only case I wouldn’t be surprised in is a spec order, complete build from a custom/boutique builder. I’ve never bought a complete bike which cost more than $1.4k, and they’ve all come with pedals, whether shop or online.

martin_nv

Thanks for the plethora of replies guys, I will re-visit the bike shop.

veganbikes

Bikes frequently do not come with pedals and if they do come with pedals you don't want those pedals. Pedals and grips especially are touch points and something you want to tailor to your needs. Saddles generally would come later unless you have a saddle you already like but if not I recommend riding what came with it and seeing what you like and don't like about it and then going to the shop for suggestions.

The only reason to use the cheapie pedals that come on a bike is for a test ride beyond that get something that will work well for your foot size and needs. There are so many great pedals even some cheaper pedals that are acres better than whatever they toss in the box if they have tossed something in the box.

caloso

Yeah, it's pretty common. Just take the generic platforms from the shop. If they work for you, great. I've got a couple sets of those cheap platforms knocking around in my spare parts bin and they work fine. As 79pmooney says, they're great for knocking around town if you don't want to deal with clipless.

Koyote

None of my bikes came with pedals, which -- as pointed out by several posters earlier in this thread -- is standard for nicer bikes.

chaadster

It would seem particularly odd, to me, for a sub- $1k bike shop MTB, like the OP’s Talon, to come without pedals.

chaadster

Did they charge you for the pedals? What kind did you get?

martin_nv

Yes, they charged me $65 for OnUp Flat Pedals. They seem pretty good, but I'm not a pedal expert.

mack_turtle

yeah, the one-up pedals are highly acclaimed for mtb use, but $65 USD is a bit high. are you in Canada?
you now have MUCH better pedals than what came with the bike, but the shop made a mistake/ lied to you if they said the Talon 2 does not come with pedals. they owe you some sort of credit for the upgrade because that means they did something else with the pedals that came with the bike. stock pedals are probably worth $15 USD.

martin_nv

Yes Canadian $ sorry. After further thought I probably would have upgraded the pedals anyway, but I will mention it next time I'm in there.

hillyman

For extra fun you should have asked BF for pedal suggestions. It's about time for a good pedal fight

jay4usc

most don’t come with pedals

GlennR

Are the carbon pedals?