changing pedals on a vintage bike
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
changing pedals on a vintage bike
is it a wise idea to take off the stock pedals and clips and change them to some modern non-clipped pedals? clips scare me to be honest, so I took the clips off but the pedals without the clips are a little uncomfortable and my shoes slip a bit , so I was going to look into what are some of my better options
is it an easy switch? are the sizes pretty standard from 80's bikes to a modern pedal?
is it an easy switch? are the sizes pretty standard from 80's bikes to a modern pedal?
#2
Senior Member
Changing your pedals to anything else will only work if the new ones have the same threading. Can get tricky if you have French/British bikes. A better option for you if all you want to do is dump the clips is to get half clips. Avoid the plastic ones and find some metal.... Velo Orangs has some. No fear with halfclips, your feet will come out when needed. If you want to change the pedals minus the clips, get some platform ones. Many of them are made to be used with street shoes and give you good grip.
3SS
3SS
#3
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,866
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 192 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 2,930 Times
in
1,495 Posts
I am willing to bet the Huntington has 'standard' 9/16 pedals on his bike and switching to clipless will be no problem. I would only be concernd about threading if he said "I have this old Motobecome and I" since that would raise the French flag.
Nothing wrong with clips and straps they just take a little practice is all. Huntington just what kind of bike do you have?
Nothing wrong with clips and straps they just take a little practice is all. Huntington just what kind of bike do you have?
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: San Francsico, CA
Posts: 324
Bikes: Schwinn Voyageur '89
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Spindle sizes have been mostly standard for the last couple decades with the exception of a Shimano "Aero" pedal and different threading. Keep in mind the left one will be reverse threaded. One can get used to clips but there's definitely a learning curve. Grant Petersen, the polarizing head of Rivendell bicycles, advocates using platform pedals instead of clips or modern 'clipless' pedals. I'm a big fan of the Japan-made MKS touring model.
#7
Tyrannosaurus Rexitis
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Posts: 934
Bikes: Scott Addict 6870
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 60 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
And really, it just takes practice to get good with toe clips. Give it a week of going slow, getting in out a lot. All you have to do is have them less than snugged down and wiggle your foot back.
#8
Human-Powered
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: PNW - Skagit Valley
Posts: 162
Bikes: 1970 Schwinn Suburban, 1973 Raleigh Sports, 1978 De Rosa
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Liked 132 Times
in
36 Posts
Not wanting to hijack this thread, but my question could pertain to the OP at some point..I bought (yesterday) a pair of Specialized shoes from my LBS yesterday and will be returning them because the velcro straps make getting in and out of the pedals (Campy SR) a real pain. I am not sure what to do - I can use my street shoes for now but I'd like to know are there any decent lace-up cycling shoes out there? Ideally I'd like to use them without cleats at first and add cleats later. I'd like to stay with the clips for now...any suggestions?
#9
Tyrannosaurus Rexitis
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Posts: 934
Bikes: Scott Addict 6870
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 60 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Not wanting to hijack this thread, but my question could pertain to the OP at some point..I bought (yesterday) a pair of Specialized shoes from my LBS yesterday and will be returning them because the velcro straps make getting in and out of the pedals (Campy SR) a real pain. I am not sure what to do - I can use my street shoes for now but I'd like to know are there any decent lace-up cycling shoes out there? Ideally I'd like to use them without cleats at first and add cleats later. I'd like to stay with the clips for now...any suggestions?
#10
12345
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: south france
Posts: 1,240
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Not wanting to hijack this thread, but my question could pertain to the OP at some point..I bought (yesterday) a pair of Specialized shoes from my LBS yesterday and will be returning them because the velcro straps make getting in and out of the pedals (Campy SR) a real pain. I am not sure what to do - I can use my street shoes for now but I'd like to know are there any decent lace-up cycling shoes out there? Ideally I'd like to use them without cleats at first and add cleats later. I'd like to stay with the clips for now...any suggestions?
vintage pedals,
vintage shoes.
Vintage cycling shoes are inexpensive on ebay, and one can be used on all your bikes. I like putting my cycling shoes on, means its CYCLING TIME.
#11
Human-Powered
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: PNW - Skagit Valley
Posts: 162
Bikes: 1970 Schwinn Suburban, 1973 Raleigh Sports, 1978 De Rosa
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Liked 132 Times
in
36 Posts
I apologize...should been more clear. I am specifically wondering if anyone has a recommendations for a new / currently produced lace-ups cycling shoe? I am currently looking on the used market eBay, Craigslist but having a hard time finding anything decent in my size - 13. Would also prefer new if possible...
#12
South Carolina Ed
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Greer, SC
Posts: 3,889
Bikes: Holdsworth custom, Macario Pro, Ciocc San Cristobal, Viner Nemo, Cyfac Le Mythique, Giant TCR, Tommasso Mondial, Cyfac Etoile
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 344 Post(s)
Liked 291 Times
in
138 Posts
IMHO clipless pedals are the single biggest improvement in cycling comfort ever. When I rebuilt my Holdsworth I put the original superleggera pedals back on and rode with cleats for a while and it was a terrible experience - no float = sore knees. My recommendation is to get get clipless pedals with mountain shoes so you can walk around normally whilst wearing them. I ride Eggbeaters and SPD-compatible pedals. The Eggbeaters are great for starters because of the 360-degree entry.
#14
Human-Powered
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: PNW - Skagit Valley
Posts: 162
Bikes: 1970 Schwinn Suburban, 1973 Raleigh Sports, 1978 De Rosa
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Liked 132 Times
in
36 Posts
The purist in me prefers the vintage completeness of my '70s De Rosa with it's complete Campy ensemble, but upon reflection - my knees are older now and I think I'll just grab a pair of Look pedals and throw the Superleggeras in a box. That's what I rode in the '90s...
#16
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,649
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2608 Post(s)
Liked 1,703 Times
in
937 Posts
I read this here a long time ago pertaining to clips & straps-
"You'll fall down a few times. You'll learn. You won't fall down anymore."
That's how it was with me. A few embarrassing falls- and now it's a part of process. I'm sure I'll fall some more- but probably not any more than I'd fall with clipless pedals.
"You'll fall down a few times. You'll learn. You won't fall down anymore."
That's how it was with me. A few embarrassing falls- and now it's a part of process. I'm sure I'll fall some more- but probably not any more than I'd fall with clipless pedals.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 2,442
Bikes: Drysdale/Gitane/Zeus/Masi/Falcon/Palo Alto/Raleigh/Legnano
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 987 Post(s)
Liked 641 Times
in
407 Posts
Except on French bikes, right? Oh, wait...
__________________
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 70
Bikes: 1980 Austro Daimler SLE
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
There's something about the look of the clips on a vintage bike that just seems right. That being said, I wore out one of my pedals last year (you could see the ball bearings rolling around) and replaced them with cleated pedals. My bike doesn't look as good, but I like how it rides.