MKS touring pedals?
12-03-07, 07:53 AM
#1
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MKS touring pedals?
What has been your experience with MKS touring pedals? Are they durable and smooth-spinning? Do they have good foot support? What model are you using?
12-03-07, 10:40 AM
#2
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I really like the ones I have. Plenty of support, smooth-spinning. But if you ever wear running shoes you can feel the pedal through them.
The only problem I have is that I purchased XL toe clips and even with a bunch of washers in between the clip and pedal I can't get my foot in them far enough. It feels like I am pedaling with my toes. So I ditched the toe clips and am pedaling free.
The only problem I have is that I purchased XL toe clips and even with a bunch of washers in between the clip and pedal I can't get my foot in them far enough. It feels like I am pedaling with my toes. So I ditched the toe clips and am pedaling free.
12-03-07, 11:46 AM
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My Sylvian touring are still running smoothly after 7 years of daily, all-weather use. easy to service and adjust, pretty much ideal.
My size 9 (43) feet fit into L clips.
The only problem I had were a tendancy to bash the pedal on rocks when off-roading. This seemed to knock the pedal out of alignment, possibly bending the axle. I dont hit rocks any more.
My size 9 (43) feet fit into L clips.
The only problem I had were a tendancy to bash the pedal on rocks when off-roading. This seemed to knock the pedal out of alignment, possibly bending the axle. I dont hit rocks any more.
12-03-07, 11:54 AM
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I've been using MKS track pedals with MKS toe clips as well on my commuter for the last 2 years or so and have no complaints, so I will probably just keep them when I go on tour. The wider touring pedals would be preferable, but its an unnecessary expense for me. I wouldn't hesitate to get them.
12-03-07, 01:16 PM
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Another vote for the MKS touring pedals. I like the large surface area. I wear thick soled running shoes while on tour and don't feel the edges, so YMMV. The teeth like to chew on my shins if I'm not careful, though. 
12-03-07, 01:24 PM
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Yeah, i like mine also, but as the others have said if you wear a softer soled show you can feel them through the shoe, which can be uncomfortable after many miles. There is no problem if you were hard soled shoes though.
I have only had mine for a few months, but they are holding up great so far.
I have only had mine for a few months, but they are holding up great so far.
12-03-07, 07:01 PM
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I find that they work well in dry weather, but when they get the least bit wet they are pretty slick. I started a tour wearing stiff-soled mountain bike shoes but they slid all over the place even when it was just foggy out due to the moisture in the air. I was not using clips or any retention device. I switched to Tevas which are softer and they gripped better though still not well enough for me. I didn't have any discomfort with the pedals and appreciated the wide surface. I would only use the MKS touring pedals with a retention device like PowerGrips or clips. I'm going to try pinned platforms or Grip Kings next.
They spin pretty smoothly but not like butter, nothing to worry about though. My bike has fallen over three times now, each time racking the pedals and they're still true and spin fine. They seem to be fairly durable for road riding but I wouldn't go rock bashing with them.
They spin pretty smoothly but not like butter, nothing to worry about though. My bike has fallen over three times now, each time racking the pedals and they're still true and spin fine. They seem to be fairly durable for road riding but I wouldn't go rock bashing with them.
12-04-07, 07:14 AM
#9
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I really like the ones I have. Plenty of support, smooth-spinning. But if you ever wear running shoes you can feel the pedal through them.
The only problem I have is that I purchased XL toe clips and even with a bunch of washers in between the clip and pedal I can't get my foot in them far enough. It feels like I am pedaling with my toes. So I ditched the toe clips and am pedaling free.
The only problem I have is that I purchased XL toe clips and even with a bunch of washers in between the clip and pedal I can't get my foot in them far enough. It feels like I am pedaling with my toes. So I ditched the toe clips and am pedaling free.
12-04-07, 01:10 PM
#10
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I wear a size 12 Specialized Taho. If I put the clips on with no spacers I can't even get my foot in far enough to where the highest point of a SPD cleat would clip in. With about 5 extra nuts and an extr long screw I can get it just to where it is acceptable, but not far enough back for my liking. So I ditched them.
12-08-07, 09:35 PM
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I've got the Touring pedals. I've also got the GR9s which are quite nice also.
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06-16-12, 10:15 PM
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Haven't used them much yet as I just re-installed them today, but best support of any "clip-full" pedal I have used that I can remember. Feels great. Veeeeery comfy. I use it with clips-no straps. Sylvan Touring pedal. Easy to flip up and get toes into clips. Easy and supportive to get on when standing and pedalling.
Some people are worried about pedal strike because of the width. But I don't really pedal around corners, and I keep my inside pedal up when cornering - which I guess is good form anyway. I do pedal fast around corners with clipless pedals. But I try to just coast around corners, or give a gentle pedal once while going thru a turn with the MKS Tourings just to be careful and to gently test the limits of the pedal for my own interest.
Rode today about 29 miles with nary a strike.
I just love these pedals. I was thinking about getting the smaller Sylvan Stream pedals (just like touring but less width and more teeth), but as long as I don't have any pedal strike probs with the Tourings I'll keep them.
I would like to try the Streams just out of curiosity. The Sylvan Roads, too.
Some people are worried about pedal strike because of the width. But I don't really pedal around corners, and I keep my inside pedal up when cornering - which I guess is good form anyway. I do pedal fast around corners with clipless pedals. But I try to just coast around corners, or give a gentle pedal once while going thru a turn with the MKS Tourings just to be careful and to gently test the limits of the pedal for my own interest.
Rode today about 29 miles with nary a strike.
I just love these pedals. I was thinking about getting the smaller Sylvan Stream pedals (just like touring but less width and more teeth), but as long as I don't have any pedal strike probs with the Tourings I'll keep them.
I would like to try the Streams just out of curiosity. The Sylvan Roads, too.
06-17-12, 07:53 AM
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I use them on 4 different bikes, one pair has been around for close to 20 years and are still going round and round.
Aaron
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06-17-12, 08:21 AM
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I really like the ones I have. Plenty of support, smooth-spinning. But if you ever wear running shoes you can feel the pedal through them.
The only problem I have is that I purchased XL toe clips and even with a bunch of washers in between the clip and pedal I can't get my foot in them far enough. It feels like I am pedaling with my toes. So I ditched the toe clips and am pedaling free.
The only problem I have is that I purchased XL toe clips and even with a bunch of washers in between the clip and pedal I can't get my foot in them far enough. It feels like I am pedaling with my toes. So I ditched the toe clips and am pedaling free.
06-17-12, 10:24 AM
#15
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Used Campag's pedal for decades , the MKS knock off is similar
to the SL because the cage is aluminum..
to the SL because the cage is aluminum..
06-18-12, 11:25 AM
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I've got MKS pedals on 3 of my 4 bikes. The Sylvan Touring on my touring bike, the GR9s on my city bike, and the Touring Lite on my trail bike. After a few thousand miles I had to clean and repack one of the Sylvan Touring pedals as it wasn't spinning smoothly. It's fine now. I like the surface area, nice and wide and fits the size 12 trail running shoes I tour in just fine. I prefer to use them without clips as clips are just one more little thing to deal with when you're tired and ragged on a long tour.
