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MKS pedals

Old 08-05-20, 07:10 PM
  #26  
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I will agree that these are great pedals and that current MKS just don't seem to spin as well as there older stuff. I have some from the 80's and 90's in my parts bin that look like some one road them to hell and back and beat on them with a sledge hammer that spin nice believe it or not these still spin nice never serviced.

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Old 08-05-20, 07:44 PM
  #27  
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+1 for MKS pedals. I’ve never had a problem breaking them in, after which they run as smooth as butter.
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Old 08-05-20, 08:01 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by kidadam
There is just no removing one of the old pedals. I’ve been at it for hours.
I trust you know the left pedal has left hand threads.
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Old 08-05-20, 10:36 PM
  #29  
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The only bike I don't have MKS pedals on is my Karate Monkey. I'm sold on MKS. They're dependable, never a crap-shoot about what you're getting.
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Old 08-06-20, 12:18 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by natterberry
I take that as “people who don’t know how to maintain pedals wont have to for awhile,” rather than “breaking in.” Why would you ride with overly tight pedals, when you have the knowledge and ability to have and maintain appropriate adjustment?
I take that as a company that has been doing this for over 50 years knows exactly what they are doing, providing excellent quality, service, value and looks that works right out of the box and continues to do so for many, many miles regardless of anybody elses second guessing or overthinking.

Like I said, their pedals are one of the best values in all of cycling.
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Old 08-06-20, 05:32 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by 79pmooney
I trust you know the left pedal has left hand threads.
An overnight sit in penetrating oil and a shanked hiking boot did the trick. I can say that was the hardest pedal I've ever come across. It was nice to that snap underfoot.
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Old 08-06-20, 05:59 AM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by 3alarmer
.
...I like MKS, as a company. They make my life easier. Their version of the old Lyotard platform pedal is exquisite.

+ 1 on these pedals. Plus MKS makes those deep toe clips that work with pretty much any shoe including hiking shoes.

I also really like the lambda pedals for running around town. This thread got me to look at the MKS website and I just realized that a new version of the lambda has come out which has a few improvements; it's a little more squared off and has real pins now. I'm getting a pair. They look funky but they are really comfortable.
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Old 08-06-20, 07:48 AM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by 3alarmer
.
...I like MKS, as a company. They make my life easier. Their version of the old Lyotard platform pedal is exquisite.

Agreed, it's a very nice pedal, superior in many ways to the Lyotard mod. 23 that inspired the design. But it doesn't work with slotted cleats, and that's a show-stopper for me.
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Old 08-06-20, 09:34 AM
  #34  
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I love the MKS Sylvan track pedals and have them on a bunch of bikes. I had managed to bend the left hand spindles on two sets. Somehow I tracked down an email address for MKS and asked them who to contact for replacement parts. They suggested I mail them $9 U.S. cash for shipping and cost, and they sent me two new left-side spindles for my pedals. I need to break down and get a pair of their interpretation of the Lyotard Marcel Berthet mod. 23, because I loved the originals.
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Old 08-06-20, 11:00 AM
  #35  
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I have both the pedals and straps - the pedals are great and I have had no issues other than the slots for the straps being a little narrow. This is easily solved with some file work.

The straps I am less enamored with - the are great looking, but too long. I haven't has the nerve to cut them due to the stitching and construction.
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Old 08-06-20, 11:25 AM
  #36  
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I have road quills on all of my bikes, a mix of Campagnolo, MKS, KKT Pro Ace, and Agrati. The MKS seem about as good as any of the others, but I am super-impressed by how well my well-used 1970 KKTs cleaned up and operate. The bearing races and pedal spindles looked great when I rebuilt them, and I am happily using them on the mountain bike currently.
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Old 08-06-20, 01:24 PM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by kidadam
Tis the non drive side - I have penetrating oil on it and have been whacking it with a hammer for some hours now. It’ll get there or it’ll go to the shop!
I had a stubborn pedal in December and ended up using the breaker bar on my pedal wrench and immobilized the crank arm with toe straps - after double checking I was going the correct direction to loosen - it came off

stubborn pedal
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Old 08-06-20, 01:51 PM
  #38  
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I recently splurged on a pair of the fancy sealed bearing touring model...very shiny and very smooth.
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Old 08-06-20, 06:46 PM
  #39  
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I really like these pedals - they spin really nice.



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Old 08-06-20, 07:06 PM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by Thalia949

The straps I am less enamored with - the are great looking, but too long. I haven't has the nerve to cut them due to the stitching and construction.


...when presented with this issue myself, I usually fold, punch, and pop rivet the ends. Then I don't need strap buttons.
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Old 08-06-20, 07:30 PM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by kidadam
Any thoughts on these pedals? The price was right so I picked them up.

I also grabbed velo orange straps.



You've got a very pretty dog. A beautiful border collie. There is nothing more loyal on God's green earth than a collie dog.

Last edited by ramzilla; 08-08-20 at 06:43 PM.
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Old 08-06-20, 07:48 PM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by ramzilla
You've got a very pretty dog. A beautiful border collie. There is nothing more loyal on earth than a collie dog.
He has an amazing ability to make me feel like I haven’t done enough with my day 😄. He’s also a very spoiled collie.
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Old 08-06-20, 08:30 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by kidadam
He has an amazing ability to make me feel like I haven’t done enough with my day 😄. He’s also a very spoiled collie.
He looks at lot like my old pal Skipper. He's got some brown on his legs. So, he's a pretty tri-color collie. Probably too smart for his own good & scared of his own shadow. I look forward to when I can be with my little buddy Skipper again in heaven.
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Old 08-06-20, 08:40 PM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
My experience is that MKS pedals tend to ship with the bearing adjusted on the tight side. Loosen the cone a smidge and they'll be fine.

N.B. the dustcap takes the same wrench as Campagnolo, Gipiemme, Ofmega, and others. The MKS version of the dustcap wrench is quite affordable and better than mangling the caps with a pliers or other crude implement.
+1 Many manufacturers adjust pedals and other bearings on the tight side. They don't want Joe Blow complaining to the bike shop that the pedals he just bought a couple months ago are "loose or something, they must be ruined!"

It is always best to adjust properly to start, and then readjust a month or so later once they've had some time to wear in.

For an alternate opionion, I really liked the VO toe straps, and normally I despise laminated toe straps. Good quality buckles and they are very comfortable when cinched. I didn't notice any particular difficulty in getting in compared to a christophe etc.
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Old 08-06-20, 08:42 PM
  #45  
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It is curious that this thread came up when it did. I had just received my package including MKS Touring pedals. I prefer MKS pedals. They are well made, serviceable and always thoughtfully designed. I was on the fence about buying the Lyotard platform type or the touring pedal. It came down to, was I using toe straps or not. In this case, not. So, the touring pedal was ordered. I have the Lyotard 23, but I would love to get the MKS version. In my case, since I am not using cleats anymore the flat platform of the MKS version should be ideal.



I have to get some spare pedal caps and a cap wrench one of these days.
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Old 08-08-20, 01:02 AM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by kidadam
He has an amazing ability to make me feel like I haven’t done enough with my day 😄. He’s also a very spoiled collie.
One look in those eyes, brings up the old "prayer" -- Lord, let me be half the person my dog thinks I am.
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Old 08-08-20, 07:25 PM
  #47  
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The pedals have already loosened - I’m happy they were tight and gitty. Those of you who say get the tool are correct, they have loosened a fair bit already and will need tightening.
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Old 08-08-20, 09:38 PM
  #48  
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My favorite pedal, but they are often short on grease.
I always disassemble, re-lube, and reset the bearings when I get them new.
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Old 08-10-20, 11:15 AM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by kidadam
An overnight sit in penetrating oil and a shanked hiking boot did the trick. I can say that was the hardest pedal I've ever come across. It was nice to that snap underfoot.
And it NOT being something breaking....
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Old 08-10-20, 11:36 AM
  #50  
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They are my pedal of choice. Just a little on the tight side when new, but they break in rapidly and are then just right. I have them on all of my bikes.
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