sweeks

I've been using MKS AR-2 Ezy pedals on my commuter bike for many years. Here are my respectful requests to the manufacturer:
1) Please, PLEASE make the pedal axles and couplers of stainless steel! I ride all year in Chicago, and there's a fair amount of corrosion that results from exposure to water and salt.
2) It would be great to have easily removable end caps for better serviceability.
3) Better pedal axle seals would help extend the service intervals.

These pedals have about 20,000 miles on them. They have been rebuilt several times, with re-surfacing of the inboard (crank-facing) axle bearings and replacement of all the balls. The pedal pictured here was damaged so that the end cap would no longer stay in. In spite of being open to the elements for several winter months, the outboard bearing was still well-greased compared to the inboard bearing. I've improvised an end cap out of an aluminum pan.
The couplers have been replaced because one of them cracked. I try to keep them coated with chain lube, but if the parts were made of stainless steel, their up-keep would be much easier.



A more robust end cap would be nice.


Pedal axle and coupler parts are susceptible to rust. They should be made of stainless steel.


This pedal coupler developed a crack, probably from stress risers caused by corrosion.

Andrew R Stewart 

The problem with asking a manufacturer to make a longer lasting product is that they then get less future sales of that product. It is easy to think that long lived products are highly valued, but what really sells is the sizzle. The hype of going faster, going bigger, weighing less and not remaining the same forever. Andy (who has a pair of MKS Esquartz pedals looking for the right home)

3alarmer 

.
...they make an AR-2 without the easy in and out coupling. Fewer moving parts = more durable assembly. Is your commuter situation such that you really need this feature ?

Making the coupler parts out of stainless would increase the cost beyond what most of us are willing to pay for these.

sweeks

<sigh> Yes, I realize this is a dream. It's hard to have really good pedals (Shimano SPD) that rarely need service (and can be easily serviced when necessary) and not wish for the same properties in the pedals I use daily.

It's a folder. Only one pedal actually needs to fold, but it's essential.

So it looks like I will just keep these pedals going as long as I can... so far, so good.

Germany_chris

I wonder if the new coupler would fit your old pedal

tkamd73 

No, that’s their cheap light pedal, if they do as you bid, not that they actually will, it won’t be cheap. Just buy another set, or buy one of their better pedals.
Tim

Germany_chris

I know we all have a perspective on cheap, but I don’t think there are any cheap MKS rinko pedals

canopus 

Extreme conditions = Shorten your service interval times...

tkamd73 

OK, cheap within the family of MKS pedals.
Tim

Iride01 

20,000 miles and I'd be wanting something new and pretty well before then. If for no other reason than just to have something to do for my bike. Though in truth, I'd probably have a new bike since riding the same thing year after year gets old and the grass is greener thing and just new bike fever in general starts to take hold of me.

Germany_chris

Your post made me do some research, my pedals are low end rinko and are not compatible with high end rinko. I have never turned to this forum for highend/boutique stuff but I’ve been proven wrong, I can’t buy the “real” rinko stuff from any popular American or German websites. TBH I have the same pedals in both quick release and fixed and they are stellar

Thanks for the education