2saltydawg

new to forum, I'm an old-timer (60+) with an old Diamondback mt bike, bought used many years ago. I knew nothing about pedals until my left pedal stopped spinning on the spindle bearings. Not quite locked up, but turns hard and my foot rolls off front of pedal. These are Suntour XC-II pedals, 9/16, with the 2x2 tooth pattern.
Would like to find replacement spindles to have these re-built.
bought a cheap pair of pedals as a temp replacement, but they are not what I'm used to.
Any help on locating new spindles would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks - I know this is old,but so am I :-)

JohnDThompson 

They might use the same spindle as SunTour Cyclone pedals. As IIRC, Mikashima made SunTour's pedals, so there may be an MKS pedal that uses a similar spindle.

9volt 

These Cyclone spindles are similar, just a bit shorter.



Wellgo makes a reproduction bear trap pedal that is similar to the XC II and works well enough. They can be had for around $20.

wrk101

So why not just rebuild what you have with the old spindles?

XC-II pedals are collectible. If you just want a bear trap, the modern VP ones are pretty decent and cheap.

kunsunoke 

The XC/Cycone/Superbe Suntour pedals have universal sealed bearings. These can be replaced as long as you can get the spindle bolt free from the spindle itself. Sometimes that is easier said than done.

Suntour pedals in general are collectible, so they are worth fixing. If you just want a decent set of replacements, MKS makes the best ones available.

2saltydawg

I really appreciate the quick replies. As you can see I'm new to this, so please bear with me and the questions.
The cheapo pedals I just bought ($10, installed) are obvious to me now as not adequate for my feet (size 12, 4E) and I already miss my Suntour bearclaws.
Q1: are the bearings separate from the spindles? Found a set of new spindles on eBay for $25, but would I need bearings also, or are they part of the spindle? Are new bearings available if separate? This may be above my mechanical abilities, not sure.

Q2: of the replacement pedals listed above, can you please be more specific as to full names of similar pedals? I rarely ride on extreme conditions, and wear New Balance sneakers most of the time, so I liked the wide flat pedals. I think replacing the Suntours might be my best option, to try and keep costs down.

Q3: I did see some some used and NOS pedals on eBay - rather pricey it seemed. Are a pair of pedals in need of bearings on the left pedal, still worth anything on a secondary market like eBay? The right pedal spins free, left pedal turns tightly, but does not spin at all.

Thank you VERY much, and have a safe and Happy New Year!

2saltydawg

looking on eBay - saw these pedals for sale, are these any good, or will I find they are just not up to Suntour quality, even tho they look the same.
Thanks.
VP XC II Beartrap Type Pedals 9/16 " ALLOY SILVER 9/16

brian3069

The believe XC II pedals are cup and cone, not cartridge bearing. There's probably too much damage to the bearing surfaces to be worth rebuilding. But, you'll never know until you dissemble them to see what they look like.

This should give you an idea how to dissemble.

noobinsf 

Maybe MKS Lambdas? I've ordered (other items) from this seller before and was happy:

https://m.ebay.com/itm/MKS-LAMBDA-SI...YAAOSwcUBYJ6Vp

2saltydawg

thanks again for all your posts - I'm going to check a couple local bike shops and ask them about the re-build costs. I'm thinking if I can get these rebuilt and have re-built set of Suntour XC-II's for under $40, I'm doing ok. Otherwise, maybe those newer knock-offs might have to do.
Thanks again - will re-post once I finalize.
Happy New Year!

Slash5

If they are sealed bearing there are instructions here:
Suntour Superbe / Cyclone / XC Pro Pedal Overhaul Tool - Bike Recyclery

Some info here:
Reviews of Suntour Bike Pedals - the Buyer's Guide, 2015

15 page thread here seems to show loose bearings.
Detailed/How to. Restoration thread Suntour XCII pedal sets! - BMXmuseum.com Forums

2saltydawg

I went back to my local shop - he said the seal is gone on the outer pedal, and would need to find the part, might be hard being so old - seems like bearing may be intact, but just very dirty. Not sure about parts, so I bought a pair of Wellgo on eBay for $25.99. Left pedal is opposite thread, correct? I think I'll put this old pair of XC-II on eBay and see what happens.
thanks for your help, much appreciated, I learned more than I had planned

9volt 

Left pedal is opposite thread. Send me a link to the listing

2saltydawg

as a new user, I'm unable to use the pm feature as of now, and cannot read your message - I need more posts.
I'll post back once these are listed.
Thanks for your interest.

wrk101

They aren't sealed. Its not a bearing, its a bunch of loose ball bearings. Chances are grease is totally dried out, and if one or both are missing the dust cap, you probably have rust in there too.

I have had many sets of these, I typically see cage wear, the exposed ends of the spindles are subject to rust, and the dust caps are often missing. I have yet to have found one where the spindle bearing surfaces were worn out.

If you are missing dust caps, they are an odd size and pretty much unobtainium. I tend to save dust caps from broken pedals. I don't have a single one that will fit a XC-II.


Clean, complete, vintage XC-II pedals bring $150 to $250, or even more. I recently sold a rough set for $61, missing one dust cap, lots of cage wear, and corrosion on the spindles. They spun super smooth, and I had just rebuilt them (hence the super smooth).

The VPs are a thrifty alternative, but don't expect $15 pedals to match $250 pedals.

Left pedals are reverse threaded. If not, they would never screw into the non-drive crank arm.

2saltydawg

Thrifty Bill,
I appreciate your reply very much. Altho the new Wellgo beartraps look pretty sweet, I understand that they won't be like my Suntour pedals. I'd love to find someone like you I can send my pedal off to for repair, my local shop doesn't seem to be interested in the task, saying parts would be hard to find. thanks.

2saltydawg

after more consideration, I've decided to list these on eBay to sell -
see posting with: VINTAGE SUNTOUR XC II BEAR TRAP PEDALS - LEFT PEDAL NEEDS WORK

clubman 

Soooo much easier if you post a link?

2saltydawg

It seems it was pretty easy for someone yesterday, sold within 2 hours.
I do appreciate everyones help, time to move onto next project.
Thank you all, and happy pedaling

TiHabanero

Currently have the XCII pedals on my grocery getter. Been in use since new and work very well. I also have a pair of no name bearclaws. Seal has been gone after first year and the things still spin like new. These served on mountain bikes and winter commuter rats for 20 years. Get the Wellgos and ride. Sell the Suntours to a collector that needs them.

cooperryder

I think I have a pair of those exact pedals in pretty good shape in my parts stash.

If I recall correctly they were on a mid 80's Schwinn Cimarron.

Perhaps a different bike that came through my stable of bikes the last two years or so.

I would have to look at the pics I took B4 I made changes.

wrk101

I tend to use the VP knockoff bear traps on my personal stuff. Available in colors if you are into that kind of thing (I am), and they can be had for $20. XC II pedals along with other vintage MTB pedals tend to go onto eBay to harvest some cash for my crazy bike spending.

Type in the term BMX pedals in the eBay search box, sort the sold ones highest price first. These rare ones just brought $1500!


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Bill-G...QAAOSwLwBaWp1Q


These used XC II pedals went for $200, highest price recently for a set of XC II pedals was $450 for a NOS pair.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1980-Suntou...p2047675.l2557


Its not unusual at all for me to find a 1980s MTB where the sale of the pedals alone exceeds the price paid for the entire bike.