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Specialeyes
Guru
- Location
- Essex
It's just the left pedal that folds, and whilst it doesn't need to do so for the fold, it makes the folded package that much smaller and easier to carry without smacking your knee on the projecting left pedal!
One thing to watch for, is to make sure that the cranks are in a position so that the folded pedal doesn't scratch the frame (it usually takes out half the top tube decal over time)
One thing to watch for, is to make sure that the cranks are in a position so that the folded pedal doesn't scratch the frame (it usually takes out half the top tube decal over time)
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
No OUCH! you don't OUCH! necessarily need OUCH! a folding OUCH! pedal.
(Written while carrying my Brompton with pedal unfolded)
(Written while carrying my Brompton with pedal unfolded)
LCpl Boiled Egg
Three word soundbite
No, I replaced my pedals with dual sided SPD/flats. It does make the left hand pedal stick out a little bit but you get used to it. The way I carry mine (right-handed, at my side) means the pedal tucks up against the back of my leg. You shouldn't need to carry it far anyway, just wheel it most places then fold it to take it on trains etc.
Ridgeway
Veteran
- Location
- Lausanne, Switzerland
You could also install the removable pedals. Only really needed to remove the left pedal but you can take both off and that way avoid frame scratches. The LH pedal then just attaches onto the rear axle via a small adaptor.
steveindenmark
Legendary Member
No they are not necessary. I changed mine for Shimano spds after a week.
No problems at all.
No problems at all.
mitchibob
Über Member
- Location
- Treorchy, Wales
Like others, I compromised the folded size for SPD pedals. You can get removable SPD pedals (I think MKS make them), but on balance, I decided that I would be seriously pissed off with myself if I left a pedal on a train or something, so went for the compromised folded size.
I don't carry my bike that much, as I prefer to ride, but I don't find the pedal gets in the way that much when carrying, and actually, for me, when going up stairs, it kind of lets me lift more easily with pedal on thigh.
I went for the Shimano Deore XT T8000 Trekking Pedals, as you can use with or without cleats, they have reflectors (which is actually a legal requirement in the UK after sunset), and they're pretty light. Easy on the thigh when ascending stairs!
I don't carry my bike that much, as I prefer to ride, but I don't find the pedal gets in the way that much when carrying, and actually, for me, when going up stairs, it kind of lets me lift more easily with pedal on thigh.
I went for the Shimano Deore XT T8000 Trekking Pedals, as you can use with or without cleats, they have reflectors (which is actually a legal requirement in the UK after sunset), and they're pretty light. Easy on the thigh when ascending stairs!
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Fields Electric
Active Member
Ive had mine 3 years 4700 miles. Lots of lugging up train station stairs. I soon notice if I have forgotten to fold the folding pedal and bruised shins. On a slightly different note, I have noted on quite weekend trips that the non folding pedal was clanking. On checking there was an enormous amount of float in the outer bearing on the pedal. I note on some reviews the non folding pedal is prone to bearing failure. Any one else noticed this. The folding pedal is still fine.
berlinonaut
Veteran
- Location
- Berlin Germany
Which ist only true for bikes before ca. 2007/2008. Since then the left crank has a little nob on the inside that keeps the pedal from "overfolding" and scratching the frame.
rogerzilla
Legendary Member
The folding pedal wears out quite quickly in daily use, as it is one single-row bearing. It is also constructed so the bearing, which is a standard cartridge, is permanently fixed so you have to junk the whole thing* and pay £35 for a new pedal instead of £5 for a bearing. Crappy design.
*I have fixed a couple by filing away the retaining lip and securing the new bearing - which is a super-firm interference fit anyway - with strong Loctite. It works and looks neat.
*I have fixed a couple by filing away the retaining lip and securing the new bearing - which is a super-firm interference fit anyway - with strong Loctite. It works and looks neat.
berlinonaut
Veteran
- Location
- Berlin Germany
That's true and the overload of a single bearing seems to be an issue that all folding pedals independent from the brand seem to suffer from in one way or another. At least I am not aware of any folding pedal that would work better or last considerably longer than the one on the Brompton. Still the price for the folding pedal is steep and and the non-servicability from factory is a bad design (not that I could do it better). Still for me I only wore out only one of my Brompton folding pedals and that was north of 10k kms. The others still last until today.
One alternative are removable pedals like i.e. the MKS ezy series. They are of high quality and I use them on other folders. However, on the Brompton in day-to-day use the Brompton folding pedal is much less hassle, so I prefer them.
12boy
Guru
- Location
- Casper WY USA
If I'm going to carry mine I hook the saddle over my right shoulder, leaving my left hand free. For some reason I can only mount a bike from the left side znd when stopped only put down my right foot. Dual SPDs for me so I can wear bike shoes or Crocs as my fancy takes me. I only fold it u p for car trips aside from the parking mode of tucking the rear wheel under.
Me too!
