Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The MKS Sylvan Touring pedals are an excellent product. Far better quality than any similar looking pedals carried by any of my local bike shops. Their style is based on very similar touring pedals popular many decades ago. Steel axle with an all-alloy body and cage plates. These are very nicely finished and offer a good wide platform for wide feet, casual or athletic shoes and skate shoes as well as modern MTB style cycling shoes which you can also use - but without their usual SPD cleats.
I have recently taken to riding without modern MTB or Road style clipless pedals - and even without older style toe-clips and straps on some bikes. These fit my needs extremely well. They are attractive enough to use on a cherished Vintage bike and would look equally at home on your modern $3,000 Rivendell bike as well.
These are an excellent choice for a commuter bike where you may not want to bother with toe-clips and straps, and they will even work well wearing construction boots. Whereas your old school Campagnolo quill-style racing pedals were designed for toe-clips and had one proper side of the pedal to accept your shoe, these are double-sided so you can plant your shoe or (even sandal) comfortably to which ever side it lands on. That's something I really appreciate - no more fussing to correctly position the pedal when frequently stopped at traffic lights. A nice alternative to either more bulky BMX style pedals or the cheap and poorly made plastic pedals more commonly available.
The bearings which these use (simple loose balls) can be serviced if this is ever needed. The threaded alloy dust cover on the end of the pedal will remove using a vintage Campagnolo pedal tool [catalogue item #710] and although still quite uncommon in the US, MKS also makes their own (similar) small serrated wrench to remove the dust caps. - I recently found those available from www.velo-orange.com (selling for $12.50). In a pinch, you can also use a slip-joint pliers, but I think these pedals are really too nice to tear up.
The bearings may feel a bit tight as factory set. So, you can either adjust them or just leave them as they are and they will soon seat themselves for a smoother feel. Personally, I did open up my pedals as soon as they were received, adjusted the bearing cones and added a bit of grease... but, that's just because I'm a bit fussy and obsessive about such things.
These pedals should last for many thousands of pleasant cycling miles. For the price and overall quality they are one of the best cycling bargains around.
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MKS Sylvan Touring Pedal Double SidedTouring/Cross pedals with light alloy body and toe-clip compatible cage. Don't let the retro looks fool you, this workhorse with its wide platform is great for everyday use.
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