Wednesday 2 January 2019

I really don't like standard Brompton pedals anymore!

After fitting SDP clipless pedals several years ago to my Brompton, I totally abandoned the standard Brompton pedal. I would go as far as saying that I don't think I could ever go back to just a fact pedal. This belief was certainly strengthened this morning!

I won't go into great detail but today I attended a rather important event in central London where parking was not permitted. Getting there was easy enough and as travelling part of the way on  Brompton made things even easier, I decided to go multi-modal in terms of transport.

There were a couple of issues. The first was that I would need to wear a formal suit and all the trimmings - including shoes. The second was that I would not be able to carry them in one of my Brompton front bags. I was allowed - just - to bring the Brompton but it had to be the bike only. No tools, saddle bag etc., This meant I would have to pedal in formal shoes with a leather sole. No! The last time I did this was at David and Anne's wedding and found it hard going. I would have to change the pedals back to the Brompton Standard.

Changing the pedals was easy. Setting off this morning in suit was nothing new to me but I have not commented to work by Brompton for well over a year. It reminded me of that and I suppose the Brompton World Championships. I only had a mile to the nearest tube station and when I got off about four miles to my destination. 

I found the Brompton pedals very different. Probably as I was not used to them anymore - all my bikes have SDP pedals now - it all felt wrong. By the time I had reached my destination I knew that I could never go back to normal pedals, even if they were  more convenient. 

One aspect I liked a lot was the folding pedal that got things out of the way. This did make things much easier carrying but I was still left with the thought, I can live with a sticking out pedal. As soon as I got back home, the standard pedals were off and my SDP pedals put back on. 

I don't know how many of you out there have SDP pedals on your Brompton but for me at least (once you get used to them) they do seem like a much better bet.

6 comments:

  1. As you know, I have the plastic Shimano platforms (with reflectors) on my SPD pedals. This allows me to use regular shoes on the rare occasions that I need to do so, and works very well for me, because the pedal routinely falls into place with the SPD side upwards. Cheap too, at around 8 quid a pair. Will need another set for my new Brompton when it eventually arrives.

    John

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  2. also have spd on my bromptons. it is indeed habit-forming. they are however wellgo detachables, so for carrying any distance the left one is easily taken off. they can also be changed to flat pedals. that i do mainly for loan to guests. i have a variety of urban spd shoes, including a black leather pair from hasus that i take to formal occasions. british company quoc has similar but more expensive offerings.

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  3. All my bikes have the double sided SPD-platform pedals on them. That way I don't have to switch in those situations. That said, I usually always use the spd side.

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  4. I swapped the Brompton pedals for Wellgo black folding pedals which I took off another bike. The Brompton pedals' sharp teeth didn't suit me as I ride in all different types of shoe and most of the year in court shoes or canvas ked type shoes and the teeth on the pedals bit into my feet. The Wellgo pedals are very sturdy, a sort of grippy rubber and you could ride barefoot with them if you wished, no sharp teeth!

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  6. I fitted Shimano M324 double sided pedals to mine with minutes of taking delivery.

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