Types of MTB bike pedals based on Material:
The materials of the bike pedals can make a huge difference in its overall speed, comfort, and strength of the pedal and also the bike as a whole. Most of the mountain bikes are of a compound material and some of the most expensive brands are of refined material to enhance the overall performance. The most common MTB pedal materials are as follows,
- Plastic
- Steel
- Aluminum
- Titanium
- Compound materials
Plastic:
Plastic is not a great material for seasonal riders but are cheap and incur easy manufacturing process. These pedals are available in a range of sizes and are built-in with pins. But plastic pedals are fragile and are not unsuitable for mountain bike riding and for riding in rough areas. They are however ideal for those wanting a cheap and entry-level pedal.
Steel:
Steel pedals are the heaviest options, but are secure and are less likely to suffer an impact. When the skin comes in contact with them, they hurt a lot more. Steel pedals are a perfect mix of affordability, grip, and toughness. But they can make the pedaling experience slower owing to their weight and can be a little tough at the beginning to get going. They are not suited for mountain bikers owing to their tough and firm nature.
Aluminum:
Aluminum pedals are a much lighter option and can still hold on their own owing to their quality and their manufacturing process. These pedals depend on the high-quality production process in order to make up a high-quality pedal. They have good shock absorption capabilities and is one of the lightest pedal materials available. Thus they are good for downhill biking, racing, and biking in tougher areas. They are also less likely to rust than steel and are excellent those who indulge in irregular riding.
Titanium:
This is one of the most expensive options and titanium is the hardest, strongest and one of the lightest options available. They are quite harder and are for serious bikers and professionals. A number of users swear on their ability to improve the overall biking experience with titanium pedals.
Compound Materials:
Pedals that are of a compound or composite materials are a perfect mixture of two are more materials that are considered the best metal types. Users can combine steel and aluminum to create a tough pedal that is good at shock absorption.
Maintenance of Bike Pedals:
The first thing to remember when it comes to MTB pedals is that prevention is always better than cure when it comes to mountain biking. It is thus important to regularly clean the mountain bike after the day’s ride and ensure that the bike is in good condition before taking them out. Some important steps in servicing the mountain bike pedals are as follows,
- Take the pedals off the mainframe of the bike
- Remove the dust caps of the pedals by using a simple kitchen knife
- Make use of a ratchet to undo the bolts that hold the axle in its place
- It may be desired to shake the pedal a little to get the bolts out of the pedal itself.
- There is a washer in place and the user should keep them aside for later.
- Take a wide bowl and slowly slide out the axle to access the bearings
- Do this horizontally so that the bearings are not lost through the other side.
- Hold it over the other container vertically with the way the through which the axle came out pointing up.
- Tap the pedal body and collect all the bearings in the container
- Ensure that all the bearings are out and start to clean
- Use a high quality degreaser and a small paintbrush to clean all the bearings.
- Grease them up again and with the help of another brush, apply grease to the bearings
- Replace the bearings into the bearing cup that is close to the crank
- Inset the greased axle with enough caution exertion on not to knock the bearings out of the place.
- Give the axle a few twists and ensure liberal even coating of grease
- Hold the axle into the pedal body and flip it upside down, ensure that the threads of the axle face down and them drop the bearings in the gap between the pedal body and axle.
- Push the bearing cone into the pedal body and turn it, till you feel it threading back on to the axle.
- Rotate the axle until it is tight enough not to wobble, but not so tight that it can damage the bearings
- Pop the dust cap back on
- Wipe down any mess that creates in the process
- Refit the pedal to the bike.
Final Words:
There is much more to the best mountain bike pedal than to simply act as a platform to put one’s foot on. They are a component responsible for keeping the feet attached to the bike. But demand a lot of consideration and informed choice to ensure that one gets the right set of pedals for their needs. We hope our guide helps you in choosing the right set of MTB pedals for your mountain biking trips.
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