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When it hits production, VP's DH-1 will be their premium platform pedal, as well as the thinnest at just 6mm (
not including pins). VP can use such a drastically slim body on the DH-1's because of the novel short axle that does not run through the entire width of the body - each pedal axle is well under two inches long! The stubby, but very stout looking axles will ride on a paring of a very large sealed bearing and a loose ball system. If you are wondering why VP would use a loose ball bearing, it is because it allows them to use much larger and more resilient ball bearings because they do not need the extra room of the sealed bearing's inner and outer bearing races. While the bulge in the pedal body that houses both bearings looks quite large, it is actually in the same position is the wrench flats found on a more standard pedal. Expect to see a production version of the DH-1's that will have a more refined body shape and possibly different pin positions during our coverage of Interbike 2011.
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Check out the
VP website to see their current lineup.
Stay tuned for more from Sea Otter!
/sarcasm
/sarcasm
i guess less pedal strikes makes sense though
But I do think this has gone too far. Much too far. However we are far past the point of useful products and knee deep in gimmicks now. Id say we are at a neutral point in product development right now. There's still a few "neat" things trickling out, but we really dont need much anymore. Hell, what more CAN we need? Too much focus on PRODUCTS that can make us better riders and less focus on skill and simply riding the bike.
There are two main physical explanations as to why a thinner pedal is scientifically better than a thick one, and because you have so gratuitously called me up on it I shall explain it for you and maybe you will learn something, if not that maners are useful and you could just ask me to explain it instead of saying that I am lying.
The moment of a force can be worked out using the formula: moment = force applied × perpendicular distance from the pivot. If the magnitude of the force is F and the perpendicular distance is D then: moment = FD
A thinner pedal results in D being larger throughout the stroke of the pedal because the foot is closer to the axle of the pedal, therefore, and increase in D will act as a multiplier thus increasing the total moment (turing force). This explains the main reason why thinner pedals result in higher efficiency.
Secondly, based upon the same principles I have outlined above, if your foot is much closer to the axle of the pedal, then the perpendicular distance of your foot to the centre of the axle is smaller. This results in a smaller moment around the pedal axle which can cause you to roll the pedal and slip off.
Now I fell I have schooled you sufficiently so next time, be polite and if you would like it to be explained, just ask, dont go round being rude.
Put the pedal up & behind the center of the axle and lock the pedal from rotating forward past 20 degrees so your foot doesn't slip forward.
Throw out the two sided pedals!
The torque applied on the crankshaft (and chainring) is indeed the the perpendicular force on the axle times the radius of the crank. This torque varies throughout the pedal stroke depending on the angle that the crank is at relative to the horizontal. Thats because the force you apply with your feet is predominantly in a vertical direction, i.e. downwards. It follows that the maximum torque will be applied just before the crank reaches the horizontal alignment (Actual angle is dependent on your riding position and leg angle relative to the horizontal). To achieve a more constant torque on the cranks, you need to not only push down, but also push 'foreward'. Because the pedal remains more or less horizontal throughout the pedal stroke, this horizontal force wants to rotate the pedal around its axle.
With a thicker pedal, this horizontal force is applied at a larger distance from the pedal angle. With the example as provided by Smike you can see why a thicker pedal would result in more slipping from the pedals (and getting shins/calfs messed up).
Conclusion: Yes, thinner pedals will provide more efficient pedalling, however the tradeoff against loss of strength and reliability are not worth it in my opinion.
More in general with all these developments that we see towards lighter/stiffer/stronger stuff etc., most of it is not something that the average biker that you meet on the trails will benefit much from in actual performance increase. For that group of bikers (roughly 90% of all bikers) the psychological effect of new/stonger/lighter/stiffer stuff will result in increased confidence when riding, which results in increased performance.
For the sub-pro amateurs, and of course the pro riders, the marginal benefits will actually have some effect as the differences in skill between the riders is small and they need to stay ahead of the competition.
But for most riders, their skills are the limiting factor, rather than the equipment they use.
For my part, part durability and idiot-proofness are more important.
If you want efficiency, you ride clipless! My shimano clipless are thicker (way chunkier) than my platform and yet i can pedal more efficiently on them.
St8line and Sunline (or any solid DH platform that will not shatter in the rocks) pedals are not the thinnest but i guarantee your feet will not come off the pedal with the appropriate shoes (five10).
Thinner pedals give you more clearance and are generally lighter, THAT'S IT!
Yes, there are a lot of armchair engineers, but that doesn't mean some of them aren't actually correct. And no, more clearance is not the only benefit.
But as I pointed out earlier the actual benefit is lost on most riders (myself included) as they simply don't have the skills to appreciate the difference. Simply going out there and ride is still the best way to determine what is best for you.
However, by having a basic understanding of the concepts behind bike mechanics will allow you to appreciate why things feel better, but also make a more informed choice on the items you want to use other than 'they look cool'.
Sometimes it just takes a bit more text to explain something. Read it at your own discretion, but you might learn something from it.
Ahhh now I see !! You have problem with your reading skills , poor baby
The big problem will be on the bearings and holding the pedal on the axle because the body of the pedal is only attached at one end. Think of a plank of wood stood horizontally supported at both ends by bricks..... eqaul load at both sets of bricks. The bearings/bushings on a pedal with a full axle (depending on the pedal) take half the load each. Remove the bricks from one end (assume the plank magically doesnt fall down) and now all the weight is only supported on one set of bricks. In this pedal it is the same, all the weight on bearings at one end.
Hope you understand this explanation,
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