Magnetic Peddles for EMTB. Anyone?

[Stihldog]

I put on Magnetic peddles in Feb 2020. There are a couple of brands available but I went with the MTB style (Enduro). I’ve used both clipless and flats in the past.
A little over a year ago I had a stroke which affected my left side. I know that a stroke can affect others in different ways but riding a bike was a goal during my recovery. My muscle mass doesn’t seem to be affected but control of my extremity’s on my left side does.
So back in January 2020, there I was, trying to figure out how to place and keep my left foot on the peddle when I designed a magnetic peddle and shoe. After a google search I discovered that its been done...what! Ok, this just saved me a lot of money.
I’ve been riding with theses peddles ever since and added a pair to my other bike. The initial set-up is similar to clipless and there is a slight weight increase because of the magnets. Disconnecting is effortless. Connecting is easy. The magnet pulls my foot/shoe into the same position and has an audible click when placed. This audible click is important to me and allows me to keep my eyes on the trail. Having a dropper post and these peddles helps a lot.

 

[Darren]

Interesting - if you could design a saddle and some grips too it could help prevent some "separation incidents" .

 

[Stihldog]

Interesting - if you could design a saddle and some grips too it could help prevent some "separation incidents" .

A death grip and a seat belt.
I cant wait for the air-bag-handle-bar to come out. (Someone has to photo-shop that)

 

[Gary]

I cant wait for the air-bag-handle-bar to come out. (Someone has to photo-shop that)

no need for photoshop



Just ziptie em all over your body

 

[Quinterly]

@Stihldog never heard of magnetic pedals before your post. I've ridden clippless on the road for years and my acoustic MTBs were always clipped but I feel safer (especially with the weight of an eMTB) on the trails on flats so you may have hit the perfect compromise for me.

Couple of questions: do you have a link to the mag pedals you bought? And, I assume that they come free in all directions as opposed to clipless which may have one or two axes for release?

 

[Gary]

Why would you want magnetic pedals if you don't have any sort of disability?

 

[Stihldog]

@Stihldog never heard of magnetic pedals before your post. I've ridden clippless on the road for years and my acoustic MTBs were always clipped but I feel safer (especially with the weight of an eMTB) on the trails on flats so you may have hit the perfect compromise for me.

Couple of questions: do you have a link to the mag pedals you bought? And, I assume that they come free in all directions as opposed to clipless which may have one or two axes for release?

These peddles (Magped Enduro) seem to be a good compromise. They do release easily in most directions except vertically, which takes much more effort. I believe they have 3 different strengths of magnets. I have had accidental releases sometimes (8?) but i can return quickly and feel attached again. I've had a few crashes too but the bike has never stuck to me. Its a better feeling than being locked in or sliding around on flats. I like clipless for road though. Less amount of times i need to put a foot down.

I think there is another company who makes these but I got the Magpeds (Enduro Model) $230cdn. I Put in less pins too.(6) They make some peddles for road bike too but i don't know much about those.

 

[Stihldog]

Why would you want magnetic pedals if you don't have any sort of disability?

Well I do have a disability( maybe you knew that). But if i didn't I would probably go magnetic peddles. I've seen a few bad situation with a mtb while the rider was clipped in. Sometimes they can't throw the bike away during a crash. I think there's compromises with each type of peddles. I guess it depends on the rider.

 

[Gary]

Yeah, I do know you do. My question aimed was more towards Quinterly.
I absolutely see the benefits for you. and I know a few other riders on here with disabilties use them with great success.
I just can't see any point in a magnet on a flat pedal if you don't actually have some sort of disabilty that means clipping out would be difficult or weighting, griping and controlling a flat pedal would be difficult.
For one thing surely you have to use SPD style shoes for the magnetic cleat along with the magnetic pedals. And SPD shoes are by design FAR worse for grip, feel and control when used with a flat pedal.
Assuming no disabilities, it's really not difficult to clip out of any current mtb clipped in pedal system, and it shouldn't (with practice) be difficult to keep your (non-SPD shoe wearing) foot in place on any decent flat pedal either. And there are a plethora of sticky soled shoes out there for folk who do struggle with that.

 

[Konanige]

Must admit in all my years of riding I have NEVER stayed attached to the bike in a crash whilst clipped jn!

 

[Quinterly]

I don't have a disability per se but I do have some nerve damage in my feet that makes me prone to cramping if I flex or curl my toes which does have an impact (seemingly) on the amount of control I feel with flats. That might be partly sub-conscious, but there nonetheless. The idea of milder retention than clips with far easier release is therefore appealing.

As for your comment about SPD shoes, that doesn't make any sense. My 510's are entirely suitable for both.

 

[Stihldog]

I just can't see any point in a magnet on a flat pedal if you don't actually have some sort of disabilty that means clipping out would be difficult or weighting, griping and controlling a flat pedal would be difficult.
For one thing surely you have to use SPD style shoes for the magnetic cleat along with the magnetic pedals. And SPD shoes are by design FAR worse for grip, feel and control when used with a flat pedal.
Assuming no disabilities, it's really not difficult to clip out of any current mtb clipped in pedal system, and it shouldn't (with practice) be difficult to keep your (non-SPD shoe wearing) foot in place on any decent flat pedal either.

I see your point. I can only compare using flats vs spd flats on a magnetic peddle. With the magnetic flat peddles you don’t need as many pins. I’ve added some nylon shims under the metal spd plate to fine-tune the release action. I have another pair of spd shoes for mtb but they don’t work as well as spd flats. 5/10’s or Rally are recommended.( rubber sole). I use the Rally.

 

[Stihldog]

I don't have a disability per se but I do have some nerve damage in my feet that makes me prone to cramping if I flex or curl my toes which does have an impact (seemingly) on the amount of control I feel with flats. That might be partly sub-conscious, but there nonetheless. The idea of milder retention than clips with far easier release is therefore appealing.

As for your comment about SPD shoes, that doesn't make any sense. My 510's are entirely suitable for both.

I get the cramping too but only in my hands. I just positioned the brakes differently and added those ergo grips. Kinda helps.
As far as the peddles go, straight flats were not the answer. Clipless we almost impossibly. I had to focus too much on my left foot, which took my eyes off the trail at the worst times. The action is different. It’s hard to explain, but they just work better for me.

 

[Gary]

With the magnetic flat peddles you don’t need as many pins.

You actually only "need" 5 pins per side of a flat pedal for excellent flat pedal grip and control. Plenty pedal manufacturers manage to fail at this though filling their poorly designed flat pedal platforms with tons of agressive pins.

fine-tune the release action.

Out of interest, What is the release action? I'm guessing it's not just a twist or sideways foot movement and may require more of an angled lift/roll off the edge of the pedal to disconnect the magnet rather than the twist we've become used to from the clipless pedal release mechanism?

 

[Stihldog]

You actually only "need" 5 pins per side of a flat pedal for excellent flat pedal grip and control. Plenty pedal manufacturers manage to fail at this though filling their poorly designed flat pedal platforms with tons of agressive pins.

I think i use 6 but i could get away with 5 or 4 pins. 6 is ok since they are not very aggressive. (2 on each front side and 2 on the front, total of 6).

Out of interest, What is the release action? I'm guessing it's not just a twist or sideways foot movement and may require more of an angled lift/roll off the edge of the pedal to disconnect the magnet rather than the twist we've become used to from the clipless pedal release mechanism?

I think a sideways motion or a slight canter of my foot, or both. I can make some fine movements/adjustments while I’m riding too. You said; “an angled lift and roll”. I think your right, there is no twist required to disconnect. I really don’t think about disconnecting that much...it‘s just ”natural”. I suppose it’s just what you get use to. The nice thing about spd flats is that I can jump on any bike with flat peddles Or I can walk into the LBS (or Home Depot) without slipping around.

 

[R120]

@Stumpy uses these and is a big fan - have to say I really would like to try a pair, the concept intrigues me

 

[Stihldog]

@Stumpy uses these and is a big fan - have to say I really would like to try a pair, the concept intrigues me

If you use flats or clipless you might want to try them first to see if they are right. But if you have issues like me...definitely.

 

[R120]

Ha, I have been riding mtb for over 30 years, had every sort of pedal under the sun in that time, just intrigued to see how they work.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Interesting - if you could design a saddle and some grips too it could help prevent some "separation incidents" .

I don't know how comfortable the corresponding bike shorts would be. Let's see a picture of these magnetic pedals? Do you have to buy special shoes or are there attachments for traditional clipless MTB shoes.

 

[Darren]

I don't know how comfortable the corresponding bike shorts would be. Let's see a picture of these magnetic pedals? Do you have to buy special shoes or are there attachments for traditional clipless MTB shoes.

You would need balls of steel.

 

[Supratad]

I have had accidental releases sometimes

That’s just part of getting old.

 

[urastus]

Must admit in all my years of riding I have NEVER stayed attached to the bike in a crash whilst clipped jn!

Geez, I have, maybe a hundred times, literally. I busted my foot and ankle up (different activity) - surgeon said it was like a bomb went off inside it. Anyway, I persisted with spd's thinking "surely I can work around this". No. Always slow manoeuvring and I'd fall over only on the left. I was really beginning to think I'd never get back to the sort of rider I was. The few times I tried flats I just didn't like them. Out of desperation, I gave flats another go, didn't like them, persisted, then realised all the times I had avoided falling over since. My left hip, shoulder and elbow are all very thankful. I still ride an ancient mtb repurposed for urban duties with spd's, and I have an ancient scott hardtail which I ride with spd's. I tried the scott with flats but couldn't keep my foot on the pedal. For some reason I seem to do OK on those bikes.

I did recall someone here mention magnetic pedals, and he does use them; Stumpy

 

[Stihldog]

You would need balls of steel.

You don’t need “balls of steel”. Magnetic action isn’t needed in this area. Stainless, titanium, magnesium, Carbon,...even wood fibre would work. . I’m only assuming of course and have no personal experience in this field. Really I don’t. But I have used up most of my 9 lives.

 

[Stihldog]

Let's see a picture of these magnetic pedals? Do you have to buy special shoes or are there attachments for traditional clipless MTB shoes.

I use two types of shoes.

These peddles have magnets on both sides. There are different strengths too. (100, 150, 200). I use the 200 now.

 

[Stihldog]

That’s just part of getting old.

I use that saying when I need my chin wiped.

 

[Stihldog]

Geez, I have, maybe a hundred times, literally. I busted my foot and ankle up (different activity) I persisted with spd's thinking "surely I can work around this". No. Always slow manoeuvring and I'd fall over only on the left. The few times I tried flats I just didn't like them. Out of desperation, I gave flats another go, didn't like them, persisted, then realised all the times I had avoided falling over since. My left hip, shoulder and elbow are all very thankful. I still ride an ancient mtb repurposed for urban duties with spd's, and I have an ancient scott hardtail which I ride with spd's. I tried the scott with flats but couldn't keep my foot on the pedal. For some reason I seem to do OK on those bikes.

I did recall someone here mention magnetic pedals, and he does use them; Stumpy

Sounds the same as me only different (Seth quote).
My left foot/leg acts like an oscillating pendulum when I try to place my shoe on the peddle. If my foot came off the peddle, I would have to look at it or come to a stop. Frustrating. Now with the magnets I don’t have to look or stop my ride. As long as I’m close I can “clip-in”. I can hear an audible snap and it feels good again. If I need to, I can make a slight adjustment on the fly.

I like the feeling of being clipped in but I can’t get out of a traditional spd clipless peddle. I can’t do the “twist” needed to disconnect quickly. It seems like a different motion to disconnect from a magnetic peddle. Like I said, I don’t even think of it anymore.

 

[Stumpy]

Thanks for the tag @R120 and @urastus as you both quite rightly point out, I do indeed use "magpeds" and have done for the last couple of years - my verdict is I love them and they are perfect for my use case.

I'm a below-knee amputee that has no problem riding with my "disability" but do have a hard time keeping my prosthetic foot on the pedal. Previous to magpeds I'd used SPD type pedals (my favourite being crank bro's eggbeaters) which did the job until it came to crashing. What I (painfully) found (time after time) was any crash on my "weak" side usually led to my knee or hip being twisted as a result of the prosthetic foot (and associated leg) still being connected to the pedal. With magpeds that's all gone as the magnets release at any angle when needed but are strong enough to hold the foot in place when riding.

In summary, disabled or not, if you currently ride clipless then magpeds are well worth a try as they give you the best of both worlds and allow a flat pedal feeling with the security of being 'connected'.

For further info search the forum for magped as I've written about them before.

 

[Gary]

@Stumpy - Have you ever tried runnning one magped and one clipless pedal together on the bike?
or one magped and one flat pedal?

 

[Stumpy]

@Stumpy - Have you ever tried runnning one magped and one clipless pedal together on the bike?
or one magped and one flat pedal?

Oooh no - my OCD couldn't handle having different pedals on either side. It would keep me awake just thinking about it!

Seriously though, yes and it works fine but unless your clipless shoes are of a flat-soled variety then they don't typically work well with flats and therefore require the wearing of odd shoes to go with the odd pedals - which I'm sure you've already worked out is a big no, no for me...

 

[Gary]

One mag and one SPD/Clipless makes most sense to me as then I'd have thought the added security of thefixed cleat in the clipless pedal mechanism could increase your controlability when lifing/placing and controlling the bike in the air or over rough ground. whith that option you can even wear the same shoes.
If for any reason someone were to want to ride one flat and one mag Shimano actually do a flat and SPD version of the same shoe. in the AM range. I guess you'd probably want a 5:10 tho. (they do make clipless shoes but they're not the same model as any of their flat shoes)

The nerd in me just wondered if you'd tried it. Cheers.

I wore a non matching shoes for 3 months once. a size 9 and a size 13 (different brand entirely worn over a stookie)
I now wear size 10s with 2 pairs of socks as my broken and rebuilt foot never went back to a size 9