To everyone out there, this might be sudden, but what kind of pedals are you using?
Out of the three parts where the person and the bicycle make contact—the handlebars, the saddle, and the pedals—the pedals are where the strongest force is applied. There are many different shapes of pedals in this world, and they support our feet.
While we want to choose them carefully to match our bikes for a comfortable ride or daily use, compared to the other two parts, the criteria for choosing pedals are often vague, and it seems that "looks" often become the deciding factor. Let's take another look at the criteria for selection to find the right pedals for your body and your style of riding.
This time, I would like to focus specifically on flat pedals, which are perfect for touring and daily use.
Things to keep in mind when choosing pedals
There are various points to consider when choosing pedals, such as shape and design. Among them, the "size" of the pedal is something you'll want to be conscious of, as it affects both the feel of pedaling and ease of use.
The SimWorks by MKS Bubbly Pedal and Tiny Bubbly have almost the same shape but differ in size. Let's compare these sibling-like pedals, summarize their features, and think about the differences in their size!
The Bubbly Pedal, with one of the largest surfaces in MKS history
The biggest advantage of a large pedal is definitely the sense of stability, as if you are firmly planting your feet on the earth. In the case of the Bubbly pedal, its large surface area means it doesn't matter what shoes you wear. It is recommended for those who want to ride their bikes in a variety of shoes, whether it's sneakers, sandals, leather shoes, or trekking shoes for "BIKE to HIKE."
Large pedals are also advantageous for touring bikes carrying a lot of luggage or for gravel bikes. You need stable pedals to hold your ground or keep your balance when things get shaky.
The disadvantages of large pedals would be that they are more likely to hit the ground when taking a curve, they are easier to bump when walking the bike or transporting it on a train (rinko), and they are heavier. Smaller pedals seem to have an edge when it comes to speed and quick handling.
You will see a comparison image with other pedals further down, but the surface area is almost the same as an MTB pedal like the PEMBREE D2A Platform Pedal. You could say the Bubbly is a touring pedal with the stability of an MTB pedal used for downhill or trail riding.
The Tiny Bubbly pedal, a smaller version of the Bubbly
And its little brother, the Tiny Bubbly.
The slightly smaller Tiny Bubbly solves the previously mentioned disadvantage of large pedals being prone to hitting things. You will feel the benefits of its smaller size on fixies or commuter bikes, where you're spinning the pedals and moving around town quickly.
Despite being small, it has a concave shape where the middle is slightly lowered, so the stability inherited from its big brother—making it easier to pedal than flat pedals—is still very much present.
Foot size is also an important factor in choosing pedals
If you can pedal firmly, it doesn't have to be large, but it's a problem if you can't pedal firmly with something lightweight and small.
If you look at the comparison image below, you can see that the Bubbly is a perfect size for a 27cm foot. It's also clear that even the Tiny Bubbly fits a 24cm foot perfectly well.
It is rare for a pedal to be offered in two sizes like the Bubbly. (Other examples include flat pedals from Crankbrothers.)
Since foot sizes vary greatly from person to person, it is very important to make them selectable, taking into account usage and personal preference. It feels very "SimWorks" to do so.
Let's compare the sizes with various pedals
Since we went to the trouble of comparing the Bubbly and Tiny Bubbly, we compared them to various flat pedals available in the store!
Comparing them like this really highlights the differences beyond just the pedal surface area.
Enjoy your ride by forgetting that your feet are resting on small pedals
Looking at the comparison images above, the Bubbly pedal is indeed one of the largest as a touring pedal.
When we asked Ryota Kenmotsu of SimWorks, who co-developed such pedals with MKS, about the thinking behind them, he said it was based on the idea that "if there are pedals that seek efficiency to the limit like clipless pedals, why not have pedals that are the exact opposite?"
These are free-spirited pedals where you can wear any shoes and step anywhere, taking the focus away from the act of pedaling and allowing you to concentrate on the joy of riding, from your daily life to the middle of a journey. That's the passion that made the Bubbly pedal grow that big.
And, of course, let's not forget that this was only completed because of the expertise Mikashima Pedal has cultivated over many years.
As I wrote earlier, the pedals are one of the three parts that connect the bike and the person, following the grips and the saddle. Let's choose the pedals that suit your body, preferences, and usage!
