PSA: Peloton recalls older pedals

[C40_guy]

Peloton issued a recall yesterday as some early Peloton pedals are prone to breakage.

Interestingly, Peloton recommends that users replace their pedals annually.

I'd expect that this is due to much higher sweat streams on a stationary bike versus road (outdoor) bike.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

Peloton issued a recall yesterday as some early Peloton pedals are prone to breakage.

Interestingly, Peloton recommends that users replace their pedals annually.

I'd expect that this is due to much higher sweat streams on a stationary bike versus road (outdoor) bike.

replace pedals annually? that's nutso. for what these bikes cost, you would think they could put a stainless spindle pedal on them!

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

replace pedals annually? that's nutso. for what these bikes cost, you would think they could put a stainless spindle pedal on them!

You're thinking like a cyclist.

Now, think like a Revenue Optimization Analyst.

Monthly/annual subscription revenue streams + consumable sales...

[yinzerniner]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

You're thinking like a cyclist.

Now, think like a Revenue Optimization Analyst.

Monthly/annual subscription revenue streams + consumable sales...

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Remember, these are the same people who thought documented Stockholm Syndrome was a good idea for a holiday commercial.

[GregL]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

You're thinking like a cyclist.

Now, think like a Revenue Optimization Analyst.

Monthly/annual subscription revenue streams + consumable sales...

My thought is that this is likely a manufacturing defect (e.g., spindles may not have been heat treated, or not heat treated correctly). Agree completely with the assessment that pedals should NOT have to be replaced annually.

Greg

[prototoast]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

You're thinking like a cyclist.

Now, think like a Revenue Optimization Analyst.

Monthly/annual subscription revenue streams + consumable sales...

I think they're also thinking like lawyers. If they say the pedals should be replaced every year, it's not their fault if the pedals fail after that.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by prototoast

I think they're also thinking like lawyers. If they say the pedals should be replaced every year, it's not their fault if the pedals fail after that.

True.

As a publicly traded company, with deep pockets, and high-brow clientele, Peleton would certainly be a target for individual or class action law suits if people were lacerating their ankles on a regular basis...

[unterhausen]

I somehow feel like they should improve their pedals to last at least as long as people's attention span. Which for most of their clientele is probably 10 years max. Not hard to make a pedal that lasts that long, but I'm sure they went with an incredibly poor design that would embarrass a company that sells tricycles for small children.

eta: don't they try to make you use their pedals?

[fiamme red]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

Interestingly, Peloton recommends that users replace their pedals annually.

If they get a new Peloton every year, they won't have to worry about changing pedals.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by fiamme red

If they get a new Peloton every year, they won't have to worry about changing pedals.

Yea, that's probably what they meant.

[smontanaro]

I have never seen a Peloton except in the ads. Is it not possible to just install your own preferred pedals, or do they have some sort of proprietary pedal/crank interface?

[Alan]

My daughter has a Peloton that is a few years old and I ride when I visit. The stock pedals are terrible. The retention was so tight that my cleats kept moving every time I rode it. Finally I switched the pedals for them with some from a kind Paceline member and problem fixed.

Pedal threading is stock so very easy to change pedals. An interesting hack is to use power meter pedals to track real power as the Peloton power readings are not precised at all. I think my daughter's bike reads quite high as my power looks much better on her bike than my Kurt Kinetic $50 power meter on my trainer. You can also use Zwift with this hack. DC Rainmaker had an article on this.

Alan

[R3awak3n]

I put spd on my wifes (i guess its ours ahah) immediately. I am not sure why thats not their pedal of choice to begin with. Also yes the stock pedals are garbage. I might have to get back on the peloton train this winter, imo much more fun than zwift and the workout is as good.

[Veloo]

Some examples.

https://www.reddit.com/r/pelotoncycl...ng_first_ride/

https://imgur.com/a/2KpHfZL

[batman1425]

Originally Posted by smontanaro

I have never seen a Peloton except in the ads. Is it not possible to just install your own preferred pedals, or do they have some sort of proprietary pedal/crank interface?

Yep, they will take any standard pedal. I have gotten numerous reports from service techs that swapping the pedals to something other than pelotons stuff will void the warranty. Never seen anyone deny a claim because of it, but to be safe, I'd keep the original ones handy and if it needs service, swap them back.