Philip W Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 I was making my chair mod 2.0 for the EUC with things bought from Home Depot, and suddenly an idea hit me. There is an very easy way to make my EUC's foot pedals larger. No need for any machining or special modding, with parts I had I did one side in 5 minutes. You can see the finished side in the picture attached. The mod increase my pedal length from 6.75 inches to 10 inches! Almost a 50%increase! What you need to buy from Home Depot: In the lock department, 10 inch mending plate Zinc, each $2.78, you need 4 for 2 pedals. Total $11.12; 3 inch mending plates, also 4 of them, $2.97 each, total 11.88. In my case I have some spare brass door plates so I use them instead. In the hardware-nails department, 1/4 inch 20x 5/8 inch machine screws with nuts. You need 8 of them, could be the Everbilt 5pack ones. SKU is either 530995 or 813431, not sure which one. They are short and tough. 1.18 each bag so total is 2.36 8 pieces of 1/4 zinc lock washers, 15cents each, total $1.2. You can do it without the lock washers, but why save the $1.2? So the whole project will cost you $26.56, and it can potentially fix your burning feet problem. Why not give it a try? The assembly is very simple, just take a look at my photo, and I think you will get it. It's just that easy. P.S. If you want this thing to be removable, just buy some 1/4 inch wing nuts. $1.18 extra only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingfelder Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 That's great! I love cheap solutions! And you could saw off the ends of the bolts if you wanted a smoother surface. Only problem is if you have feet bigger than ten inches. But I suppose there is probably a work-around solution for us bigfoots. Looks like some padding might be in order to keep the metal parts from scratching the wheel when the pedals fold up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meepmeepmayer Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 This is a great idea, especially because it is non-invasive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip W Posted May 26, 2017 Author Share Posted May 26, 2017 9 hours ago, Dingfelder said: That's great! I love cheap solutions! And you could saw off the ends of the bolts if you wanted a smoother surface. Only problem is if you have feet bigger than ten inches. But I suppose there is probably a work-around solution for us bigfoots. Looks like some padding might be in order to keep the metal parts from scratching the wheel when the pedals fold up? The bolts can increase the friction to your shoes, and it was the right amount of protrusion I needed. If you need smoother surface, you can just put the screw in the upper side instead of the lower-side as shown. unfortunately the pedals won't fold up after this mod. However, now the EUC is self-standing. If anyone concerns about the bolts touching the tire, you don't need to. In my case the outer plate was so tight it's impossible for it to change shape at all. If you still worry about it, you can add one more 3 inch mending plate in the mid-section to prevent the thing from shifting. 7 hours ago, meepmeepmayer said: This is a great idea, especially because it is non-invasive! Yup, with the wing nuts it's removable too. Now I think of it, the door plates actually better than the 3 inch mending plates, lighter, flashier and thinner. It has better grip too. The front is even aerodynamic! Also, this mod enables you to put some protection in the front and back of the pedal. I was badly hurt once by the pedal's sharp edge. This time I can put some cushion there. The cushion also will make the pedal more comfortable to step on. Hooray! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfu Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 I think the mending plates run through the existing foot pegs is a great idea. I think I would try thin plywood on top, though, maybe topped off with non-slip appliques (reminiscent of ping pong paddles). You could fairly easily sand or shape the plywood to be smooth to minimize crash injury. Edit: better grind those mending plate edges into as big a radius as you can. Those things can cut you in a crash! That's why I like the plywood idea. The rounded edges of the plywood would completely cover the mending plates, and isolate you from them in a crash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip W Posted May 27, 2017 Author Share Posted May 27, 2017 Version 2 of this contraction, with larger area, wider foot stand, smoother surface and optional cushion. It's also foldable. The door plates now act like crimps, pinning the position of the whole thing. Now it won't move back and forth. Just apply some anti-slip on the metal and it's almost perfect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip W Posted May 27, 2017 Author Share Posted May 27, 2017 25 minutes ago, alfu said: I think the mending plates run through the existing foot pegs is a great idea. I think I would try thin plywood on top, though, maybe topped off with non-slip appliques (reminiscent of ping pong paddles). You could fairly easily sand or shape the plywood to be smooth to minimize crash injury. Edit: better grind those mending plate edges into as big a radius as you can. Those things can cut you in a crash! That's why I like the plywood idea. The rounded edges of the plywood would completely cover the mending plates, and isolate you from them in a crash. Thanks for the suggestion, alfu. That's why version 2 includes one photo with the cushion on. Plywood requires the fine craftsmanship I don't have. I just want some easy solution. My best friends are duct tapes and zip-ties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingfelder Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 Second version looks much better. What's the cushion made out of? Do you think it's durable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfu Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 20 hours ago, Philip W said: Plywood requires the fine craftsmanship I don't have. I just want some easy solution. Wow, this project really screams for someone to attack the problem with a 3-D printed solution using polycarbonate filament! Anyone up for the challenge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip W Posted May 28, 2017 Author Share Posted May 28, 2017 19 hours ago, Dingfelder said: Second version looks much better. What's the cushion made out of? Do you think it's durable? Sorry, that was done like a joke. It's flimsy and won't last at all. This whole thing is just like an idea that might inspire other ideas. The version 2 didn't work well in reality. I hope my version 3 will be more practical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip W Posted May 28, 2017 Author Share Posted May 28, 2017 2 minutes ago, alfu said: Wow, this project really screams for someone to attack the problem with a 3-D printed solution using polycarbonate filament! Anyone up for the challenge? Plastic will beak under the feet, and not many people have access to 3D printers or know how to get it done. I am more like create a contraction that use only Home Depot products and kind of universal and removable. That means it must be able to fit different EUCs. Thanks to Will now I have 2 EUC to play with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip W Posted May 28, 2017 Author Share Posted May 28, 2017 Version 3 of the pedal. Removable, universal, all parts from Home Depot and this time with rubber protection. I don't have contact cement now so zip-ties are used for a prototype. It doesn't look good but it is just for demo. Picture 1 shows how it fit my old EUC. Picture 2 shows how it really works under the rubber. Two T-shape mending plate connects the two 10 in mending plates. The T plates also act as pedal inserts and retentioners, making sure the whole thing won't move a bit. Picture 3 shows how it fit my new Kingsong 14C. Installation took 1 minute or less. Picture 4 shows where the rubber originally from. I cut it from a rubber stair treads. SKU 10001836. It has enough rubber to make 4 pairs of these pedal extensions. I am getting some contact cement and glue it tight to the metal, any suggestion about how to attach rubber securely to the metal? As you already knew I ain't an expert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasenutty Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 I'm glad you like it, Phillip, but if my 14c looked like that, I would cry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingfelder Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 Those projecting wing nuts do look like tiny knives ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip W Posted May 30, 2017 Author Share Posted May 30, 2017 On May 28, 2017 at 11:15 AM, kasenutty said: I'm glad you like it, Phillip, but if my 14c looked like that, I would cry Kasenutty, the final product can look better. I have the picture as the proof. Plus, when your feet are burning who cares about the look? Dingfelder, you are right the wing nuts can be dangerous. So in the final one they are under the pedal. Hopefully they will be safe that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingfelder Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 Does that stair tread material grip well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip W Posted May 30, 2017 Author Share Posted May 30, 2017 It grips my shoes very well. After all it is just thick rubber. Not sure about the contact with metal. Right now I just glue them together with contact cement(crazy glue). I need to take them to a real ride to know how well it work. If not enough then I will put some black zip-ties on. Again, This is just an untested prototype. If you make it you take the risk on your own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip W Posted June 1, 2017 Author Share Posted June 1, 2017 Everyone, I am happy to report that the version 3 extender survived a 25 mile ride and the rubber seem to be holding tight to the metal. The extender did make a big difference for my feet. I can feel the softness of the rubber under my feet. The 25 miles was tough to my heel, but with the extender it's a much more bearable experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingfelder Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 Great. Nice that you came up with a workable solution that was also so easy and inexpensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip W Posted June 1, 2017 Author Share Posted June 1, 2017 Upon closer inspection I found out that one of the wing nut is loosed. Probably it hit the road and got rotated. So from now on I will not recommend wing nut at all. The regular nut is the best. You just need to bring plier and screw-driver to install it. For my Kingsong the pedals are still foldable with the extender, so there is no point to take them down, except maintenance. Also though the glue holds, the plates have shifted a little. Seems it won't survive the next trip. So this time I will give industrial Velcro a chance. Velcro is tough and can add extra cushion. I believe that after the change above Version 3 is my final design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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