Hello adventurous off-road motorcycle riders, so glad you’re here, my name is Nicholas Schultz (picture below of my son and I) owner/engineer of Flex Pegs, I started this company to optimize motorcycle riding comfort focusing at the highest load bearing component, the foot pegs, here’s a brief background and the evolution of Flex Pegs.
Having immense passion for enduro/trail riding I always enjoy pushing the limits and riding lengthy trails, exposing my body to maximum fatigue I noticed at the end of my rides, I experienced muscle/joint fatigue primarily in my legs. This naturally led to the question, “why are foot pegs a rigid platform” why not incorporate an extra layer of shock absorption between the riders’ foot and motorcycle platform. With two decades of machine design experience working for some of the most know global corporations, I applied my professional mechanical engineering knowledge and immediately started to design a concept, I’d like to introduce you to Flex Pegs prototype-1:
Flex Pegs Prototype-1 (FPP-1) was an excellent learning platform, it proved that the overall shock absorbing foot peg concept was feasible and provided firsthand experience that the parallel linkage mechanism keeps the platform parallel throughout entire range of travel. Immediately after testing I had new improvement ideas which were introduced in Prototype-2.
Flex Pegs Prototype-2 (FPP-2) had an improved top platform design which was removable from the pivot block enabling easy spring and rubber bushing access without the need of disassembling the entire pivot mechanism. In addition, the boot traction set screws were replaced with machined spikes which were part of the platform design. After testing FPP-2 I got more improvement ideas which were embedded into the Prototype-3 design.
Flex Pegs Prototype-3 (FPP-3) had redesigned linkages which were longer and placed on the exterior. The longer linkages significantly reduced the arc motion resulting in a negligible lateral movement of the compression spring and rubber bushing bringing both components within their elastic deflection zones. Relocating the linkages outbound created a more stable platform mimicking a knuckle joint design, the platform was now even more stable throughout the full mechanism vertical travel. The platform design was changed to be symmetric enabling the same part to be used on the left and right foot peg. During initial FPP-3 off road testing, I contacted a rock at speed which resulted in the aluminum housings failing in shear as shown in image “Housing Flex Pegs Prototype-3”. This housing failure resulted in taking a deep dive into proper material selection, metallurgy heat-treat optimization and finite element analysis confirmation for all housing designs going forward. As a result, all housings are manufactured from a heat treated 400-series tool steel with load parameters of 1,500-lbs per foot-peg (3,000-lbs per-set) at minimum. Shown in the image above is an example of a FEA (finite element analysis) stress map confirming each Flex Pegs housing variant is capable of withstanding a 1,500-lb force. But why stop now if new ideas are pouring-in, I had to optimize the design further so I decided to make prototype-4.
Flex Pegs Prototype-4 (FPP-4) had a redesigned compression spring and a two-stage elastomer damping mechanism connected in series. The compression spring sets were specifically selected to accommodate a full range of riding styles and rider weights. The compression spring was now located on the outside of the elastomer damper and the elastomer damper is located on the inside of the compression spring, this resulted in the platform and housing geometry changing. The serial damper set was carefully selected form various durometers to offer a wide damping range for different riding styles. The combination of multiple spring and damper selections make this foot peg configurable to the riders’ preference. Lastly, the platform spikes were designed more aggressive to provide superior boot grip. But why stop now if even more new ideas are pouring in, I had to optimize the design even more so I decided to make prototype-5.
Flex Pegs Prototype-5 (FPP-5) had a few improvements. The platform has 3 threaded holes that act as jacking screws to assist in platform disassembly. Two additional threaded holes on platform provide a means to mount the rubber pad accessory. In addition, the platform and housing geometries changed to facilitate an anti-rotate feature when tightening and loosening the damper assembly. The housing base geometry also changed as slots were added to assist with mud/water drainage.
The Flex Pegs PS-Series foot peg is fully developed and optimized to reduce fatigue for all rider weight ranges and riding styles. I encourage you to purchase a Flex Pegs set and not only maximize your riding comfort but extend your riding by years as your body will be exposed to significantly less impact/shock forces.
Why PS-Series?
The Flex Pegs PS-Series is in memory of the most hardcore rider I know, my best friend and my brother Peter Schultz. Not only did Peter and I share the same passion for off road enduro/trail riding, the sport brought us closer together as we both loved to ride moto. Peter’s initials are incorporated into this amazing unique product with the intent to keep his identity known and never forgotten. Shown below is a picture of Peter living-it-up on an amazing weekend warrior event!
