id recomend v12's. they are the best pedal i have ever used. ive had my current set for ages and they are still mint. if youre not worried about the bearings, go for immitations. just dont buy VP's. they are sh*t. (Y)"
not especially. ive had some for about a year and a half (with a year not riding :)" ) and they are holding up but i imagine that if you were to do nething large to front wheel or start front hopping you might end up with a face full of concrete :)