I was told that the new cages I made for my pedals from aluminum angle were "hopelessly ghetto" and to prevent embarrassment I would have to get new pedals for my birthday (I don't know whose embarrassment the new pedals are supposed to prevent, I'm not embarrassed about them at all) I think they look like a cross between cyber-and steam-punk or should that be

I wouldn't call anything "hopelessly" ghetto unless the chains and rings were all rusted and the rider was carrying a 24 pack on the bars.

I now have two sets of working pedals, the Ghetto Blasters rebuilt from 2 destroyed sets of alloy body pedals with aluminum angle treads replacing the destroyed cages, and a set of Forte Comp MTB platform pedals with Forte toe clips. (I know how to get to both Performance shops in the DFW area) While I was in the shop I also got a tire to replace the 9 YO Michelin Wild Gripper City w >4K miles I'm running on Gigi, replacement rim tape, and 2 spare tubes (one for each wheel) Now that I know where I will be putting my feet on the Ghetto Blasters I'll re-cut the treads and install another set of toe clips I have in the spares box. Then I'll do a compare and contrast between totally sore bought new, and rebuilt from junk parts. Who wants to bet on the  Forte pedals and toe clips?