do you change pedals for winter?

[squeakywheel]

I'm thinking about configurations for my two SS bikes for this winter. One is an old rigid steel MTB set up with North Road handlebars. The other is an Old steel road bike with 27 inch wheels. Not planning to use studded tires. MTB will have Continental Town and Countries. Road bike will have ordinary 27 x 1 1/4 street tires. Both are getting lower gearing for the winter. I will probbly make one of them a fixed gear. Haven't decided which yet. The MTB has platform pedals. The road bike has platform pedals with PowerGrip straps.

I've done fixed gear experiments on both bikes. It's going a little better with the road bike. The PowerGrip straps are somewhat frustrating in fixed gear mode. Hard to get the second foot in the strap while the pedal is moving. I'm thinking of SPD pedals and some slightly over size MTB shoes which will accomodate wool socks.

Last winter I only used platform pedals. That allowed me to wear winter suitable shoes. It also was handy to not be attached to the bike during the sudden loss of traction moments. I always landed on my feet when the bike went down.

I'm a little worried about clipless pedals on slick roads without studded tires. I don't want to break my hip. I'm thinking clipless pedals and studded tires for fixed gear. If I don't want to go for the studded tires, maybe I should just stick with platforms and a freewheel.

[DogBoy]

I use 2 sided spd in the summer, and 1-side spd 1-side platform in winter. I think its called a campus pedal. I do this because when it gets below about 5F I use regular winter boots rather than cycling shoes/covers.

[RomSpaceKnight]

I use SPD pedals and shoes all year. I've only once had an issue with being cold, usually dress relatively light in winter, down to footwear too. Will admit to having gone down on black ice awful darn quick. Could never see my self in wnter boots riding. And I live in Ontario and consistently ride in subzero weather (during winter anyways).

[Carusoswi]

Will admit to having gone down on black ice awful darn quick.

I went down on black ice a few years back while riding platforms. It was so sudden, there was no time to react. I sincerely believe the result was as severe as it would have been had I been tied into the clipless pedals I now ride. No plans here to swap away from my clipless this winter.

Caruso

[pinerider]

I have platforms on my mtb for the cold days, my feet don't stay very warm in the spd mtb shoes and I haven't found a deal on winter bike shoes. My feet sweat a lot, always get cold after about 20 minutes of riding. I wear a pair of Sorels with the platforms, my feet stay warm in those. I keep the spd pedals on the touring bike, I ride it on the warmer, non slushy days.

[2manybikes]

I switch to winter bikes that always have platforms on them. I like to ride in the snow and on the ice. Platforms are nice in 5" of fresh powder.

[sringlee]

I use Powergrips straps on cage pedals and wear warmer boots rather than my cycling shoes. Easy to get in and out of the straps.