Fifty Plus (50+) - Poll: Preferred Pedal Type

OK folks, we have beat all around this bush. Now it is time for a poll. What kind of pedals do you prefer on your bike of choice? :rolleyes:

OK folks, we have beat all around this bush. Now it is time for a poll. What kind of pedals do you prefer on your bike of choice? :rolleyes:

Look style pedals - Looks and the cheaper copies (Performance)

I ride Looks on the road, clips and straps around town. I don't feel as secure on plain platforms....I like being attached in some way.

Other, Speedplays only one for me. (I hope you find same luck with whatever you choose)
I tried look & SPD's, cages, & flat pedals. Speedplays easier on knees for me and allows more time before foot becomes numb on a really long ride (100+)

SPD.

Shoes you can walk in!

SPD.

Shoes you can walk in!

+1

I have SPD on two bikes and the dual-sided pedals (SPD/platform) on one bike. This platform comes in handy when I'm doing lots of stop & go riding in town or events with the MetroPark. I'm doing a bike rodeo with kids tomorrow and I'll be taking the bike with the dual-sided pedals.....don't want to forget to unclip and fall in front of all those kids:o

Mtn.bike platform pedals (the type with traction pins). Sorry, pic wouldn't post.

SPD.

Shoes you can walk in!

SPD, shoes you can walk in and the same shoes for MTB and Road. In fact, the same pedals for MTB and Road.

Shimano 324 (clipless on one side, platform on the other) on my utility bike. Look Keo Classics on my road bike.

Assorted versions of Shimano LX series SPD, on all 4 of the currently functioning bikes. Same cleats on all shoes, all shoes work on all bikes. Reasonably light, same clip-in/release function bike-to-bike.

I have a really old set of the origina; SPD's as well on my bent, as well as a Nashbar/Wellgo knock-off on a beater. One thought about the SPD knockoff, they work fine when the Shimano cleats are new, but then develop release issues when the cleats wear. Still usable, just something to know.

SB

Speedplays are the ticket for my comfort. I suspect this poll will reveal that the pedal issue is a lot like the bent issue. There will be many devoted folks to platform and/toe clips, but the majority will go with clipless. There is a reason they are so popular. They work for most people. Having said that, it is really a good thing that choices still exist and that folks can pick what works for them.

These are nice

http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp?PART_NUM_SUB='0767-05'

Currently, platforms since that's the only type I have. Deep down I'm hoping my next bike will have the dual-sided pedals so I can learn clipless if I want to but still have the platforms for times I prefer to use them instead.

SPD SL with Kool Covers for walking.

... I don't feel as secure on plain platforms....I like being attached in some way. I concur. I use traditional road quill pedals with toeclips and straps on all four road bikes and old-school square mountain bike pedals with plastic toeclips and straps on the mountain bike.


... Shoes you can walk in! Absolutely.


I ride Looks on the road, clips and straps around town. I like the idea of using the same system on all of my bikes, so that I develop appropriate jerk up and back versus twist and lift reflexes in an emergency.

MKS Touring Pedals....no straps or toe clips.....on all (8) road, mountain, and comfort bikes. NO problems/issues under any circumstances/durations.

speedplay frogs for me. no brainer in and out. no accidental releases. lots of float. small cleats allow walking.

rode a bike that just had platforms the other day.... it felt soooooooooo-o-o-o-o weird.

be,

jim

moved to clipless in 91 (Look) and changed to Speedplays about 10 years ago. Love em.

SPD for me. Just like the feeling of being securely attached to the bike. And I've only forgotten to unclip twice!

Along with high technology and advantages comes maintenance. What does it take to maintain the various types of clipless pedals or caged pedals?

My "go fast" bikes all have clipless now. However, I'll go on record as saying I was perfectly happy with clips and straps and slotted cleats, in days of yore.

Look pedals and Sidi shoes. Gear you can ride in. Who needs to walk? ;)

Speedplay Drillium Platforms. Pricey ($110.00) but worth it. bk

Looks, both bikes.

Platform (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_p.html#platform) pedals with clips and straps on fixed gear bikes, clipless on others.

http://www.pbase.com/billd9/image/48989773.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/billd9/image/62586711.jpg

SPD with Nike MTB shoes. That you can ride or walk in.

Look on my rode bike and SPDs on my other bikes.

It really comes down to the right tool for the job. Just as I ride different bikes depending on the type of ride, I also use different pedal types.

I answered above Look pedals and Sidi road shoes. This is what I use on my favorite bike which is the bike I use for long, fast rides. There are other setups that would work well enough, but not quite as well as a true road pedal with a true road shoe. For the small amount of walking I do during a ride on that bike, the minor difficulty of walking on the cleats is not important, especially using Kool Kovers over the cleats.

For commuting or riding under 20 miles to a place I will spend more than a few minutes walking around, I go with either Crank Bros. Smarty pedals and fairly flexible MTB type shoes, or clips and straps with regular shoes. The choice comes down to whether it means more to me on that ride to wear regular shoes or to ride efficiently. Often I'll just go with whatever happens to be on the bike already.

For times that I'll be on and off the bike a lot, like riding around town shopping or visiting, I'll go with regular shoes and platform pedals, with or without clips and straps.

On my MTB, there's no decision. I always ride with Eggbeaters and stiff soled MTB shoes.

Bebops.

Clipless, I had M520s on my bike and switched to M424, much better. More platform and easier to get out of and easier on the knees. I wasn't getting the support I needed with the M520s and I don't think they are big enough for a more secure knee and foot postion.

SPD on the Mtn/commuter because I have to walk a bit when i get to work.
Shimano Ultegra on teh roadie, but Look would hve been as good.

Platforms, never never.

Have been using platforms with PowerGrips, but may be going back to just platforms as it is simpler.

Used to be Look, but switched to SPD-SL. I like them better.

SPDs (520s) with road shoes on my 'cross. Nice combo, since I spend most of my time on the road. I had problems with my knees on platforms- clipless solved that problem.

I've tried Looks, Shimano Look style, Mavic Look style, Time, (the ones with 2 piece cleats), clips and straps, and now use SPD's for everything. I have big feet, so shoes are hard to find, and I toe-out, so I use Kneesavers.

Mostly LOOKs but I've re-introduced SPDs now that I have road SPD shoes as well as MTB shoes. My Paramount has some really cool Dura-Ace track (triangle shaped) trap pedals. I'm tempted to replace them with similar 600 models since the DA ones sell for $400 NOS. With cheap diadora shoes / special trap cleats and strap buttons the pedals are almost as good as clipless and keep the bike vintage.

Clipless, I had M520s on my bike and switched to M424, much better. More platform and easier to get out of and easier on the knees. I wasn't getting the support I needed with the M520s and I don't think they are big enough for a more secure knee and foot postion.

I use the M520's on my bikes but the rear of the Tandem has the M424's fitted. Good for non clipless riders that want to ride a Tandem.

However on the New Road bike I got the A520's. They are one sided clipless pedal but it is longer than the M520's. Not quite as convenient to clip into as they are one sided but the are more comfortable on long rides due to the extra length

I have tried various "clipless" SPD pedals and shoes and found they caused my feet to either go numb or cramp up after a few miles. Adjusting the cleats did not help and I also found that even the so called "recessed" SPD cleats still marked wooden floors and were not comfortable to walk in. On returning to flat pedals or toe clips and straps my foot problems stopped. However, if I use an SPD compatable shoe (minus cleat) with "normal pedals" I still have numbness and cramps. Having discussed the situation with a podiatrist, she confirmed that stiff soled shoes are not good for the feet as they prevent the feet from working naturally. The small area of the SPD cleat also can cause pressure points that agrivate the situation. I have flat pedals on one of my bikes and quills with toe clips and straps on the others and have had no more discomfort. Many people do not have any problems with the "Clipless" models so maybe it is just my feet! I had no difficulties clipping in or out of the SPD pedals, but they just did not suit me. I can also wear any old comfortable (and cheap) shoes which is a bonus. I sometimes think we are the victims of marketing hype and fashion gurus. I embrace all the developments in cycle technology; indexed gearing, carbon fibre, lightweight components etc. but feel, for leisure riding, clipless pedals are overkill.

I am still riding with slotted cleats (and clips and straps) on long rides. If my shoes ever wear out, I will think about buying something else.

My commuter bike has flat pedals with clips and straps.

SPD, shoes you can walk in and the same shoes for MTB and Road. In fact, the same pedals for MTB and Road.

+5, Same SPD pedals for five bikes, both MTBs, both roadies and the MUP bike. Same model SPD shoes for my son and myself. Shoes you can walk in so you don't dread a blow out quite as much.

SPD's on everything. Been the case for about 15 years now.

Just switched to SPD on my commuter/tourer. I'm leaving clips and straps on my recreational/commuter Traveller. That's partly because of nostalgia.

SPD, shoes you can walk in and the same shoes for MTB and Road. In fact, the same pedals for MTB and Road.

Just curious. What is the appeal of using the same pedal type and shoe for all of your bikes? You can only use one pair at a time.

I use SPDs but I haven't really tried the other clipless varieties. SPD was the first I tried, liked it, and couldn't think of any compelling reason to switch (particularly since I already had the shoes at that point)

SPD A520 sport road pedals. Single sided "roadie" pedals for the SPD cleat system. One pair of shoes per year, last years shoes are mudders, next years shoes are broken in in the winter on the trainer. Once used to the feel of blind clipping in why would you want to change.

Just curious. What is the appeal of using the same pedal type and shoe for all of your bikes? You can only use one pair at a time.

I like to wear sandals in the summer months and only own one pair. I can wear the sandals on all the bikes since they have the same pedal type.

Shimano SPDs on five bikes , all adjusted to the "lightest" setting for easy in and out. Sidi Dominator shoes with a little tread to walk on.

SPD A520 sport road pedals. Single sided "roadie" pedals for the SPD cleat system. One pair of shoes per year, last years shoes are mudders, next years shoes are broken in in the winter on the trainer. Once used to the feel of blind clipping in why would you want to change.

In fact, I'm thinking about changing over to the Shimano RT-50 Sport road shoe which is still SPD but without the larger mud cleats. Its the functional match to the A520 pedal, a little of the MTB world and a little more of the road world.

Edited shoe #

Eggbeaters for both bikes. With only one pair currently, I have to switch them over if I ride the upright. Had to switch from SPD for a bit more float.

Speedplay Zeros on the road bike, Frogs on the hardtail...THE BEST!!! And yes, I've used LOOK, SPD's, and Time, no comparison IMHO.