I am getting my first road bike, and needing some advice on which pedals to get. I am 6'4'' and weigh about 240lbs.

pedals are like saddles. It all personal preference, you should not have any issues with road or mtb pedals though.

I like my Candy C pedals. They have worked well for me. The have some float, clip into easily and easy to get out of.

I have Shimano M324's. (http://www.rei.com/product/668198) I like them alot--SPD clips on one side and regular platforms on the other. I can ride in regular shoes should I decide that would be the thing to do. Pretty strong--I got them when I was about 265 and have had no trouble with them.
They run about $75 at REI and other places.

I got a set of the M324 for my hybrid and they are nice. Found on ebay for $40.00

I would stay away from the Titanium spindled pedals.

I am an inch shorter than you and maybe 15 pounds lighter on a light day.

I have the Ultegra PD-6620 SPD-SL Pedals on my Road Bike and Tri Bike, and I have the PD-M324, which are SPD pedals on my "Hardroad" which is my Hardrock with 700C rims.

I prefer the m324s for general bombing around town, or commuting, but if I'm going to lycra it up on the road or, god forbid, race, then I'd really recommend the wider platform and stability of the SPD-SL pedals. You don't have to spend up on Ultegra, you can also get 105 level pedals.

If you want to walk any distance in the shoes, then SPD is the go.

I only paid $25 (thanks Craigslist!) for my Shimano M324 pedals. I do love them! I ride in bike shoes 99.9% of the time but when friends want to go riding I can just ride my mountain bike and let them use my greenway bike without changing pedals or anything.

I run Shimano M545 pedals on my MTB and I have had them for almost a decade with no problems at all. They are heavy, but bomb-proof.

I've weighed as much as 270lbs on both sets of pedals without a problem.

Shimano M324's (they are platforms on one side SPD's on the other)
http://www.ciclomoraes.com/loja/images/pd%20m324.jpg

Shimano M545's (SPD on both sides)
http://mos.bikeradar.com/images/legacy/bikeradar/categories/cycling/component/transmission/pedals/images/shimano-m545-400-90.jpg

I have the Ultegra PD-6620 SPD-SL Pedals on my Road Bike and Tri Bike,

+1

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii141/Jynx0406/PD-6620.jpg?t=1210767915

and if you want cheaper get the 105 version from probikekit.com

I like the M520 spd pedals. I don't have too many miles on them yet but I can assure you clipping in and out is pretty easy.

looking at this ultegra pedal:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=24075&subcategory_ID=10046

One caution: some pedals lock your feet in and don't allow any movement. I found out, rather quickly, that my knees simply could not tolerate this! As a result, I prefer a pedal with some "float".

My personal preference is for Crank Brothers pedals and a mountain bike shoe. The Crank Brothers pedals use a 2-bolt cleat that will fit any SPD-compatible shoe. I find that they're very easy to clip and unclip. The Acid and Mallet pedals have large paltforms and look like they could be used with or without clips. The pedals I use allow 6-degrees of float, which is just what my knees need!

Shimano makes two types of pedals: SPD and SPD-SL.

The SPD-SL is designed for road use; they look like a copy of the Look road pedals I used to use. The Look pedals were very comfortable, but the extra-large 3-bolt cleats make them difficult to walk in when you're off the bike. I always felt like I was skating on ice! Of course, I was using a slick-bottom road shoe that wasn't really designed for walking. Not sure if they make treaded shoes with an area big enough to accommodate a 3-bolt cleat or not. SPD-SL pedals can only be clipped into from one side. I found my Look pedals were very easy to get into, but I would occasionally have to flip the pedals around to get the clip side pointing up.

The SPD pedals were originally designed for mountain biking, IIRC. They use a smaller 2-bolt cleat and the pedals are generally smaller than SPD-SL. I haven't looked at SPD pedals recently, but they used to be of the variety that locked your foot in and didn't have any float. The advantage of using an SPD (or other 2-bolt cleat) is that the cleats are smaller, so the shoes can me designed with enough tread that walking is possible. I greatly prefer this style of shoe! Many SPD pedals have clips on both sides, so you don't have to worry (as much) about rotating the pedal into the correct orientation.

looking at this ultegra pedal:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=24075&subcategory_ID=10046

Same thing here for $79 shipped

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=M8003

If you want to save more money for $55 shipped there is this (currently out of stock though). Same thing just slightly heavier

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=M1111

I would stay away from the Titanium spindled pedals.

Good advice here - many have a 185lb weight limit.

I personally ride the bottom level eggbeaters. I like them.

shimano pd-540's on my allez and love them. plus were only like 40 bucks at my LBS new and everything elese they had was in the 100 range

any look keo pedal recs?

i may be able to get these at a good discount when i buy my bike...

sprint, classic, etc...?

My personal preference is for Crank Brothers pedals and a mountain bike shoe. The Crank Brothers pedals use a 2-bolt cleat that will fit any SPD-compatible shoe. I find that they're very easy to clip and unclip. The Acid and Mallet pedals have large paltforms and look like they could be used with or without clips.

+1

looking at 2 different pedals. first bike, so need some input. i guess my main issue is make sure i have good foot coverage on the pedal. i wear a size 15 shoe.

look keo carbon: on sale for 132 from 200 http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=A1468

dura ace: for 142 from 215 http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=D1103

would carbon pedals be stronger than the materials that comprise the other type of pedals?

also, how important is the weight of pedals, since they are moving parts?

So, while we're on the subject... toe clips for clydes bad, largely because they don't make 'em big enough for size 12+ feet.

does anyone else have big feet? i am interested in hearing about what they use?

it is tuff to go thru life with big feet...haha

I have huge feet, size 13.5 wides. I have a set of $20 Wellgo BMX pedals on my MTB that came from my Trek FX and, well, I love them. I tried some basic platforms with toe clips on my new LHT, and those aren't going to last long. Like.. tomorrow. :)

Anyway I've toyed with going clipless, and I'm not suave enough for that. Heck, today I managed a 0 mph fallover complete with road rash with toe clips! I just don't like the idea of having to "clip in" and "clip out", seems like being attached to the bike isn't a great idea. For some, heck yes, but not me :).

I just wear a pair of North Face "trail runner" shoes that are great, and I may actually upgrade to a pair of Merrells this year. I'll see what I can get the finance committee to approve... :D

For platforms these are awesome. (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001181&brand=&sku=8042&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Platform%20Pedals)

Or you could go with something like this:

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/250/NS-WWCP-NCL-ANGLE.jpg

So, while we're on the subject... toe clips for clydes bad, largely because they don't make 'em big enough for size 12+ feet.

I use toe clips size 13 shoe. Just mount them off center toward the outside of the pedal.

Steer clear of the house brand (wellbilts)and probably the CF jobs.
Other than that,as many have said; it's a matter or preference.
I'm running a set of Shimano 515 roads that I've reconditioned. Now into my 8th year with em.

looking at 2 different pedals. first bike, so need some input. i guess my main issue is make sure i have good foot coverage on the pedal. i wear a size 15 shoe.

look keo carbon: on sale for 132 from 200 http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=A1468

dura ace: for 142 from 215 http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=D1103

I had a look at the keo's and the dura ace when I bought my first pair of ultegras.

I didn't buy the dura ace because they can only be attached using an allen key from the other side of the crank. There is no slot on the side for a 15mm pedal wrench.

I didn't buy the Keo's because the platform did not look as supportive, and when I asked the guy at the LBS, he said I might be better off with Shimano..

just ordered the look keo carbon pedals on special from probikefit...($130)

i will report back once i get on them.

Am I the only clyde riding speedplays road pedals? I love 'em!

Am I the only clyde riding speedplays road pedals? I love 'em!

Currently? Yes. ;)

Ok really I have no idea. But I used to ride them and liked them quite a lot. Only drawback for me was the crazy slipperiness of the cleat on hard surfaces. Otherwise the completely non-centering float was awesome.

Only buy pedals with Chrome-moly steel spindles, titanium spindles will flex more than you want....my vote would be Shimano Ultegra with the new stainless steel wear plate on the top

I didn't buy the dura ace because they can only be attached using an allen key from the other side of the crank. There is no slot on the side for a 15mm pedal wrench.

my shimano SPD-SL pd-R540's are the same way. and have had zero problems with them. Plus at around 50 bucks you can't beat them!

I really like regular platforms, it lets me bike in whatever footwear fits the weather- sneakiers, goretex boots or tevas (recently did 25+ miles on tevas)