Touring - Choosing Pedals

I will be going on a a tour from Boston to Montreal this summer and i am getting a touring bike together. What i am confused about is what pedal to use. I want to use toe clips and straps since i don't want to have to wear special shoes. So far i have been looking at the MKS Touring and the MKS GR-9. I was going to put double toe clips with double straps on them. As for the shoes i will be wearing, i have a pair of avocet cycling shoes with a stiff bottom which should be good.

Do any of you have suggestions or recommendations for pedals other than those i mentioned above? My feet aren't very big or very wide (i am a size 9) so i don't need some huge heavy duty pedals.

I use MKS sylvian touring with metal clips and single straps. Its a perfectly functional, durable pedal if you like toe clips and I see no need for doubling up.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/3201942983_9c2699b2df.jpg

I've started using low profile BMX pedals for my touring bikes. Being able to wear street shoes and move your feet around on the pedals is really nice. I only use SPD pedals on my road bike and I don't miss being locked in on my other bikes.

My wife uses GR-9 pedals with half clips. She loves them. Says they flip really easily.

... So far i have been looking at the MKS Touring and the MKS GR-9. I was going to put double toe clips with double straps on them. ...
Nothing wrong with the MKS choices. I've used these (http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=PD1090) on my touring bike for thousands of miles. And these (http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=PD1088) on my commuting bike, also thousands of miles. Both are excellent choices, too, although the first are a bit lighter with a thinner profile (and more $$$). (No connection with AEBike, I just chose that website for links.)

I've never seen "double straps"?? I've also never seen anyone tighten the straps down to the point of immobilizing the shoe (well, at least since the racing days before clipless became in vogue). So I don't see the benefit of double straps.... Just keep 'em loose so you can slip your foot out when necessary, they still keep your feet on the pedals and you can still pull up when you feel like it.

-- Mark

MKS GR-9's are great pedals!

very comfortable on a long day in the saddle. i've been using them for a little over a year and my feet always feel great afterwards. i usually just wear regular sneakers (gotta love chuck taylors) when i ride. pairing them with metal clips and a leather strap also is a rather classy look. i'm probably going to get another pair for my other bike soon. if you decide on the GR-9's i'm sure you won't be dissapointed.

If you're going to ride with cycling shoes, clips, and straps (double?), why not just go with a set of SPD pedals? The SPD cleats are recessed and completely walkable. Most SPD pedals are double-sided, so no need to flip the pedals. They won't drag the ground, like straps, on frames with low bottom brackets (lots of touring bikes) before they're flipped.

The only shoes I take on a summer tour is the pair of Shimano SPD sandals that I wear with Smartwool micro socs. They walk anywhere and when I hop on the bike, they clip in and I'm gone.

If you're determined to ride with clips and straps, I have ridden lots and lots of miles with MKS Touring pedals with no problems. Nice wide platform for your feet.

I love these pedals.
http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=PD4012
I would use them on just about all my bikes. In fact I do. ;) Just about every piece is replacable. Sealed cartridge bearings. good stuff.

I use one sided SPD's with Specialized Tahoe shoes. The shoes are all-day comfortable and walkable. I may switch to double sided someday, but for now the one-sided pedals work pretty good for touring and family camping trips, as you don't need the SPD shoes for the platform side of the pedal. Personal preference I guess. But as a former toe-clip snob, I must say that the switch to SPD's is a serious wake-up call, especially when climbing hills.

I like the name of the store: Alfred E Bike - love it :thumb:


Nothing wrong with the MKS choices. I've used these (http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=PD1090) on my touring bike for thousands of miles. And these (http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=PD1088) on my commuting bike, also thousands of miles. Both are excellent choices, too, although the first are a bit lighter with a thinner profile (and more $$$). (No connection with AEBike, I just chose that website for links.)

I've never seen "double straps"?? I've also never seen anyone tighten the straps down to the point of immobilizing the shoe (well, at least since the racing days before clipless became in vogue). So I don't see the benefit of double straps.... Just keep 'em loose so you can slip your foot out when necessary, they still keep your feet on the pedals and you can still pull up when you feel like it.

-- Mark

I have GR9s on my around-town bike and love them. Just as a note, though, they are not made to be used with doubles. You can do it, but there is no aperatus on the pedal to support them.