General Cycling Discussion - What is difference between road and mountain platform pedals?

I like to use old platform pedals with clips and straps on my mountain bike. I need a new pair for one of my bikes but the old quality platforms are hard to find and expensive. I found a pair of road pedals cheap and was wondering if there would be any reason not to use them on a mountain bike. Are the mountain pedals stronger?

mtb pedals were more like bmx pedals they had bigger 'teeth' to grab your shoes better. offroad pedals take a beating. use whatever you like.

I use toe-clips & straps on my hybrid, with MKS GR-9 pedals, and did on my Mtn. Bike as well. An earlier model. Would again. I'd suggest looking at the MKS GR-9 platform pedals. Just add the clips & straps.

One thing to know about MKS pedals: They need to be opened-up and cleaned and greased well - and putting the 1/8th" ball-bearings back in place. Full overhaul. Otherwise they feel like riding with sand & gravel. Once done - these are excellent pedals! Very comfy in sandals & sneakers - or combat boots.

http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=472&currency=USD

One thing a "Specific" MTB pedal would have is better seals for the bearings to keep out the crud. Road pedals can be lighter and have a smaller platform for the foot. MTB pedals will also have more aggressive pins to keep the shoes in place on the pedals.

Makes no difference to me what type of platform pedal I use for offroad though as they only seem to last for a few years before they need replacing. (Or used to) Since changing over to SPD's- I have yet to replace or rebuild a pedal. I have been shimano SPD for around 10 years and still have the original pair I bought. I also have a pair of SPD's with a large Plastic cage around the pedal fitted to the Tandem for the odd occasion when I want to take a rider out that had non MTB shoes on.

Overhauling the pedals used to be a common procedure done by most serious cyclists. But nowadays no one seems to even know about it. So people expect to junk pedals and buy new one's every couple of years or so.

If more people simply learned this art/skill - they likely wouldn't have to buy new pedals all the time. So often I hear people saying they bought XyZ-bRaNd pedals - and they sucked. I ask if they opened them up and cleaned and re-packed them. I get a 'Deer In The Headlights' look.

C'mon people. Do a little work? Your comfy butt-sling won't miss you THAT much. I've never thrown out a set of pedals. Never.

I wish I had overhauled my pedals sooner. They started feeling gritty and I took them apart and found one had a cracked bearing race. I never took very good care of them because I thought with everyone riding clipless I could find lots of good used platform pedals dirt cheap. Ones in good shape bring good money on ebay. I have the pedals for my other bike apart right now and am going to replace the balls in them. I stopped at 6 bike shops and none had the 3/32 size I needed. Must be really rare for anyone to work on them. I'll have to get them from an industrial supply place instead.