Hybrid Bicycles - Pedal Question

I started this thread in the General Discussion, but thought it might get more attention here.

I am trying to find a nice pair of toe clippable pedals to put on my Cannondale Quick Hybrid. After reading reviews, it appears as though MKS and Velo Orange have some of the best pedals choices, however, what is the difference between track, road and touring pedals? It appears track and road are basically the same platform size, with the road pedal having some extra width, the touring appear to be even wider.

My primary riding is fitness and rail trail riding. I assume a track or road pedal would work fine.

Anybody have any suggestions on specific pedals, I don't want clipless at this point, maybe in the future.

Wider pedals unload pressure from your feet and allows you to wear more "walkable" shoes at stops. If its SPD cleats together with MTB-shoes you practically have an ordinairy shoe. The sole of the shoe is essential to stop burning sensations, no matter what pedal you´ll use. I think the combination of pedal/cleat and type of shoe should be considered. And there are combo-pedals too.

You mentioned toe-clips, which makes me first think of MKS pedals. I have a set of MKS Sylvan Touring pedals on my road bike. They are some of the wider pedals you can get, though they are very comfortable, even on long (60 mile plus) rides. I have average width feet, and the pedals support my feet well when wearing the cheapest of shoes.

What actually sold me on getting the MKS touring pedals was the look, as they look right at home on my steel road bike. I have a set of toe clips that I haven't installed, as I never find I really need them. The pedals I took off the bike are SPDs.

I'm not familiar with the pedals you mentioned but my wife's recumbent has a combination pedal that is toe strap on one side and SPD clipped on the other. You may want to consider something like that so that you have the best of both worlds. You mentioned that you want to go trail riding. I don't recall seeing too many trail riders with toe straps on their mountain bikes. They either ride with open platform or clipless pedals.

My road bike came with toe strap pedals which I had them replace for regular platform pedals because I did not want my feet strapped to the bike if I ever took a fall. Everyone I know with a road bike had clipless pedals and those were a bigger fear than toe straps. Because I bought the road bike primarily to do long distance charity rides, I went for a computerized, professional fitting. The first thing the fitter told me was that he would do the fitting but I would be wasting my money if I wasn't going to be clipped in and proceeded to explain why. I now clip in and have the same pedals on my hybrid as I do my road bike (Shimano M520 SPD mountain bike pedals) and I am glad I went this route. My point is that if you are going to go with toe clips or toe straps, you might as well go clipless from the beginning if you are considering them at some later point. Both types of pedals take some time to get adjusted to. If your fear is falling with clipless pedals, there is a good possibility that you will have a fall or two while learning to ride with either type of pedal if you have never used them before. Clipless pedals require that you remember to unclip at least one foot before you stop and toe clips require that you remember to pull one foot out of the clip as you stop. Yes, I have taken a fall or two when learning to unclip just as everyone else has and I'm sure this holds true with riders of toe clip pedals.

The big difference between the toe strap/clip pedal and a clipless pedal is that you don't have the same amount of power when pulling up on the pedal as you do on a clipless pedal. This may not matter to you if all your rides are casual and on flat terrain, but it will make a big difference when going up a hill, both on or off road.

Thanks for the replys, I was looking at the combo pedals. That may be the choice, sort of the best of both worlds. When I ride with my wife it's a bit more casual/recreational, when I go out on my own, it's a bit more of a "real" ride.


The trails I referenced are nothing more than a flat railroad bed converted for bike path use. It is compacted fine limestone. It's actually smoother than some of our city streets. No up hills or down hills just flat.

Another option is clipless pedals and SPD compatible sandals. Casual, comfortable connected. The best of all possible worlds. Put a second set of cleats on a pair of shoes for more demanding rides.

Have you considered BMX style platform pedals? I have them on my commuter and it's pretty rare that I miss having toe clips because they are very grippy with sneakers. Though I did learn not to wear dress shoes because the pins will destroy whatever shine I put on before I get to work. With textile toed sneakers, the pins are not a problem because they are sharp; but I have learned how to get the pedal up from bottom up to 9 or 11 oclock position when stopped so that's not such a big issue anymore.

I will admit that for a road bike or flat handle roadbike, they might look a bit out of place.

Nashbar BMX style platform pedal:
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_175246_-1_202669_10000_202530

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+1 on the MKS Sylvan Touring pedals. They are wide, strong and easily rebuildable after you put 20,000 - 50,000 miles on them. They are not for gram weanies, and they work well even with big shoes or boots.