Hybrid Bicycles - Need help with new pedals on a 7.5 FX

I'm new returning to this sport, and now when I ride 2hrs or more, my feet hurt and get numb. Was told to get shoes and pedals, I know nothing, except I don't like what I've got now. I was thinking MTB shoes for some casual walking while out, but I don't walk much now when I ride.

Any ideas out there for a newbie?

What are you riding now, the stock platform pedals?

Yes, stock platforms, hate them.
I've been looking around since I wrote this, what about the Shimano 105's @ $59 ? Or get better ones?
Time to get shoes as well, going to LBS in the morning.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_515658_-1_202630_10000_202531

I just got a pair of these http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/product/pc2 to replace the stock pedals (with toe clips) that came on my Mendota. Going to put them on today and have not ridden them yet. I'm highly optimistic!

I'd personally go for Frogs because of the float and compatibility with mountain bike style cycling shoes. But I'd try to figure out why you're feet are going numb first. I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that clipless pedals will automatically solve your issue.

I tend to have the same foot problems with my 7.3 pedals on rides after 12-15 miles so I bought these http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1085037_-1_1589016_1586500_400936 to try.

105 (Shimano SPD-SL type) pedals are great pedals. I have them on a couple of my road bikes and can't tell any difference between them and the Ultegra pedals I have on my other road bike, but the type of shoes and cleats you use with them are not good for walking around at all.

Much better to go with pedals that use cleats that are recessed into the sole of the shoe(such as Shimano SPD or the Speedplay Frogs Dunbar suggested) if you're going to be walking much. I have no experience with Frogs but most people who have them seem to love them. I have inexpensive Forte Carve (SPD type pedals available from Performance Bike) on my hybrid. I originally bought them to replace some Ritchey pedals (my first experience with clipless and similar to SPD's) that came with a road bike I bought around 1998. I had trouble clipping into the Ritcheys and figured the double-sided Carve would be easier, and they
were.

As others have mentioned, your problem may not be pedal related. Peoples' feet swell when they bike, some peoples' more than others. Might be a solution as simple as loosening your laces or straps after you've been on the bike a while.

I've got 900 miles on the bike now, saddle's not as bad as at first, but the pedals are. I get hot spots, numbness, so I move my feet around a lot.
I wear sneakers now, and not the best ones for riding, not stiff at all. When I catch up to someone while out riding, they all tell me to get some stiff bicycle shoes, so pedals are needed as well. About all my walking while out riding is to water the bushes.

You'll love the stiffness of a biking shoe. I biked in sneakers for many, many years with no physical problems, but there's no way I'd go back to that. That's a good price for the 105 pedals that you linked to, and if that's all the walking you'll be doing, I can heartily recommend them.

It's the first time I've heard of foot discomfort on platform pedals. Then again, I think I swapped the stock pedals on my 7.3 before doing any riding on it. The stock pedals from what I remember are really cheap but mostly very small. I think they're just meant for test riding, and the assumption is that you'll swap them anyway. For the record: I swapped them for a cheap pair of platforms from an old MTB and use simple sneakers with toecups.

I'm not sure if I buy into the stiffness thing, but foot discomfort on platforms seems odd to me. Somehow I doubt you'll solve it by fixing your foot to the pedal, but any change from the stock pedals will be good. I'd be tempted to just get another pair of platforms before splurging on clipless.

Yes, stock platforms, hate them.
I've been looking around since I wrote this, what about the Shimano 105's @ $59 ? Or get better ones?
Time to get shoes as well, going to LBS in the morning.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_515658_-1_202630_10000_202531

105s are a great deal at that price. My LBS gets close to a Franklin for them. Heck, I just got R-540s, a step down from 105s, for $49.95 from Performance. There is nothing wrong with 105s. What Ultegra or Dura Ace get you for more $$$ is a few grams lighter in weight. That price is the best bang for the buck you're going to see.

Here's a thread on foot numbness on another forum with some good suggestions.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/general-cycling-discussion/foot-keeps-falling-asleep-270231.html