Commuting - What do you look for in pedals?

I just recently removed my SPD pedals and put on an old set of platforms that came with my Trek 1.5. They are the weak plastic body/metal cage pedals. My wife broke hers and I put the only set of fully metal platforms I had (the ones that came with my Hardrock originally).

The thing is, I want to get a decent set of pedals and I don't want to mess with the strap. I have Power Grips on my single speed Langster, but I just want to keep things simple on my commuter.

What do you look for in pedals? Is it size, weight, or what? I am just wanting something more comfortable and more robust.

Here are two that I was looking at:
http://www.rei.com/product/752200/wellgo-atb-bmx-pedal

http://www.rei.com/product/752213/wellgo-lu-214-city-pedals

Opinions?

If you don't want to use clipless or toe clips or powergrips, the wellgo bmx platforms should be ok. I had a pair of similar Wellgo pedals. Like many Wellgo and other pedals, they needed to have the adjustment loosened up before use. (And check to be sure enough grease is present.)

The other Wellgo pedals have a rubber surface. Depends on whether you want to go with rubber or the little studs on the other pair.

Either of those are perfectly fine. Pedals are really a personal preference thing, though.

I use these, but without the reflectors

http://www.rei.com/media/z/1145906.jpg

JanMM: thanks for the heads up on the Wellgo with the grease. That is good to know.

frpax: Those are similar to what my wife is using. They work pretty well for her.

I've got a pair of Performance MTX dual sided SPD/platform pedals (rebranded Wellgo's, I think) on my utility bike that have pins on the platform side, similar to the REI Wellgo's that you posted. Since I normally ride with SPD's, I have a tendency to pull back and up, pulling my feet off the pedals accidentally. I find the pins do a great job of keeping my feet located on the pedals.

I have something very similar to that first set of Welgos, they may be the same, I have no idea, but they work pretty well with the skate shoes I use for commuting. I have no problems with my feet slipping off.

I like MKS Sylvian Touring.
Unlike racing platforms, the touring version has no raised quill on the outer edge so you can use them with wider boots.
Personally I like toe clips and lose straps. There is no messing with the straps; you dont need to touch them at all. You dont need them to be tight. You slide your feet in and slide them out. Metal clips can be bent to shape and leather straps hold their shape well.

When buying platform pedals, I look for the following characteristics (listed in decreasing order of importance for me - most important criteria first and least important last):
- big surface;
- symmetrical sides (no up side/down side);
- "no slip" surface/grip (pins);
- good quality materials (no plastic);
- reasonable price;
- small thickness;
- light weight.

I look for sealed bearings as they are far less maintenance. VP brand have been good to me.

Yeah. Sealed bearings and symmetrical. Agreed. Personally, I like large BMX style pedals with grip pins.

This winter I'm running Ergon pedals.. big surface is curved to center your foot,
Shoe grip is friction provided by the same stuff as skateboard deck tape,
features huge reflectors, integrated in the design, curved for wider visibility.

and they rotate on bushings engineered to never require lubrication,
plus they are fitted by using an allen wrench, and use that to lower the Q
because the inside shoe stop on the pedal, is a few mm from the crankarm.

but to the contrary, though the axle is the only metal part,
there is nothing cheap about the materials used.

they are a trouble free well made product.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/ergon-ergon-pc2-pedals-prod25138/
link for image, Ergon is distributed in the US, available thru LBS.

I note the release of a lighter one recently..
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/ergon-ergon-pc2-evo-pedals-prod27963/

I just use Wellgo's. And I can throw on Power Grips whenever I want.

http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy124/Almost_Green_Guy/Bikes/Salsa%20Vaya3/Wellgo.jpg

I like MKS Sylvian Touring.
Unlike racing platforms, the touring version has no raised quill on the outer edge so you can use them with wider boots.
Personally I like toe clips and lose straps. There is no messing with the straps; you dont need to touch them at all. You dont need them to be tight. You slide your feet in and slide them out. Metal clips can be bent to shape and leather straps hold their shape well.
+1. I have these on two of my three bikes. They are just right. I use them with Power Grips on one and just a straight platform on the other. Bearings are serviceable too.

I look for something like this:

http://www.crankbrothers.com/pedals_5050.php

I like a big platform with grip pins.

If you have any co-ops or Fred-friendly bike shops, you should be able to find a nice pair of platforms for cheap or nothing. Bikes are routinely being junked because the wheel broke too many spokes, the derailleur snapped, or the fork bent; they almost always have functional pedals still attached.

I guess I should say: a decent pair of platforms are nearly indestructible.

Either of those are perfectly fine. Pedals are really a personal preference thing, though.

I use these, but without the reflectors

http://www.rei.com/media/z/1145906.jpg

I've tried those pedals before. I slipped off of them and cut my leg open pretty bad. I was bleeding. By the time I got home (which was only a block) away my leg was covered in blood. Also the pain was pretty bad to. I wouldn't use those metal pedals. Unless the metal spikes are not as long and pointy.