Originally Posted by
CraigB
The two-sided (clipless/platform) pedals you linked may be the best solution for you, John. You'll always have the ability to go either way.
You'll need to keep in mind though that your shoes could be a limiting factor. For this experiment to work, they'll need two characteristics: they'll need to be stable when used on the platform side of the pedal (in other words, no slick cleat to want to slide off that side), and the cleated side will require a two-bolt SPD type of cleat. Your current shoes may or may not meet either of those requirements. You'll just have to take a look at them and see. If you need new shoes, you'll want to get ones with recessed cleats, like most SPD mountain-bike shoes. Even a two-bolt (SPD) compatible road shoe may still have a projecting cleat, making the platform side of the pedal problematic.
This is one of the reasons, I use only platforms... For short trips like to the post office or town, getting on the bike with regular clothes and shoes, makes sense, having to put on special clothes and shoes, is just a reason to take the car instead. That fits the mountain/hybrid and given that the road bike is 35 years old, clipless on there would just look silly, now a set of stainless toe clips and straps, yeah....
Needing special shoes is just another thing to use as an excuse not to ride.