Amusingly, after reading that article I pulled the Hold Fasts off my pedals. I had used toe clips in the past but always had a hard time finding ones to fit my big feet and often couldn't fit some of my shoes into them at all. I thought I'd give the Hold Fasts a try as an alternative. Rolling along quiet country roads on my little bike camping trip last week they worked fine, but I found them annoying to get into at every stop I have to make on my daily commute to work. Especially on the last day I used them when I wore a pair of shoes bigger than my Kursk's.

After years of running bear traps (Redline BMX style and similar - very spiky) I got tired of them beating up my shins and got the SunLite Cruiser Pedals. The bearings don't feel great in them but the rubber is enough to keep my feet on the pedals and cushions the blow a little when they inevitably come into contact with my shin with all the stops and starts during my commute. My girlfriend has been griping about her spiky pedals beating up her shins too and so I just ordered a pair for her commuter as well.

I'd be curious to hear of any other models of pedal that have a soft surface.

BTW, I'm running pedal extenders to put the pedals out were I need them too.