Originally Posted by
tarwheel
Get some Shimano M540 or M520 pedals and forget about it. You will get used to clipless pedals very quickly. The 520/540 pedals are double-sided so you don't have to worry about trying to flip them over with your foot while starting in traffic. These are very durable pedals as well. I've got some Wellgo knock-offs that are 10 years old and still work great with no maintenance during that time. I was using the original cleats until I replaced with some new Shimano M540s while building up a new frame.
The only reason to get the pedals with platforms on one side is if you want the flexibility to ride with regular shoes with no cleats. Once you try cleated pedals, you will probably never go back to platforms.
I'd probably choose the M520 over the M540. Similar pedal but the M520 is cheaper. $90 for the M540 from REI is too much. You can find M520s for around $30...and they are easier to install. (I hate the allen wrench installation of the M540
)
Originally Posted by
DirtRoadRunner
I've commuted using both the Shimano A530 platform/SPD and the Shimano M540 double-sided SPD>
While I didn't think the A530's were that bad, I like the M540's a LOT more. If you do hit the platform side of the A530's you can just keep pedaling and then switch to the SPD side once you are going comfortably fast. My reason for switching back to the M540's is that I almost never used the platform side of the A530's. Maybe once a month I would ride my bike 4 blocks to grab lunch during the day at work. I could have just as easily put on my SPD shoes for that. The M540's are great because I can just mash my foot down and be clipped in without even thinking about it. Unless you plan to ride in street shoes often, get the M540's.
I don't understand this need for riding your bike in street shoes. If I have my bike with me, my
bike shoes are near by. Changing shoes isn't al that difficult and, if you are using recessed cleats, bike shoes are comfortable enough for walking. I've even walked 10 to 15 miles in them...not suggesting anyone do that
Double sided pedals couldn't be easier to get into. Get your foot on the pedal and you can clip in. No silly flipping of pedals. Having mountain biked back in the Pleistocene with toe clips, I can tell you that not having to flip pedals is a blessing.
