Originally Posted by
YOJiMBO20
There are some disadvantages to having a dual sided pedal, and that is it takes a bit longer to clip in (or put your foot on the platform), since you have to constantly flip it to the correct side.
What? The point of dual sided pedals, such as Speedplay or MTB pedals is that you don't have to flip it over to clip in.
When the bearings aren't too tight single sided pedals always hang in the same position. When I ran single sided Ultegra PD-6500 and Ritchey SPD (not SPD-SL) pedals they'd hang with the heavier rear moving clamp + spring assembly on the bottom, I just stuck the nose of the cleat in and everything quickly rotated into position the same every time.
Double sided pedals like my Bebops are inherently balanced so there can be some variation in their orientation when you stop at a traffic light or sign so they're sometimes slower to engage. Not enough to be problematic like you're going to get run-over starting on a hill but noticeable.
I'd guess 4-sided Crank Brothers Egg Beaters are the engineering solution to that but have never tried them.
As far as I'm concerned multi-sided clipless pedals' only real advantage is the replicated wear surfaces which should make significant improvements in pedal lifetime with cleats made of metal so the required strength fits in a package small enough to recess in shoe soles.
Obviously a metal single sided "road" pedal receiving a big plastic cleat could last pretty much forever rendering that a non-issue.