Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
That's why I specifically phrased it as "on at least 1 side of the pedal, maybe both".
What you wrote is basically that you're only using as a clipless-only pedal. Which means that you aren't using it any differently than if clipless only.
Biking shoes are nearly flat, and the clip is recessed into the shoe. Normal shoes have some sort of cushioning on the bottom between the shoe and the ground, and do not have a recessed cleat. If you don't notice the difference in 1/2-1 inch of height difference, then you'd probably be fine riding flats everywhere and not notice any difference either.
Only if you use the pedal as clipless-only and never use the flat side.
I use both sides of my pedals - the platform side I use to run errands during lunch at work or for casual rides around the neighborhood. My work shoes are minimalist zero-drop shoes with a far thinner sole than any bike shoe. And yet I still don't notice much difference in stack height.
The pedal position favors the clip side, which I do use more, yes. But it's just a matter of how I bring the shoe up to the pedal (push forward from behind to clip in, bring shoe over, down and back for platform side). If I don't find the platform side first try, I just pedal a few strokes with my regular shoe on the clip side, then flip it after I get going. As kickstart said, it's second nature really, and I rarely ever have to look down.
*edit* I use the same A530's shown by tjspiel above, and mine hang the exact same way.