I've been pedaling with $20 MKS platform pedals that are sort of a BMX style, with reflectors on the ends. I have them on four bikes now: townie-errand bike, mtn bike, commuter-tour bike and traditional road bike. I started with these pedals on just one bike, but they have taken over. I don't use powergrips or clips, don't think those would work too well with the larger platforms. These pedals have a nice big surface for my size 12 shoes.

I'm a guy over 50 who pedals about 150 to 180 miles a week, mostly commute rides that include a fair amount of hills. I usually average about 15 mph, and I've tried almost every pedal style and I don't think riding unattached pedals the last 3 years or so has slowed me down. My age might be slowing me down a bit, but not the pedals. Main thing is I don't have knee or foot pains, and I am comfy while riding.

It took experimentation with different shoes to develop friendship with unattached pedals. Got to find that certain kind of shoe with a flat bottom, somewhat soft grippy texture. Adidas Samba are pretty good, but they don't breath well enough for me, too hot for pedaling in southern cal. Most of the time, I wear Hurley denim canvas skate sneakers that are shaped somewhat like a Converse All Star. Vans authentic skate sneakers have a nice flat bottom and grippy surface, but they don't seem to fit my foot as well as Hurley. Teva sandals work OK for short pedaling around town, but I prefer shoes for longer rides. Those big thick sole running type shoes seem to get in the way of the crank arm, don't let me set up my foot on the pedal so well.