Best Platform Pedals For Road Cycling
04-29-09, 12:26 PM
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Best Platform Pedals For Road Cycling
I'm converting a 2009 Opus Sentiero from cyclocross to road cycling and urban commuting. I'm not particularly entranced by the thought of having to use clipless pedals. I can't seem to find any worthwhile platform pedals , can anyone help me with any suggestions?
thanks very much in advance.
thanks very much in advance.
04-29-09, 12:31 PM
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by "platform pedals" I assume you mean without toeclips. That's what I do on my commuting bike - just step-on pedals without toeclips. I use cheap pedals that are 25-30 years old, that I grabbed off a used bike.
If you're not using toeclips, it's in your interest to get pedals that are symmetrical, the same on both sides. Some basic platform pedals (for example, the Nashbar Cage Pedal) are slightly different between the two sides, because they assume you'll use toeclips.
Beyond that, just go to a bike shop or nashbar's website or whatever and look at pedals. On bike-seller websites peadls are usually broken up into catgories (road clipless, mtb clipless, platform).
If you're not using toeclips, it's in your interest to get pedals that are symmetrical, the same on both sides. Some basic platform pedals (for example, the Nashbar Cage Pedal) are slightly different between the two sides, because they assume you'll use toeclips.
Beyond that, just go to a bike shop or nashbar's website or whatever and look at pedals. On bike-seller websites peadls are usually broken up into catgories (road clipless, mtb clipless, platform).
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04-29-09, 12:40 PM
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There are no "Best" platform pedals for road cycling. Now if you start talking clipless pedals, that's a thread starter!
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04-29-09, 01:03 PM
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When choosing platform pedals, the biggest tradeoff I know of is size. Larger pedals give you a bigger contact area; I myself love my Blackspire Flatfoots.
The downside of such large pedals is that they're more likely to strike the ground when cornering at high angles. If you don't mind that downside, large platforms are great. Oh, they're also pretty heavy, but unless you're a gram-counter, that shouldn't be a problem.
I also really like platforms that come with metal studs, like the Flatfoots. Those grip into the sole of your shoe and don't let it slip. When using smoother platforms, especially when it's wet, your foot can easily slip. With lots of studs gripping the sole, your foot is a lot more stable on the pedal. The downside is that if you do something stupid and let the pedal hit your shins, it'll hurt a lot more than smooth platforms would.
Such large, studded platform pedals are usually described as Downhill/Freestyle pedals. I find the best shoes to use with them are flat-soled skate shoes.
I have to say I quite like clipless pedals, and I use clipless on my road bike, but platforms are great too.
I found these platforms pedals at Nashbar, they look quite nice and have all the features I love in platform pedals: large contact area, lots of studs for good grip, sealed bearings... You can't go wrong with those.
Nashbar Land Cruiser Pedal
The downside of such large pedals is that they're more likely to strike the ground when cornering at high angles. If you don't mind that downside, large platforms are great. Oh, they're also pretty heavy, but unless you're a gram-counter, that shouldn't be a problem.
I also really like platforms that come with metal studs, like the Flatfoots. Those grip into the sole of your shoe and don't let it slip. When using smoother platforms, especially when it's wet, your foot can easily slip. With lots of studs gripping the sole, your foot is a lot more stable on the pedal. The downside is that if you do something stupid and let the pedal hit your shins, it'll hurt a lot more than smooth platforms would.
Such large, studded platform pedals are usually described as Downhill/Freestyle pedals. I find the best shoes to use with them are flat-soled skate shoes.
I have to say I quite like clipless pedals, and I use clipless on my road bike, but platforms are great too.
I found these platforms pedals at Nashbar, they look quite nice and have all the features I love in platform pedals: large contact area, lots of studs for good grip, sealed bearings... You can't go wrong with those.
Nashbar Land Cruiser Pedal
Last edited by hernick; 04-29-09 at 01:07 PM.
04-29-09, 02:07 PM
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also when your foot does slip, you don't want your shin to bash studded pedals.
try powergrips if you don't want your foot to slip on the pedal, but don't want to use clipless.
try powergrips if you don't want your foot to slip on the pedal, but don't want to use clipless.
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04-29-09, 02:16 PM
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For super grip and lighter weight, I would look into 9/16" high-end BMX pedals. Primo mags come to mind.
04-29-09, 02:19 PM
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I just put a pair of TIOGA sure foot 8 platforms on my LD/commute bike Love Them.
dont know if ill go bag to any of my clipless pedals after using these for a month.
"John"
dont know if ill go bag to any of my clipless pedals after using these for a month.
"John"
04-29-09, 04:31 PM
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Platform pedals (useless without toe clips):
Platform pedals (useless without toe clips):
Not Platform pedals (work best with toe clips):
Not Platform pedals:
BMX Platform pedals work well for a lot of folks.
Platform pedals (useless without toe clips):
Not Platform pedals (work best with toe clips):
Not Platform pedals:
BMX Platform pedals work well for a lot of folks.
04-29-09, 05:26 PM
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You can get two sided pedals. For example, the Shimano M324 is clipless on one side and a standard cage/platform on the other side. Then you have the best of both worlds. There are cheaper versions than the M324...
04-29-09, 07:23 PM
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For commuting on an old road bike, I use a Forte Campus pedal. Basically, regular pedal on one side, an SPD clipless pedal on the other. But I did already have some old Mountain Bike shoes with SPD cleats when I bought them. Not sure I could otherwise justify buying new shoes and pedals for my bargain commuter bike.
I have an old mountain bike that I sometimes use for commuting or just putzing around town. For that, I got basic, metal, pedals that pointed spikes (?) on the pedal. This helped them from slipping when wet. These work much better than plastic.
If I had to do again and didn't want clipless, I'd find an old set of used pedals from an LBS that sells used parts. I'd make sure that they weren't rusty to begin with, regrease and maybe replace the bearings (usually just takes some allen wrenches). They'll be as good as new and a lot cheaper.
I have an old mountain bike that I sometimes use for commuting or just putzing around town. For that, I got basic, metal, pedals that pointed spikes (?) on the pedal. This helped them from slipping when wet. These work much better than plastic.
If I had to do again and didn't want clipless, I'd find an old set of used pedals from an LBS that sells used parts. I'd make sure that they weren't rusty to begin with, regrease and maybe replace the bearings (usually just takes some allen wrenches). They'll be as good as new and a lot cheaper.
04-29-09, 10:33 PM
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I have used these:
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1241065767405
on many a city bike.
I like them better than the larger "platform" pedals and have never heard anyone else complain about them. The reflectors are optional...
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1241065767405
on many a city bike.
I like them better than the larger "platform" pedals and have never heard anyone else complain about them. The reflectors are optional...
04-30-09, 02:17 AM
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I like the Shimano A530 pedals. A large platform on one side and SPD on the other. IMO they also look good but tastes are highly personal.
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04-30-09, 02:59 AM
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For commuting on an old road bike, I use a Forte Campus pedal. Basically, regular pedal on one side, an SPD clipless pedal on the other. But I did already have some old Mountain Bike shoes with SPD cleats when I bought them. Not sure I could otherwise justify buying new shoes and pedals for my bargain commuter bike.
I have an old mountain bike that I sometimes use for commuting or just putzing around town. For that, I got basic, metal, pedals that pointed spikes (?) on the pedal. This helped them from slipping when wet. These work much better than plastic.
If I had to do again and didn't want clipless, I'd find an old set of used pedals from an LBS that sells used parts. I'd make sure that they weren't rusty to begin with, regrease and maybe replace the bearings (usually just takes some allen wrenches). They'll be as good as new and a lot cheaper.
I have an old mountain bike that I sometimes use for commuting or just putzing around town. For that, I got basic, metal, pedals that pointed spikes (?) on the pedal. This helped them from slipping when wet. These work much better than plastic.
If I had to do again and didn't want clipless, I'd find an old set of used pedals from an LBS that sells used parts. I'd make sure that they weren't rusty to begin with, regrease and maybe replace the bearings (usually just takes some allen wrenches). They'll be as good as new and a lot cheaper.
04-30-09, 05:50 AM
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For platform pedals with toeclips I like the Shimano 105s, the Shimano 600 6207 and 600EX design, the wildly more $$ DuraAce version, and the Campy Triomphe, Chorus, and C-record. If you're a life-long toe clip user, these are all good options. Probably teh Lyotard Berthet shown a few posts back is teh most comfortable. The Campy C-record is one of the most beautiful pedals ever designed, IMO. The Shimano models need Shimano clips, and the Campy models need Campy clips. I'm not sure what fits the Lyotard Berthet.
04-30-09, 07:17 AM
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Try MKS
I'm riding a SS with MKS GR9 platforms with clips and straps. They're basically copies of the old French Loyotards. They seem good quality and not too pricey. Just Google MKS GR9 and you'll get lots of sources.
04-30-09, 07:44 AM
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The most practical regular pedal that looks good on a road bike these days is the MKS Touring. If you don't intend to use toe clips on your pedals, it's most convenient to have a pedal like the MKS which is the same on both sides. Otherwise, you need to keep flipping the pedal right side up. Later on, if you decide to use toe clips, these can be used just as well on this pedal.
04-30-09, 08:49 AM
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Velo Orange offers a good selection of "older" style road, platform and track type pedals.
04-30-09, 11:02 AM
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