I currently have a set of cheap cage style pedals. By cage I don't mean toe cage. I mean this:

https://www.jrbicycles.com/storefront...Cage%20(1).jpg

They aren't exactly grippy; my foot has slipped off once or twice. Not a regular issue though. My question is do the studded pedals make a big difference in your commute? I was thinking about this set but nearly 50 dollars seems a bit steep. That's more than how much I paid for my Ultegra SPD-SL pedals!

Nashbar Verge Platform Pedals

Yes, studded as opposed to caged will most likely make huge difference in grip. The Nashbar pedal you're showing looks like it would be great grip, but it appears fairly large, so depending on what type of bike you're riding you may experience pedal strike against the ground more frequently.

I have studded pedals on my cargo bike. Next best thing to clipless in my opinion. Here's a few cheaper options:

https://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-Magnesi.../dp/B00GDF87GU
Amazon.com : MEETLOCKSŪ Bike Pedal, Injection Aluminum Magnesium Alloy Body, Cr-Mo CNC Machined 9/16"Screw Thread Spindle, Ultra Du/sealed Bearing. : Sports & Outdoors
Amazon.com : Diamondback Bigfoot Pedals : Bike Pedals : Sports & Outdoors

I have Avenir "resin" pedals, which have molded-in studs, and it makes a huge difference over my old quill pedals.

These were $38 on eBay. They are pretty grippy since the studs are large, and they don't stick out too far from the crank making pedal strike less likely, yet still have sufficient surface area for your foot. I haven't had them but about 2 weeks, so don't have any long term opinions yet. KC-001 model.

I just put Odyssey Twisted PC studded platform pedals on my commuting/touring bike and they are the best, grippiest pedals I have ever owned. I paid $17, but you can get them on Amazon for $14. I don't really see why people would pay any more for a platform pedal, but there must be a reason. For commuting, the Twisted PC's are well worth consideration.

One issue to watch out for with studded pedals is that they have 0 float (i.e., you won't be able to turn your foot at all). This won't bother some people and will be horrible for others...

Yeah the feet lock in place. I often end-up spending a few seconds just lightly lifting and repositioning my feet a few times after take-off. But it's fine, I don't mind at all. For me they're a lot better than clip pedals.

Ergon, for their pedals uses a patch of Grip Tape , instead of Pins, that works too ..

My pedals start @ 50.00. More money gets you replaceable steel pins, and thin light weight pedals. I like steel pins, the molded aluminum ones wear down. But just about anything will work for commuting.

Yeah, I understand that you can pay more and get some extra features, but for $50, I can buy three sets of my plastic Twisted PC pedals, which is more than I will use for the rest of my life - especially given that I used my last set of pedals for about ten years and a bazillion miles. To each his/her own.

I have found that pinned platforms are an improvement over standard pedals, and provide 95% of the benefits of full foot retention for how I ride.

I love my studded pedals and feel they make a huge difference as opposed to regular or even a cage type. Especially for commuting because you can't really wear clip boots to work and would have to carry a pair of shoes with you. Check at my Shimano. I think they were $50 each but I could be wrong because 1) I tend to over pay 2) I don't remember exactly. They are a tremendous difference especially while standing and climbing. IMHO

I usually ride with clipless to keep my left foot from wandering... I also have some very good half step pedals that are really sticky and work nearly as well.

I have these pedals too, but not on my commuting bike. I had them for a few months and love them. They are very narrow and small compared to most pinned platforms, but are light and grip well. They were pretty stiff out of the box so I had to lube them a little. On my commuting bike I have wider pedals with longer pins that work better when wearing boots. So yes, studded pedals make a remarkable difference or non studded platform pedals, especially when it's wet.

In addition to the studded pedals it helps to have grippy soled shoes. If you don't care about color or year you can pick up a pair of Five Ten Guide Tennies through Amazon for $25-$30. We'll worth it.

+1 for studded pedals. Huge difference. Better than clipless, since they don't require dedicated cycling shoes.

I recently upgraded to a set of large platform studded pedals from Nashbar and I love them. I was super annoyed with my stock pedals; they were asymmetrical (front was more narrow than the back), so I was constantly flipping/adjusting. The larger platform is a dream, and the studs really work. I went studded platform over clipless because I wanted have the flexibility of wearing different shoes (trainers, Chacos, boots, etc) without worrying about the clips.

I agree. It does take a conscious effort to re-adjust, which is a good thing in my opinion... No more slipping all around the pedal.

I've got the WellGo Magnesium platforms with replaceable pins on all three of my bikes. One is even fixed gear, and I don't feel the need for additional foot retention with these pedals (ie no straps). My Vans shoes seem to basically lock onto these pedals, sometimes more than I'd like haha.

It depends on how, when, and where you ride. I've had cheap pedals that were toast after one winter. I'm sure if I had only used them from April through November they would have lasted quite a bit longer.

More expensive pedals will have sealed bearings but even some moderately priced pedals with unsealed bearings do a much better job of protecting the innards.

I love my clipless pedals, but as a bike courier I preferred the BMX style with pins.

How is the grip with plastic? Off road more grip is needed, winter as well. With my size 15 boots, bigger is better.

post 9.. Ergon uses plastic, concave shape, centers your foot, huge reflectors big platform, in Lg size.

Grip tape patches great with rubber sole shoes..

Just FYI, be careful not to scrape your legs on the pedals when you move the bike around Had to remind my young kids to keep away from dad's pedals. It's a rather good deterrent, at least for my oldest girl

I wear cheap New Balance sneakers and the grip with the plastic pedals is as tight as I will ever need for commuting, touring, or tooling around rail trails and bike paths.