MTB flat pedals
 

I have only used basic flat pedals (no pins). Then switched to spd clipless. Now thinking of MTB flat with pins. The reason is here in central London there are just too much hazards (thinking pedestrians weaving through semi stationary cars etc). And during weekend my partner will sometimes use the bike so flat is required. I tried those one side spd and one side flat, the flat side is just not that grippy and the spd side is just hard to reach when you need it. And my partner complains she is always landing on the spd side and she does not like to flip the pedal lol. I read some reviews of MTB flat pedals with pins. These seems very grippy, much better than flat without pins, maybe not as connected as clipless but that's fine.

So have anyone use these? I am wondering what shoes should I get for these pedals? Will the pins damage soles of normal trainers? Read some Five Ten shoes seems to be very grippy. But what about the durability of the soles for the pins? Or should I just get a Five Ten and use it on flat without pins since they are already very grippy?

Pins are usually not destructive to trainer soles.

The bigger issue are those few times when the pedal flips up and smacks one on the shin. Pins tend to leave a mark...

I spent some time in London recently and I just want to say that I think London bicycle commuters are the most talented and courageous urban commuters that I have ever seen!

I know that I would certainly use flat, double-sided pedals if I rode there.

Have your considered "traditional" double-sided road bike pedals? I really like the MKS Sylvan Touring model. The MKS catalog contains quite a few other models you may wish to consider. Big plus for me, you can wear "normal" work shoes, too!

TO me it is more the shoes than the pedals. I really hate the latest pair of shoes I bought because the tread it super slipper on my pedals. When they wear out (seriously doubt it will be too long!) I will go back to canvas Sperrys. I loved how the tread gripped my pedals in those.

You could also try BMX pedals

I don't categorize pedals into road vs MTB vs BMX, just clipless or platform.

The best platform pedals I've tried or owned are Shimano Saints and Nukeproof Protons.

But you can go much cheaper and still get great platforms, like Stolen Thermalites, Black Ops, Fyxation Gates, Odyssey Twisted or MKS Sylvan Touring.

Supposedly awesome but I've not yet tried are MKS Lambda, designed by the good folks at Rivendell Cycles.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA...Uo2h3/$_35.JPG

None of these will damage shoes that can take walking on pavement. As far as dedicated cycling shoes, read this article from Rivendell about how the whole concept of cycling specific shoes is just a marketing gimmick:

The Shoes Ruse

+1 for Shimano Saints, on my Fat Bike and MTB, and MKS Lambdas (not designed or made by Riv, but branded by them as the Grip Kings), on my commuter. And, yes, shoes make a big difference. I typically ride Five Tens on my platforms. Soft and sticky sole.

Thanks for the article, very interesting.

And how about this one?
Shimano Saint MX80 Flat Pedals | Chain Reaction Cycles
Good reviews but seems not as many pins as other modles?

its another crowded product sector .. I got some, made in Asia, cartridge bearings, set screws threaded in for pins,

so the height they stick up can be changed bu the user. they're fine..

Ergon uses grip tape rather than pins , they work too. I have several on different bikes.

Shimano is usually a Safe buy..

I tend to agree with that. Until last night one commuter had platforms, one has MTB clipless. (The platform pedaled bike was stolen last night)

Anyways, the power output doesn't concern me, it's the comfort and stability. I have a bad knee with range of motion issues. Pedal strokes are fine, but if I'm not clipped in i find my right foot always wanders forward without thinking about it, subconsciously making me bend my knee less at the top of the stroke.

I can still ride just fine on the platforms, and love them for just hopping on and off easily. But I feel much more secure on the clipless pedals.

That said, once I get into really nasty terrain I prefer platforms. Because my off road bike handling sucks and I need to put a foot down a lot. Even though I can clip and unclip without thinking or looking when on the street, I prefer not having that millisecond delay of platforms.

I'm deciding between Rivendell Grip Kings, Velo Orange Sabots, and the Rivendell Thin Gripsters:

Review of the VO Sabots with mention of the Grip Kings:
Review: Velo-Orange Sabot Pedal ? A Pedal Revolution? @ The Path Less Pedaled

Short comparison of the Sabots vs. Thin Gripsters (mostly just photos):
Spotted: Velo-Orange Sabot Pedal vs. Thin Gripster

The reviewer says that his foot slipped off the Sabots a couple of times under wet conditions but the pins can be replaced with sharper ones if needed.

Yup, pinned pedals grip great. Make sure to get ones with steel pins, the moulded in aluminum ones wear down. Not much damage to the bottom of the shoes. Any skate shoe would work, chrome, 661, vans etc. I use keen sandals or low waterproof hiking boots. Both work well. Regular sneakers tend to be too soft and not stiff enough.

The guys at the LBS recommended skate shoes, if I don't want to go clipless. Thus, I wear my Etnies Jameson Eco 2 shoes when I ride. I was hoping to ride with my Crocs clogs, because they're very comfortable in hot climates and shed water when I get rained on, but they're too wide and get caught in the crank. I wear quick-dry socks inside the Etnies so I haven't had a problem yet with waterlogged feet from riding in the rain.

I'll probably go with the Grip Kings/Lamdas for the cornering clearance, reflectors, and option to add pins for extra grip.