My platform pedals work fine when my feet are on them, but my right leg is scarred up from the last three or four years of use. I gouged the back of my calf again a few days ago, just following kiddo on his strider bike with my MTB.

My tandem has some pedals that I think of as old school BMX-style... alloy with a 2-sided cage that wraps around. I think they're a little better than the typical cheapo MTB strap pedals. MKS makes some, same body as the Sylvan quill pedals. Anyone using those? Is anyone still making anything like the old bear trap pedals? Or any other suggestions for something that will hold onto my shoe but not chomp my leg?

They are not exactly cheap, but the Tioga D-Spyder platforms have pins that screw in so you can pick the number of pins you use.
I've added two pins to the top since this pic was taken. I only have 2 on the bottom and have never had any issues with my foot slipping off when getting across an intersection when I have to start from a dead stop in traffic. They don't have the sharp edges or "teeth" that so many of the platforms have. The cheapo plastic toe clips are easy to get into and out of and actually allow for some power on the pedal upstroke, as well as pull through the bottom of the stroke.

Don't you use SPD sometimes? I got a pair of Wellgo Platform/SPD combo pedals that is super. Good commuter style fittings for cleats on one side and fantastic platform/set screw, hop-on without worries grip on the other. I can't remember the model, but if YOU want it just shoot a PM and I'll dig it out.

Greg

The "YOU" in the previous post might seem excessive. Expand it to anyone with a little yellow jersey beside their user name. I paid my dues......did you?

Stolen Bike's Thermalite platform pedals. Excellent values at $15-$25, depending on whether you get the version with molded in nibs or replaceable pins. I got a set of the molded in nib pedals last fall, ridden 'em over 1,500 miles. No problems, would buy another set.

They grip my casual shoes well without damaging the soles. Nothing sharp or pokey to cause discomfort through my thin soled deck shoes. No slipping when wet or muddy. Barking my shins against the pedals doesn't hurt any worse than my softer nylon platform and Sakae No Fat pedals.

The hard nylon material is tough. It's abraded a bit along the edges from scraping on tight turns and against rocks. I like the pedals to give a bit rather than launch me like a pogo stick, or transmit shock directly to the axles. The Thermalites do that.

And the Thermalites with molded in nibs come in about half a dozen colors. I got blue to go with my Univega's blue over black splatter paint. The aluminum Throttle pedals have a selection of colors too, but I haven't tried that version.

Sometimes but not on this particular bike. Thanks for the trade offer, though.

[MENTION=328212]downwinded[/MENTION] and [MENTION=418370]canklecat[/MENTION] thanks for the ideas. I don't think my pins are removable. If they are, if you took them out, there wouldn't be much left. The model is Wellgo LU-987.

I was also thinking of this style. MKS Esprit, UB-Lite, and BM-7.

My favorite commuting pedals are the MKS lambdas. Here is an online review:

Review: MKS Lambda / Grip King Pedals

Mine have held up thru three IA winters and they still spin great. They are fine quality pedals that spin smoothly. The metal nibs are not too sharp. They have a built in reflector.

The best feature, I think, is just the size. They are not crazy large but they are wider than your typical pedal. Your foot never has to hunt for a spot on the pedal to push. The design just works.

for half-and-half I *really* like the shimano a530, can ride the non-spd side barefoot:

I do have some fantastic flat pedals for my son's bike but they came off my wife's breezer, don't know what they would be if one were to buy them new.

The ones like Crank Bros 50/50 that use set-screws for the grip pins, means you can screw them in further to stick up less.

I Have Ergon's pedals , no pins at all , traction gained thru Grip Tape, like for skateboard decks.






.....

When I was considering ditching SPD, I got these super-cheap pedals to test out platforms at the lowest-possible amount of at-risk $$.

It's been over a year, and I'm still commuting on those pedals, even though they are super-crappy. They benefitted greatly from opening them up and putting some grease on the bearings and closing them back up with reasonable preload. The axles got a little bent pretty quickly, and I lost one of the bearing dustcaps.

The point for you though is, the 'pins' are not replaceable, they're just bumps. And they are made less sharp by the coating of paint. But I find they still allow me sufficient traction with sneakers.

How do the bearings work on plastic pedals? Are the races pressed in, or do they have cartridges?

I've been using pedals like the ones in the picture and have been wanting something that gives a better grip without wearing the bottoms of my shoes out too fast. Or hurting me when the pedals hit my shins.

The Shimano Saint PD-MX80.
PD-MX80

You can add spacers to lower the pins.

The cage pedals that you posted don't grip well if you wear regular shoes.

Thanks, that's good feedback. Out of those the Esprit looks like it has some platform to the body and isn't as sharp in the cage teeth.

The BM-7 are obviously classic quill pedal bodies, and with a different cage the same thing is sold as all the "Sylvan" models.

The bear trap pedals were pretty cool and I sort of wish they'd make a comeback. The bodies are flat with the cages, something that you get from alloy platforms, but those MKS Lambda pedals lack. And check out the teeth on the bodies.

I can make no blanket statements, covering all possibilities.

there are a pretty well designed self lubricating bushing bearing set in my Ergon Pedals.. grip tape on it works..



some other really cheap ones rely on the whole plastic pedal itself, to be good enough..

just a steel axle, and a cap on the end to keep it on.. toy trikes , hot wheels..















...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I put these on my Loft, and I like them a lot. They're pretty pointy, though.

Here's a fun thing.
Stein Pedal Injector on eBay

A fitting that threads in place of the cap and has a zerk

There seem to be other versions for other pedals

There's a pun to be had here somewhere about the party platform pedal

Thanks Bob

My very first ride with these "grippy" pedals was in the rain. Also one of my most terrifying rides. Wet, these pedals were super slippery. I added PowerGrips, and they became my favorite pedals. I also tried spiking them. The only problem with that was the pedals destroying my shoes.

I tried the PowerGrips with MKS touring pedals and hated it.

Holy Cow! I had heard old school BMX pedals were "coveted", but ?

I use Shimano Deore XT PD-T8000 pedals...one side is SPD and the other is a platform with removable/adjustable screws that provide amazing grip with any of my shoes or sandals.

When in normal shoes, the design allows me to use either side without much issue. The only times it might matter is if it's wet because the screws (for grip) are only on the platform side. I also like how they still have a reflector built in...the more moving reflectors, the more chances drivers will notice me. Best thing is, these don't weight much more than my clipless nubs I used to use.

I just ordered some PD-T400's on deep clearance at Jensen. Will report back. For $22 shipped it doesn't seem like a bad experiment

I have MKS Lambdas on one bike. Very nice, very comfy pedals. Great in sandals or barefoot. Spin very smoothly. May be prone to pedal strike if you have low clearance/low bottom bracket/long cranks.

MKS Sylvans on Bike Friday Triple. Easiest with kids if everyone is on dual sided platform pedals. Nice pedals. Very smooth. No complaints at all.

MKS Espirit on another nice old Specialized mtn bike converted commuter. 8th grade son rides this bike and loves the Espirit pedals. He rides hard and fast on and off road. Good looking pedals, match this bike well. Comfy, smooth.

I also have Shimano A530's and 2 sets of Shimano M324 dual sided pedals. Very smooth, last forever. A530 platform side slippery when wet.

Current favorite pedals are the Forte Boulevard. Very smooth. Hang conveniently after break in. Love the thermoplastic platform side when barefoot, in Vibrams, lightweight running shoes, etc. Very comfy, not sharp, not slippery. SPD clips in easily and firmly. Actually much prefer the Forte Boulevard over the more expensive Shimano A530.

Wellgo LU-C33 platforms are pretty sweet if you can find 'em. Got a pair on a new-to-me '89 road bike last week. Ridden 'em five or six times since, around 200 miles of mixed pavement and groomed crushed limestone trails.

The C33 Wellgos have a slightly rounded outer edge so it's more shin-friendly than my Thermalites. And they run just a bit smaller. Grippy hard rubber inserts rather than the molded in texture and nibs of the Thermalites. The rubber will probably wear quicker but so far, so good. They actually grip my walking shoe soles better than the Thermalites, which were already good and grippy.

Great platforms for casual riding. When I'm finally ready to try clipless on my road bike I'll move the Wellgos over the Univega and move the Thermalites to my Globe comfort hybrid.