Commuting Pedal Preference?
 

I want to get some clipless pedals for my commuter (Kona Jake the Snake, 2003) but I really don't have any idea what to get as I haven't used clipless before. My commutes are long and uninterrupted enough that I pretty much have no reason to stick with the platforms, so I want to upgrade.

I know a bunch of guys that swear by crank brothers eggbeaters for everything. What do you guys prefer? Why?

eggbeaters for me and quite a few other forum members.

If you think you might have the need for platforms once in a while, I would recommend the Performance Campus pedal. It's SPD on one side and platform on the other. They have them for $29.99 right now and I've read good reviews about them. I just picked some up but haven't put them on yet, but they appear to be pretty high quality, especially for the money.

Double sided with a recessed cleat.

Specific brand/type of this type is more of a personal preference. Models include, but are by no means limited to:
Eggbeater
Shimano mountain (i.e. M520)
Time ATAC

I used M520 for 2yrs. and they are fine, no reason not to use them
I use ATAC XS now, which are also fine.
I've tried eggbeater which are also fine.

The distinction between them is more subtle than you may come to believe when reading about pro/cons from fanatics.

Al

I have clips and straps on one commuting bike and old Shimano 737 SPDs ($5!) on the other. The SPDs are actually big enough to ride in "normal" shoes for short trips. I keep an extra pair of street shoes at work though so I don't have to bring shoes if I ride in clipless. I've heard a lot of good things about eggbeaters but double sided entry works fine for me and used SPDs are dirt cheap.


I actually like clips and straps for commuting. Being able to wear normal shoes when running errands is nice, and you get most of what's good about clipless without the expense/hassle. I will say that it has taken me a very long time to feel comfortable with clips and straps. Clipless is a lot easier to get in and out of in a hurry, but with practice clips and straps get easier.

Just switched to Crankbrothers mallets from straps two weeks ago - I can't get over how much better clipless are. And the mallets are perfect for commuting because they have a big platform you can really slam down on to get out of a stop in a hurry, plus in heavy traffic you can peddle along without clipping in at all if you want. I am very satisfied with the choice.

My current commuter is clipless, but that's because it's normally a mountain bike which I've been using as a commuter.

My new commuter that I'm building up will have the toe cages. This is more so I can use it in more situations, such as riding to work in the winter, when I'll need to wear boots. I love the clipless, just need the versitility (sp?) of the regular pedals.

I use SPD because the pedals were the cheapest clipless pedals I could bu yat my LBS. I didn't know if I'd like them. Now I have SPD on every one of my bikes but my cruiser... I really like them.

I use MTB cycling shoes, and I can walk in them just fine (an occasional click on uneven surfaces, but generally OK) which is nice for going to the grocery and whatnot.

I loooooooove clipless. Can't ride without 'em now.

time, every time!

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/pedal/index_T.shtml
http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/dr...03_840crx.aspx

Whatever it is, recessed cleat so you can walk around normally.
I use SPD simply because it was cheap. I bought a pair of Shimano pedals new on eBay for about $15. I haven't tried any others, but I don't have any problem with the SPDs so I probably won't.

toe clips put the extra money to saving for a new carbon road bike

I have eggbeaters on one and crank brothers smartys on the other. Even though both bikes are road and CB's are considered more of mountain pedals, I just happen to like crank-brothers designs. simple, minimalist, and effective. I also like the fact that my cleats are just recessed into my shoes enough that for walking around work I don't have to worry about changing shoes if I don't want to.

time ATAC.
i love them.

Never ridden with anything other than regular old platform pedals, that's the way it'll be for now too.

I recently got the Shimano M324 SPDs -- platform on one side and clipless on the other. They're great so far. I have them adjusted so that it's really easy to click out, and I have the recessed cleat shoes that I wear all day at work. They're actually quite comfy, and it adds to my coolness factor at work because I have the only shoes with reflectors :)

1+ for eggbeaters.

I prefer combined clipless/platform SPD pedals, for the ultimate in versatility. I can run out of work and do an errand while wearing street shoes or dress shoes, while at the same time using clipless shoes for my commute to and from work. Also, having the platform under the SPD cleat makes it more comfortable under my foot.

Nashbar has the Rodeo pedals for about $25 (what I use), Performance has the Campus pedals for about $35 (they are clearly of a higher quality and sleeker appearance, especially the bearings), and Shimano makes the original version for about $75 (seems similar to the Performance pedals, just more expensive :p).

Before these pedals, I used double-sided SPD pedals, which worked great except for not being able to use street shoes. I've also used Look pedals, which I would not recommend for commuting since they're a pain to clip in and out of and you can't walk with the big cleats. I know there are a lot of Eggbeater fans on here, but I don't really get what advantage they offer on the road: mud-shedding isn't on the top of my priority list for road use. SPD and SPD-knockoff pedals are very widely available, come in many different configurations, and they're inexpensive.

:beer: I wear my reflective Adidas Minrett shoes all day too :D

Any distinctive differences between the Shimano M324, the Nashbar Rodeo, and the forte Campus at Performance bike aside from the distinctive increase in price for the Shimano pedals.

I'm looking for a do-it-all pedal as I don't need to ride clipped in for the 3 miles of stop-and-go commuting to work but when I'm out on the weekends having clipless would be much nicer.

So here are my impressions. I have personally used the Rodeo a lot, and the Campus a little. I have not used the Shimano M324s.

* The Nashbar Rodeo pedals come with the bearings overtightened, not so much that you will notice it pedaling, but only if you spin the axle by hand. Presumably there's a robot in China somewhere that needs adjustment. The cleats are interchangeable with SPD cleats! Although this is not advertised, I have confirmed that the interchangeability goes both ways. I got them for only $10, which was a big selling point :)
* The Performance Campus pedals have very smooth bearings, I believe they are sealed rather than cup-and-cone. They are explicitly advertised as useable with SPD cleats. The pedals are very low-profile, thinner than any other platform pedals I know of, which I think looks sleak and cool. They are usually $30-35 online.

I don't think you would go wrong with either of these! They are both very easy to clip in and out of, just like SPDs, they have adjustable tension, and the platform sides are sufficiently grippy.

I just bought the Campus for $29.99 in-store. They were actually $39.99 in-store, but they match their own web prices and it was priced on their site at $29.99. I haven't used them yet, but reviews on their site are excellent and they seem very high quality. One reviewer even said they were better than the Shimanos.

In my opinion, the Campus pedals are better-looking than the Shimanos because they are thin and sleek. The Campus pedals are also about 50g lighter I believe. I have not used them enough to compare longevity.

I did not know that PB will match their own web prices!!! That is awesome... I may be heading there tonight and you may have saved me a few $ :)

because I work on campus (lots of peds) I use platforms. I do like the looks of the crankbros mallets though

Make sure you print the web page and bring it in. I've done that several times and never had a problem.

Thanks for the insightful review. I've ordered the campus pedals from Performance bike. They're backordered right now but it'll give me some time to go look for some MTB shoes as well. I don't plan on clipping in anyway for commutes, just for longer leisure riding.

I've been using cheapo Performance SPD-clones. My wife is fond of her Campus pedals, BTW, so good choice, Lurker1999. :)