Again, not trying to preach clipless, but they don't have to be "clown shoes". :D

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/p...um/BMT3136.jpg

Yep. Although they're ok with toe clips.... :)

You can't go wrong with the MKS touring pedals on a bike that has good clearance. I have long skinny feet and find them excellent on my touring bike. But i hit the ground when i ride my fixie/singlespeed, so i think i need less wide pedals.

If you're that close to cars in traffic you have other things to worry about. Your handlebars hitting mirrors, your head hitting mirrors (bus/suv) and cars are generally biggest at your knee level and taper down slightly towards the ground so I think that two extra inches in width is the least of your problems if you pick your way between cars that close.

Lately I've been commuting on a Raleigh Twenty, and haven't replaced the original platform pedals yet. My commute is just over 6 miles RT, so the platforms have been fine, and there are indeed some advantages to just hopping on the bike
and riding. For any distance beyond my commute though I want to use clipless (spds) so I'm going to put a set of "campus pedals" on this weekend so I'll have either option (clipless or using my work shoes).

Just a little update on my love-affair with platforms, and some snags I've run into along the way.

While I became really fond of unrestrained platforms, I also have the desire to try different types of toe-clip setups and powergrips. It's rather hilly around here and it's nice to have some sort of retention device on the pedal to keep your foot secure when pounding or spinning up hills. My major problem came in finding a setup that would work with my sized feet/shoes.

I wear a size 12, which isn't arguably super big, but it's on the top end of the scale (I feel really sorry for you blokes with 13+ sized feet!). I tried many combinations of platforms (mks quill-type, track, GR-9) with metal toe clip/strap setups (all XL) only to find that my everyday casual shoes were too large, or the tread to wide to fit in and out of these easily. I have an older pair of black plastic toe clips and pedals that did good duty riding in narrower tennis shoes, but one drop was all it took to knock the pressed in dust cap out of them, so I'm trying to avoid these cheap/disposable options.

Powergrips are probably one of the coolest things since sliced bread... or the creation of the xtracycle (you choose). I first put Powergrips with MKS touring pedals on the franken-breezer, and instantly fell in love. The MKS touring pedals are wide enough to accommodate my casual shoes (even those with wide tread like Keen sandals, ect). The Powergrips straps are long enough to span my shoes and situated on the pedal just right to retain my feet. My ultimate goal was to eventually try this pedal setup on my fixed gear commuter.

Well, the fixed gear is now wearing the touring pedals with powergrips and I couldn't be happier. I was concerned about pedal strike, given the wide platform pedal, but it hasn't been an issue so far. It took a little getting used to slipping into the grips while the pedal was moving, but it's not impossible and gets easier every day. The Powergrips have just enough retention that my feet feel secure on the pedals, even spinning very high RPMs going downhill.

The only major differnce I've been able to notice on the fixed gear with powergrips is a slight decrease in power moving uphill compared to clipless. I know this is only temporary as my body and muscles will adjust to the challenge and get stronger to compensate.

For those that know, you know... not being beholden to one type of shoe to ride your bike is pretty liberating. Not that I'm spewing hate for clipless (I enjoy it immensely), but for city riders who are on and off their bikes often, the freedom to wear casual shoes awesome.

I love platforms, I love DMR pedals, I seriously have like 5 pairs from various bikes over the years. I run them on my Italian steel bling road bike with the Delta brakes, my fixie conversion, my Norco 5Hun hardtail, and my touring road bike. I have always ridden flatties. I commute to work with only the sneakers on my feet (Adidas shelltoes). I ride into town to hit the pub with my mates and don't need to worry about slipping over in spilt beer on cleats. I spin at a huge RPM on the fixie (49/22) with no worries. I climb big hills on it too with no worries. Adaptability is the key. I tried a pair of Sylvans and straps but it was too frustrating. Coming from a BMX background I like to get the holeshot from the traffic lights and I can't spare the fraction of a second required for clicking in or flipping the pedal around to get under the strap.

But this is my boat and platforms float it.