Best non-clipless pedal for commuting?
 

I'm picking up a new bike this weekend (Brodie Ocho, see this thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=312195 ) that comes with SPD pedals. I want to replace them with non-clip pedals ASAP, as my ride has quite a few stop lights and I don't want to worry about falling over/bringing extra shoes to work.

Anybody have a good recommendation for a quality lightweight replacement pedal?

Personally, I've always used the stock platforms that come with the bikes I've had. Based on this, I'd just grab some of the cheapo platforms from nashbar or performancebike.

Maybe try a platform/SPD mix, I ride in downtown Toronto and have to unclip at most stops - you get used to it fast and seriously, it's much nicer to ride clipped in than with platforms but then you have the option of riding in your regular shoes on the other side. I use the Forte Campus pedals from performancebike.

(Congrats on the new bike, too :))

I'm quite fond of Power Grips.

http://www.ekosport.com/pg_benefits.shtml
http://www.ekosport.com/images/pg_in_action1.jpg

Ditto for powergrips. You can find them occasionally for cheap on ebay.

I like ones like these with a nice grippy edge so you can still get some power when "pulling" your feet back during the pedal stroke.
http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/pedal...aps/14020.html

or

http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/pedal...aps/14048.html

Add straps if you wish.

I love my MKS sylvan touring pedals with PowerGrips. Of course, I wouldn't be enjoying them if the wonderful guys on this forum hadn't helped me with the installation. :)

Wellgo B-37. Just mind your shins and calfs.

I'll trade you the platforms that came with my bike for your SPD's.

Last year, I got a pair of MKS Touring pedals, and was blown away by how nice they are. Light, solid, smooth bearings. They could cost eighty bucks a pair, and they'd still be worth it.

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/pedals.html

The guys who work at Rivendell both use and sell the Nitto "sneaker" pedal. A great commuting pedal. It provides a wide support platform, secures itself to any sort of sandal or shoe, from tennis shoes to wingtips, and has great built-in reflectors. And, its from Nitto, which means it well made. Under $30 a pair.

The problem with many traditional "platform" pedals is that the pressure point on your foot is two strips of metal. And, those strips of metal are just 1/16th of an inch wide. On a long ride, you may start feeling them. The "sneaker" pedal supports the whole foot. Lots of support. No pain.

Check them out at the Rivendell website. If you buy a membership, you get $5 off the pedals and the Rivendell "Reader". The "Reader" is both a catalog and a terrific magazine about bikes and riding. It comes out two, three, or four times a year...every issue is a treat.

Best pedals for regular shoe commuting?
 

I was checking over the bike the other day and noticed that my pedals are getting a bit worn down, so I'm thinking of replacing them. Now, I wear my sneakers around the office, so I really don't want to go with a special set of shoes and cleats. I'm willing to consider toe clips, but right now I don't use them.

My bike is a Giant Sedona, which is a MTB-style hybrid.

I use Shimano MX30 flat pedals,
shimano lists them as bmx/mtb pedals.
They are fairly large, had a good surface
with low pins, have lasted a long time,
look pretty good and are not overly heavy.
I ride with sneakers or crosstraining shoes,
they are comfortable; i do not get a hot foot, rarely slip off.
Downside, they are not the cheapest.

I ride with BMX pedals too - real nice for riding in arbitrary footwear, esp in snowy or rainy conditions.

Toe clips would be a good thing to consider. They only take a little bit of getting used to, and it's great to get even that little amount of help keeping your foot on the pedal. If you get good ones, they'll also keep the ball of your foot right over the pedal axle, helping you get a more efficient stroke and easier ride.

I buy the cheapest pedals that will take clips. For commuting, there's not going to be a noticeable difference in performance.

I had the dealer swap out the SPD's that came on my bike for Wellgo cage pedals. They're pretty light, look tough, and bite into my sneaker tread really well.

http://www.vpcomponents.com/pedals.a...e=3&pagesize=5#

VP-565 's

I scored three pairs of these for AU$25 at a closing down sale. One pair for me, one for my wife, one for my best friend. None of us have slipped a pedal since.

I'd have to say on eo f those flat BMX type pedals like this http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...tform%20Pedals

Ditto. I have a set of sun ringle platforms and those protruding hex screws give it great bite while not murdering my shins if a foot slips like old "bear claw" type pedals would.

Campagnolo Super Record. If you can't find a pair, MKS Sylvans are similar.

Road Version:
http://www.bikeparts.com/search_resu...p?ID=BPC120436

Track Version:
http://www.bikeparts.com/search_resu...p?ID=BPC120433

i have those nashbar cruiser pedals on my city bike and they work great.

not the pedal, but I am testing out some Power Grips with my pedals and regular shoes

I like the metal variety with teeth that catch the treads on my puma trail shoes. The shoes have a tight horizontal pattern that grips the pedals quite tightly.

They work so well that I can't really tell much difference between this setup and cleats.

Also the pumas being a nice grey color work pretty well as office shoes.

I use these: http://www.amazon.com/Pyramid-Pro-Pr...516593-8885655

They're a bargain, and I haven't had any problems with durability.

VP pedals are surprisingly good, and a wonderful value for the money. I paid about USD 20 for mine.

There are Cro-mo spindles and serviceable bearings on the VP-196 which I use with Power Grips.

I just put some Sun-Ringle zuzu's on a few days ago, and I like them a lot. It's been pouring down rain for my ride in and home for the last few days, and I've had no problems keeping my Chuck's on the pedals. Kinda heavy, but doesn't bug me.