mjoemoon

I'm going clipless! But.....

I've been poking around the forums and the consensus seems to be that low end campus style pedals like the ones made by Forte' are hard to get in and out of and better quality pedals like CB's Mallet C are not so hot for reg shoes because the eggbeater rolls under your foot.

Does anybody know if Crank Bros makes a clipless platform pedal that also works well with reg shoes? It isn't mentioned on their web site and I haven't seen any info elsewhere. I'd grab the Acid 1 pedals in a heartbeat but it looks like they'd have the same issue as the Mallets.

I really wanted to avoid SPDs but if anyone knows of a mid priced SPD platform pedal that is easy to get in and out of I'd take a look.

THANKS!

GregCVA

I use M324 SPD pedals. They have SPD on one side and platforms on the other. I like the option of not being clipped in when I am in a situation where I need to get out of the pedals a lot. Also have the option of riding in regular shoes comfortably. I found them online for around $50.

TRUMPHENT

No, they do not. SPD's are the best thing going. The revered and late Sheldon Brown lived in Shimano SPD sandals. I use a less expensive brand of SPD sandal and totally concur with the Sheldon.

The neat thing about SPD compatible sandals is that they are adjustable. You can wear socks or not.

Biking/SPD sandal are very walkable. They ride in SPD mode with a vengeance.

Shimano, Lake, Pricepoint all sell SPD sandals down by the seashore.

chipcom 

I concur...spd sandals are the shizzle for just about every type of riding but racing and training for racing.

Daily Commute

I agree on spd's. I like MTB shoes because you can walk with them. I'd suggest MTB pedals too because they allow you to click in from either side. I used to have them, but I switched to road pedals when the MTB one's wore out. The road ones are generally in the right position, but not always. That not always is usually just as you are trying to get going through a busy intersection. The advantage of the road pedals is that they are a lot easier to clean and maintain because the mechanisms are not enclosed like on the MTB pedals. But the advantage of always clicking in immediately outweighs any road pedal advantage.

martianone

IMO- platform/bmx pedals are great for commuting and general riding about.
I like the Shimano MX-30, they have a large comfortable surface, pedal smoothly, you can have
tall or short pins and are quite rugged. Downside is their cost- about $100.
Am interested in trying a set of MKS grip king platofrm pedals- about $55.
If you are going on a long ride- clipped in is probably more effective;
in and out around town, campus, commuting, bad roads, etc- Platform is more pragmatic.

twoflats

Shimano A530. SPD on one side, platform on the other. $90 at REI. Perfect commuter/utility bike pedal.

climbhoser

Shimano PD-A530 and PD-M324 are both good, but if you want awesome and are willing to dole out the duckets then check out the PD-M424, PD-M525 and the PD-M647! Especially the 647...those things are bomber!

All of the Shimanos are going to be higher quality than Wellgo or Forte, and the price reflects it. You'll be able to use whatever shoes with great success.

JanMM

I've used nothing but Nashbar or Forte SPD pedals and currently have Forte Campus pedals on two bikes. Very satisfied with all but one pair which at the time were the very cheapest Nashbar MTB SPD pedals.

nbac23

I rock the Forte Campus. Never had a problem. Platform on one side offers the chance to ride with regular shoes. Inexpensive too. I ride with MTB shoes that have recessed cleats. No clickity clickity as I walk around. They look pretty "normal" as well so I could go into a store or something and not feel like tap dancer.

mjoemoon

nbac, what shoes are you using?

mjoemoon

The 424s are in the right price range but I think they're clipless on both sides. I really feel like I need both in case I need make a quick trip in reg shoes or if someone needs to borrow my bike. Thanks though!

dobber

I was (still am) a big fan of Crank Brother pedals. I moved a lot of my bikes to clips and straps simply for convenience but still run Mallets on a couple bikes. If your shoes have lugged soles you'll have little issue riding the pedals.

Bekologist

Shimano A-530s. new in 2008, comfortable enough to ride barefoot on the platform side, lighter weight than the M324.

all the crank brothers have the issues with the protruding cleat, same with all the Shimano M series platform SPDs mentioned above.

you won't go wrong staying away from Forte parts.

Juha

I've used both Shimano and Wellgo one-sided SPD pedals. Both are OK for riding with regular shoes, and I didn't notice much difference clipped in either.

huhenio

520 pedals are like 50 bucks ... comes wiith cleats

MTB shoes can be found in a number of styles ... go clipless ... much better

JanMM

Clarification: Campus Forte pedals have a plain cage on one side, not a platform.

nbac23

Shimano SH-MT41G

noteon 

FWIW...

I put FUNN Soljam Vipers on my Dahon Matrix (my commuting bike), and I generally wear either Gore-Tex hiking boots with ankle gaiters (in the winter) or Teva running sandals (in the summer).

I'm used to clipless, but I don't want to be mechanically connected to a bicycle in NYC rush hour traffic. I have never slipped off the Vipers; with the exception of not being able to turn the crank by lifting my foot, they feel pretty much like the Eggbeaters on my road bike. I'm stuck to them, period.

My reason for changing the stock Matrix pedals is that they were the kind of platforms that have a right side and a wrong side, and I could sometimes be halfway through an intersection before I finally got the damn thing flipped around right. With the Vipers, wherever my foot comes down, it sticks, and I can pedal immediately.

The stock pedals were the opposite of grippy in the rain, too. The Vipers are my favorite modification on this bike.

mjoemoon

So I ended up buying these Pyramid platform/spd pedals at my LBS. Dubious quality without a doubt but I know the owner pretty well and he gave me a great deal.
I don't have shoes yet which led to me learning how crappy the platform side is when it's wet.
I want to try the spd side before I consider them a wasted 20 bucks but I'd not recommend them [edit: for commuting in the rain ] based on my experience so far.

Thanks for the help...I should have bought the 520's!

benda18

bought m324s a year ago. i've rolled platform maybe 3 times in 2000 miles.

BarracksSi

The newer Mallets have Allen-keyed traction pins, giving them better grip than the previous version that mainly relied on the endplates and their teeth.

I'd imagine that they suck when using dress shoes, but they work fine with my regular shoes.

ottawa_adam

I used to have Wellgo platform/spd combo pedals. I used the platform about 3 times in 1.5 years.

I now have the Mallets, which are fine-ish using without cleated shoes.

I got myself some normal-looking cleated shoes and they're quite comfortable for running errands. Because of the comfort, I don't mind wearing them off bike for regular errands, so I don't have to worry about bringing a second set of footwear with me.

d2create

My shimano one sided platform pedals are super easy to get in and out of especially with my spd sandals.

mjoemoon

d2 - I'm lusting after your rig...it looks delicious!