I have 2 sets of pedals and only one can go on my 26" winter/commuter/utility bike
I dont really know what the difference is other than looks
what do you guys prefer?

I have pedals like this


and big a$$ pedals like this

I have the big ass pedals on my LHT.

regular platforms for city commuting (lots of stop & start, on & off)

clipless for long commutes

for a mix of the two, platform on one side clipless on the other

avoid toe straps like the plague

well, I am a gal, and I had some pedals similar to the first of your choices, and I have a scar on my ankle from them. Now, I have rubber MKS pedals like these. My ankles, shins and nice leather shoes thank me.

These: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=28050

They're perfect for me and my needs, SPD on one side, good enough platforms on the other. Fairly light: 386 grams.

I use the big a$$ pedals on the beach cruiser and quill pedals with half clips on the single speed road bike.

Grip King.... just roomy pedals to hold your feet on long rides!

+1
Love my Grip King pedals!

Clipless pedals and SPD's. My commute is 17 miles each way so clipless really help. I use mountain bike SPD's as I can walk in them once I get off the bike.

I use Crank Bros. Candies. I love them, I've used SPD pedals and I've used Look style pedals, these are, hands down, my favorite.

I have pedals like #2 and I was surprised that I liked them for the commute. I haven't used anything but Looks on my road bikes for something like 20 years and I was skeptical, but for commuting the big platforms are fine.

...

I've got a set of the big a$$ pedals (with built in studs) for dress shoes, winter boots, etc. On normal days though, I wear Adidas Sambas and roll with toeclips. Never had a need for clipless pedals, never want clipless pedals. Why do I need shoes I never use otherwise that cripple me off the bike? As it is, I'm not a huge fan of having to use one particular kind of shoe for the clips!

I like my SPD pedals, and the shoes I have are fine for walking around all day at work.

As far as platforms go, I do use them in the winter since cycling-specific winter boots are fairly pricey. I would prefer design #2 as it looks like it would be less likely to take a gash out of my shin in the event of a wipeout on ice. Not that I know anything about how that could happen.

Another vote for SPD (clipless) pedals. I would not want to walk around all day in my MTB shoes, but I can walk to the other building in our office park where the showers are. I do keep street shoes in the office to change into.

MKS RMX for a couple of months, really like them.

I switched to toe clips after having my feet slip off the pedals in the rain coming off the front position at a stoplight TWICE in one day, with a truck behind me both times having to stop suddenly to keep from hitting me. I decided keeping my feet on the pedals was an important safety issue.

I did switch to SPD later, but I'm not in love with them and right now I've got the platforms with toe clips back on, even though most of the time I'm still riding with shoes with SPD cleats on them.

My favorites for commuting are Shimano M424s

Speedplays

I have Shimano A530s which are platform on one side and SPD on the other. At first I was thinking I should have maybe gotten a pedal that was SPD on both sides. I rarely rode without cycling shoes anyway and having SPD on only one side made it a little annoying when the SPD side of the pedal wasn't facing up. But along with getting more skilled at using them I've also grown to appreciate the versatility even though it's not something I take advantage of that much.

The cycling shoes I use for commuting have a flexible sole and a recessed cleat. They are very comfortable and can be worn all day. Not all cycling shoes are these super stiff things that are difficult to walk in.

The pedals on my winter bike are more like #2. They're aren't huge but they do have the pins. They work pretty good.

In my opinion clipless pedals and shoes don't offer a huge advantage to the typical commuter and can be easily done without. I happen to like them but if you're just getting started, the money might be better spent on lights or rain gear.

I have Bontrager RE-1 on three bikes so that I only have to have one shoe to fit all bikes. Makes it nice. Another vote for SPD.

Kona Jack *****s

Crank Brothers Candy C's.

i have some big ass types on my commuter as well. easy to get off quick in traffic, plenty of support for just every day type of shoes, and the cleats on em for traction when it rains (like this morning)