Combination pedals question
 

I have clipless pedals on my commuter in the US and brought my shoes with me to Taiwan 15 months ago, but not my bike. I bought a new bike here, but have been using the standard cage pedals ever since. I'm thinking of getting some combination pedals, the kind with a cleat on one side and cage on the other, since some of my riding is still quick trips to the store and leisurely recreational riding, but wanting better a connection for commuting.
Do any of you use these? What's your experience with them? Which side usually stays up and do you have any hassle flipping to the side you want?

I don't think you'll want pedals with clipless on one side and a platform with a clip on the other because you'll have to take off the clip every time you want you want to go clipless. Other than that, combo pedals are pretty easy to use

Um...what? As someone who's been using clipless for years and has been in several debates about the "1 side clipless, the other side flat" debate - I don't even have any idea what you mean.

Personally, I had the style of pedals you were talking about and they were my first clipless pedals. I always hated having to look down to clip in - and you're always clipping in and such at lights, probably the worst place to have something else to distract you.

On the other hand, other people seem to really like them, so...go figure.

Are you going to run a toeclip on one side or just flats? I run a set of the Wellgo SPD on one side, platform/flats on the other side. I like them for just the reasons you mention. I wish I had spent a little more money any bought the Shimano 324s, some folks report the Wellgos suck and die an early death (though I've had them for a few years).

Clarification: I use the term "cage pedals" to mean a traditional flat, metal pedal with serated edges to help grip the shoe, sometimes referred to as platform pedals. I do not mean toe clips. Why in the world would someone try to ride with toe clips installed on one side and SPD on the other side?!
I am indeed looking at the Shimano PD-M324, though the Wellgo WPD-M-17C is slightly cheaper. Mr IGH, have you had any particular problems with the Wellgos?

i absolutely love my "hybrid" pedals. SPD clips on one side, flat platforms on the other. whenever I'm on a hill or a long stretch, I clip in for speed; near intersections or heavy traffic, I unclip for flexibility (where the clips won't really help me anyway).

the best part is that for some reason, the side I want always seems to be there for me. ymmv, but I have little trouble flipping them around when i want to swtich.

they're worth every bit of the $50 I paid for them. Shimanos...forget the model # but could look it up

No issues what so ever, OTOH, I have beat the crap out of a pair of Shimano 520 MTB pedals, I am impressed with their durabilty.

When my ancient Ritchie's decided to no longer let me release from them, which lesson they gave me one evening in a most awkward place and resulted in much pain, I did a little research and decided as you have, that the SPD A530 would let me commute with my cleated shoes and then quick trips to the store, et al, with regular shoes. I cannot say I have been disappointed. For the most part it seems they move into the cleat-side-up when sitting idle and I can usually just slip into them with out having to think. That said, there are times when I step onto one of them and they are the wrong side up for the cleats, which however I can feel, raise my foot and "feel" my way back down to the cleat and clip in. They are not a problem and as pedals go, I am quite content with them.

That said however I must note that I find I rarely make that "quick" trip using ordinary shoes! If, or when, I buy pedals again I shall buy SPDs with cleats on both sides. I find that I slip into my bike shoes quickly and comfortably and the two-sided pedals are not such an advantage for me, and the convenience of NEVER having to worry about which side is up - which as I note they usually ARE the right side up - makes enough of a difference for my next selection - but it is not enough of a problem to make me want to change right now.

It all depends on how often you take that quick ride with regular shoes.

Cheers - Lawrence