Someone recommended these before: https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M32...-2147483553-20

So I went to the LBS and took a look at them. I love the idea and design, but total they weigh over 1 pound. They felt super heavy.

Does anyone have any experience with other hybrid type pedal systems? Ones that I can easily just wear sneakers with, but also clip in for longer rides, etc, that are maybe a little lighter?

And I'm looking for them to use the type of shoe that has the clips recessed into the sole so you can walk around normally wen off the bike.

The pedals would be going on a Surly Cross-Check, if that helps/matters.

Oh, also, do I need any special tools to put pedals on? I've never switched pedals before.

Thanks.

Any thoughts on these? https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-A530-S...ef=pd_sbs_sg_6

Are those the correct clips for the type of shoe I want?

You'll need a 15mm wrench.

I'd skip the A530s. I hear the platform side isn't very grippy, so unless you are going to be wearing your SPD shoes 95% you'll want a little more traction between the pedal and the shoe.

Just get the M324. Yes, they are heavy. But both sides of the pedal are useful in all but the wettest conditions. And as far as weight goes - you ride a steel bike and are asking in the commuting forum. It doesn't really matter much in the grand scheme of things.

application of stair tread stick on grip tape from the hardware store will make the top side grip better.

Of recent notability: the pub pedal for eggbeater pedals https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/pub-pedals

there is also the Winwood deckster,https://www.bikeradar.com/us/gear/cat...ters-09-34138/
It's carried by QBP
a spare cleat of whatever pedal you like best.. gets you the function, without limiting your the pedal choice
to the shimano or the welgo lookalike.

I use those a530 pedals and they work great for me.

I've had the M324s on my commuter for ~18mo now and IMHO the M324s have the superior platform. I wish that those Winwood Decksters had better reviews. A $30 pair of M520s and a set of those seem like a great idea. You could have the best of both worlds: flatforms for normal shoes and double-sided SPDs for clipless riding.

Good luck, clipless is awesome. The M324s can be installed with either a 15mm pedal wrench or a 6mm hex.

I have been trying to figure out a similar problem. One thing that does annoy me with these options is when you DO want to clip in you can only do so on one side. I hate fumbling when I realize i have it on the wrong side to clip in. That said, a good solution is/would be very useful.

On one bike (a mountain bike) I have a regular old Shimano XT pedal, but since I sometimes want to ride in regular shoes into town, etc, I got a pair of platform adaptors. They work well enough, but are not great.
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-pl...+pedal+adapter

I am planning to try try Shimanno XT Trail peddles (or maybe the XTR to save a few ozs and better quality) - this is for a bike where I will be clipped in MOST of the time
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-XT-PD-.../dp/B0058ZCDHU
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-XTR-PD...f=pd_sim_sg_44

I have also thought of trying some other peddles, such as the Crankbrothers Mallet series - really a downhill peddle but have a big platform that look like could be used unclipped.

I had a pair of the Forte Campus pedals for a while and hated them. I put them on thinking I would transition from wearing street shoes, to using toe clips to clipless, but never went beyond using toeclips for long enough to give me knee pains and continued riding in street shoes. The pedals always came up with the clipless side up, which meant when I got to the stoplight where I really benefit from being able to get moving quickly I'd have to slow down and then look down to flip the pedal around to the correct side before being finally being able to start pedaling my way out of harms way.

I have a set of those for my hybrid. Like them a lot. They can be a little slick when wey if you're riding without clips and wearing dress shoes, but it hasn't been a problem for me. I just don't ride aggressively in the rain, mud, or snow while I'm wearing slick shoes.

BB

Shimano M424, me got, me likes.

I've got m324's on my winter bike and Power Grip straps on the non spd side (a little 'have my cake and eat it too!?). The cage side and power grips work great with winter boots. In warm weather I use this bike for rainy days with cycling shoes. I use a velcro strap to hold down the power grip strap. Sounds like a pain but works great for me.

I have the 324's on my hybrid and they are good pedals.

I have the M324 and the A530. Like them both. Thousands of miles on each pair of these pedals.
M324's grip traditional shoes slightly better. A530's a bit more graceful and more comfy for bare foot, vibram five fingers, flip flops in the summer. A530's slightly bigger cage, of note if you have pedal strike issues w/ a low bottom bracket. M324's better in the mud and muck.

I have the M324, the 530 looked like they might lack grip on the platform side. My colleague likes the 530, but he rarely uses the platform side.

I have the Nashbar Rodeo pedal. Works great for me. I use the SPD option more often, as it's more comfy for me.

since were talking all possibilities how about speedplays and the "platformer" system.

https://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?f...me.merchandise

walking in mountain bike shoes is easier but the speedplays w/cleat covers, aren't as bad as everyone thinks .

I bought a pair of PD-M324. I was using them for a week (about two weeks ago). I've noticed that it's not easy to put cleat on the proper side. There is a 50% chance, that pedal is set a platform side to the shoe. It's very irritating when you have to rotate pedal when you are waiting for (or starting from) the trafic lights. I'm newbie to those pedals (platform/clipless)... I bought them with a thought of winter commuting on mtb bike.

I'm cycling barefoot whenever I can. Best platform for bare feet, VFF or flip flops is big flat platform without any hollows or teeth.

Thanks for all the suggestions and input, especially since so many of you have or have used the couple pedals I was considering.

Ended up ordering the A530s. Should have them next week.

Now...anyone have good shoe recommendations?

I have the 324s, and love them.................

I have a Pedal wrench and change pedals in about 10 minutes .

These are the shoes I use:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043RGY2E/...ter_B0043RM9X2

If you had asked earlier, I would have gladly sold you my A530's. They are lacking serious grip on the platform side, even with sneakers.

I like those a lot. They are slick when damp, worse when wet. I used nail polish (cheap source of black enamel) to paint the platform side perimeter and sprinkled fine play sand on it, enough to have to catch what falls off. Paint a few patches on a paper plate and sprinkle sand on the paint to get an idea of how much to use. It works great. I don't know how long it lasts, I just did it bit ago.

Once they get used a bit the platform will stop on the down side as the bearings break in. It's no problem to either flip it with your toe or wait a crank revolution and you're on the platform. Most all of the time I use clips and I like it a lot that the clip side is usually up.

There.........................two major complaints of the A530 fixed.

Shoes, most of the mountain shoes work with SPD's. I have a pair for inclimate weather. I usually use a pair like these SPD road shoes, although not this years version and I can't remember the Model (around $80). Shimano shows the pair with the A600----don't worry, I used them with a pile of pedals that aren't A600s and they are fine. They a bunch lighter than my MTB shoes. Like light weight pistons for the motor!!

Make life easier-----get a pedal wrench.

Check out Shimano Men's Mountain Bike Shoes - SH-MT22. Excellent commuting shoe, often I'd wear them all day. I've been wearing mine for 2 years, they should be a pretty good deal right now on closeout.