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What pedals do you use?

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Old 09-26-14 | 11:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Sullalto
How do the pedals 'fall'?
Mine usually have the SPD clip side up. The platform side is heavier
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Old 09-27-14 | 12:10 AM
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I'm really intrigued by the platform pedals with pins, but I'm concerned they will tear up the soles of my chrome Truk shoes and LL Bean boots.
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Old 09-27-14 | 05:30 AM
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Old 09-27-14 | 07:53 AM
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After commuting for 7 years I am convinced that platform pedals with pins are the most practical thing for me. I can wear any type of shoes I want.. I don't really care about the tiny increase in performance that people claim to be getting from clipless... On my fixed gear bike I use toe clips and straps for safety reasons. In my experience, foot retention is unnecessary unless I am riding fixed.
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Old 09-27-14 | 11:01 AM
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Not to threadjack but since we're talking about pedals. Do any of you know a double sided look keo compatible pedal?. I'm a beginner to clipless and like the Keo grip cleats, but I'd also like to not have to look down at red lights trying to clip in. It's hard enough flipping my cages up.
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Old 09-27-14 | 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by bmthom.gis
You could get a set that has SPD on one side and a platform on the other.
Originally Posted by PaulRivers
The annoyance with those kind are the need to look down and flip them over to get in/out of them. I found it annoying
Originally Posted by tjspiel
FWIW after the pedals broke in and I got used to them I've had no trouble clipping in. No need to look at the pedals. The set I have (A530s) hang mostly vertical (tilted slightly forward) with the clipless mechanism facing toward the back. This means that to clip in you just push the front of the pedal down with your toe. They didn't do this consistently until they were broken in. Once I figured out that they hung like that, I never had to look down anymore.
The A530s are actually easier to get into than my road pedals that are completely upside down and have to be flipped before using. The cleats just slide right into place as the pedal levels out.

PaulRivers---you might give them a chance to break in, or find a used eBarf pair. I think you'd like them a lot better with a several hundred miles on them.
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Old 09-27-14 | 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Onyxaxe
Not to threadjack but since we're talking about pedals. Do any of you know a double sided look keo compatible pedal?. I'm a beginner to clipless and like the Keo grip cleats, but I'd also like to not have to look down at red lights trying to clip in. It's hard enough flipping my cages up.
I'm not sure if there are any double sided Look KEO or SPD SL type pedals available.
I use Speedplay X/2; they're double sided. Maybe you can try them if you don't like
Shimano SPD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-rQ...6zPoymgKaIoDLA
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Old 09-27-14 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Sullalto
How do the pedals 'fall'? Is one side weighted to generally be up? Been thinking about those pedals, or getting attachable platforms, like https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...-pedal-adapter or Problem Solvers

I've also been debating getting big BMX style pedals as well.
They already make pedals just like that. I recently sold some on ebay, because they don't work well. The pedal will twist around under your foot, it's like biking on ice skates (in my experience). I found I'd rather go with a bump from a clipless pedal that has a large platform than go with the skating on ice feeling. There's also a smaller problem in that your seat height isn't quite right any more after putting them on, but that's a problem with most other solutions as well.

I just decided not to switch pedals, but if one wanted to the best solution seemed to me to be the Ezy quick release system -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1aPm-WqZsQ

You can just switch the pedal out by hand without tools in about 30 seconds.

The new Shimano "light' or whatever mentioned above somewhere looks interesting as well.
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Old 09-27-14 | 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by gregjones
The A530s are actually easier to get into than my road pedals that are completely upside down and have to be flipped before using. The cleats just slide right into place as the pedal levels out.

PaulRivers---you might give them a chance to break in, or find a used eBarf pair. I think you'd like them a lot better with a several hundred miles on them.
Let's assume that's true - there's still always one side of the pedal that you will have to flip up with your foot to get onto it. I can say what you're saying, but I have the same complaint about 1 sided road pedals as well. :-)

I used to use an older model of the one-side-platform pedals. Probably not the exact same model. But I know that personally I think the hassle of using them negates any minor speed advantages for me - would rather just use platforms to begin with.
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Old 09-27-14 | 11:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Sullalto
How do the pedals 'fall'? Is one side weighted to generally be up? Been thinking about those pedals, or getting attachable platforms, like https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...-pedal-adapter or Problem Solvers

I've also been debating getting big BMX style pedals as well.
The A530s "fall" almost vertically, - the top is tilted slightly forward. The clipless mechanism faces the back of the bike and the platform faces the front.



Neither side is down nor up and once yet get the technique down, there is no need to flip.

Last edited by tjspiel; 09-28-14 at 08:37 AM.
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Old 09-28-14 | 07:52 AM
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Originally Posted by 1nterceptor
I'm not sure if there are any double sided Look KEO or SPD SL type pedals available.
I use Speedplay X/2; they're double sided. Maybe you can try them if you don't like
Shimano SPD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-rQ...6zPoymgKaIoDLA
I came across these. These look perfect for my needs. A little pricey but I like the peace of mind. Thank you.
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Old 09-29-14 | 05:00 AM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by Motolegs
Yes, I swapped out the stock tires as well. They were really prone to flats! A semi slick pair of Kenda Kross tires, along with Slime smart tubes ensure a trouble free ride (knock wood).

The brakes seem fine- don't know much about them other than they needed some adjustment pretty quickly. What rack did you install to clear the disc brakes?
I actually have a seat post rack. The seat post is good for 20lbs of gear. I used this bike for commuting and hauling groceries. I was not able to find a rack that clears the disc brakes.
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Old 09-29-14 | 05:09 AM
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Originally Posted by TrekNerd
I actually have a seat post rack. The seat post is good for 20lbs of gear. I used this bike for commuting and hauling groceries. I was not able to find a rack that clears the disc brakes.
Awesome, I was just looking at one of those @ Wally World. I'm sold now. Looks like it functions as a semi fender as well.

Great looking ride!
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Old 09-29-14 | 06:56 AM
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I love platforms... I just ordered a set of VP Vice platform pedals this morning. I have a set of VP-001 which I really like but it seems that after Riv found out about these pedals the price has gone up. I like them thin and wide. I don't use straps or toe clips because I hate when they drag on the ground. My bikes with clipless pedals don't get ridden very much anymore.
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Old 09-29-14 | 07:52 AM
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Originally Posted by eastbay71
I like to be able to put a foot down when I need to if there are a lot of cars around. But on the bike path or on open roads I like to get the extra torque from being clipped in.
+1 for double sided, then you don't have to worry about choosing classic vs. clipless.
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Old 09-29-14 | 09:04 AM
  #66  
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These guys have a huge selection of platform pedals with great prices and great service.

Time Pedals, Clipless Pedals, Wellgo Pedals, Mountain Bike Pedals, Clip Pedals
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Old 09-29-14 | 12:42 PM
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My first set of clipless were the Shimano A530's; flat one side, SPD on the other. Bought them thinking they'd be versatile as I could use them in flip flops or normal shoes. I rode them for nearly a year, and only once or twice ever wanted to go out with normal shoes. The hassle of sometimes having to look down and flip the pedals at lights and stop signs was more of an issue, so I bought the double-sided M540 pedals recently; no regrets
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Old 09-29-14 | 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by tjspiel
The A530s "fall" almost vertically, - the top is tilted slightly forward. The clipless mechanism faces the back of the bike and the platform faces the front.
...
Neither side is down nor up and once yet get the technique down, there is no need to flip.
Thanks for the pic.
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Old 09-30-14 | 10:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Sullalto
Thanks for the pic.
You're welcome.

Based on what I've read on these forums over the years, many people assume these pedals will be hard to clip into because they think the clipless side of the pedal will end up facing down some or all of the time. And the initial experiences with the pedals often aren't that great because until they break in (and spin freely) it's hard to say which way they will end up hanging.

I understand the reason for not wanting the clipless side down, that's why I don't like toe clips.
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Old 09-30-14 | 11:30 AM
  #70  
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I use clipless MTB SPD (one is a Shimano, the other is a Nashbar). I have platform with pins for my son when he rides my 29er but I rarely use them myself. My wife has a platform-style Shimano SPD and my son's girlfriend can use her bike without the need for me to switch pedals. My wife uses clipless shoes.
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Old 09-30-14 | 12:54 PM
  #71  
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SPDs on two bikes, Power Grips on one, toe clips on another. I don't seem to have any trouble getting a foot out and to ground quickly in traffic with any of them -- either I'm exceptionally skilled, or the dire imaginations posted by some are bogus.
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Old 09-30-14 | 03:06 PM
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I have original style Crank Brothers Mallet pedals on my commuter. These are large platforms with a double sided clipless binding. They are usable for short distances with flat shoes although the bump is uncomfortable. On the plus side the big platform gives extra support to shoes with more flexible soles.
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