I want to replace my cheap trash Murray OEM plastic pedals with something decent. I'm looking for best bang for the buck platform pedals, something I can move to a new bike (maybe a Trek DS 3, or Giant Roam 1 or similar) when I buy one this fall or next spring.

These are very nice:

https://www.amazon.com/MKS-Urban-Pla...dp/B007T3JXYK/

Thanks johnnyace for the reply. I'm not sure those would be ideal for me. I'd prefer pedals that are the same on both sides, and I will never use clips or straps (no up pull for me due to a knee problem).

I was looking at these for mid price:

https://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-MG-1-M...dp/B00E7UZ5OK/

https://www.amazon.com/RockBros-Alum...dp/B06XGTTC4C/

And these get great reviews, but as far as my wallet is concerned, they have left bang for the buck territory and entered premium money.

https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Pd-Mx.../dp/B00SN7F4VM

But the well seasoned advice of Bike Forum members is a lot more valuable to me than Amazon reviews.

All I can recommend, because it's what I use, is the MKS Sylvan Touring. Easy to service, classic looks.

See if you can find a pair of VP-001 or VP Vice pedals at a good price. Extremely durable and lots of support/grip.

Personal recommendations are exactly what I'm looking for. I searched and found them on Amazon for $26.45 so the price is reasonable. I especially like that the bearings can be disassembled and greased. They are definitely on my short list.

I've used Odyssey's for years with good luck.

Odyssey pedals on Amazon

$45 on Amazon. Nice looking pedals.

Lowest price so far at $17.69. Thanks.

Yup. I've used both of them, and the Vice is a little larger and has better grip, FWIW.

Does your Murray have the older one piece steel cranks? If it does the pedal axle threads are 1/2", most new bikes will require a 9/16 axle. In other words, be sure of your bike's pedal threads, it can be an issue.

I thought almost all, even older cheap bikes, had 9/16? I will check mine before I order.

Don't forget; left pedal/left hand threads, right pedal/right hand threads.

And Well-Go MG-1 are a great pedal, I use them on my MTB bike and they hold up very well, great price too.

those, post 2, are toe clip pedals they cannot be used upside down.. White Industries makes a premium version in that style.

MKS Sylvan Tour , or any of a dozen MTB platform Pedals Can..

I've Got several Ergon Platform pedals, Premium Plastic , German designed, and an MKS 'Dutch' pedal with reflectors.

on various bikes..




....

Those Wellgos are proven, solid pedals. If you need to save money there's some used ones on that Amazon page.

Yes, in that case, I would agree with the MKS Sylvan Touring. Great pedals, I ride them daily on my XO-2.

The choice is immense and therefore very difficult. When I bought in 2015, I liked the VP-Vice and 001, the Xpedo Spry, and the DMR V12s (which I purchased, installed, and use with great joy).

How are you going to choose?

I recommend prioritizing the parameters - cost, reputation, style (traditional (MKS Sylvan, toe clips/straps)) vs. BMX/MTB platform (with pins)), how the pedals match your expected use, etc.. Everything is imperfect, so you can get a dud no matter what pedal you buy. As for BF recos, I bet that any recommended pedal can be matched by a BFer who wouldn't take that pedal if he got paid to take it.

I went for pinned flats because they seem to offer the largest contact area, and I do.not.like.hot.spots. I also bought a pair of Five Ten shoes so they would be gripped well by the pins. I wanted a little bit of bling, so I spent more than $50.

Remember, there are probably lots of pedals that will give you what you want. I hope you don't let the decision process keep you off the road. :-)

+1 on the Five Ten shoes. Pair those shoes with some good pedals and you've got Velcro-like grip.

These are the pedals I have on my bikes right now, and my preference if I had to force-rank.

• Answer Rove – Huge surface area. Great if you're wearing boots
• VP Vice – Almost as big as the Rove
• VP 001 – Big enough
• Nashbar Verge – Used to be by far the best value out there, but the prices have come way down on the VP pedals. Still 20-30% cheaper if you wait 2 days for a sale
• MKS Sylvan Touring – I like these way less than the larger platform pedals. They don’t really grip at all and my foot slides around which I don’t like. They do look awesome on a classic bike however

I have been using a pair of Odyssey Twisted PC Platform Pedals for two years now and I love 'em. I have yet to see why people need to spend so much money on platform pedals. Mine cost $17. They have pins on both sides, which hold my sneakers firmly on the pedal in all kinds of weather.

I have MKS GR9 platform pedals on both of my road bikes. Both sets have several thousand miles on them with no problems. Sheldon Brown (RIP) said that these were the last true platform pedals available. I use hard rubber cages/nylon straps with mine. Even though I don't use clipless pedals, I do wear cycling shoes for the stiff soles.

Check out Stolen Thermalite pedals. Nylon, very tough, grippy and durable. Costs $12-$15 for the version with molded in nibs, or $15-$20 for the version with replaceable metal nibs. Available in various colors too. I got blue for my Univega's splatter blue-over-black paint. Had 'em for about six months and 1,500 miles, no complaints.

I wanted pedals that were grippy enough for any shoes I wear, and tough enough to withstand abuse and will wear down a bit rather than grab and launch me like a pogo stick. I occasionally nick pedals and bash them against rocks. The Thermalites have a couple of corner abrasions but no damage.

I intended the Thermalites to be temporary pedals because they were cheap, while I decided on something "better". My old Sakae Low-Fat pedals were crunchy and needed an overhaul. But the Thermalites have held up so well I'm in no hurry to replace them.

Review: MKS Lambda / Grip King Pedals

I have three sets of these on three bikes and have used them exclusively for a few years. Bearings are holding up well, feet stay in position, no complaints at all. A buddy is equally pleased with his.

Don in Austin

Thanks to all for the many useful recommendations. I do appreciate it.