View Poll Results: What kind of pedal do you most prefer?
Pedals with toe clips



21
16.41%
Clipless pedals - any style



86
67.19%
Platform pedals



24
18.75%
Other



3
2.34%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 128. You may not vote on this poll
Poll: Preferred Pedal Type
#28
just keep riding
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,560
Likes: 44
From: Milledgeville, Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
It really comes down to the right tool for the job. Just as I ride different bikes depending on the type of ride, I also use different pedal types.
I answered above Look pedals and Sidi road shoes. This is what I use on my favorite bike which is the bike I use for long, fast rides. There are other setups that would work well enough, but not quite as well as a true road pedal with a true road shoe. For the small amount of walking I do during a ride on that bike, the minor difficulty of walking on the cleats is not important, especially using Kool Kovers over the cleats.
For commuting or riding under 20 miles to a place I will spend more than a few minutes walking around, I go with either Crank Bros. Smarty pedals and fairly flexible MTB type shoes, or clips and straps with regular shoes. The choice comes down to whether it means more to me on that ride to wear regular shoes or to ride efficiently. Often I'll just go with whatever happens to be on the bike already.
For times that I'll be on and off the bike a lot, like riding around town shopping or visiting, I'll go with regular shoes and platform pedals, with or without clips and straps.
On my MTB, there's no decision. I always ride with Eggbeaters and stiff soled MTB shoes.
I answered above Look pedals and Sidi road shoes. This is what I use on my favorite bike which is the bike I use for long, fast rides. There are other setups that would work well enough, but not quite as well as a true road pedal with a true road shoe. For the small amount of walking I do during a ride on that bike, the minor difficulty of walking on the cleats is not important, especially using Kool Kovers over the cleats.
For commuting or riding under 20 miles to a place I will spend more than a few minutes walking around, I go with either Crank Bros. Smarty pedals and fairly flexible MTB type shoes, or clips and straps with regular shoes. The choice comes down to whether it means more to me on that ride to wear regular shoes or to ride efficiently. Often I'll just go with whatever happens to be on the bike already.
For times that I'll be on and off the bike a lot, like riding around town shopping or visiting, I'll go with regular shoes and platform pedals, with or without clips and straps.
On my MTB, there's no decision. I always ride with Eggbeaters and stiff soled MTB shoes.
#30
Clipless, I had M520s on my bike and switched to M424, much better. More platform and easier to get out of and easier on the knees. I wasn't getting the support I needed with the M520s and I don't think they are big enough for a more secure knee and foot postion.
__________________
George
George
#31
Erect member since 1953
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,000
Likes: 38
From: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
SPD on the Mtn/commuter because I have to walk a bit when i get to work.
Shimano Ultegra on teh roadie, but Look would hve been as good.
Platforms, never never.
Shimano Ultegra on teh roadie, but Look would hve been as good.
Platforms, never never.
#32
His Brain is Gone!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,979
Likes: 1
From: Paoli, Wisconsin
Bikes: RANS Stratus, Bridgestone CB-1, Trek 7600, Sun EZ-Rider AX, Fuji Absolute 1.0, Cayne Rambler 3
Have been using platforms with PowerGrips, but may be going back to just platforms as it is simpler.
__________________
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
#35
Senior Member




Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,413
Likes: 13,443
From: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
I've tried Looks, Shimano Look style, Mavic Look style, Time, (the ones with 2 piece cleats), clips and straps, and now use SPD's for everything. I have big feet, so shoes are hard to find, and I toe-out, so I use Kneesavers.
#36
Muscle bike design spec
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,688
Likes: 3
From: Sterling VA
Bikes: 70 Atala Record Proffesional, 00 Lemond, 08 Kestrel Evoke, 96 Colnago Master Olympic, 01 Colnago Ovalmaster, 76 Raleigh Gran Sport, 03 Fuji World, 86 Paramount, 90 Miyata CF, 09 Ritchey Breakaway CX, Bianchi Trofeo, 12 OutRiderUSA HyperLite
Mostly LOOKs but I've re-introduced SPDs now that I have road SPD shoes as well as MTB shoes. My Paramount has some really cool Dura-Ace track (triangle shaped) trap pedals. I'm tempted to replace them with similar 600 models since the DA ones sell for $400 NOS. With cheap diadora shoes / special trap cleats and strap buttons the pedals are almost as good as clipless and keep the bike vintage.
__________________
Korval is Ships
See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
#37
Time for a change.

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,913
Likes: 7
From: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
However on the New Road bike I got the A520's. They are one sided clipless pedal but it is longer than the M520's. Not quite as convenient to clip into as they are one sided but the are more comfortable on long rides due to the extra length
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#38
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 323
Likes: 2
From: Carlisle, in England's Lake District, just a few miles south of the border with Scotland.
Bikes: A Bianchi C2C road bike, a steel framed touring bike and a Xootr Swift folder which has made the rest redundant!
I have tried various "clipless" SPD pedals and shoes and found they caused my feet to either go numb or cramp up after a few miles. Adjusting the cleats did not help and I also found that even the so called "recessed" SPD cleats still marked wooden floors and were not comfortable to walk in. On returning to flat pedals or toe clips and straps my foot problems stopped. However, if I use an SPD compatable shoe (minus cleat) with "normal pedals" I still have numbness and cramps. Having discussed the situation with a podiatrist, she confirmed that stiff soled shoes are not good for the feet as they prevent the feet from working naturally. The small area of the SPD cleat also can cause pressure points that agrivate the situation. I have flat pedals on one of my bikes and quills with toe clips and straps on the others and have had no more discomfort. Many people do not have any problems with the "Clipless" models so maybe it is just my feet! I had no difficulties clipping in or out of the SPD pedals, but they just did not suit me. I can also wear any old comfortable (and cheap) shoes which is a bonus. I sometimes think we are the victims of marketing hype and fashion gurus. I embrace all the developments in cycle technology; indexed gearing, carbon fibre, lightweight components etc. but feel, for leisure riding, clipless pedals are overkill.
#39
I am still riding with slotted cleats (and clips and straps) on long rides. If my shoes ever wear out, I will think about buying something else.
My commuter bike has flat pedals with clips and straps.
My commuter bike has flat pedals with clips and straps.
#40
Bike Junkie
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,625
Likes: 40
From: South of Raleigh, North of New Hill, East of Harris Lake, NC
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Specialized Roubaix, Giant OCR-C, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Stumpjumper Comp, 88 & 92Nishiki Ariel, 87 Centurion Ironman, 92 Paramount, 84 Nishiki Medalist
+5, Same SPD pedals for five bikes, both MTBs, both roadies and the MUP bike. Same model SPD shoes for my son and myself. Shoes you can walk in so you don't dread a blow out quite as much.
__________________
Roccobike BF Official Thread Terminator
Roccobike BF Official Thread Terminator
#41
Crawlin' up, flyin' down


Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,733
Likes: 4,378
From: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
SPD's on everything. Been the case for about 15 years now.
__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
#43
just keep riding
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,560
Likes: 44
From: Milledgeville, Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
#44
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 553
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta GA
Bikes: Raleigh Supercourse, Peugeot Iseran, Raleigh Twenty
I use SPDs but I haven't really tried the other clipless varieties. SPD was the first I tried, liked it, and couldn't think of any compelling reason to switch (particularly since I already had the shoes at that point)
#45
SPD A520 sport road pedals. Single sided "roadie" pedals for the SPD cleat system. One pair of shoes per year, last years shoes are mudders, next years shoes are broken in in the winter on the trainer. Once used to the feel of blind clipping in why would you want to change.
#46
Senior Member ??
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,098
Likes: 0
From: Englewood,Ohio
Bikes: 2007 Trek Madone 5.0 WSD - 2007 Trek 4300 WSD - 2008 Trek 520 - 2014 Catrike Trail
I like to wear sandals in the summer months and only own one pair. I can wear the sandals on all the bikes since they have the same pedal type.
__________________
=============================================================
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-- Antonio Smith
=============================================================
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-- Antonio Smith
#47
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Reno Nv
Bikes: Della Santa, Bike Friday Air Glide, 1974 Schwinn Paramount, Cannondale t2000 Touring, Cannondale r500 Road Silk, LeMond Buenos Aires, Trek 7000 mtn bike, Sears and Roebuck[ made by Puch. I have had up to 36 bikes at one time. I am a sick person.
Shimano SPDs on five bikes , all adjusted to the "lightest" setting for easy in and out. Sidi Dominator shoes with a little tread to walk on.
#48
SPD A520 sport road pedals. Single sided "roadie" pedals for the SPD cleat system. One pair of shoes per year, last years shoes are mudders, next years shoes are broken in in the winter on the trainer. Once used to the feel of blind clipping in why would you want to change.
Edited shoe #
Last edited by maddmaxx; 08-31-07 at 07:11 PM.
#50
The guy in the 50+ jersey

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Davidson, NC
Bikes: Specialized S-Works Roubaix, Litespeed Tuscany Road, Specialized Allez Epic lugged carbon frame Road,Giant Anthem 29'r, Klein Hardtail
Speedplay Zeros on the road bike, Frogs on the hardtail...THE BEST!!! And yes, I've used LOOK, SPD's, and Time, no comparison IMHO.





