Someone wanted to know about platform pedals so soon? This thread was active just a few days ago.

My current take on platforms is that the best are probably the Speedplay Dirilliums and Syncros Mental Mags. But that others are relatively close to these, especially for non-MTB racing applications, particularly the Wellgo MG-1. I went with the MG-1, in large part due to it being a nice balance of good performance, more reasonable price, and its lighter weight - which I think is important for a spinning part. I thought the Sun Zu-Zu was another solid option.

The MG-1's come in 8 different colors too.

Even the lower priced studded platforms, which look a lot like the MG-1, but are heavier (200-250g heavier) are decent performers. I've seen them for around $25.

And I could see someone going for the light and simple MKS touring pedals, which I showed in my first post, but I ruled out as I didn't want to go in that direction.

Yeah, but it's hard to bunny hop a recumbent..... :D

For what you want any of the options that use pins or set screw pins will be great. But you need to match the pedals with the shoes. A relatively flat smooth sole from a medium soft rubber is needed to get the most from the pinned platform pedals. Lugged hiking shoes tend to miss the pins and the grip is sketchy.

For regular upright bikes I've long said that every set of these meat mashers should be required to come with a set of shin guards. And I've got the scars to show why I'm so adamant about it.

I own 5 bikes and only 1 is a recumbent.

Must admit that I don't even know what the term "bunny hop" means as related to cycling. Doesn't sound like something I would do.

When I was riding my Fuji today, I was noticing how my feel never slid once on my pedals. All I'm using are just a decent set of everyday platform cage pedals. The bike came with some real cheapie cage pedals, with plastic spindles and toe straps. I told the dealer that he could have the toe straps if he wanted them. He asked if I was going to ride on platforms and I said yes. This was when I was picking the bike up.

So he says, let me swap those out for you ... no charge. He removes the stock pedals and installs a better set of Giant-branded cages, with metal spindles that he normally sells for $30. Nothing fancy. But they do work well.

Keeping my feet on the pedals is easier on the upright Fuji, where I have more weight over the pedal. I'm upgrading my bent to the studded pedals because it is easier for my feet to slid a bit on it.

They look a lot like these Wellgo's:

Here is what a bunny hop is. I can't get anywhere near that high on either my MTB or road bike but it is very useful for hopping over potholes or other obstacles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCehldQB8AU

Yes, I think trying to bunny hop on a recumbent might be a bit difficult.

On my upright bikes I do occasionally ride over bumps and branches, but there is no way I'd try to hop over anything - even a 1" obstacle. I see students jumping curbs with bikes. Not I. I get off and lift my bikes over curbs.

Did someone say bunny hop?...........:)

If you're riding a bike in a fairly upright position, even if it's a road bike, you'll do fine without toe clips or clipless pedals. In that case, any platform or rat trap pedal will do. But some kind of foot restraint becomes more necessary when riding in a more forward, more aggressive position, because the whole position is such that you're rotating the pedals rather than pushing down on them.

My Wellgo MG-1 pedals are in ... direct from a Hong Kong eBayer. Checked three LBS and none carried the MG-1. I'm surprised by how light they are, for a full-sized metal pedal. Magnesium is much lighter than steel. Compared to generic knock-offs, which were carried by my LBS, they feel like they weigh about half as much. Hope to get them on my bent in the next couple of days.

I had those exact pedals on my Navigator. Very good pedals. I have the SPD/platforms on the Felt mountain bike. I made that call as I wanted to be able to ride in street shoes at the dog shows and as it turns out, it was a good idea for learning how to ride a MTB on trails. I miss being clipped in except in the bad spots. Clipped in is much better for no foot slipping or bouncing off pedals. Not being clipped in in bad spots is much better for stepping off when the unexpected happens. Which is too damned often for me thus far on the MTB.

First Ride report on new platform pedals.

Installed the Wellgo MG-1 pedals on my recumbent. Have been using inexpensive cage pedals. On my recumbent the bottom bracket is low, but very far forward of the seat. So I don't have much weight pushing down on the pedals. My shoes have been sliding around now & then with the cage pedals.

I used my normal riding shoes, my Merrell Mesa Ventilators low cut hiking shoes. Placed them on the MG-1's and they "stuck." No slipping at all. It felt like my feet were attached to the pedal. Couldn't feel the pins at all through my shoes. I couldn't force my feet to slide on the pedal, if I wanted to reposition my foot, I had to lift it from the pedal to do so.

In short, I absolutely love them. They are better than I expected.

:love::beer::beer:

Congratulations!

Buy yourself syncros mental pedals. theyll look sick, and work well for keeping your feet on them http://www.bike-box.de/media/Pedal_S..._stainless.jpg

IMO, the shimano MX-30 pedal is optimal-
good balance of platform size, grip (you can have large or small pins or a mix),
light weight, ruggedness- not the least expensive.
have had my set for about 4 years- have had them on my SMGTe during the summer
and CrossCheck in the winter.