Originally Posted by Jinkster

It's not all "wide open spaces" I ride through....and while I'm sure that clipping in and out gets easier and easier as the movements become more ingrained?....there's places where having to option to go to the platform side could come in real handy...like when traversing intersections (or congested areas) were a person may have to stop and start again several times in a short distance and clipping out and in just isn't quite as practical and more of a pita than a help...not to mention pose a possible safety issue....in my "going clipless for the first time" rookie eyes anyway. LOL!

Originally Posted by leob1

2 to 1 says it's six months or less until you relace them for double sided pedals.
My wife had them as her first pedals, it wasn't long before she hated them because the where always 'upside down' and she couldn't clip in.

Originally Posted by leob1

2 to 1 says it's six months or less until you relace them for double sided pedals.
My wife had them as her first pedals, it wasn't long before she hated them because the where always 'upside down' and she couldn't clip in.

Originally Posted by saeyedoc

Yeah, I'm about there myself. I've gone on about one ride without using my cleated shoes since I got my dual purpose Shimanos.

Originally Posted by GravelMN

Great choice and good looking pedals. Very much like my road bike's Shimano A530s I use with MTB shoes and absolutely love em.

Two suggestions if you are new to clipless:

1) Get Shimano's multi-release cleats. Many shoes now come with them, but if you get the old single release cleats (usually black) upgrade to the multis. The multi-release allow you to unclip in pretty much any direction except straight forward or straight back. The single release require a specific movement of the ankle and have a narrow range of angles to disengage. The singles work but you will be more likely to have failed clip outs, especially when you have to stop quick.

2) There is an adjustment for the tension on the spring which sets how firmly the cleat is held in the pedal and how much force is required to release it. You will need an appropriate allen key. The factory setting IMHO is usually too high except for aggressive riders experienced with SPD clipless. Read the instructions and lower the tension to a low tension and make sure it is even on both pedals (back all the way off and then 1-2 turns back in). If you find yourself accidentally clipping out too easily, just increase the tension 1/4 to 1/2 turn at a time until you find the right balance of retention and easy clip outs.

Practice clipping in and out holding onto a fence or a post for balance and make sure it is smooth and easy. When you first head out, stick to low risk areas and practice clipping in and out until it becomes intuitive. You may have a failed clip out or two at stops until you get used to them, usually there will be witnesses. Some one liners that might come in handy are:

"Nice asphalt/concrete!"
"Hey, I found a quarter!"
"The gravity is working."

One nice feature of dual sided pedals is that you can clip out a little early and pedal on the flats (assuming you are using walkable MTB or Touring shoes) to come to a stop and get started again. It won't take long and you will clip in and out without even thinking about it.

Originally Posted by Steve Sawyer

I use Shimano pedals that implement the same idea, and I love them for exactly this reason - I can toggle back and forth between clipless and platform as conditions warrant - and can also hop on the bike while wearing sandals or tennis shoes for a quick trip to the hardware store.

Enjoy those clipless pedals - if you're like some of us, you'll begin to fill a little "loose in the saddle" when you're not clipped in!

Originally Posted by leob1

2 to 1 says it's six months or less until you relace them for double sided pedals.
My wife had them as her first pedals, it wasn't long before she hated them because the where always 'upside down' and she couldn't clip in.

Originally Posted by Wileyrat

May your pending Tombays be gentle.

Originally Posted by h2oxtc

Glad someone said it. In my experience "everyone" bites it at least once. For that matter, I've fallen numerous times, and as recent as a year ago despite having ridden clipless for quite a while.

Jinkster, I have very similar pedals on one of my bikes for the very same reason of flexibility of shoe and ride type. Good luck - enjoy!

Originally Posted by Gerryattrick

If you're out for a serious ride then clipless shoes and pedals make sense, especially if you are also Lycra clad, so that you look like a serious cyclist.

If you are riding a bike as part of another activity that includes a reasonable amount of walking then clipless shoes without recessed cleats are completely unnecessary, and also make you look a bit silly when walking to the coffee shop for your skinny latte.

Nothing at all wrong with dual purpose pedals like the ops. There is not one best option that covers all the various types of cycling.

Originally Posted by Rapido

I now use rubber Crocs on flat platform pedals with Power Grips.