Bike: Surly Cross-Check, set up for road/commuting with mostly Ultegra. The person I bought it from included some no-name plastic pedals that barely spin when moved by hand. I'd like to upgrade to something comparable in quality to the rest of the bike, without also breaking the bank etc.

Now. . . don't judge me: I ride the old-fashioned way, on plain old platform pedals, sometimes with toe clips, sometimes just "free". I'm not opposed to using cleats and special shoes in principle (although i've never tried it), but I dislike the idea of special gear just to ride a bike; I want to get on it and go, whether it's a mid-range afternoon ramble or a trip to the store.

So. . . open to suggestions. I know there are hybrid pedals, and I'd consider them, or just regular platform. A quick internet search left me overwhelmed. For aesthetic reasons, I'd like to go with black, if possible, otherwise, I'm open to anything.

Thanks all.

Take a look at some of the Wellgo pedals here. I have 3 different sets and really like them. A little Ebay or Amazon searching can shave about half off the price. I went with the special shoes and pedals on all of my bikes at one point, then gravitated back to platform pedals.

https://www.blueskycycling.com/cat-pedals/group-988/3/n

MKS GR-9 is a favourite with tourers. I use mine with toeclips for touring and commuting, couldn't be happier
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/mks-gr-9-platform-pedals/

Mks pedals,, the sylvan touring pedal is ok with or without toeclips and straps.

using the same UK sellers link for a picture Wiggle | MKS Sylvan Touring Pedals | Flat Pedals

They also have a GR-10 that I believe is a bit wider...they might be worth checking out as well. There are also a number of pedals that have spd style pedals on one side and platforms on the other, if you wanted to try clipless pedals but still have the ability to ride platforms when needed.

Another vote for MKS! I use the Sylvan Stream pedal. It's narrower than the Touring. Both models are easily serviceable, esp. if you get the small wrench for the endcap. The Stream works well w/PowerGrips.

I recently got some clipless pedals that are platforms with the clip on just one side. So, if you want to go full clipless you can, but if you just want to hop on with regular shoes you can. I have found that the bike shoes with cleats does help my biking.

Forte Campus Pedals
Shimano SH-M089 MTB Shoes

They use a SPD clip (basically a MTB clip).

But since the shoes are MTB shoes, it means I can walk normally when I get off the bike. Just a little clicking sound when I'm on concrete.

Something like this may be the best way for us "Old Blokes" to learn clipless pedals.

GH

+++ to MKS pedals, touring or sylvan road models work and last very well.

Thanks everyone.

Sounds like I can't go wrong with MKS, which is good. I have a set of MKS GR-9's on my vintage Peugeot PZ-10 and they've served me well (the bike's for sale if anyone's interested. . . . I'll look and see if they come in black, which would match the Surly better. The Sylvan looks like it would be a bit harsh on my feet unless I was wearing fairly rigid shoes, so I might not get those. (I've been known to take a 20 mile ride in sandals. Again: don't judge me. :-)). I like the look of the Wellgo pedals too. Does anyone have any experience with the C091 or the C135? Do those pins create pressure points, and how's the grip without them?

I guess I'll look around the web and see who's got what and how much it costs and then flip a coin or something.

Thanks again.

I would go with platform pedals on a cross check. VP Vice is a great choice. Or these foot soldiers are a pretty good deal right now. You can remove the straps if you don't like them.

If I could go back to a pair of pedals I really enjoyed riding before clipless, I'd buy a pair of Suntour Superbe of 80's vintage with clips and leather straps. The pair I owned were so smooth and properly serviceable. A bike investment.

Sample below shamelessly ripped from the Internet to illustrate this minor thought...

The Vice looks like there'd never be an option for toe clips, so maybe not; the Foot Soldiers look intriguing. Are the studs adjustable height, and what's with the strap? How does it compare to traditional toe clips?

The GR-9's come in black (and copper) and are only $28 from retrogression (the GR-10s come in black too, but are a bit more):
MKS GR-9 pedals | Retrogression

Those sure are purdy. I love the look of vintage stuff. Not sure how they'd look on the Cross Check though. . . . there's almost no chrome; everything is dark and black and sleek. Still. . . .hmm

Now you're talking. The site says GR-10 for people with over size 9 shoes; I wear a size 10-1/2 and did find the GR-9's on my Peugot to be just a bit narrow, so that's good. I don't mind the extra cost; looks worth it. Nice to be able to go with what I already know, I guess.

I think I'll go with strapless clips; I took the straps off my old MKS toe clips and rode that way for several years; you lose a bit of something, yes, but after almost falling over into the path of an oncoming car due to not being able to get my foot out in time, it seemed like a small price to pay. . .

Man, that "copper" option sure is loud, isn't it?

Xpedo Spry and either the Shimano DX (MX30) or Saint (MX80) pedals are also worth a look.

Also the Xpedo Traverse series of pedals provide an interesting take on the modern platform pedals.

I use the Fore campus pedals with MTB shoes , they work pretty good for me and I can hop on with regular shoes anytime.

If you want toe clips the platforms aren't going to be a good option. Just go with one of the MKS styles others have suggested. I just suggested platforms because I thought it would be a better look on a cross check with ultegra than a set of retro quill pedals, but hey, it's your bike.

The pins are replaceable, but they are not adjustable height. The strap holds your foot on the platform. I only use them occasionally in the winter with boots. It's not as secure feeling as toe clips with the strap ratcheted down, but it does allow you to pull up somewhat. I think they are intended for the fixed-gear crowd so they can skid their fixies with skate shoes. I would like them better than messing around with toe clips for a trip to the store. But I used toe clips for decades so I understand it's not that big of a deal.

I would suggest these Shimano M 324. I used them for years. Now they are on my wife's vintage Peugeot. They work as platforms or with SPD cleats. Very simple and intuitive to use.

Amazon.com : Shimano PD-M324 Clipless/Clip Pedals : Bike Pedals : Sports & Outdoors

Thanks for your feedback; you raise good points.

I actually agree with you; platforms would be a great first choice for the way they would look. I guess I was unsure about the questions I raised, above, and thought I'd stick with something I know (the MKS), even if they weren't exactly right.. . . and yes, I'm re-thinking that brilliant logic :-))

I really like riding "free" but would like the option to put toe clips on at a later date or for maybe longer rides. So the versatility of the MKS appealed. Even when I did have toe clips, I never pulled the straps that tight anyway, so I think I might be OK with the strapless ones. That big strap on the Foot Soldiers seems like it would hurt after a while, which is why I asked. I know it was called a "fixie strap" on the site, but had no idea what that was.

So my first choice is something like a platform but one that could also take toe clips if I wanted to do that. And yes, in black, for yes, purely aesthetic reasons. :-))

The fixie strap doesn't hurt. You can tighten it or loosen it for retention vs. comfort. There are lots of different fixie straps out there. I just linked to that one because the price is pretty good. I picked up a set for myself, and they appear to be rebranded VP 001's (which normally sell for about eighty bucks) with the strap.

You might want to think about just getting two sets of pedals; the footsoldiers and something like these origin8 road pedals which are cheap pedals but they're only twenty bucks. It takes about 3 minutes to swap out a set of pedals so you can use the platforms when you're bopin' around town and put the toe clips on when you feel like you need more secure retention. My prediction is that you will like the platforms so much that you just forget about the toe clips, but you never know. If you end up using the toe clips all the time you can spring for a nice set of MKS or maybe even give clipless a try.

I ran across these Amazon.com : Power Grips High Performance Pedal Kit (Set Pedals + Straps + Hardware) : Sports & Outdoors "Power Grips". Interesting take on the fixie strap. After doing an intensive google dump, I'm impressed by how many folks rave about them. I think I'll give them a shot. I like the look of the pedal even without the strap if necessary, and I really like the idea of being able to eject fast and easy while still having a positive attachment to the pedal. If anyone here has tried them and has serious negative experience I'd like to hear about it, but I'm probably buying within a day or so. I'll leave a review here after I've used them for a bit.
[MENTION=388062]kingston[/MENTION]: the origin8's look kind of cool; thanks for the link. Amazing how many different pedals there are out there; hard to imagine there's a need for that much variation in the market, but hey. . .

I second this recommendation. I clicked the link to this thread fully intending to recommend this exact pedal. I bought an off-brand version for my commuter and upgraded to the M324 pedal when I purchased a vintage Bianchi with platforms. Moved the off-brand flip-flop pedals to the Bianchi and now ride the Shimanos on my commuter. They're great for the part of my commute that is the city center here in Knoxville, where there's a red light or stop sign at virtually every block. Once I get out of downtown, I can clip in for a couple miles at a time. Bonus: they use the MTB shoe, which is a much more walking-friendly shoe than a road bike shoe.

I've been using PowerGrips for many years and I've yet to wear out a single strap. The Dimension Pro pedal is the one rebadged by PowerGrips, and is less money (they're the same pedal - I have both).

Hey - for what it's worth; I said I'd post a review of the Power Grips. Life being what it is, I finally got them a couple of months ago. So, if anyone wants to know. . . ..

I'm pleased. Easy to use, great positive connection to the pedal, and quality materials. I got the "high performance" version, which I recommend.
Some minor cons: many online reviews mention this: the strap clamp is pretty lightweight; if you overtighten it, it will strip out. Just go easy and you'll be fine; it holds really well without needing to bear down. Also, getting into the pedal from a dead stop took some getting used to so it was awkward at first; that's eased up and it's pretty automatic now.

I was worried the strap would be tight and constrictive on my foot, but if you get the length right, you barely feel it even though it's still working. You can also ease or tighten the tension with tiny adjustments of foot angle, and I liked that.

I think for me it's a better solution than toe clips; more options for foot position and easier to get into and out of.

I did get some GR-10's: However, they require clips to put the pedal in the right position for your foot to land on them; you have to use them as a set, which no one seems to mention.

So there you go, if anyone is interested. . .happy riding, y'all.