Hey there, new to these forums. I am looking for some advice. I just got my first mtn bike in several years and am getting back into the sport. I want to make the switch to clipless pedals but I have a 4 yo who is riding her first bike. The long and short of it is that I want to be able to clip in when I'm riding for me, and wear normal shoes when I'm riding with her. All of the "hybrid" pedals that I have looked seem to be something in between good and bad. They seem to not necessarily do neither clipless nor platform totally well. I have been looking at SPD pedals like the PD-M424, 545, and 647, and the crank brothers Mallet. I'm just not convinced that any of these is the right way to go. My other option is to buy a pure clipless pedal and switch pedals for when I ride with my daughter. Anyone ever deal with this type of situation? Advice is welcomed and appreciated. By the way, this is for an 06 Specialized Rockhopper Comp.

Have you considered a pair of spd's with the clip on adaptor that is used for just tooling around? Might be the perfect choice.

I got a pair of 661 shoes that look very similar to this. They are SPD compatible and I wear these when riding around down pulling my daughters in the trailer. When it's time to go play in the dirt I put on my mountain bike shoes.

Initially you have to buy the shoes and an extra set of cleats. However, as the mountain bike cleats wear down, I make my street shoes get the hand-me-downs.

I'm kind of having this same issue. I'm starting to do a couple different types of riding, and I would love to be able to have a pedal that gives me the best of both worlds.

I was looking at the Shimano 545 as well, but the clips do stick up a little higher than the platform. While that makes sense, it probably doesn't feel too good with regular shoes.

Anyone have experience with these?

That guy with the funny Norse name (R. somethingorother) wrote positively of pedals that look a lot like the ones you just posted. His opinion is worth listening to.

If I were you I would look at the time z control

Alternatively, use the regular clipless and work on your slow speed bicycle handling skills. Trust me, if you can ride at a 4 year old's speed clipped in, you can ride anything

Ok,

I took the plunge! I actually broke down and bought the Shimano PD-M324s. I decided that I would work with them to get accustomed to clipping in, and then, down the road when it is second nature, switch to a clipless only pedal like the Crank Bros Candy or the PD-m540 or something similar. Thanks for the good advice all, and you should know that, I weathered my first ride clipped in without going down even once!! The pedals do have their first battle scars though, I was riding out at Mission Trails park in San Diego, and a rock gouged up the platform side on my right pedal really good. A good time was had by all!!!

Thanks again for the advice!!

Sweet! Seems like a good compromise...

m324 does make a lot of people happy.... i can still use my regular canvas shoes while riding

I picked up a pair of Crank Brothers Mallet M's on Pricepoint that also have a large platform. I ride with my 6-year old daughter around the 'hood, and it is great practice on clipping and unclipping!!