I currently have standard platform pedals on my mountain bike. I have used clipless pedals in the past (crank brothers eggbeater 1) and really enjoyed them for about 90% of my riding. The 10% that made me remove them was the higher end technical sections. For example: crossing a tight bridge multiple feet off the ground with turns, riding through an uphill very technical rock section, etc... I can unclip from my pedals quite easily, but when the "freak out/anxious" moments arise as my bike is going off a bridge or I'm tipping in the rock sections, I can't seem to effectively bail from my bike. I have bashed my bike and my body too many times because I couldn't unclip. I would love a pedal that I could clip into for most of the trail, but before I approach the high end technical portions, I would like to flip my pedals over to the platforms.

I have seen multiple pedals on the market that had SPD's on one side and a platform on the other, sort of like this:

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...91_-1___202460

The problem appears to be the design of the platform side. Most appear to have a metal center portion that would cause a lot of slippage on my cleats. Almost as if the pedal was only designed to be used one side with cleated shoes and one side with street shoes.... no crossover.

Does anyone know of a pedal that would fit my needs? FYI my shoes are Giro Carbide's. The have a fairly robust bottom around the cleat so may work on pedals like the one I have listed, though I don't want to spend the money to guess and try a bunch. Advice from experienced users appears to be a better choice!

I use the Shimano platforms that have SPD on both sides. I can click out ahead of a tough section but sometimes I get clipped back in unintentionally but so far it's better than just a platform or just a clipless. They were pretty cheap and seem to hold up on two my bikes.

Crankbrothers have a love hate with the population. I personally love them, but my experience has been flawless. I think this mallet design should work well for you.

https://www.crankbrothers.com/pedals_mallet.php

Good luck. The Nashbar pedals are probably as good a product for the price that you will find.

I looked at the mallet's though thought my above listed problem would be an issue. Either my feet would slide around due to the metal of my cleat rubbing on the eggbeater portion or I may accidentally clip in. I want a pedal that I can confidently "grind" up challenging sections without any slippage or accidental clipping in, not just a platform to put my feet on for challenging downhills. Would the mallet work well for this? Maybe there is not a pedal on the market to fit my needs?