Advice on SPD/Platform combo pedals?
 

I ordered an 08 Raleigh Detour Deluxe (see link in sig line) and while i wait for it to come in i'm gathering up the other pieces i want to add to it to make it my dream bike. (new pedals, a bell, i'm going to sew myself some custom panniers/frame bag)

I'm interested in 'combo' pedals that are SPD on one side and platforms on the other. 99% of my riding is done in riding shoes. i love the feel of clipless pedals. i have them on my mountain bike and on my current road bike, i even tried to talk my SO into putting them on her 'comfort' bike. but this new bike is supposed to be the best in versitility so i'm looking at combo pedals.

the Shimano PM-D324 seems to be the standard, with a few other makers selling knockoffs at a lower price.

♣ Does anyone ride with these types of pedals?
♣ Are they easy to clip into (or are they constantly upside down)?
♣ Are they comfortable to use as both platforms and clipless?
♣ If I'm a hardcore clipless fanatic am i ever going to ride in 'regular' shoes again?

Any input that people who have used these types of pedals want to add would be appreciated.

I don't ride with them but people who have the need to occasionally ride in street shoes like them. I think Wellgo makes a pair like them.

I did not read about any problems with entry.

They perform both functions well.

It really depends on your style of riding. I almost always ride clipless. However, when I go for short rides with the kids say to the park, pool, ice cream, etc. I will wear street shoes when, the main purpose is the destination, not the commute. My pedal choice for this was the Time Z. They are a downhill pedal. If you are looking for street shoe comfort, I would go with the convertible SPD's. The Time Z's are basically a clipless pedal with a very large platform. I can feel the bars of the mechanism a little through my shoes but not enough to bother me on rides of 20 mile or less. They are almost 600grams, but I don't think you are counting grams on your new ride ;). About the same cost as the Shimano convertibles (~70$). What I don't like about Shimano SPD pedals is the small contact area. I get hotspots on long days from them. If you like SPD's and need the street comfort then those convertibles are the way to go. If you are more interested in a wide platform clipless pedal then I'd look at other Shimano models or other manufacturers like Time and Crank Bros.

However, that bike is so retro, maybe you should get a set of pedals from this page :)!

Good Luck. Post a pic when you get the bike.

I put the Shimanos on my Breezer 6 months ago, about a month after I got the bike. I've been very happy with them. I use the SPD side 98% of the time, but it's nice for hte ohter 2%.

1- i have Shimano 545's on my off road rig and i love them as clipless pedals but they bug the crap out of me in my regular shoes (flat bottomed 'skate' shoes like vans or airwalks) they are absolutly bulletproof though, my great-grandkids will be riding my old 545's!

2- weight watching is for racers, i ride for fun.

3- I may look into them. i kinda wanted some new shoes anyway.

4- that site is cool. i have a 70's model Fuji road bike that came with pedals like that. i replaced them with some SPD's but i think i still have the pedals (complete with stainless steel toe clips) in the garage somewhere.

5- thanks, i'm really excited about it. At first I wanted a 'touring' rig but i have decided that since 85%+ of my rides are under 30 miles and on pavement, a hybrid with lots of 'extras' was the way to go. I'll post up some 'Bike Porn' when it comes in (probably september?).

I've been quite pleased with my Crank Bros. Smarty pedals. The platform is likely a little smaller than you're looking for, but like Rob, I'm only in street shoes about 2% of the time.

Have you considered getting pedals with a large-ish platform (like the Smarty) and "street-looking" clipless shoes?

Chris

I had Performance "City" platform/SPD pedals on my son's MTB for a while. I wanted to be able borrow his bike and use clips. They worked fine. One sided is not as convenient as two sided but it wasn't much of a problem for me. My son complained that he was accidentally stomping on the SPD side too much of the time. He also complained about that the platform size was too small. IMO it was fine - similar to old style road pedals but smaller than the huge BMX-style pedals the bike came with. Still, it is his bike so I relented and put the old pedals back on.

I use the one sided Shimano and they're great for off trail and steep terrain riding as you can get going again without clipping in, the SPD always falls to the bottom presenting the platform every time.

For normal trail riding I think I would go with the newer Shimano combo that has a pivoting platform built around a double sided SPD as flipping and clipping is a hassle if you don't need to do it.

I have two sets of the campus pedal (spd on one side/platfom on other) - I like them - sometimes I just want to jump on bike or commute in regular shoes.

I now use the PD-M324 on my commuter for that nice extra freedom of just being able to grab the bike for a hike whenever I walk by it, with no preparation at all. Or running down to meet chums at the pub. Or whatever. Also on the positive, when clipped, those pedals offer a nice platform on a wider surface of the shoes: really more comfy to stand on when wearing softer sole bike shoes (those that also feel right to walk with).

On the negative: at red light, there is no consistent behaviour on how they will turn and present themselves when you start at green. Logically the weight of the SPD mechanism should pull them with SPD down and naked platform up, but mine only do that like 60% of the time. So you need to look down and prepare before start, or be ready to flip them as you start by the feel through your sole (and SPD digging into thin soles can be quite annoying). It would be nice if a newer version was more reliably balanced. The double sided SPDs (or Frogs or Crank Bros or Attacs) are therefore a better choice if you go clipless more than XX% of the time (for you to determine XX).

Nothing is perfect, but, all in all, these PD-M324s are good, reliable and fill their "mixed life" purpose.

I have the Shimano's on my Cross Check. They are great - I commute clipless but like the ability to just jump on and ride in street shoes to the grocery store, etc. The pedal is easy to get in and out of and I have never had a problem finding either side. I would not go back to a double sided SPD pedal on my utility bike.

I also have the M-324's and HAVE had a shoe-specific problem clipping in. With my PI Vagabond (II?) shoes I can't get enough leverage to actually clip in - it's as if the platform side is making too much contact with the bottom of my shoe and prevents engagement. Maybe the sole is too thick or there isn't enough clearance around the cleats. I do NOT have this problem with two other pair of shoes. As for which side is "typically" facing up - in my experience it's the side I don't want to use! ;) I've learned to flip them pretty easily though and don't find them to be a hassle. I actually put regular double-sided SPD's on a new bike and think I'm going to switch to the M-324; there have been a few times when I thought it would be nice to just hop on and go for a quick spin without changing shoes.