Help me Pick a Pedal, please
 

Hey guys,

I have bought my first road bike and I am looking for dual sided pedals. The ones with one side platform and the other side is a clip. My LBS only has the PD-A530 SPD and they are $99 (but $60 on Amazon).

Do you guys have any better suggestions? I will also need to purchase shoes that will work with my new pedals.

Please keep in mind that I need dual sided ones.

Thanks!

A530 is the best bet.

You could also go the Speedplay way, but they are more than those pedals. Lighter, but more.

+1

they are a bit more expensive, but with the stainless zeros for example ($150), you not only get lighter weight but some corrosion resistance. And the dual-sided entry. And the custom float.

Are the speedplay pedals dual sided? When I say dual sided, I mean I can use one side with cycling shoes, the other side with regular day shoes, such as running shoes. I don't mean I can clip into both sides.

Thanks.

You're looking for SPD-Rodeo pedals. I think nashbar has a set. Those are good for commuting.

You want something like SPD-SL's for your road bike though...

Speedplay pedals clip in from both sides, but there is an accessory that allows you to convert them to pedals you can use with non-cycling shoes.

Double sided pedals make clipping in easier as you do not need to kick the pedal over to clip in from the other side.

Thanks for the clarification. I will be using both non-cycling and cycling shoes on my bike. Right now, I have only found the A530, so I am wondering if anyone else has any suggestions.

You should buy from your LBS. If they don't have them they can order them in for you. Most local bike shops price match too.

BTW, I had those pedals but once you go clipless you don't go back.

The PD-A530 are really the only option for you. There is the clunkier PD-M324, but it'll look weird on a road bike. The PD-A530 look fine, and much more importantly, work well. The flat side is not grippy though, means you'd prefer good non slipping rubber soles. I have them and like them, but I've grown so accustomed to being clipped-in that I wear SPD sneakers whenever there is a chance I'll get on the bike. Some of them look good off the bike, and the occasional "click" of the cleat hitting the pavement is not dramatic. Unless you run marathons of course. Once you become a clipped-in addict you'll prefer dual side clip in, to stop fiddling with the pedals each time the light turns green.

If you go with Speedplay, you can use an accessory called a Plateformer. They clip onto the pedals without tools. Some pedals are large enough that you could probably use them with regular shoes because they are flat on top.

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?f...me.merchandise


These might work for you too.

http://wwww.crankbrothers.com/pedals_mallet.php

I like my A520s. They can be used with normal shoes, but they'd be less comfortable than the ones you're looking at. I know you can also get platform pedals that don't look like they take SPD cleats, but do. I don't know what model those are.

I wanted pedals that would work in street shoes ... but once I rode with the clipless ones a few times, I stopped wanting to ride in "normal" shoes. There's so much more power, and connection with the bike, that it feels like a huge step backward to ride otherwise. So, I keep a pair of tennis shoes under my desk at work, and change once I get there. :D I went with SPD in part because the cleats can be recessed in mountain shoes. What I'm saying, is that there's a good chance you'll change your mind about wanting platform/clipless.

The Time Allroad Gripper is another option.

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/...384-399-75.jpg

I agree with this completely. After using clipless pedals, I have no interest in riding with regular shoes. With clipless the riding experience is so much better.

If you're really set on spd/platform, I've heard these are good:

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...1511000_400208

If you want to get more serious though, I'd highly recommend looking into some road-specific pedals. My favorite is SPD-SL.

Decksters...

Get regular clipless pedals. Buy one extra set of cleats and a pair of Decksters. Snap the Decksters on when you need a platform, and run normal clipless pedals when you don't.

http://nuxx.net/gallery/d/82243-4/winwood_decksters.jpg


I use these on my SS and Commuter bike when I want to wear regular shoes...

FWIW, you can ride on "clipless-only" pedals with regular shoes, at least if you're not going very far and you don't try to really hammer on them. I've ridden with sneakers on my Time RXS pedals. They were actually easier than using regular shoes on the Crank Brothers Quattro pedals I used to use on that bike; the CB's eggbeater mechanism wanted to roll my shoe off the pedal, while the RXS's plain, flat body is just merely smaller than a typical platform.

^^ Ditto

I myself only, like Shimano Dura-Ace SPD pedals. Very light, extremely high quality, smoother than silk 3 bearing system, low profile and wide surface platform.
Downside: Extremely expensive at $235.00/pr............and thats a good deal.

I'm going to be using the platform part of these pedals the majority of the time. It looks like the A530 is the best (and cheapest) option?

Shimano PDM324. The best of both worlds, and cheap when you buy them from Jensen USA. Watch for a sale, or find a better price on the net - they will match it.

A530 is all you need....cheap too. Have them on my bike pictures below.

I have crank brothers mallets on my hybrid bike. They have a platform around the clipless mechanism. I could commute to school in regular shoes, and clip in for longer weekend rides.

Yes. That is what I need. Something I can ride to school in, but still clip into for long rides. I think I will probably go with the A530's, as they are only $60

Just be aware that those small SPD cleats are going to be targets for hot spots on those longer rides. I would probably suggest going with what others have suggested, just getting a true road system and then buying the clip in platforms, as most companies sell them no problem and then you can wear your sneakers.