I presently ride using Shimano M-520 pedals. Both regular road riding and when we tour.I was wondering about changing over to a Shimano PD-M785 pedal. Would the "larger platform" act more like a road pedal? I really don't want to change to a road shoe.
Thanks!

I use the m530 on my road bike and the m520 on my commuter with the same shoes. The larger platform makes it easier to clip in and it feels like there is more contact and a bigger platform but it certainly isn't the same as a road cleat. I'll be going to shimano spd-sl in the next few weeks

I have SPD pedals and Look road pedals. They don't act significantly differently IMO. If the sole of the shoe is stiff and firmly retained by the pedal, the size of the platform is immaterial. Speedplay road pedals are an example.

I use both of these pedals on different bikes, and ride with stiff CF shoes. No difference that I can feel; the shoe is the platform.

I agree with Looigi. Any (or zero) platform below the clip area is un-noticed. I was surprised too. I put these on a road bike and they actually work nice -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ZSD888/...SIN=B005ZSD888

I just got a set of the ultegra a600 spd pedals and love them so far.

I've been using the M785 with CF road shoes for a couple of years and love them (used the the M530's before, but prefer the M785s). I've had zero problems with hotspots.

Tried Ultegra 6700 road pedals but never really bonded with them.

Do these have any float?

Do you have any problems with hotspots? Also, it's completely dependent on the shoe because I was using pearl izumi all roads for a while, and never had any hotspots, switched out to a pair of shimano m162's and now I have a really bad hotspot.