SurlyLHT26in08

Platform Pedals VS. Clipless SPD Pedals for Touring???


What Pedals do you use for Bicycle Touring???

Since 11-2008 with my Surly LHT 26in 52cm 2008 I have been using the
Sun-Ringle ZUZU BMX/DH Platform Pedals and I used them with my BMX Bike
from 3/2005 to 6/2009 I sold the BMX Bike and I have been using the
Sun-Ringle ZUZU Platform Pedals Since 2005 and in 2011 I tried the
Crank Bros SPD Platform Pedals and I had a hard time using them and I did
not like them and I sold them and in 7/2014 I got the Shimano PD-M545 SPD Platform
Pedals and I got the Teva Pivot DH SPD Shoes and I have not used them yet and I am
having Anxiety and nervous to try them and I had Shimano PD-M545 SPD Pedal from
4-1998 to 4-2005 on my Mtn Bike I sold it and when I do Start using the
Shimano PD-M545 Clipless SPD Pedals and I got the Platform Pedals for my
B.O.B=Bug Out Bicycle and yes I am going use my Surly LHT 26in 52cm 2008 as
a Bug Out Bicycle for when the SHTF and i like use the clipless SPD Pedals every day
for Stealth Bike Camping and Bicycle Touring!!!

I am looking to get the DMR Bikes "Brendog" Platform Pedals

Feedback is welcome and right now I am in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina USA without
my Surly LHT 26in 52cm 2008

jonc123

MKS Sylvan Touring Silver

MIKASHIMA INDUSTRIAL CO.,LTD.-Catalog

mstateglfr 

SPD M324
SPD A530

The 530s are lighter.
The 324s are better for out of the clip traction.

Use em both regularly and love em both.

Wow, this is a steal. They come with the cleats too. Shimano PD-A530 Pedals > Components > Drivetrain, Brakes and Pedals > Pedals | Jenson USA - Mobile

gerryl

Wellgo B143.

For type of touring I tend to do, there are times when I have to get my feet on the ground pretty fast. I have found these pedals to be durable easy to maintain and do a good job of keeping my feet secure.

Papa Tom

I got lost in your post and could not follow all the model names and numbers, but my vote is for ANY good, wide platform pedal with studs. After almost twenty years of riding with toe clips, I recently purchased a set of Odyssey Twisted PC platform pedals for $25 and I don't think I will ever go back to anything but platforms. I'm not sure what type of touring you do, but I do mostly overnight trips of 40-50 miles. I also bike commute to work most days and I do a lot of recreational riding. For me, the platforms have removed a ton of stress from all my riding situations, as I no longer have to fight to get my feet on the pedals when starting up at a traffic light or from any full stop.

DanBell

I always find this line of reasoning interesting, as I have never found using clipless pedals to be any kind of stress or fight or struggle. I felt they were intuitive and simple to use from the get go. When I first began riding with clipless pedals I tried to maintain awareness of the fact that I'm attached to the bike when coming up to a stop, but now clipping in and out happens without even thinking about it. I know that everyone has different opinions and experiences though, and platforms work better and are more comfortable for some people. I can certainly understand not wanting to have different shoes for biking and walking, especially on a tour.

DropBarFan

Using Crank Brothers Mallet 1's (old alu type). Heavy but seem very sturdy; OK for <25 mile rides with street shoes. New Mallet is steel/plastic & a bit lighter. Mallets are double-sided.

BigAura

For my most recent tour I rode with Shimano MX80 platforms. For my prior 6 tours I used Shimano M540 spd's paired with keen cycling sandals. Since the Keens have been discontinued I decided to give the platforms a try paired with New Balance Mimimus trail runners. The platforms worked very well but I prefer fast drying sandals for touring. I not sure which way I'll go next tour, pedal wise, but I'm definitely going to be wearing sandals.

SurlyLHT26in08

I am using the Sun-Ringle ZUZU Platform Pedals going to DMR Bikes Vault Brendog Platform Pedals

DMR Bikes Vault Brendog Pedals


DMR Bikes Vault Pedals

SurlyLHT26in08

I am going use the Shimano PD-M545 SPD Platform Pedals


look at the Wellgo wam d10 at Price Point(dot)com

SurlyLHT26in08

I am going to use the Shimano PD-M545 Platform Pedals

andrewclaus

It may be best to decide what kind of shoes you want to wear on a bike tour, then get pedals to match. Much depends on how serious you are about the cycling part of the touring. In my case, I'm seldom on the bike more than six hours a day, an hour or so at a time, and I do a lot of walking and hiking the rest of the day. Bike shoes and cleats don't work as well as walking shoes for that kind of trip.

And people seldom talk about cost in this question, but I see cyclists who have more invested in shoes and pedals than I have in my whole bike, including the shoes and pedals. $30 shoes and $20 pedals can work just fine.

Steve B.

My question about using the Shimano 545's is does the larger platform provide better support for the foot ?.

I ask as I suffer from hot foot, with pain under the ball of the outer toes. My feet hurt worse when doing 20 miles or more on my assorted Shimano SPD pedals such as 520 or 540 pedals that are of the more minimalist designs. I use SPD-R on my carbon road bike and get much better support and subsequently less pain with these pedals, thus am wondering if a set of 545's would be a better choice. I'm not worried about weight.

Note that the shoes I'm using are the Shimano 087 road and/or mt. variants, which are otherwise very comfortable.

fietsbob

Pick the shoes you like to wear all day on the bike .. sandals? the SPD sandals are heavy.

Gear Heads seem to like the Ski binding derived 'clipless' and you would expect a bike gear forum to favor them .

bradtx

I used SPD pedals and shoes with my road and mountain bikes for years and that system is most comfortable for me on the touring bike. My 'back-up' touring bike has platforms, which is nicer than clipless for when there is a lot of off bicycle activities. For clipless pedals I use are a set of Ritchey double sided mountain bike pedals, similar to the Shimano M-PD520.

One point not brought up is unless you're going to use the clipless pedal for what it's designed to accomplish, there's no reason not to use a good platform pedal.

Brad

SurlyLHT26in08

the last time I used the Shimano PD-M545 was from 4/1998 to 11/2005 with mtn Bike Shoes and I did use the XT SPD Pedals and I do not remember back then and I need to start using them this full in
San Diego/Riverside California and they do have a Popup Clip-in and I have been using BMX Pedals since
11/2008 when I go my Surly LHT 26in 52cm 2008

Mandeville

I use Shimano SPD mountain bike pedals on my road bike. I chose them solely based upon having a bike shoe, (Sidi Dominator) that I could walk moderate distances in comfortably and safely. I like the double side clip in feature of the pedal. From comfort to performance I can't say anything but positive comments based upon my experience with them both riding and off the bike. The shoes were fitted properly and my feet are in complete comfort no matter how hard or how far I ride.

mm718

Twisted Odyssey platforms and skate shoes (no straps). I'll never go back to clipless. A waste of time and money for me but I know many people love them.

Yan 

Regarding clipless vs. platforms, I'm solidly in the clipless camp. I use Time ATAC mountain pedals. I've owned the ATAC ROC, Alium, 2010 regular, and 2013 regular pedals. The 2013 model has a widely documented fault with the spring pins coming out. Otherwise, these pedals have been great. Easy in/out, good float, decent mud shedding. The cleats are brass and wear at the same speed as the soles, so they don't click when you walk. When the sole wears out, I replace the shoe and cleat together. I've never had to replace cleats prior to the soles wearing out.

cyber.snow

While I like the idea of clipless, I have never found a comfortable pair of shoes. So I ride in skater shoes with flat stiff bottoms and shimano platforms. By the way, I have also never fallen over at a stop on my platforms but can't say that when I was riding clipless....LOL

Rob_E

I don't think there's a clear "better" choice for clipless vs platform. You like riding clipless then you'll probably want to tour with them. Same with platform. The pros and cons are pretty clearly laid out in a hundred threads, and those don't change when you're touring. The only thing that might change is that if you want to go clipless, and want some "normal" shoes, that's one piece of extra gear.

I have had no desire to go clipless. I've been using Grip Kings/MKS Lambda pedals for several years, and they are quite comfy, but I have had to fiddle with them too much for my liking. Regreasing the bearings, tweaking the tension on the bearings, losing/replacing/losing the plastic end cap. To be fair, some of that was completely unnecessary as I was blaming my pedals for a click that was caused by a loose crank bolt. Still, my next set will likely have sealed bearings.

For me, finding shoes that meet my needs, any shoes, is a process. Lots of boxes to tick in terms of width, size, material. Add in "clipless compatible" and I'll be barefoot for sure. I like to travel in a pair of sandals and be able to bike in the rain with those sandals and wade across creeks with those sandals, and go hiking with those sandals, and maybe go swimming with those sandals. I don't want a second set of on the bike shoes.

But that's me. If someone prefers to ride clipless, they should certainly find a way to do that an tour as well.

SurlyLHT26in08

I have been using the Sun-Ringle ZUZU Platform Pedals since
3-2005 on my BMX Bike and 11-2008 on my Surly LHT 26in
52cm 2008 and in 2014 I got the
Shimano PD-M545 SPD Platform Pedals and I am going to use the
Shimano SH-56 Multi-Release SPD Clealts with Teva Pivot SPD Shoes



I am keeping my Sun-Ringle ZUZU Platform Pedals for my Surly LHT 26in 52cm 2008 is set up for
Stealth Bike Camping and as my Bug Out Bicycle for SHTF and I maybe getting the
DMR Bikes Vault Brendog Platform Pedals for $142.99 matted Black

Trailroaster

I use routinely Clipless and platform pedals depending on what I'm going to do with the bike. My platforms are a set of Ergon PC2. You can check the maker's website:

ERGON BIKE ERGONOMICS

Love them. I had them for a short time (1 month) and my experience with them is flawless.

Advantages:
- Capable to hold a wide and relatively big (not huge) foot (I wear a US11 size) and pedal holds AND grabs my shoes nicely.
- No spikes ready tho shred your shin or other delicate tissues (this is a big plus for me).
- You can use them effectively with almost any kind of sneaker. I use a pair of Nike Skateboard shoes (wifey Works at a sports shop and got with a huge discount).

Cons:
- Weight (at least if you're paranoid about using a pair of pedals that weight about 500grams for the large size).
- Allen key (8 milimeter) needed for fitting (no provisions for open wrench slots) & anti seize REQUIRED (the axle is from Cr-Mo and if you want to remove them someday, better to put some on the threads).
- Price?. I paid 83Euros for them but I feel that's a nice Price for them with the build quality.

An image is better than 1000 words, so I place a video to look at them decide for yourself.

https://vimeo.com/25957933

SurlyLHT26in08

[QUOTE=Trailroaster;18017574]I use routinely Clipless and platform pedals depending on what I'm going to do with the bike. My platforms are a set of Ergon PC2. You can check the maker's website:

ERGON BIKE ERGONOMICS



NO Thanks on this Pedal

Rob_E

I have been very curious about these. I didn't realize that they were allen key only. That's probably something I could deal with, but it's a definite con for me.

The other thing I've heard mixed things about is how they grip in wet weather. Any experience with that?