Does anyone here besides me use flat pedals on their bike? I like it because I am free to use whatever shoe I choose, making for easier walking off the bike. I used clipless for a long time but after reading an article by Grant Peterson from Rivendell, I decided to switch. I use the MKS touring pedals and they do a great job.

After switching to clipless I'll never go back... But the touring bike I'm setting up now has the flip/flop Shimano pedals. Platform on one side & SPD on the other. Just in case I want/need to ride around where ever I end up each day. My feet start to hurt at about 10 miles if I'm not wearing the hard sole SPD shoes. So that's part of the reason.

10 Wheels, that's very close to how my pedals look, except I use the toe straps.

My Nishiki, American Eagle has these.

I saw these pedals recently at my LBS and couldn't stop drooling

I found out that I don't need the straps.
I Have size 13-14 shoe.

Flats here, now with Hold Fasts.

MKS GR9 pedals with clips and straps.

I'm one. I've used clipless for years, but have gone back to platforms ( Forte ) for their convenience. BTW I have read the same article you referenced from Rivendell, which is a interesting piece.

I/ve used the Nashbar platform pedals for years, gigantic platforms with many short studs protruding from the LARGE platforms. Good quality bearings, reasonably good seals, absolutely no complaints. When commuting to work here on the left coast in the summer, flip flops are the footwear of choice. Any shoe will work great, I'll never bother with clipless again for touring. YMMV

I think the ultimate system for me would be the flypapers, or the varients that are now coming out. These are flats without any attatchment. The pedals are so thin the foot just sticks to them 360 for max paddle efficiency without the problems of trap or bindings. There are even some custom frame options that one could get to with this design.

https://www.bikemag.com/blog/tested-m...ypaper-pedals/

Have a variety of pedals , My touring bike has used Campag steel quill pedals for decades,
Now BMX/MTB flats are the go to.. normal shoes on the commuter.

I'm as old as Grant but don't have his soap box to spout opinions..

My pedals are flat with toe straps, but I quit using the straps, because I got knee problems. It seemed that allowing my foot the freedom to find it's own position on the pedal helped my knee. I still need to remove the toe straps but I took a 300mi trip without using them at all. I'm happy with flats...

I have been riding flats for 3 years now after a broken toe kept me out of my cycling shoes. I use all different types of shoes but my favorites are Crocs. When the going gets tough I can curl my toes around the end of the pedals. I have done a 17 mile cllmb and 100+ mile days with this set up and had no issues.

Amusingly, after reading that article I pulled the Hold Fasts off my pedals. I had used toe clips in the past but always had a hard time finding ones to fit my big feet and often couldn't fit some of my shoes into them at all. I thought I'd give the Hold Fasts a try as an alternative. Rolling along quiet country roads on my little bike camping trip last week they worked fine, but I found them annoying to get into at every stop I have to make on my daily commute to work. Especially on the last day I used them when I wore a pair of shoes bigger than my Kursk's.

After years of running bear traps (Redline BMX style and similar - very spiky) I got tired of them beating up my shins and got the SunLite Cruiser Pedals. The bearings don't feel great in them but the rubber is enough to keep my feet on the pedals and cushions the blow a little when they inevitably come into contact with my shin with all the stops and starts during my commute. My girlfriend has been griping about her spiky pedals beating up her shins too and so I just ordered a pair for her commuter as well.

I'd be curious to hear of any other models of pedal that have a soft surface.

BTW, I'm running pedal extenders to put the pedals out were I need them too.

I'm using Shimano 530 pedals, which are clipless on one side, and platform on the other. Works great! I go clipless for longer rides, and wear my tennies when riding slow w/my wife along the local path.

have a pair of MKS rubber block pedals, with molded in reflectors.

Once I took them apart, enough to add more Grease, and loosen up
the traditionally over tight bearing adjustment,
they spin smooth as any..

I use platform pedals. I prefer them since I can wear any shoe I want, and with the traffic where I usually ride I feel they are safer. I can also move my feet around to different positions if desired. I use Wellgo BMX pedals with the replaceable pins like these except my current ones aren't magnesium. https://www.amazon.com/Wellgo-LU-A52-...962323&sr=8-28

Here is a good article on the subject: https://www.rivbike.com/article/clothing/the_shoes_ruse

[QUOTE=fietsbob;13005029]have a pair of MKS rubber block pedals, with molded in reflectors.

Once I took them apart, enough to add more Grease, and loosen up
the traditionally over tight bearing adjustment,
they spin smooth as any..[/QUOTE]

Ah! Thanks for the idea! I think I'll try that with mine.

I've been using some spiky BMX pedals lately, and I really like them:


Compared to clipless, I like being able to move my feet around, not being forced to carry a second pair of shoes, and I don't see any loss in efficiency

Compared to toe straps, I get rid of the stupid strap, which is mostly just a hassle, and get a bigger platform.

Compared to my previous flat pedals (MKS RMX from Rivendell), the spikes grip so much better, they feel much more secure.

Thanks for the link. I'd read this before but lost article, now I've saved it.

I've got these Wellgo wg5 pedals on several bikes and I'm pretty satisfied with them. They accept toe clips and look reasonably nice too! I've learned that Wellgo makes a clipless version also, you can see the attachment point for the mechanism on the center of the spindle - the same casting is used for the clipless.

[QUOTE=phughes;13005460]I use platform pedals. I prefer them since I can wear any shoe I want, and with the traffic where I usually ride I feel they are safer. I can also move my feet around to different positions if desired. I use Wellgo BMX pedals with the replaceable pins like these except my current ones aren't magnesium. [QUOTE]

+1 - Those pins grip so well you can pull on the upstroke like the roadies do. And you don't have to wear silly shoes - bonus!

My set up is very similar to 10 Wheels set up and I have been riding that way for years. All my bikes are set up that way and I have no plans on changing anytime soon. I did try clip less for a stint but they never really fit my style. I hated the clip clop while walking in clip-less. I like being able to wear a wide variety of shoes and sandals and be able to walk unencumbered.

Every now and then the "great pedal debate"erupts on the over 50 forum. Nothing is ever accomplished except posters get to argue for the pedal system they like. Conclusion, ride with the pedal that you prefer.

I have MKS touring on my LHT, GripKing on my single-speed, pinned BMX pedals on my recumbent, and plastic folding pedals on my folding bike.

I have two sets of clipless pedals and one pair of SPD shoes in the closet. I may use them again someday, but not for touring.