Best pedals for a mixed commute?

[harrow1977]

Hi everyone!

I have a Specialised Hardrock which I use for commuting to work....it's about 10 miles, of which 3/4 is along a towpath so the MTB is great for that. The rest of it is usual side roads.

The bike came with a standard flat pedal, but I'm thinking of upgrading with the rainy season coming as I don't want my feet to slip.

I've seen that there are road pedals, MTB pedals, enhanced flat pedals and so on, but what is recommended for someone like me who has a mixed commute to work (i.e. off road/on road). I looked at SPD's, but I'm concerned that when it comes to needing to put my feet on the ground quickly (which I sometimes need to do), I'll be locked in.

 

[themosquitoking]

SPD's and if you're worried about disengaging get some multi release cleats, they come out in any direction with a good tug.

 

[beeblemaster]

I have the A530 pedals on one of my bikes. They are single sided, meaning one side is SPD and the other is flat. They're a great pedal and whenever I might be off road or on dodgy ground, I flick them over so that I don't clip in. I have no problem with grip doing this and the SPD cleat on the shoe fits within the pedal cage so the shoe sits flat comfortably, if you catch my drift. Back on the road, flick them over and I'm clipped in again.

On another bike I have some M505's I think... and I run those effectively single sided as I have the 'flat' adaptor (with reflectors) in one side.

Otherwise maybe look at toe clips, they don't suit me, but maybe an option for you.

 

[London Female]

Hi everyone!

I have a Specialised Hardrock which I use for commuting to work....it's about 10 miles, of which 3/4 is along a towpath so the MTB is great for that. The rest of it is usual side roads.

The bike came with a standard flat pedal, but I'm thinking of upgrading with the rainy season coming as I don't want my feet to slip.

I've seen that there are road pedals, MTB pedals, enhanced flat pedals and so on, but what is recommended for someone like me who has a mixed commute to work (i.e. off road/on road). I looked at SPD's, but I'm concerned that when it comes to needing to put my feet on the ground quickly (which I sometimes need to do), I'll be locked in.

I was worried about this too but after looking around and taking advice, I purchased a pair of Shimano Click "R" pedals, they come with SH56 cleats which are multi-directional. Shimano claim they are 60% easier to unclip from and I have never experienced any problems and have always been able to get my feet on the ground. They are not the prettiest pedals but if you are not worried about a that then they are a good option for anyone who is nervous about clipping in.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

If you don't want to clip in then have a look at the DMR V8 pedals

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dmr-v8-flat-pedals/

 

[Kies]

Same as beeblemaster, I have Shimano M324 dual pedals on my hybrid.One side I clip in for fitness rides, but when commuting in London, I use normal trainers on the flat side.
I fitted these to my road bike for yesterdays London to Brighton ride and had no issues.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

M647 - double sided pop up bindings make it dead easy to clip in every time, without the 50/50 chance of a one side pedal. Big platform gives plenty of support/area to ride without clipping in for those tricky moments. Also the platform is big enough to let you ride in non-SPD shoes.

Classed a BMX pedal, but I love 'em on my MTB

 

[mark st1]

Same as beeblemaster, I have Shimano M324 dual pedals on my hybrid.One side I clip in for fitness rides, but when commuting in London, I use normal trainers on the flat side.
I fitted these to my road bike for yesterdays London to Brighton ride and had no issues.

What he said ^^^^^ and currently on special at Wiggle for £25.99
http://www.wiggle.com/shimano-m324-combination-pedals/ bargain.

 

[themosquitoking]

If you don't want to clip in then have a look at the DMR V8 pedals

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dmr-v8-flat-pedals/

They look like proper calf shredders. I use Shimano M530's, double sided clip ins but with a platform wide enough to stand on and pedal with trainers.

 

[Cuchilo]

Thanks for the heads up . I invested in SPD SL and have found I do a lot more short trips in trainers than I do clipping in . With the rain we are having slipping off the pedals isn't doing my cross bar any good not to mention my own cross bar
Is there a double sided SPD SL pedal ? If not I guess new shoes are the next thing to buy so any tips on those ?

 

[philinmerthyr]

I just bought these from Wiggle. £29.99 on offer

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-a530-spd-single-sided-touring-pedals/

I haven't used them yet. I plan to put them on a boardman hybrid that I will get over the next couple of weeks.

 

[wisdom]

I have 520's on my commuter and have never had a problem unclipping,even quickly.It seems a natural reaction now.
Ihave sps sl's onthe roadie.I feel i have to think a little bit more on this bike.Setting off and clipping in is not as smooth for me.

 

[harrow1977]

Thanks everyone....out of interest, what are people's opinions to Flat shoes (e.g.http://www.evanscycles.com/products/five-ten/freerider-vxi-shoe-ec049529) with perhaps some better slightly better pedals (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/saint-mx80-2013-flat-pedal-ec041943)?

 

[Born2die]

As your on the canals make sure your confident in clipping in and especially out you don't want a sideways topple moment there (just saying I can imagine its harder underwater)

 

[ufkacbln]

As your on the canals make sure your confident in clipping in and especially out you don't want a sideways topple moment there (just saying I can imagine its harder underwater)

... and if you do,please make sure it is videoed for our amusement.