jitenshajin

I use this model. All metal construction, no plastic resin. A very durable pedal, like most from Shimano. You could use these with any type of bike. You have the choice of using both SPD cleated shoes, or regular shoes. The platform is larger than most other combo pedals, so you have plenty to push on. Good for mountain biking with regular shoes, or even just going to the shops. OK, you do have to flip the pedal round, depending on which shoe you are using. But this is a small gripe, as you should be keeping your feet on the pedals once you get the correct side. The platform side has more weight, so tends to fall to the bottom. This, if anything just makes it more predictable, as to whether you will need to flip them. If you are using SPD shoes, you have to clip in anyway, and once done so, there is no problem. For a do it all pedal, these are a good choice.

backonblack

Your feet won't dismount in some directions, been there. Its a reality. Your a bit weird dude.

Ironfish653

That's why they make both kinds of pedals. Every one has a different ride. I ride old-school short-travel 'NORBA' hardtails on tight, technical East-Coast singletrack.
You've got to be a lot more active with your bike handling compared to a modern big-wheel D/S bike. Clipless lets me ride out of setups where I might have got bucked off, or spun out were I using flats.

I've also been at it long enough to get my release springs dialed in; tight enough that I've never unclipped accidentally, but not so tight that I feel 'tied to the pedal'

Rootman

I use Shimano PD-T400 CLICK'R Clipless Pedals. I doubt I get any benefit from the cleats but need to index my feet, I have a bit of nephropathy and have difficulty placing my feet without looking down. The unhook very easily and are double sided and can still be used with flat shoes just fine.

Ridethewestside

Same here, I love the SPD hybrid commuter pedals. I use both sides pretty regularly depending upon where I'm going and what shoes I need for that. I use mtb shoes because they're grippier and safer for nyc sidewalk walking and the marble floors of my apartment building and work lobby. The clip is recessed a bit too, so it's less "clicky" when walking around. Good luck!

PaulRivers

In mountain biking there's a lot bigger safety factor in there being a lot more crashes and a lot more need to put a foot down, and a lot of people only ride flats because of the difficulty with clipless. Say, you're are riding over a log and your tire starts slipping and either you get a foot down or you land on your shoulder. Stuff like that.

In road riding you don't have those kind of terrain difficulties so it's more of a question of being willing to put in the practice in learning it, and whether your brain and muscle memory adapts to clipless or not. For most people it does, but for some it doesn't, and clipless doesn't offer benefits for the casual rider that you couldn't also get with good pedal and shoe selection with flats. My brain and muscle memory adapted to clipless fine but I ended up going back to flats because they are more comfortable and more enjoyable to use for me.

Clipless is a good system but you do see a few nasty spills with pro racers where their foot remained clipped in in a crash and it went worse than it would have otherwise. I don't think it's something huge to worry about if your brain and muscle memory adapted well to clipless, but claims that there's never any drawback ever are not true.

TriBiker19 

I'm looking at getting the Shimano EH500 SPD pedals for my road/race bike. Has anyone used these for road biking? I'm just concerned that some of these "hybrid" options don't do either particularly well....although it seems like it would be really tough to screw up platforms.

bpcyclist

I had my first-ever unclipping emergency the other day. My front tire suddenly slipped sideways on some crappy, cracked concrete and the tire then slipped right into the vertical crack and got stuck, completely taking over control of the front end of the bike. It happened in an instant, as these things do. I had no time to think. Suddenly, I was looking at my left foot on the pavement. It just appeared there. I unclipped without thinking. It just happened. And I didn't put the bike down.

I am no extreme expert cyclist. I would say I am an average, experienced roadie. But my body somehow knew what it had to do without any instruction on my part. It was gratifying. And lucky.



Look Keo Max + Look Keo Grip Cleats

TriBiker19 

@bpcyclist, what pedals do you have and how long have you been using them?

bpcyclist

I am just using the Look Keo 2 Max Pedals, the non-carbon ones. Very basic. And I use the cleats with 4.5 deg. of float that have the grippy material on them, so I don't slip on this wet pavement we have here most of the year. I've had this setup for about two years.

jackb

For recreational cyclists, pedals are completely a matter of preference. You can't know what you prefer until you try them. I've gone from toe clips to clipless to BMX flat pedals. At each stage I liked what I was using. I'm currently with flats, which I continue to like more than the other choices. It really is a matter of personal preference.

Fendertele

I use the ED500 (clipless both sides) on my road bike and they work well. Easy to clip in and out.

Slash1909

I hated CB but switched to them after the Mallet E came out. Its unbelievably good. Grippy, durable and works hassel-free.

FLYBYU

I use Shimano SPD pedals, clipless on both sides. I have injured myself far more with flat pedals unfortunately. Flat pedals don't offer the support I need and they stick out more that the tiny SPD pedal. I even put SPD pedals on my folding bike when I bought it, I couldn't stand the flats. Could be my foot size, I have size 14 feet, most flats just feel super uncomfortable.

pickettt

I had one sided Mallets on my BMX bike and I know exactly what you mean.

Andrew Sullivan

Yeah! Surely Shimano SPD pedals, clipless on both sides!

SlvrDragon50

Old post, but I thought I would add in that I've been extremely happy with my Crank Brothers Mallet 3 pedals. Great for around town and great when clipped in.