My Favorite Pedals
01-26-19, 03:15 AM
#1
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My Favorite Pedals: What Are Yours?
I've tried so many different types: humongous flats with the super sticky pins, super cheap flats with the not so sticky pins, frogs, speedplay zero's, looks, spud's, cheapo stock nylons but now I've come full circle. For fun fast rides, errands, for just about any type of riding on any type of bike, I just can't beat 'em. They are super comfortable, super efficient and just so familiar to use. The reflectors are a nifty safety feature and I add a bit of reflective tape on the sides for near 360 degrees of visibility.
They're becoming just a little more difficult to find and therefore a touch more expensive than before, but fortunately they're still near the bottom for cost. I run the straps very loose since I have wide feet, and also for easy in/out. The ones with tabs are the best.
I used looks for about 7 years or so. They had just enough "float" to make them super ergonomic but there was enough resistance so that your foot didn't slide around as if they were on skates. Super reliable and easy click in and out. I used em with street shoes without problems as well. OK, they weren't that comfortable with street shoes but they were functional.
Speedplay zero's are great but they require a fair bit of maintenance as far as lubing and are ridiculously tough to click in and out of when new. They're incredibly light and stylish however. OK, maybe not so light counting the ginormous cleats.
What are your favorite pedals and why?
They're becoming just a little more difficult to find and therefore a touch more expensive than before, but fortunately they're still near the bottom for cost. I run the straps very loose since I have wide feet, and also for easy in/out. The ones with tabs are the best.
I used looks for about 7 years or so. They had just enough "float" to make them super ergonomic but there was enough resistance so that your foot didn't slide around as if they were on skates. Super reliable and easy click in and out. I used em with street shoes without problems as well. OK, they weren't that comfortable with street shoes but they were functional.
Speedplay zero's are great but they require a fair bit of maintenance as far as lubing and are ridiculously tough to click in and out of when new. They're incredibly light and stylish however. OK, maybe not so light counting the ginormous cleats.
What are your favorite pedals and why?
01-26-19, 11:51 AM
#3
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Speedplays. Before I switched to them I started to have bad knee pain after about 40 minutes (with some now-forgotten Look pedals). I need the float that Speedplays have it seems. Now, no pain at all when I ride.
Without Speedplays, I wouldn't be riding.
Without Speedplays, I wouldn't be riding.
01-26-19, 12:05 PM
#4
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Ergon pedals 
on the daily wet winter bike, have not put any clipless pedals on any bike in years..
[Will sell Time ATAC Aluminum]
Campagnolo BMX pedals
on my Bike Friday Tikit And Steel Record Toe Clip Pedals on my International touring bike.. (Bought New, long ago) 
on the daily wet winter bike, have not put any clipless pedals on any bike in years..[Will sell Time ATAC Aluminum]
Campagnolo BMX pedals
on my Bike Friday Tikit And Steel Record Toe Clip Pedals on my International touring bike.. (Bought New, long ago) Last edited by fietsbob; 01-29-19 at 02:55 PM. Reason: you like pictures so I found some
01-26-19, 12:23 PM
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Shimano XT ('race', not the 'trail' ones) spd; nothing but since '03. Easy in/out; various shoe styles available to suit different needs all with walkable cleats.
01-26-19, 12:47 PM
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Bog standard Ultegra-level SPD-SLs. I’ve had the same pedals on my road bike for >10 years. They look like crap now, but they just keep working
01-26-19, 12:49 PM
#7
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+1 for Shimano XT's. Even though they are really meant for trail riding I ride them on my road bikes because they provide more float and save my knees better than typical road pedals. They are also rugged as heck and low maintenance and just work.
Last edited by drlogik; 01-26-19 at 12:54 PM.
01-26-19, 01:10 PM
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For the longest time the answer was: MKS Mapstage
clipless. They had a unique “turntable” cleat that used sideways rotation for entry & exit. I used these for 20 years & watched on the sidelines as new clipless designs evolved. I would repack the bearings and polish the bodies every winter - very satisfying since the bearings could be set up with near zero play while still spinning smooth.
Then about 2 years ago, Iooked at the weight of the pedals and realized how heavy these MKS’s were compared to modern (road) offerings.
So I bought some Shimano PD-9000’s and mounted the yellow SPD-R cleats to my size 46.5 Sidi Genius 5’s. As much as I owe gratitude to the MKS’s for all the good service - these Dura Ace PD-9000’s are fantastic! I love them. They are much lighter, fully rebuildable and cleat engagement is fantastic. The have lower cleat stack height, keeping the ball of the foot closer to the pedal axle. This feels better to me & I’m sure there is some biomechanical theory why this is the case.
The PD-9100’s are more of the same goodness and I have a pair of these on another bike.
clipless. They had a unique “turntable” cleat that used sideways rotation for entry & exit. I used these for 20 years & watched on the sidelines as new clipless designs evolved. I would repack the bearings and polish the bodies every winter - very satisfying since the bearings could be set up with near zero play while still spinning smooth.
Then about 2 years ago, Iooked at the weight of the pedals and realized how heavy these MKS’s were compared to modern (road) offerings.
So I bought some Shimano PD-9000’s and mounted the yellow SPD-R cleats to my size 46.5 Sidi Genius 5’s. As much as I owe gratitude to the MKS’s for all the good service - these Dura Ace PD-9000’s are fantastic! I love them. They are much lighter, fully rebuildable and cleat engagement is fantastic. The have lower cleat stack height, keeping the ball of the foot closer to the pedal axle. This feels better to me & I’m sure there is some biomechanical theory why this is the case.
The PD-9100’s are more of the same goodness and I have a pair of these on another bike.
01-26-19, 03:35 PM
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I really like the new 2019 XTR spd Enduro pedals. They have a larger platform which I really like when standing on the pedals. Feels like a firm foundation. I had 2018 XTs, but the extra pedal was to protect from rock strikes or something, not to provide more standing room
i also like the Pedaling innovations catalyst pedals on my mountain bike for the same reason. Great foundation.
i also like the Pedaling innovations catalyst pedals on my mountain bike for the same reason. Great foundation.
01-26-19, 04:07 PM
#10
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SPD. Can't go wrong with SPD. There's a style for every taste and budget. Speaking of budget, Shimano M520's are about one of the best values in pedals, period. I've been running a set of Shimano PD-T700's for a little over a year now. The T700 is just a basic SPD with a reflector positioned front/back. Nothing catches the eye like the rhythmic action of a pedal reflector shining in a car headlight.
-Kedosto
-Kedosto
01-26-19, 04:42 PM
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Same here. Went to Speedplay after knee problems. No more pain at all when I ride.
01-26-19, 04:51 PM
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Most comfortable pedals I've used are DMR Vaults for size 12 feet. Not cheap.
Five Ten Freeriders for shoes, they grip like clipless except if you pull up:
I used to suffer from foot numbness/hotspots/pain with clipless. I've used other pedals that are "fine" but this combination is "very comfortable". And I get near-clipless grip on the pedals with none of the inconveniences of clipless.
Honestly...lol...I don't personally use clipless but it is a good system if you want it's advantages. The system I can't see any use for are...straps...they're hanging down the wrong way when you take your foot off the pedal...it's harder to get your foot off the pedal in an emergency...I don't understand how people like them.
Five Ten Freeriders for shoes, they grip like clipless except if you pull up:
I used to suffer from foot numbness/hotspots/pain with clipless. I've used other pedals that are "fine" but this combination is "very comfortable". And I get near-clipless grip on the pedals with none of the inconveniences of clipless.
Honestly...lol...I don't personally use clipless but it is a good system if you want it's advantages. The system I can't see any use for are...straps...they're hanging down the wrong way when you take your foot off the pedal...it's harder to get your foot off the pedal in an emergency...I don't understand how people like them.
Last edited by PaulRivers; 01-26-19 at 05:14 PM.
01-26-19, 05:37 PM
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01-26-19, 05:43 PM
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My favorite pedals are Nashbar Soho two-sided Spd. The last pair I purchased were $29.00 retail during a 30% off sale. They are durable, well made pedals at, if I remember correctly, 315 gm. a pair.
01-26-19, 07:14 PM
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These:
Shimano PD-M324 Multi-Purpose Pedals SPD/Platform
https://www.pushys.com.au/shimano-pd...-platform.html
Shimano PD-M324 Multi-Purpose Pedals SPD/Platform
https://www.pushys.com.au/shimano-pd...-platform.html
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01-26-19, 07:23 PM
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I like my Time RXS. They have been durable and reliable, are tolerant of dirt, and the cleats don't scratch floors and last a long time.
01-26-19, 09:52 PM
#19
LET'S ROLL
Speedplay on roadbikes:
SPD(Shimano or compatible) for everything else:
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01-27-19, 12:01 AM
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I raced, trained and rode with toe clips, straps and cleats back in the day. 20 years ago I discovered SPDs and never looked back.
Last edited by Slightspeed; 01-27-19 at 12:06 AM.
01-27-19, 12:11 AM
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01-27-19, 02:03 AM
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I’ve always liked my VP Thin Gripsters (vp-001). They are solid platforms with nice pins that hold well but not too aggressively. Recently, I needed pedals for an mtb but didn’t want to break the bank. I bought some Race Face Chester pedals. At first I was hesitant about the plastic construction but I’ve been very impressed. The platforms are sturdy without being too heavy. The pins really hold when I’m on trails. Nice pedals.
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01-27-19, 04:10 AM
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Time and Shimano. Apart from the need for different shoes, couldn’t really comment on differences, they seem equally as good.
01-27-19, 03:42 PM
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SPD on road bike, Odyssey Twisted PC bmx flats on everything else.
