Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

what type of pedals do you like for commuting?

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

what type of pedals do you like for commuting?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-15-10, 10:36 PM
  #1  
chico1st
30mi/day commuter
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 797
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
what type of pedals do you like for commuting?

I have 2 sets of pedals and only one can go on my 26" winter/commuter/utility bike
I dont really know what the difference is other than looks
what do you guys prefer?

I have pedals like this


and big a$$ pedals like this
chico1st is offline  
Old 04-15-10, 11:44 PM
  #2  
busted knuckles
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: wa
Posts: 416
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I have the big ass pedals on my LHT.
busted knuckles is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 12:11 AM
  #3  
mtalinm
Senior Member
 
mtalinm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Westwood MA (just south of Boston)
Posts: 2,215

Bikes: 2009 Trek Soho

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
regular platforms for city commuting (lots of stop & start, on & off)

clipless for long commutes

for a mix of the two, platform on one side clipless on the other

avoid toe straps like the plague
mtalinm is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 01:27 AM
  #4  
alr
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 377

Bikes: Nishiki Olympic 12 Mixte, Raleigh DL-1 lady

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
well, I am a gal, and I had some pedals similar to the first of your choices, and I have a scar on my ankle from them. Now, I have rubber MKS pedals like these. My ankles, shins and nice leather shoes thank me.
alr is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 01:46 AM
  #5  
stockholm
Just a commuter
 
stockholm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 262

Bikes: Scott Metrix 20 for commuting, Specialized Dolce Elite for fun

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
These: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=28050

They're perfect for me and my needs, SPD on one side, good enough platforms on the other. Fairly light: 386 grams.
stockholm is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 01:46 AM
  #6  
xray1978
Degenerate Grouch
 
xray1978's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lawrence
Posts: 212

Bikes: Kona Hahanna, Schwinn Speedster

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I use the big a$$ pedals on the beach cruiser and quill pedals with half clips on the single speed road bike.
xray1978 is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 01:56 AM
  #7  
NormanF
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 8 Posts
Grip King.... just roomy pedals to hold your feet on long rides!
NormanF is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 02:56 AM
  #8  
xcarbonmadex
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by NormanF
Grip King.... just roomy pedals to hold your feet on long rides!
+1
Love my Grip King pedals!
xcarbonmadex is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 03:04 AM
  #9  
Spenceey
Junior Member
 
Spenceey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 19

Bikes: Claud Butler

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Clipless pedals and SPD's. My commute is 17 miles each way so clipless really help. I use mountain bike SPD's as I can walk in them once I get off the bike.
Spenceey is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 04:35 AM
  #10  
BigDaddyPete
Senior Member
 
BigDaddyPete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Pittsfield, MA
Posts: 633

Bikes: Motobecane Fantom Cross 2008 Schwinn Super Sport 1972 SS. Surly Pacer Rando bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I use Crank Bros. Candies. I love them, I've used SPD pedals and I've used Look style pedals, these are, hands down, my favorite.
BigDaddyPete is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 05:01 AM
  #11  
zacster
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Brooklyn NY
Posts: 7,728

Bikes: Kuota Kredo/Chorus, Trek 7000 commuter, Trek 8000 MTB and a few others

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Liked 464 Times in 365 Posts
I have pedals like #2 and I was surprised that I liked them for the commute. I haven't used anything but Looks on my road bikes for something like 20 years and I was skeptical, but for commuting the big platforms are fine.
zacster is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 06:06 AM
  #12  
rumrunn6
Senior Member
 
rumrunn6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times in 2,342 Posts
...
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
DSC_8519.jpg (94.6 KB, 33 views)
rumrunn6 is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 06:59 AM
  #13  
mickey85
perpetually frazzled
 
mickey85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Linton, IN
Posts: 2,467

Bikes: 1977 Bridgestone Kabuki Super Speed; 1979 Raleigh Professional; 1983 Raleigh Rapide mixte; 1974 Peugeot UO-8; 1993 Univega Activa Trail; 1972 Raleigh Sports; 1967 Phillips; 1981 Schwinn World Tourist; 1976 Schwinn LeTour mixte; 1964 Western Flyer

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
I've got a set of the big a$$ pedals (with built in studs) for dress shoes, winter boots, etc. On normal days though, I wear Adidas Sambas and roll with toeclips. Never had a need for clipless pedals, never want clipless pedals. Why do I need shoes I never use otherwise that cripple me off the bike? As it is, I'm not a huge fan of having to use one particular kind of shoe for the clips!
mickey85 is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 07:44 AM
  #14  
jefferee
Que CERA, CERA
 
jefferee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kitchener, ON
Posts: 873
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I like my SPD pedals, and the shoes I have are fine for walking around all day at work.

As far as platforms go, I do use them in the winter since cycling-specific winter boots are fairly pricey. I would prefer design #2 as it looks like it would be less likely to take a gash out of my shin in the event of a wipeout on ice. Not that I know anything about how that could happen.
jefferee is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 08:38 AM
  #15  
mr_antares
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Boston
Posts: 145

Bikes: Trek 2.3, Trek FX-7.3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Another vote for SPD (clipless) pedals. I would not want to walk around all day in my MTB shoes, but I can walk to the other building in our office park where the showers are. I do keep street shoes in the office to change into.
mr_antares is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 08:41 AM
  #16  
Clyde Power
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 8

Bikes: 2011 Novara Randonee, 1993 Schwinn used as Winter Bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
MKS RMX for a couple of months, really like them.
Clyde Power is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 09:28 AM
  #17  
ItsJustMe
Señior Member
 
ItsJustMe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749

Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
I switched to toe clips after having my feet slip off the pedals in the rain coming off the front position at a stoplight TWICE in one day, with a truck behind me both times having to stop suddenly to keep from hitting me. I decided keeping my feet on the pedals was an important safety issue.

I did switch to SPD later, but I'm not in love with them and right now I've got the platforms with toe clips back on, even though most of the time I'm still riding with shoes with SPD cleats on them.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
ItsJustMe is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 09:47 AM
  #18  
chipcom 
Infamous Member
 
chipcom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 24,360

Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
My favorites for commuting are Shimano M424s

__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
chipcom is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 09:48 AM
  #19  
aadhils
Bike Junkie
 
aadhils's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Posts: 1,620

Bikes: 2013 Orange Brompton M3L; 2006 Milwaukee Bicycle Co. Fixie (Eddy Orange); 2022 Surly Cross Check, Black

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 1 Post
Speedplays

aadhils is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 09:55 AM
  #20  
tjspiel
Senior Member
 
tjspiel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 8,101
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 13 Posts
I have Shimano A530s which are platform on one side and SPD on the other. At first I was thinking I should have maybe gotten a pedal that was SPD on both sides. I rarely rode without cycling shoes anyway and having SPD on only one side made it a little annoying when the SPD side of the pedal wasn't facing up. But along with getting more skilled at using them I've also grown to appreciate the versatility even though it's not something I take advantage of that much.

The cycling shoes I use for commuting have a flexible sole and a recessed cleat. They are very comfortable and can be worn all day. Not all cycling shoes are these super stiff things that are difficult to walk in.

The pedals on my winter bike are more like #2. They're aren't huge but they do have the pins. They work pretty good.

In my opinion clipless pedals and shoes don't offer a huge advantage to the typical commuter and can be easily done without. I happen to like them but if you're just getting started, the money might be better spent on lights or rain gear.
tjspiel is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 10:43 AM
  #21  
gholt
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Layton, UT
Posts: 686

Bikes: 2004 Giant OCR, 2002 Specialized Stumpjumper, 2008 Trek 6500 Disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have Bontrager RE-1 on three bikes so that I only have to have one shoe to fit all bikes. Makes it nice. Another vote for SPD.
gholt is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 02:57 PM
  #22  
divtag
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Huntington Beach
Posts: 371

Bikes: '09 Salsa El Mariachi, '08 Surly Cross Check, '06 Specialized Rockhopper

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Kona Jack *****s
divtag is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 03:17 PM
  #23  
mtnwalker
Senior Member
 
mtnwalker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 1,953

Bikes: '84 Centurion Accordo RS, '06 Gary Fisher Marlin, '06 Schwinn Fastback 27, '06 Litespeed Teramo

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Crank Brothers Candy C's.
mtnwalker is offline  
Old 04-16-10, 03:32 PM
  #24  
anaheim flash
Senior Member
 
anaheim flash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: mcallen, texas
Posts: 237
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
i have some big ass types on my commuter as well. easy to get off quick in traffic, plenty of support for just every day type of shoes, and the cleats on em for traction when it rains (like this morning)
anaheim flash is offline  
Old 04-18-10, 02:27 PM
  #25  
coquearaujo
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 57
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
SHIMANO_SPD_M324..jpg (27.4 KB, 9 views)
coquearaujo is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.