surak

I'm thinking of replacing the platform pedals w/ pins on my foul-weather (i.e., rainy day) hybrid commuter with either of the two combo pedals in the title. The pins don't work with nearly all of my shoes -- the pair of walking shoes that they do work with works too well and makes it difficult to adjust footing if I don't set down just right. TBF I only tried once to adjust the pins and was probably using the wrong set of allen wrenches (dumb oversight due to having an imperial set mixed with metric in the mess that makes up my garage "workshop"), but I have plans to move those pedals over to my tandem anyway so they're definitely coming off the commuter.

I want to wear either water resistant trail running shoes or SPD-compatible shoes, depending on how much I feel like riding on a particular trip (my commute is 16 miles one-way that I can easily shorten by taking the bus half- or even all the way). My current pinned platform pedals are useless with the trail running shoes, maybe because of the sole material.

I recently went to clipless -- Shimano PD-M530 w/ SH56 cleats -- on my fair-weather commuter road bike and love it. I mistakenly thought it'd be fine to wear regular shoes with them after reading some online reviews but discovered that wasn't a great idea, which is why I think combo pedals might be the way to go for the other bike. My questions for BF are:

1. Would the extra time spent hunting for the right pedal side make combo pedals not good for commuting?
2. If combo pedals are an OK option, which pedal would be better bang for the buck assuming the platform side isn't used that much? The Nashbar Soho goes for $35. I haven't shopped around extensively for the best price on the T8000 but can probably get them for 20% off $86 when REI sends out member coupons. I'm also open to suggestions for other pedals.

mcours2006

What about the Shimano pedals would you justify the extra cost?

surak

They come with SH56 cleats which knocks their effective price down ~$15, and I wonder if it would be better to have more options with long and short pins than with the Soho fixed ridges. I think I also read a review somewhere that said those Shimanos were less slippery when wet, but I'd be interested in reading people's experiences with either pedals.

CharlieFree

I can only speak for the Shimanos - I have the ones you mention and use them for commuting. I hardly ever use regular shoes for commuting so I always use the SPD side. Once you get used to them you don't have to spend a lot of time hunting for the right side. The platform side is great when i just want to make a quick run to the store or short errand on the weekends and don't want to put on special shoes. I do like them and have had no problems but I know they are on the pricy side.

noglider 

I've used lots of various different brand pedals, and I avoided Shimano because of the price. When I finally bought some Shimano PD-M324 pedals, I realized I'd been stupid to avoid them. They are very high quality, and I recommend them highly.

alias5000

I like these ones: Shimano A530 Clipless Road Pedals | Chain Reaction Cycles

Darth Lefty 

My experience with cheap pedals so far is that when new they are overtightened and notchy, and whether you adjust them or not they soon go clicky. My 400-level Shimanos have not had any such trouble

ph0rk

I like those too, but the flat side can be quite slick if damp. I keep them on the fair weather bike.

Kedosto

Few things are more eye catching than the up/down cadence of the amber pedal reflectors. I ride Shimano PD T700's, buying them specifically for the reflectors.

I tried dual sided pedals but got tired of fiddling around trying to get the right side all the time.

You won't be disappointed with the quality of the Shimanos. As the saying goes-- buy quality and you'll only cry once.


-Kedosto

bonsai171

Hi,

Just came across this thread and thought I'd put my 2 cents in. I use the Nashbar Soho pedals on my fixed gear, and use the SPD side all the time (once I bought the spd shoes I never rode with sneakers again lol). After about 3 years they developed an annoying creak, and no matter what I do it won't stop (even taking the pedals apart and re-greasing didn't help).

On my mtb, the plastic pedals broke, so I bought a set of the Shimano M-324' s. Like others have said, they are night and day better in quality than the Nasbar Sohos. They clip in really nice and firm, and never unclip (which the Soho does even with the tension adjusted). Probably going to return the Sohos and get some Shimano pedals to replace them.

Dave