Dual platform pedals: clipless and SPD

[PotomacCyclist]

Has anyone tried out dual platform pedals? They can be used with SPD cleats on one side, and with regular non-bike shoes on the other side. Online reviews seem positive for the most part. I’ve found a few different options, such as the Shimano PD-A530

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A530-Dual-Platform-Pedal/dp/B001MZ2AGO/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1379009176&sr=1-1&keywords=Shimano+PD-A530+SPD+Dual+Platform+Pedal

Other Shimano models:

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M324-Clipless-Clip-Pedals/dp/B001AT33CW/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1379009176&sr=1-2&keywords=Shimano+PD-A530+SPD+Dual+Platform+Pedal

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-T400-CLICKR-Clipless-Pedals/dp/B008VQCWUQ/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1379009176&sr=1-1-fkmr2&keywords=Shimano+PD-A530+SPD+Dual+Platform+Pedal

I’m not sure how much I’ll ride outside this winter. If I do ride on cold days, I think it would be better to wear regular winter boots or shoes with platform pedals, instead of cleated bike shoes. Even with neoprene shoe covers and chemical warmers, I just can’t keep my toes warm on the coldest days (under 30F or so).

The dual platform pedals could be convenient. On milder days, I could use bike shoes without having to change pedals. My winter bike is a mountain bike, although I don’t do any serious off-road riding at all. I use it like a commuter or hybrid bike. I had cyclocross tires installed last winter. (The knobby tires were pointless since I don’t ride off-road.)

Topic

[Andrew Mitry]

I use the Shimano A530s on my Surly Cross Check, they work pretty well for me. I generally wear normal shoes for quick errands and switch to cleated bike shoes for my longer commute into work. The only annoyance is when you are spinning up at intersection and trying to clip only to discover you are on the wrong side of the pedal. When I had a pair of cleated Keens (recessed cleat) it wasn’t to big of a deal because I could pedal on the flat side until I got an opportunity to flip the pedal, but with cleated road shoes (exposed cleat) my foot slips of the pedal. Hope that helps.

[Subby]

I use the A530s on my road bike. I love them and don’t really see any reason to switch. I love being able to walk around normally. Plus it’s nice to have when commuting in DC.

[jrenaut]

I have Shimano A530s, too. I almost never use the flat side. It’s a bit small, so I’d hesitate to use it for very long trips, but it’s certainly usable. As mentioned above, I think they’re really designed for quick trips when you don’t feel like putting on bike shoes.

I don’t often have the problem of the flat side being up when I start, but it definitely does happen.

[Arlingtonrider]

Many of us use these and really like them, for the reasons described in the post above. I bought the Performance Bike version (Forte) and have had no problems with them. The set I bought generally keeps the same side up after you unclip, so I haven’t had the issue Andrew describes, except when I first start a new ride with a different type of shoes.

[TwoWheelsDC]

I have the A530s on my commuter. No complaints at all about them…they were relatively cheap and they do exactly what I need them to do. That said, my understanding is that they aren’t really built to last…and just recently, mine have started to squeak a bit, like maybe the bearings are going bad. But that’s after almost two years and several thousand miles of heat, rain, snow, dirt, etc…but I think I will upgrade to a more durable model like the M785 (even though they aren’t “platform” pedals), or something like the Crankbrothers Candy 3.

[KLizotte]

I use the A530s on my road bike and like them a lot. They very rarely flip the wrong way on me. I do find the flat part to be somewhat slippery though and only use them on rare occasions. I don’t think they would be good for snowy/slippery conditions because your feet could slip.

I have also used the M324s on my hybrid. The flat part on those has a serated edge which is far better for holding on to your shoe/boot but I didn’t like them because I kept getting small scrapes on my legs from the serations any time I brushed up against the pedals. The 324s are heavier than the 530s.

Depends on your needs.

[Andrew Mitry]

@Arlingtonrider 64029 wrote:

Many of us use these and really like them, for the reasons described in the post above. I bought the Performance Bike version (Forte) and have had no problems with them. The set I bought generally keeps the same side up after you unclip, so I haven’t had the issue Andrew describes, except when I first start a new ride with a different type of shoes.

Arlingtonrider’s point is valid, I only have this issue about 10% of the time.

[PotomacCyclist]

Seems like they are pretty popular. Thanks.

I haven’t decided 100% that I’ll get these, but I’m leaning toward it. Maybe in November. I’m just doing basic research for now. Sounds like they would work out for me. I don’t plan to ride any super-steep hills or do extended speed workouts over the winter. I’ve ridden CaBi bikes up the Air Force Memorial hill and done some short spin-up drills on CaBi before. No problems with the platform pedals there.

[PotomacCyclist]

@TwoWheelsDC 64030 wrote:

I have the A530s on my commuter. No complaints at all about them…they were relatively cheap and they do exactly what I need them to do. That said, my understanding is that they aren’t really built to last…and just recently, mine have started to squeak a bit, like maybe the bearings are going bad. But that’s after almost two years and several thousand miles of heat, rain, snow, dirt, etc…but I think I will upgrade to a more durable model like the M785 (even though they aren’t “platform” pedals), or something like the Crankbrothers Candy 3.

I probably won’t put a ton of miles on them, if I get them. I would only use them for a few months, Nov. to Feb. or so. Just until the temperatures get back to the 40s and 50s. I wouldn’t use them that much during the rest of the year. Plus I plan to do more indoor workouts this winter. If I do any bike commuting, it would probably be on CaBi most/all of the time. I would only use the A530s for weekend rides and a few other rides here and there. I doubt I would put more than a few hundred miles on them over the winter, and almost no miles during the spring/summer.

[mstone]

Be careful with your terminology: “dual sided” is what Shimano calls pedals with clips on both sides. The PD-T400 and PD-T700 are of this sort (no platforms). That said, the click’r series advertises a “pop up” clip (which I’ve never tried) so I don’t know how they are for use with regular shoes. I don’t know that there is a good unambiguous phrase to help you find pedals with a clip on one side and a platform on the other.

Of the clipless+platform pedals, I’ve got the A530 on my zippy bike which I rarely use with street shoes. (But do occasionally if I decide to take that bike on a trip with the kids in normal clothes.) They work ok, but as noted above the platforms are small.

On my do-everything bike I use the PD-T780, which I highly recommend for commuter/utility/touring bikes. The platform is sufficiently wide to make it fully functional when used with regular shoes. They’re pretty stealth (look like regular pedals). They’re built to a higher spec than the other dual use pedals in shimano’s line. And they have reflectors built in, which I think are extremely important if you ride at night. (The A530s and M324s have provisions for reflectors, but you have to bolt them on and they’re really hard to find [and the A530 they look ridiculous].)

[mstone]

@TwoWheelsDC 64030 wrote:

I have the A530s on my commuter. No complaints at all about them…they were relatively cheap and they do exactly what I need them to do. That said, my understanding is that they aren’t really built to last…and just recently, mine have started to squeak a bit, like maybe the bearings are going bad. But that’s after almost two years and several thousand miles of heat, rain, snow, dirt, etc…but I think I will upgrade to a more durable model like the M785 (even though they aren’t “platform” pedals), or something like the Crankbrothers Candy 3.

Pedals are intended to be serviced…

[TwoWheelsDC]

@mstone 64039 wrote:

Pedals are intended to be serviced…

Shhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! The correct answer is “honey, I have to upgrade to these better, more expensive pedals.”

[vvill]

@TwoWheelsDC 64044 wrote:

Shhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! The correct answer is “honey, I have to upgrade to these better, more expensive pedals.”

Better value pedals. The benefits reaped in longevity and pedaling efficiency easily outweigh the slightly higher initial cost.

[mstone]

@TwoWheelsDC 64030 wrote:

I have the A530s on my commuter. No complaints at all about them…they were relatively cheap and they do exactly what I need them to do. That said, my understanding is that they aren’t really built to last…and just recently, mine have started to squeak a bit, like maybe the bearings are going bad. But that’s after almost two years and several thousand miles of heat, rain, snow, dirt, etc…but I think I will upgrade to a more durable model like the M785 (even though they aren’t “platform” pedals), or something like the Crankbrothers Candy 3.

Also, FWIW, the crank brothers have a bit of a reputation for being delicate, vs the non-bottom-end shimanos which are generally pretty bombproof. (Try googling “crank brothers broke”.) Both will require routine maintenance, but some of the crank brothers have non-serviceable bearings which you can either replace or treat the pedal as a consumable.

[hozn]

@mstone 64099 wrote:

Also, FWIW, the crank brothers have a bit of a reputation for being delicate, vs the non-bottom-end shimanos which are generally pretty bombproof. (Try googling “crank brothers broke”.) Both will require routine maintenance, but some of the crank brothers have non-serviceable bearings which you can either replace or treat the pedal as a consumable.

+1. Yeah, crank bros are garbage. The pedals only last me 1 year and that is with regular grease injection. They are cheap, but not worth it (apparently it has taken me 5 pair to learn this). Tech support says that you are supposed to rebuild (new bearings, seals) every 6 months. Who has time for that? I am wearing through my last pair and then switching to my mtb pedals (Time Atac) on the commuter.

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