I've joined the ranks of bike commuters (kinda)

[melissam]

I have a whopping bike commute of 1 mile each way! :rolleyes:

I've been taking the train from the Oakland Coliseum to the Great America station. It's a mile from the train station to my workplace. It's not a bad walk, but it adds another 20 minutes to the commute. Also, there are no sidewalks, so sometimes my shoes can get pretty muddy.

Anyway, I rented a bike locker at the train station, and today was my first day of using my mountain bike to get from the train station to work. Nice -- much faster than walking. It's also nice to have some sort of transportation here at work.

I used the Nashbar pedal converters on my SPD pedals. Kind of a drag, because they kept falling off when my foot wasn't using them to pedal. Picture this: I take off from a stop, the pedal converter comes off, I stop, put it back on, start up again, the other pedal converter comes off, rinse, repeat. Fortunately I don't have too many stops between the train station and my work.

Has anyone had good luck with the pedal converters, or should I just invest in a set of double-sided SPD/platform pedals?

-- Melissa

[mimitabby]

I've never heard of a pedal converter. What is it? Do you have a link?
congrats on commuting!

[melissam]

I've never heard of a pedal converter. What is it? Do you have a link?
congrats on commuting!

Hi Mimitabby!

Ah, I looked it up on Bike Nashbar, and it's really called a tennis shoe adapter. Here's a link:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=108&subcategory=1077&brand=&sku=2434&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Pedal%20Accessories

And here's a pic of it installed on a pedal:

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/NR-SPC.gif

-- Melissa

[jobob]

Oh now that's nifty !! (well, if it didn't fall off all the time, that is ...)

I wish they made them for Eggbeaters, there are occasions I wish I had plain platform pedals on Pokey but it's not worth the effort to switch them.

(I know Crank Bros. makes platform style pedals compatible w eggbeater cleats, but it's not quite the same, they're not comfy with sneakers)

[melissam]

Hey there, Jobob!

Is this what you tried with your Eggbeaters?

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/71QD916EP0L._AA280_.gif

I know, it shows a Shimano pedal, but it says that it will work with Eggbeaters (or any two-bolt cleat except Speedplay Frogs.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=108&subcategory=1077&brand=&sku=10990&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Pedal%20Accessories

Good gravy, I'm starting to feel like an advertisement for Bike Nashbar. Just in case anyone's wondering, I do NOT have any affiliation with Bike Nashbar except for placing an order with them.

-- Melissa

[Trek420]

Has anyone had good luck with the pedal converters, or should I just invest in a set of double-sided SPD/platform pedals?

-- Melissa

I'd get the double side SPD/platform, that's what's on my commuter and I love them.

Or...keep a spare pair of shoes at work and ride the epic brutal mile in your SIDIs :D :)

[melissam]

I'd get the double side SPD/platform, that's what's on my commuter and I love them.

Or...keep a spare pair of shoes at work and ride the epic brutal mile in your SIDIs :D :)

Excellent -- an excuse to spend more $$. Thanks Trek!! :D

-- Melissa (who's looking into the double-sided pedals AND some new Sidis. After all, you can never be too prepared for those epic commutes.)

PS Oops, better quit posting and get back to work so I can AFFORD all this stuff I wanna buy.

[Zen]

May I recommend Forte Campus pedals -
http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/00-1473-NCL-ANGLE.jpg

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/250/00-1473-NCL-TOP.jpg

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/50/00-1473-NCL-SIDE.jpg

[SadieKate]

Hey there, Jobob! :D

If you try those Winwood platforms let me know how they work for Eggebeaters. I would like to have yumped on Priscilla yesterday for a quick run for lunch but didn't feel like putting on real shoes. I am soooo lazy.

[melissam]

Hey there, Jobob! :D
Hey now, SK, you stole my line. ;)


May I recommend Forte Campus pedals
Thanks for your recommendation, zencentury! They're currently out of stock, but expecting more on 5/14.

-- Melissa

[uforgot]

I had the Nashbar Tennis shoe converter and never could get them to work. Not sure why, but a year later, I tried the Shimano ones. They look like the Nashbar ones, but unlike the Nashbar converters, these WORK! They fit great and won't come out too easily. Then I can remove them someday if I want to.

[jobob]

Hey there, Jobob!

Is this what you tried with your Eggbeaters?

No, actually I was referring to the pedals made by Crank Bros which already have small platforms - I was thinking specifically of the Candy pedals since that's what Lee uses.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=&subcategory=&sku=20727&brand=0350



I know, it shows a Shimano pedal, but it says that it will work with Eggbeaters (or any two-bolt cleat except Speedplay Frogs.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=108&subcategory=1077&brand=&sku=10990&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Pedal%20Accessories

Whoa, way cool !! Must investigate further. :cool:

Thanks Melissa!