Platform Pedals

[westtexas]

Evening all -

Please tell me about your favorite platform pedals!!

I have been using Shimano 105s since I started cycling. I haven't used platform pedals since I was a kid. Now that I have Muirenn's old steel Miyata (which I adore), I've got a bike with platforms. I have considered going clipless, but as I am using the bike for commuting... well, I don't want to have to take another pair of shoes with me.

Problem is, I've tried about three kinds of platforms so far and none of them are "comfortable". My foot always slips forward and I'm pedaling with my arch and not the ball of my foot. Very uncomfortable. Is there is good gripping pedal out there that sticks to tennies and flats? Also, style points count :)

Thanks in advance!

[trickycoolj]

I'm curious as well! I took the plastic toe cages off my new Lexa but when I did I saw how soft the plastic is and would like some good platforms until I get used to road bike geometry.

I also found warning stickers on my crank arms that say they should only be fitted with toeclips or clipless only. Why wouldn't platforms be ok?

[Sylvia]

Evening all -

Please tell me about your favorite platform pedals!!

I have been using Shimano 105s since I started cycling. I haven't used platform pedals since I was a kid. Now that I have Muirenn's old steel Miyata (which I adore), I've got a bike with platforms. I have considered going clipless, but as I am using the bike for commuting... well, I don't want to have to take another pair of shoes with me.

Problem is, I've tried about three kinds of platforms so far and none of them are "comfortable". My foot always slips forward and I'm pedaling with my arch and not the ball of my foot. Very uncomfortable. Is there is good gripping pedal out there that sticks to tennies and flats? Also, style points count :)

Thanks in advance!

Have you considered using mini toe clips? I'm wondering if they might help if you can get them in the right size so your foot stays positioned properly.

http://www.amazon.com/Nashbar-Mini-Toe-Clip/dp/B004UMEC9O

[KnottedYet]

My two favorites are:

Lambda/Grip King pedals. Verrrrrry sexy, classic, and stylish. They have dimpled spikes rather than adjustable spikes, but you can drill into the dimples and insert spikes if you so desire. I just ride on the dimples, haven't felt the need to drill for spikes. http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/grip-king-pedal/14-053

Crank Brothers 5050x. These are BMX pedals. Very butch and modern. You can change color plates to make them match your bike. Completely adjustable spikes, with multiple lead-holes so you can add or subtract spikes. My feet DO NOT MOVE with these pedals. If you customize your spike pattern you can even correct for things like forefoot inversion. While these aren't as classic looking as the Lambdas, they are eminently functional. I have a box of spare spikes in two different lengths, which gives me a lot of room for creativity with the spike pattern. http://www.rei.com/product/768255/crankbrothers-5050-x-flat-pedals The 5050 has been changed, I have no experience with the new model. http://www.crankbrothers.com/pedals_5050.php

[Velocivixen]

I have the VeloOrange Touring Pedals on my Surly Cross Check, only unlike this picture from their website mine came with reflectors on them: http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/pedals/vo-touring-pedals-sealed-bearing-236g-pr.html

I bought and have the MKS Lambda (AKA Rivendell Grip Kings) on my Trek FX 7.3. I will say however, when I wear my Specialized Tahoe biking shoes (cleats are covered-never removed that bottom piece of rubber), they are VERY slick in rain. It could be that the slight convex curvature of the shoe does not allow the shoe tread and the bumpy metal of the pedal to match up. They are super gorgeous though.

[Irulan]

get some shoes designed specifically for gripping onto flat pedals and you will have less foot discomfort. 5-10 makes quite a few different ones.

[Velocivixen]

@Irulan, what is "5-10"? Thanks.

[pll]

Found it: http://fiveten.com/products

[westtexas]

Thanks all for the replies. Some of those pedals look very classy! I will have to try some to see what works best.

[pll]

I gave a friend a pair of red Crank Brothers 50/50 pedals for her b-day. She commutes in Seattle and said the pedals made a huge difference for her, particularly on rainy days, where her feet used to slide in the pedals.

[Catrin]

Love me my Sunringle ZuZu pedals (http://www.sun-ringle.com/mtb/accessories/zuzu-pedals/) - this are BMX pedals that just rock! The bearings are sealed, the pins are adjustable. Right now they are only on my mountain bike, but I rode them on my Gunnar & LHT until I was ready to return to clipless for the road.

My feet do NOT slip off the pedals - and while I currently wear hiking shoes for mountain biking even if my foot lands on the pedal in the wrong place my foot stays on the pedal until I am at a place where I can safely adjust my foot.

I've not found non-BMX style flat pedals where my feet wouldn't slip off, that is just my personal experience.

Ergon now makes a flat pedal! Read more about it here (http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/product/pc2), I've no idea how they are as far as keeping your foot on the pedal. If I hear good things about them I may consider putting them on my LHT.

MTB.com just released a review (http://reviews.mtbr.com/tioga-introduces-worlds-thinnest-dual-concave-mountain-bike-pedal) on the "thinnest BMX pedals" released by Tioga, they are also quite light and are dual-concave rather than flat. They also aren't available just yet but they looked interesting enough to mention.

[roguedog]

I actually really liked the MKS Sneaker Pedals when I had 'em on my Trek 520 bike. Was debating between the MKS pedals (which I also like) and the MKS Sneaker pedals.

Grant said to go w/ the Sneaker ones if I wasn't going to put cages onand save the $ so I did.

http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/pedals_and_so_on

[twin]

Speedplay Drillium pedals are what I use on my LHT. I really like them and slipping is a non issue. I have a black LHT and the pedals are black and I think they looks good.

[Grits]

Due to my recent foot injury (fractured 1st, 2nd and 3rd metatarsals), I am not going to be able to use clipless pedals for a while, and if I can find a good platform pedal I like, I may not go back to clipless at all.

I am leaning toward one of Knotted's suggestions, the MKS Grip King lambda, mainly because it has a longer base which seems like would be better for a healing foot (?). I also want to avoid the ones with the ridged edges because I know I would end up scraping my shins all the time.

Does anyone have any input on whether this would be a good choice for someone who has had a foot injury like mine?

I also just found out about the Ergon PC2 that Sundial was going to try, and I'm really interested in those as well. They have a grippy surface material rather than spikes, which appeals to me. Anyone tried them yet?

I talked to my LBS via phone, and they would order something for me, but seem to only be familiar with Wellgo and eleven81. They would probably order whatever I wanted, though.

[Velocivixen]

I put the Lambda/Grip Kings on my hybrid and rode them in the rain on a 30 mile event ride. I wore Specialized Women's Tahoe shoes and my feet kept slipping forward to the point I almost crashed. I think that the curve of the bottom of my particular shoe doesn't align with the contour of this particular pedal. Before buying the pedal could you take your desired shoe and see if it lines up with the pedal enough to make good contact? I think if I was riding in, for example, tennis shoes, it would be fine. I took them off my bike and can't return them. :(

[Antaresia]

I think you'd get better results with a change in shoe, too. I have two bikes with platforms, the mixte still has the plastic ones it came with 30 years ago, and the soma has new metal spiked ones. I find they're both about same; pretty good with runners and my nice boots, okay with my rubber sandals, and terrible with my converse-style flat sole shoes. Like, I almost felt was going to die and promised myself I was NEVER going to bike with such soles again. They did do a little better on my mixte - I think because those pedals have more surface area. But those shoes really did suck overall.

[Catrin]

Slipping shoes is why I ride good quality BMX pedals, your feet aren't going anywhere. Yes they can get your shins, but you do learn how to avoid that...I have them on my mountain bike but rode with shin guards for a time (and still do on new trails).

I use SunRingle ZuZu pedals and love them - I clip in on the road now but I wouldn't ride any other kind of platform pedal.