Clipless Pedals

[Crankin]

Catrin, I couldn't connect to the link from Performance (an error on their part), but I assume you are talking about the dual sided "campus pedals" that are flat on one side and spd on the other. I wouldn't recommend those for a beginner. The problem is they flip over/around when you are clipping in; not something a beginner wants. Obviously you can keep pedaling on the flat side, but it's annoying. Having the flat side weights the pedal, causing this to happen.
I have these on my hybrid and mountain bike. It's fine for the mountain bike, since I stay clipped out on one foot a good deal of the time!! But, I rarely ride in regular shoes on the hybrid. I use that bike to do errands and occasionally for destination rides, or on casual vacations. I find that like you, I have forgotten how to ride without being clipped in. After an embarrassing experience commuting to the train station last year, the only place I ride in regular shoes is the one mile to the pond in my neighborhood.
I started with dual sided spds on my road bike 9 years ago, and used those for a year until I got a new bike and got Speedplays. I'd stick to the dual sided ones.

[Catrin]

..... I find that like you, I have forgotten how to ride without being clipped in. After an embarrassing experience commuting to the train station last year, the only place I ride in regular shoes is the one mile to the pond in my neighborhood.
I started with dual sided spds on my road bike 9 years ago, and used those for a year until I got a new bike and got Speedplays. I'd stick to the dual sided ones.

I got used to clipping in at spinning class a few months before getting my first bike My trainer is perplexed as to why my feet come off of the platform pedals, and they even do it a little on the Aerodyne (however you spell it) at the gym when he is trying to raise my heart rate during one of our training sessions.

I have decided to purchase the M540 pedals, they are just a little more expensive than the M520, and they are lighter - though seem the same size so it must be the materials. I am, well, nervous about making the switch - but it also makes sense to me. If I am having to fight to keep my feet on the platform pedals (and they tend to slip off at the worse times), then that can lead to a fall just as much as getting used to the SPD pedals...

Thanks everyone!

[laura*]

I have decided to purchase the M540 pedals, they are just a little more expensive than the M520, and they are lighter - though seem the same size so it must be the materials.

The M520 uses a plastic sleeve between the bearings and the pedal body. There are some web pages claiming that the plastic sleeve breaks after not all that many miles of riding.

The M540 uses a metal sleeve instead of the plastic.

Shimano has a number of pedals built with each technology. The plastic sleeve has 10 ridges and needs a special tool to grip it. The metal version is hex sided and a standard wrench is all that's needed.

[Owlie]

The M520 uses a plastic sleeve between the bearings and the pedal body. There are some web pages claiming that the plastic sleeve breaks after not all that many miles of riding.

The M540 uses a metal sleeve instead of the plastic.

Shimano has a number of pedals built with each technology. The plastic sleeve has 10 ridges and needs a special tool to grip it. The metal version is hex sided and a standard wrench is all that's needed.

Hm, good to know! I'm bouncing between SPDs and Speedplays, at the moment, so if I go the SPD route, I think I'm going with the M540...