Clipless question...

[Catrin]

Be careful with your terminology when you go to buy pedals.

BMX are a specific kind of platform pedal. (used by Bicycle Moto-Cross style riders) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bmx

What you have been looking at are regular "bear trap" style platform pedals. Usually made of metal, sometimes made of plastic (like the platform part of the shimano you linked)

If you are thinking of a pedal that is essentially a flat solid piece of metal with pins covering its surface like a cyborg porcupine, that's BMX.

If you are thinking of a pedal with ridges and teeth cut into it, that's a standard "bear trap" pedal.

Be sure to use the right name when you go shopping at the LBS, or you could end up with something you don't want!

ETA: this wikipedia article is good, with a pic of a beartrap platform right over a pic of a somewhat streamlined non-adjustable pin BMX style pedal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_pedal

Here's a critter with pins: http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?f...=home.drillium
and here's one with teeth: http://www.rei.com/product/752205

There are a bazillion varieties along the sundry themes of "pedal", combinations abound.

Thanks KnottedYet, I was using the terminology that the LBS staff was using. I wasn't in any hurry to purchase them anyway, but this information will be helpful.

[Catrin]

This was very helpful! Here is what I just purchased for my LHT a couple of days ago:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Platform.JPG

All of the different pedal critters are interesting, the one with magnets look like fun - it will be interesting to see if they catch on.

[KnottedYet]

This was very helpful! Here is what I just purchased for my LHT a couple of days ago:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Platform.JPG

All of the different pedal critters are interesting, the one with magnets look like fun - it will be interesting to see if they catch on.

Ah, yes, that I'd call a variation on a BMX pedal. I have those on one of my bikes. The pins aren't adjustable, but I like them just fine. Over all I much prefer the grip of pins to the not-so-good-in-the-rain teeth of bear traps. (I'm a bit sloppy in the rain, and pins really help keep my feet where they belong!) I also like the huge surface of BMX pedals like the Crank Bro 50/50, because I don't wear proper cycling shoes. I like to walk in flexible soles, so that's what I ride in, too.

[Catrin]

Ah, yes, that I'd call a variation on a BMX pedal. I have those on one of my bikes. The pins aren't adjustable, but I like them just fine. Over all I much prefer the grip of pins to the not-so-good-in-the-rain teeth of bear traps. (I'm a bit sloppy in the rain, and pins really help keep my feet where they belong!) I also like the huge surface of BMX pedals like the Crank Bro 50/50, because I don't wear proper cycling shoes. I like to walk in flexible soles, so that's what I ride in, too.

Cool, that is what I thought they were. I strongly disliked the pedals that cam with my Trek - one would think that a bike that far up their line would have had slightly better platform. Hey, if you get a chance to look in on my post in the Health Issues thread, I would appreciate your thoughts.