Cycling UK Forum

I'm thinking about taking the plunge and getting some SPDs. I would like whatever pedal I get to have the options (at least to start with) of using ordinary shoes and not having to clip in. I routinely take my daughter on a tag-a-long and I don't want to have an SPD "I can't get my feet out fall" with her on the back. Also for nipping to the shops it's probably a bit OTT. I would also like to be able to have pedal reflectors.

My local bike shop have Shimano SPDs for £30 with reflector platforms. Does anyone have any experience of riding on these platforms or should I go for the pedals that have SPD on one side and flats on the other?

I thought about getting the one sided version for similar reasons, ie a bit OTT for nipping to the shop, but was put off because a friend advised me that it was a pain to clip in because the spd side to the pedal is top heavy so always ends up face down - anyway I bought the double sided version and a pair of trail shoes that can be worn as ordinary trainers and have never regretted it, not fell off yet, but have had a couple of close calls. You can ride with ordinary trianers but it is not very comfortable.

Paul.

Have a look at these, they have the clip-in platforms with reflectors, for when you are with your sibling,
and you can use them without, so have easy double sided access.

And you will save quite a few £££s too.

Fatboy

The ability to get your feet out, at least with SPD's, is not governed by the pedal, but the cleat. I believe the SPD's which are traditional on the other side come with the multidirectional release (M ?? type) which are the easiest to get out of. (Worn cleats become harder to release.)

Reflectors on pedals are a legal requirement in the dark.

I find the plastic reflector platforms are a bit slippery and too weak for regular use as a pedalling surface, and that the binding has to be fully tightened to stop them squirming around (the "float" that is desirable in the case of a clipped-in cleat but feels weird when the pedal does it), but then slackened off totally in order to fit or remove them. Accordingly I can recommend these platforms only for occasional short-distance "shucks-I'm-in-the-wrong-shoes" usage. Or to be legal in the dark of course.

If you plan to do a significant amount of riding in non-SPD shoes, you will do better to get the Shimano multi-purpose pedal (to which reflectors can be bolted in the usual way). As mentioned above, the multi-release cleats that these pedals uniquely come with are also highly recommended during the clipless learning phase, since they release so easily you'll have no worries about keeling over at the traffic lights.

(Most people seem to find that worn SPD cleats release more easily, although I suppose it might be possible for a cleat to get damaged in a way that has the opposite effect.)

I must admit I have never had problems with worn cleats myself but I knew I had read it somewhere. I have dug out the Shimano pedal instructions (PDM747/535/515) from my vast archives (AKA wardrobe):

"Cleats wear out over time and must be replaced. Replace your cleats when you find it difficult to engage or release the cleats from the pedals."

Time ATACs have a horseshoe shaped reflector which fastens onto the end of the pedal where it won't get squashed. Nice pedals too.

After looking this up crank bros' smarty pedal claims to have the possibility to fit reflector rails (see their website). I've not seen them for sale though.

Other options are shimano PD-646s, which, according to this manual instructions, http://bernd.sluka.de/Fahrrad/Shimano/T ... 6_1998.gif , have an option to fit reflectors.

I have some M324 combination pedals, but don't think much of them. In fact, they're yours' for £20.