anyone riding their "good" road bikes with flat pedals?

[Veloo]

I've got the A530 pedals. They seemed like a good idea on paper but I found the platform too small and not secure at all. If it happens to get wet then it was very slippery. I wouldn't even bother with it's spiked brother the EH500.

Originally Posted by Fat Cat

I tried riding flats after all the recent flap about them. Replaced the spd with pd-a530 spd/flat on the market bike. Was already using Pearl Izumi X-Alp Canyon shoes so it was a no risk pedal swap. Seemed like my feet were always trying to find the right place on the flat. Simple biz to just use the other spd side so I do.
In the 80's I often rode the toe clip strap pedals on the race bike with tennies. If I was going to forgo cleates then I'd probably do that again and be able to use any sort of shoes.
BTW the X-ALP are way comfy but the soles do not seem particularly durable so walking around is OK tho hiking would likely not be.

JMO of course

[Dired]

https://ride.shimano.com/products/pd...ekH0Gi86hSQzsb

Best of both worlds. I have set of these kicking around somewhere.

[Wunder]

Originally Posted by Dired

https://ride.shimano.com/products/pd...ekH0Gi86hSQzsb

Best of both worlds. I have set of these kicking around somewhere.

I have the older version of these (no pins) as well. They're a great option if you want to be able to ride clipped or flat. Excellent bearings and the built in reflectors are nice. You would need MTB, gravel, touring shoes with a two bolt pattern though.

Sometimes a true double sided flat is easier though and has a better/large platform. However, if you have a single bike that you want to work well clipped in or using regular shoes the XT level dual sided trekking pedals from Shimano are excellent.

[Tim Porter]

Most years in fall/winter/spring I put a set of Phil pedals and fenders on my Hampsten SB for around town:



Works great!

[SlowPokePete]

I've got these on my Waterford and I like riding in Bedrock clogs.

October 21, 2024 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop...g-next-pedals/

https://bedrocksandals.com/collectio...n-clog-leather

SPP

[benb]

I don't do this on any "nice bike" that I use for just going for rides but for at least a year I've had flats on my All City Space Horse for around town and for commuting.

It works fine, but there are definitely a bunch of annoyances and I don't think I could actually really use flats for long rides.

- My feet are big (Size 13, bike shoes are 47-48)
- Even the biggest pedals are annoyingly small
- A ton of street shoes have massive soles that are even bigger than your feet
- Makes it super easy to have rubbing
- Right foot likes to point out which makes it even worse
- So many street shoes are so soft they interfere with pedaling
- So many flats these days are so sharp they'll shred your pants or skin if you even look at them

I have Crank Brothers flats. They are big enough for my feet which is great but I wish the spindles were longer. It would be less of a problem on a mountain bike with the wider Q factor I think. They are razor razor sharp though. Last week I cut my hand on the stupid pins while working on my bike just barely brushing against the pedal. I have been filing the pins now to try and get them less sharp.

[KJMUNC]

Could always go the Velosamba shoe route with recessed SPD cleats.....classy and functional