Why did pedals you can ride in any shoe go out of fashion?

[freiston]

I can't remember the last time I went to an LBS for pedals. Back in the 80s, I was using Lyotard platform pedals with Christophe clips and straps - iirc, I had to order them from my LBS (but there is a slim possibility I ordered them from Freewheel or Chicken or Ron Kitching - my memory is vague). I could ride those with any shoe as long as it wasn't a massive boot. Usually it was Dunlop Green Flash or a rather nice pair of Rivat touring shoes.

Nowadays I have single-sided SPDs (with a platform on the reverse side) on my bikes that I use for day rides/touring and quill/rat-trap stylee (sans clip) on my utility bike. The folders have the stock pedals on. I reckon that I can ride these in any shoe except for shoes that have a non-SPD clipless cleat. Even my crocs with paper-thin soles.

I haven't noticed a dearth in the availability of pedals suitable for any (non cleated) shoe.

My biggest gripe about modern pedal availability is the lack of reflectors. Often even those that can take them come without them.

Edit: having said that, I just checked out the current Chicken website and their choice of pedals is very lacking.

 

[the_mikey]

I use road cleats on my road bike, flat pedals on my Hybrid, I can ride that wearing anything from Crocs to Wellington boots, and sometimes I do.

 

[SuperGalactian]

I have fitted Shimano EH500 pedals to all my bikes, so that I have the choice to use SPD shoes or mufti. Had them for a year now, and very happy with the result. It’s handy to be able to unclip on bad road surfaces where a fall is possible.

 

[freiston]

I have fitted Shimano EH500 pedals to all my bikes, so that I have the choice to use SPD shoes or mufti. Had them for a year now, and very happy with the result. It’s handy to be able to unclip on bad road surfaces where a fall is possible.

I have Shimano PD-T421 Click'R on a couple of my bikes. I chose those specifically because they have reflectors fitted and I'm happy with the lower spring tension of the Click'R pedals. I also have a road tourer with Wellgo C002 pedals with reflectors fitted. Funnily enough, I sometimes like to be clipped in on bad surfaces so that my feet aren't bouncing/shaking/slipping off the pedals; this depends a lot on the circumstances/context though. For example, I'm less likely to do it on a practically non-existent canal-side path and more likely to do it on a track surfaced with chunky hardcore

 

[Mike_P]

Another SPD user. MTB SPD shoes have the cleat recessed so no walking issues.

 

[Drago]

SPDs had gone out of vogue but seem to have mase a comeback with the rise of the gravel bike.

I much prefer them, significantly reduce the chance of an unintended off by giving control options not available with flats, particularly in loose or slippery conditions.

 

[freiston]

Another SPD user. MTB SPD shoes have the cleat recessed so no walking issues.

I take your point . . . up to a point. A lot depends on the shoe and what sort of walking you're going to do and where you're going to go. I don't wear SPDs to work. I typically use them for day/half day rides. I used to use them every time when cycle-camping too but nowadays I'm more likely to wear Merrell walking shoes or boots - better for walking from the campsite to the pub and back, or for a hike when the bike is left behind. I have some lovely Lake MXZ 200 boots that look like hiking boots but the biggest problem with them is that they're too warm most of the time - even in winter.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I've used double-sided SPDs for a long time, on both touring and road bikes, because they're very practical, and because I look silly walking like a duck.

 

[freiston]

I've used double-sided SPDs for a long time, on both touring and road bikes, because they're very practical, and because I look silly walking like a duck.

This is one of those times when terminology can be confusing. I understand double sided SPDs to be pedals that can hold the cleat on both sides but I've heard others use double sided to mean SPD one side and flat the other - which I would call "single sided SPD". Which do you mean?

ETA: A quick search brought up the term "dual sided" for single sided SPD with a flat or platform on the other side (which I don't recall hearing before).

 

[Drago]

ETA: A quick search brought up the term "dual sided" for single sided SPD with a flat or platform on the other side (which I don't recall hearing before).

Hideous things, the worst of all worlds.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Hideous things, the worst of all worlds.

My thought was that that is like a USB connector

given the 50% change of getting the right side

you are bound to get the wrong side 80% of the time

 

[Drago]

Yep, its the buttered-toast-dropped-on-carpet of the cycling world.

I've ridden with folk that swear by them, yet they lose so much time - sometimes dangerously so in traffic - faffing while they get the correct side I wonder why they bother, but they genuinely seem blind to it.

 

[fossyant]

SPDs had gone out of vogue but seem to have mase a comeback with the rise of the gravel bike.

I much prefer them, significantly reduce the chance of an unintended off by giving control options not available with flats, particularly in loose or slippery conditions.

They weren't fashionable with many MTB'ers, although you could usually tell who had a mainly road background because they had SPD pedals on their MTB's.

I have SPD on my CX bike, and to be honest, I'd probably switch my two vintage road bikes to SPD, but I don't just to keep the pedals of the right era. I have just two pairs of road shoes now, and six pairs of SPD shoes, including some SPD 'trainers' for casual rides.

 

[Mike_P]

My thought was that that is like a USB connector

given the 50% change of getting the right side

you are bound to get the wrong side 80% of the time

Ok for short journeys in traffic where you are stopping every minute nearly or on the verge of meaning one foot is best unclipped most of the time. Always have my left foot clipped in.

 

[Drago]

You want your right foot clipped in, left foot on proppy uppy duties.

For most folk right is the leading leg and makes for a quicker getaway. It also means that if you fall youll fall away from the traffic.