pedal help

[Ty G]

I've been hunting down info on "clip-less" pedals.  I would ideally like something that I could use "plain-jane" when riding state park stuff with the wife and kids, and also be able to "clip" for my training/workout riding.  Then, there is the deal with having the big 'ol clip at the bottom of the shoe which would make "hike-a-bikes" a pain.
It seems to me that the SPDs are the only pedal system that can offer the best of all this.  Correct me if I am wrong.  I can get a SPD pedal with a platform on one side and the cleat in the shoe will still allow normal walking.
If there is anything I am missing here; please do set me straight.
Thanks.

[Done]

Personally, I just use Egg Beaters all the time. Clip in for family rides, clip in for training rides, clip in for races!

[goldengoose]

To kind of tag along to the question in the topic, do any of you ride clipless when you bikepack or do you go with flats in that case?  Was kinda thinking about some sort of two sided pedal like Ty G metioned.  Have seen a couple of riding shoes for clipless pedals that also look like they would be hike friendly as well.  The Pearl Izumi Alp X line comes to mind.

[Done]

I'll be wearing these with my Egg Beaters for this year's CTR:
http://www.rei.com/product/780633/shimano-mt52-mtb-shoes-mens

The mid-tops are great for hiking--and there's a LOT of hiking on the CTR.

[AZTtripper]

Personally I like the Time brand peddles, but weather you go with SPD or Egg Beaters they all make a platform style peddle that can be used without clipping in. Though none of the clip in flats offer the same kind of grip that the DH style flats (the ones with small teeth) do. I have a pair from Time that I have used with work boots when doing trail work even tho they are not super grippy they should work fine for easy stuff with the family. Lots of options for shoes that take clips but have good tread for hiking under normal circumstances you won't feel the cleat at all. I have only seen the flip over style peddle once, that guy liked them, seems like it would be a pain to have to make the toe flip before clipping in. Most of the clip platforms allow you to clip in on either side and the platform works on both sides as well.

[gregclimbs]

you could always go the route of making a flat for clipped pedals (I know the snob mocked, but I see a valuable use case here):

http://www.biketinker.com/2010/projects/skate-deck-pedal-gallery/

g

[jon_baler]

  The Pearl Izumi Alp X line comes to mind.

These shoes rock.  I love mine.   I use them for touring, commuting, and bar rides.

[bartspedden]

I ride flats for commuting and DH, but I clip in for XC, and I see value in both setups! So I have different pedals for different bikes.  But my wife uses one bike for everything and I just swap out the clips and the flats for the occasion because in my mind there's always a comprise with hybrid systems that I prefer not to make. However, one option I didn't see was the Crank Brothers Mallet (http://www.crankbrothers.com/pedals_mallet.php) It offers a large platform and the DH pegs to grip your shoes when you want flats and then you can clip in when you wish. Not a bad compromise!

[AZTtripper]

A buddy of mine picked up the Mallets he needed something new anyway.

I should think they would work fine for the OP"s family ride.

But there's no way they would work as flats for DH.

Like the Time flats that I have they work ok for those times when you don't get clipped in but having now used grippy flats there's no comparisons.

Like Bart says the hybrids are a compromise.

[james-o]

I have some Shimano SPDs that I've saved back for a hiking/biking trip, clips one side and a large solid metal platform on the other that would work with hiking boots. There's 2 mixed use Shimano pedals, the caged PDM-324, and the more robust-looking PD-A530 that I have. I think they'd have pros and cons for real off-road use, but for general mixed riding they work.