There are three main types of pedals when it comes to biking; whether you’re road biking, trail riding or hitting some serious mountains. Ask any experienced cyclist and they are likely to have an opinion on what you should use. Or if you feel like being overwhelmed with info, just do a Google search!

As a beginner, I started on metal platform pedals (smooth plastic version shown above) which allowed me to start and stop quickly and easily. That’s really their only selling point. Bikes under $1000 usually come with either this type of pedal or cages, unless you’re buying a used bike, which might have been upgraded to clipless (aka clip-in). Platform pedals have the lowest efficiency of all three types, which is one thing when you’re riding around your neighborhood, but when going out for long rides, every pedal stroke counts! Some mountain bikers use this type of pedal as they need to be able to stop/start extremely quickly in treacherous terrain.

So if you’re a beginner or need to get on/off quickly, you might consider platforms but keep these points in mind; lost efficiency, you’ll have to worry about foot placement while riding and you might get some jokes or sneers in more serious bike groups.

Cages are the middle range pedal. Essentially it’s a platform pedal with nylon, plastic or metal straps over the top. They’re cheaper than clipless and offer more pedal efficiency than plain platforms, but they can be dangerous. Some people say these are good practice pedals before you go to clipless. Most people say NEVER use cages, just go to clipless, so use your own judgement. Here’s the issue. If you want to improve your foot placement and help your pedal efficiency, you’ll need to keep your cages adjusted pretty tight. So there is a potential for your foot getting caught at the worst possible moment and you going down, hard.

My first road bike (and the one I’m using now) had nylon pedal cages. After using platforms on my beginner bike, I felt super cool riding with these. They make you feel much more in touch with your bike and I laughed off any issues about getting stuck. The first couple of rides were a bit nerve wracking but I learned the system and rode for months with no incidents.

Well, that all changed on a relatively short road ride with Mike. For some reason I was feeling unusually tired/wobbly and on our way back, we stopped for water. We just happened to stop at a gas station on a really busy intersection. Mistake. After our break, I was following Mike back onto the road and he had to stop suddenly because of a car. I veered around him and hit my brakes but my foot got caught in the cage. I went down hard on my side and whacked my elbow on the pavement. It was not only scary because it knocked the wind out of me and my arm went numb, but also because I was on the entrance ramp of a busy gas station.

I was able to get up and out of the way…we checked out my arm, not broken (whew!) and then the embarrassment set in. Not only did tons of drivers see me, plus Mike…the gas station attendants were all staring. I’m sure it looked ridiculous! One positive point, one driver actually circled around and pulled in to make sure I was OK. So good Samaritans are still out there!

That day, when we got home, Mike wrenched the cages off the bike and I’ve been riding platforms ever since. My goal for 2010 is to get comfortable enough on my bike to switch to clipless. (And yes, I do know that can happen with clipless too) And with no further ado…

Clipless pedals come in tons of brands and fits. They require specialty biking shoes with a corresponding cleat that locks into the pedal. You can fiddle with the tension, making it easier or harder to get in and out but in short, you’re attached to your bike. These are great for mountain bikers who hop over logs, push up steep inclines, and so on. They are also wonderful for road riders who like to maximize their energy output, improve their pedal stroke and increase their connection with their bike. I think if it weren’t for the fear factor, everyone would use them. Well and the price tag.

With that said, there is a relatively wide price range and you can often find used shoes/pedals on sites like Craigslist. Plus, with cycling becoming more popular, there are more and more styles to choose from. It used to be the specialty shoes were great on the bike, horrible off. So if you needed to walk around at any point while you were out on your bike, it was at the very least annoying. Now, they make recessed cleats with shoe styles that look more like hiking boots or tennis shoes. These are key for mountain bikers that need to be able to have traction while off their bikes.

So all that simplified, platforms are for beginners or casual riders, cages are less than ideal but can improve efficiency and clipless are for serious road or mountain bikers. Did I get that right guys? Opinions?