fwiw, i actually kind of like some of the "cheap" plastic pedals that lbs sometimes throw on (not the narrow ones, but sometimes they're decent).
that said, i've not had much experience with higher quality ones and am curious if the cost justifies it and improves the pedaling experience noticeably(?)
Plastic pedals feel a lot nicer than alloy if you're wearing shoes with thinner soles. Fiber-reinforced resin pedals are even better and they shouldn't cost much more than the cheap plastic ones.
I've been using the Look Geo Grip pedals recently, which are basically a ribbed slab of Vibram rubber mounted on a chromoly axle. Despite the hefty MSRP, I can't say they're much better than pedals in the $20-$30 range. Make of that what you will.
I ride in bedrocks( or chacos) almost all the time and have the OneUp composite pedals on 2 bikes. They do have pins but I haven’t had any issues with the pins besides the occasional tiny scrap on a toe.
Also the bedrock footbeds have held up amazing well after a few years or hard riding. This is mine after over 1k miles and still has lots of life.
https://preview.redd.it/3gcizvxqfs7d1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d3dec33caa7f1a959ea110900310f834528bcf97
I recently bought the Shimano PD-EF205 that are intended for formal shoes but I think that it would work great with any shoes that need lots of grip but can’t have piercing studs
Not sure how I feel about sandals on beartraps, especially when OP doesn’t want pins. Yes, ik, teeth aren’t pins. The ligaments in my left ankle can attest to the damage beartraps can do even when wearing crosstrainers.
https://preview.redd.it/mc8cqp0iwr7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=43e19d2171cf4f7002d3cab18570dde3b7963667
I have these and love them with my tevas.
[I use a set of these cheap Chinese pedals I got new from a parts bin at my LBS for $5.](https://www.amazon.com/MAKELEN-Non-Slip-Mountain-Lightweight-Platform/dp/B0CDLG3J7Z/ref=sr_1_82?crid=Y37OW6OGS37J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ce8PZWkup-unHloWe-lDcwZaRJ1tY3qg7Ag_tTywjXy_kCSu0Kpg31fAncqWQ_8EcjOX15gE0pXsr8Swu07Leig8kk0n5N586oWTWgjySTw.PwZ6el9_f4qBi06R6bmLkkLjZuE9RUQOc79qrirZUtU&dib_tag=se&keywords=barefoot%2Bbike%2Bpedals&qid=1718909884&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=barefoot%2Bbike%2B%2Csporting%2C120&sr=1-82&th=1&psc=1) The sealed bearings are okay for such a cheap pedal, and they are otherwise pretty comfortable to ride, even barefoot.
Otherwise MKS gets another mention from me for a better set of options.
I just got some MKS lambdas (called grip king in US) and they're fantastic - longe Ethan most pedals so provide a huge support surface for your shoes, and grip surprisingly well.
Some good suggestions so far.
If going with an MKS, where’s a good place to buy them? See they’re on Amazon and wondering if all good - free returns helps
if you're in the states, I like Ben's Cycle in Milwaukee... it's a professional outfit and gives cash back at the end of the year, like REI. it adds up. the selection of components is deeeeeep
e: no free returns but there's a 10% off code that should show in your browser
Raceface ride
This what I came to say. Use them on my SS, great pedals.
MKS Lambda.
Another vote for Raceface Ride
Race race ride
Most BMX pedals? I like Stolen Thermalite pedals.
I recently got MKS Sylvan Gorditos. Really hyped on those.
Look into MKS pedals. Maybe the Gordito or RMX. They’re generally good quality, nice looking, rebuildable.
fwiw, i actually kind of like some of the "cheap" plastic pedals that lbs sometimes throw on (not the narrow ones, but sometimes they're decent). that said, i've not had much experience with higher quality ones and am curious if the cost justifies it and improves the pedaling experience noticeably(?)
At least in the lbs I work at, those are 15€ union pedals.
Plastic pedals feel a lot nicer than alloy if you're wearing shoes with thinner soles. Fiber-reinforced resin pedals are even better and they shouldn't cost much more than the cheap plastic ones. I've been using the Look Geo Grip pedals recently, which are basically a ribbed slab of Vibram rubber mounted on a chromoly axle. Despite the hefty MSRP, I can't say they're much better than pedals in the $20-$30 range. Make of that what you will.
[Moto Reflex](https://www.motobicycles.com/en-us/products/moto-reflex-flat-pedale)
Odyssey twisted x pedals - bombproof and cost about 20 bucks.
Lambdas are great with sandals (Tevas and bedrock)
I ride in bedrocks( or chacos) almost all the time and have the OneUp composite pedals on 2 bikes. They do have pins but I haven’t had any issues with the pins besides the occasional tiny scrap on a toe. Also the bedrock footbeds have held up amazing well after a few years or hard riding. This is mine after over 1k miles and still has lots of life. https://preview.redd.it/3gcizvxqfs7d1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d3dec33caa7f1a959ea110900310f834528bcf97
yup, i did a few hundred miles on bmx pedals with pins and I didn't see any holes or damage to the sole of my bedrocks
MKS Sylvan Gordito. Great with sandals. Not too expensive
The MKS Pretzel is my favorite flat pedal
I recently bought the Shimano PD-EF205 that are intended for formal shoes but I think that it would work great with any shoes that need lots of grip but can’t have piercing studs
[https://www.rivbike.com/products/vp-538-black-pedal](https://www.rivbike.com/products/vp-538-black-pedal) these with chacos all day
Enjoyed my ride on DMR V6 pedals in my birkenstocks today but that is literally my only experience to reference tho.
Lambas or beartraps
Not sure how I feel about sandals on beartraps, especially when OP doesn’t want pins. Yes, ik, teeth aren’t pins. The ligaments in my left ankle can attest to the damage beartraps can do even when wearing crosstrainers.
https://preview.redd.it/mc8cqp0iwr7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=43e19d2171cf4f7002d3cab18570dde3b7963667 I have these and love them with my tevas.
triple traps look sick
I never knew I loved a pedal. But this works so well with my surly LHT
Shimano saint. My favorite pedals. Not too pinny. Never had issues cutting my shins or anything like i have with all other mtb pedals
[I use a set of these cheap Chinese pedals I got new from a parts bin at my LBS for $5.](https://www.amazon.com/MAKELEN-Non-Slip-Mountain-Lightweight-Platform/dp/B0CDLG3J7Z/ref=sr_1_82?crid=Y37OW6OGS37J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ce8PZWkup-unHloWe-lDcwZaRJ1tY3qg7Ag_tTywjXy_kCSu0Kpg31fAncqWQ_8EcjOX15gE0pXsr8Swu07Leig8kk0n5N586oWTWgjySTw.PwZ6el9_f4qBi06R6bmLkkLjZuE9RUQOc79qrirZUtU&dib_tag=se&keywords=barefoot%2Bbike%2Bpedals&qid=1718909884&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=barefoot%2Bbike%2B%2Csporting%2C120&sr=1-82&th=1&psc=1) The sealed bearings are okay for such a cheap pedal, and they are otherwise pretty comfortable to ride, even barefoot. Otherwise MKS gets another mention from me for a better set of options.
I just got some MKS lambdas (called grip king in US) and they're fantastic - longe Ethan most pedals so provide a huge support surface for your shoes, and grip surprisingly well.
Some good suggestions so far. If going with an MKS, where’s a good place to buy them? See they’re on Amazon and wondering if all good - free returns helps
if you're in the states, I like Ben's Cycle in Milwaukee... it's a professional outfit and gives cash back at the end of the year, like REI. it adds up. the selection of components is deeeeeep e: no free returns but there's a 10% off code that should show in your browser