What do you look for in a pedal?

I got a charge tap the other day - yeah yeah, not amazing, but many ladder rungs higher than what I was riding...
Problem is it came with pedals that are sharp as razors (what idiot designs such a thing?). I seem to unwittingly manage to take regular chunks out of my legs and they now look like that of a 12 year old boys (beat up and scared).
Help! I need new pedals and have no bloody idea what to look for.

Spikey is good, stops your feet sliding off the pedals. Maybe invest in some of these

Or go clipless

are you fixed or singlespeed? If you're fixed and not running a rear brake then you should be connected to your pedals somehow, with clips or straps - otherwise just find a flat pedal that isn't too sharp edged. like a BMX one or something

I was told BMX ones can be too large and can catch on the ground when youre going around corners or something.
( I was looking at bmxs ones myself..)

No sharp edges just shit loads of pointy grub screws.

spiky pedals are terrible! i still have scars on my legs from when the pedals whacked me. unnecessary for anything other than maybe offroading.

Spikes are great.. for when you're riding trials or bmx or tricky shit you need to be able to bail from in a multitude of directions.

If this is just for riding on the road then go clipless.

SPD, Time ATAC, Crank Bros. etc.

I was told BMX ones can be too large and can catch on the ground when youre going around corners or something.
( I was looking at bmxs ones myself..)

Compared to an spd, BMX platforms are massive. They're designed for holding/catching your feet.. not fast cornering.

What do you look for in a pedal?

somewhere to clip my cleats in

*What do you look for in a pedal?

*GSOH
Great personality

Clipless FTW.

But if you don't want that shit I'd go for these:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mks/gr-9-pedals-ec005316?query=mks%20pedals

With clips and straps these are by far the most comfy pedals I have ridden. And I've ridden alot - before I went clipless that is. £23 at BLB.

I have a feeling you're more of an casual rider who want to jump on a bike and pedal away rather than putting on the right shoes for the pedal?

are you fixed or singlespeed?

My god - neither..... shock horror! Now let me explain! I basically had to buy a new bike for a triathlon last month. As I didn't fancy doing it on a single speed I got a tap which as a hub gear with 8 of those little babies in it.. I like my bike (but get bike envy daily) - ho hum, if only we were all flush with cash.
Ahh, so I don't really need to be attached to my steed, and I don't wear cleats, just flat skate type shoes.

Clipless FTW.

But if you don't want that shit I'd go for these:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mks/gr-9-pedals-ec005316?query=mks%20pedals

1+, that or the MKS Touring.

i'm sure that there are cheaper alternative, like Decathlon

Compared to an spd, BMX platforms are massive. They're designed for holding/catching your feet.. not fast cornering.

(Sorry Katieppp for hijacking!)

But say, Id like to be a casual rider, BMX pedals are fine for me right?

My god - neither..... shock horror! Now let me explain! I basically had to buy a new bike for a triathlon last month. As I didn't fancy doing it on a single speed I got a tap which as a hub gear with 8 of those little babies in it.. I like my bike (but get bike envy daily) - ho hum, if only we were all flush with cash.
Ahh, so I don't really need to be attached to my steed, and I don't wear cleats, just flat skate type shoes.

In that case, put £5 plastic flat pedals on it from ebay.

is it happening when you try to get the pedals at the right position before moving off at lights etc? I have memories of spinning the cranks to end up with a pedal whacking my right shin. Doesn't happen if you use clipless pedals so much. Don't know what to suggest other than maybe some less spikey pedals, as it's likely to happen anyway.

(Sorry Katieppp for hijacking!)
But say, Id like to be a casual rider, BMX pedals are fine for me right?

If you can pedal your bike then they'll do the job.

Personally, I'll never ride unclipped again unless it's technical or trick oriented and since I'll probably never ride anything technical or trick oriented again...

I can pedal my bike fine, just would like wider platforms, haven't got any toe cages or anything on the pedals that came with the bike

I basically had to buy a new bike for a triathlon last month.

Did you win?

I can pedal my bike fine, just would like wider platforms, haven't got any toe cages or anything on the pedals that came with the bike

Why do you need wider pedals?

More comfortable having ridden other bikes I had.

I'll ask everyone to forgive me as I have been drinking at SE beers but- you are not a cyclist unless you use either clips or clipless pedals.

Unless you are that Scottish chap etc.

if the pedals aren't wide enough, sometimes after a few months they can eat in to your shoes!

More comfortable having ridden other bikes I had.

Measure them and get a wider set then. I don't recall THAT much variation in width though. BMX pedals like V8s tend to be slightly concave and spiked to fuck to help grip your shoe. Slip off those and you soon know about it.. thwack!