[mseanschmidt]

I'm looking for a NEW set of pedals and would like to find the one with the largest platform. It seems that all the major brands, SP, Look, Time, Shimano, give specs on stack height, clearance, etc. but none give actually platform dimensions.

From just eyeing them up it looks like the NEW Shimano 08' PD-7810 has the largest platform on the market?

Let me know what you think....

 

[Creakyknees]

http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/pedals_and_so_on#product=14-053

 

[mseanschmidt]

They need to be clip-ins...

 

[Bocephus Jones II]

I'm looking for a NEW set of pedals and would like to find the one with the largest platform. It seems that all the major brands, SP, Look, Time, Shimano, give specs on stack height, clearance, etc. but none give actually platform dimensions.

From just eyeing them up it looks like the NEW Shimano 08' PD-7810 has the largest platform on the market?

Let me know what you think....

Why? What are you trying to accomplish? If you want to be able to ride in street shoes you might look at something like the Time ATAC, MTB pedals.

 

[mseanschmidt]

Sorry if my post doesn't make sense.

I'm talking about road bike clip-in (w/cleats) pedals. Unfortunately, Speedplay (Zeros), Shimano PD7810, Look Keo, Campy, Time....... do not give there "real" platform dimensions .

I was just trying to find out which pedal/cleat combination offers the largest platform?

 

[Bocephus Jones II]

Sorry if my post doesn't make sense.

I'm talking about road bike clip-in (w/cleats) pedals. Unfortunately, Speedplay (Zeros), Shimano PD7810, Look Keo, Campy, Time....... do not give there "real" platform dimensions .

I was just trying to find out which pedal/cleat combination offers the largest platform?

it's not all that cut and dried. Speedplay cleats ARE the platform...they are huge cleats compared to the others you mention despite the pedals themselves being really small.

 

[mseanschmidt]

Looking for "TRUE" platform size including the cleat. I understand how SPs work. However all pedals once the cleat is engaged with the pedal have a true platform size. Some are much larger/smaller than others. That is the only incite I was looking for.

 

[Scot_Gore]

it's not all that cut and dried. Speedplay cleats ARE the platform...they are huge cleats compared to the others you mention despite the pedals themselves being really small.

To further enforce what BJII is saying, the platform you experience is further influenced by the stiffness and quality of the your shoe. I have a set of Lake touring shoes that are designed with the idea that you might get off and walk some and pair of Specz. carbon soled road shoes that are designed with the idea that you are on the bike...period. The platform I experience in each is very different despite it being the same bike (and pedal).

Scot

 

[Bocephus Jones II]

To further enforce what BJII is saying, the platform you experience is further influenced by the stiffness and quality of the your shoe. I have a set of Lake touring shoes that are designed with the idea that you might get off and walk some and pair of Specz. carbon soled road shoes that are designed with the idea that you are on the bike...period. The platform I experience in each is very different despite it being the same bike (and pedal).

Scot

I think we can help the OP a lot more if we know what he/she is trying to accomplish.

 

[Bertrand]

Time RSX series have a pretty big platform. I don't know the exact dimensions, but I have used them with running shoes in a pinch.

 

[Creakyknees]

Ok, so... why? What do you expect to achieve because of a "larger platform"?

If it's "stability," define what that means to you or what you're experiencing now that you don't like. Me, I don't like the feeling that my foot can "roll" to the outside that I've experienced with some shoe/pedal combos, so I went for a combo that satisfied my needs there.

BTW, keep in mind the concept of "shoe/pedal" system since that's really what affects your feel of the interface. Scot Gore clarified that I think.

It may be that your current pedals are fine, but you should shop for stiffer shoes. Or it may be that you just need a wedge or shim somewhere in the system so your foot is positioned correctly for you.

.

 

[xxl]

I haven't seen any hard numbers, either...

...but the Shimano SL stuff all seem to have wide platforms, as do the Campy Pro-fit ones. I like a wide platform myself, because it should distribute the pedaling force over a greater area, and (I hope) forestall "hot spots." The jury is still out on that one. But what the others have said about platform width ultimately being a function of pedal, cleat, and shoe rings true.

You might want to just go to a shop, and take a look at them.

 

[GTDave]

Crank Brothers Mallets
Honking big platform

 

[xxl]

Plus, you can say to people...

"Hey, check out my big Crank(s)!"

 

[Scot_Gore]

Crank Brothers Mallets
Honking big platform

Yes, but that honking big platform is essentially an afterthought add to address people perception/complaint that the eggbeaters don't have "enough" platform.

I'm not so sure adding this big hunk of plastic around an eggbeater will do anything to change the feel when riding clipless. However, it would make it a more pleasant day when you forget your shoes at home.

Scot

 

[Creakyknees]

Not to mention the Q factor on those things. Cowboy up!

.

 

[danl1]

1) 'Platform size' as having any importance at all is yet another marketing myth. If you want to be generous, you could call it a historical artifact.

2) I don't know what sort of driving moccassins you are trying to ride in, but my platform is the size of my shoe's outsole. How it's connected to the pedal spindle matters not-at-all, with one exception (see #4 below.)

3) Speedplay's platform size is the size of the top of the lollipop. The rest of that big, heavy, poor-working crapsicle of a cleat does nothing to support downward force. Practically speaking it could slightly stiffen a terribly flexible sole, but a better solution would be to get a proper cycling shoe.

4) If anything matters about platform size, it's width, or better stated the ability of the cleat to resist side-to-side rocking. Odd as it might seem, good old fashioned Eggy's are among the best in that crowd, when used with an appropriate shoe/cleat combination. The Look, Shimano etc. triangular pattern are in the same class, depending on the details of the engagament mechanism. Speedplays are OK, but nothing spectacular. Dead worst are spd's, though this thread hopefully doesn't consider those.

5) A few years ago, Speedplay had a bunch of graphics and supporting area measurements on their website to show how their pedals had the 'best' platform size. They took them down after (a) carbon soled shoes made the point moot, and (b) a certain popular bike tech writer noted the facts of #3 above on a certain well-read cycling web site.

You asked for opinions. Sorry if they aren't the ones you wanted.

 

[Bocephus Jones II]

1) 'Platform size' as having any importance at all is yet another marketing myth. If you want to be generous, you could call it a historical artifact.

2) I don't know what sort of driving moccassins you are trying to ride in, but my platform is the size of my shoe's outsole. How it's connected to the pedal spindle matters not-at-all, with one exception (see #4 below.)

3) Speedplay's platform size is the size of the top of the lollipop. The rest of that big, heavy, poor-working crapsicle of a cleat does nothing to support downward force. Practically speaking it could slightly stiffen a terribly flexible sole, but a better solution would be to get a proper cycling shoe.

4) If anything matters about platform size, it's width, or better stated the ability of the cleat to resist side-to-side rocking. Odd as it might seem, good old fashioned Eggy's are among the best in that crowd, when used with an appropriate shoe/cleat combination. The Look, Shimano etc. triangular pattern are in the same class, depending on the details of the engagament mechanism. Speedplays are OK, but nothing spectacular. Dead worst are spd's, though this thread hopefully doesn't consider those.

5) A few years ago, Speedplay had a bunch of graphics and supporting area measurements on their website to show how their pedals had the 'best' platform size. They took them down after (a) carbon soled shoes made the point moot, and (b) a certain popular bike tech writer noted the facts of #3 above on a certain well-read cycling web site.

You asked for opinions. Sorry if they aren't the ones you wanted.

The OP still hasn't said why he/she cares. I put a pair of Time ATACS on my new 29er so I could ride with or without cycling shoes. Eggbeaters wouldn't work the same way without cycling shoes. That's about the only use of platforms on clipless I can think of. With cycling shoes it really doesn't make a lot of difference.

 

[danl1]

I put a pair of Time ATACS on my new 29er so I could ride with or without cycling shoes.

True.

Crank bros Quattros aren't bad for a road version of that plan. There are also the Winwood pedal adaptors, with a nice big platform on the top, and cleat holes on the bottom. Then there's the Shimano 'city' pedals, spd on one side and platform on the other.

Betting that's not the reason, though.

 

[mseanschmidt]

Sorry to stir up so much controversy!

First, what does OP mean?

Second, here is the background. I've been riding a set of CB Quattros Pedals with Specialized S-Works Shoes for the last year. I had a problem with a cleat so I threw on a set of old Shimano Pedals with the Look type cleat. I was shocked how much more secure and solid they felt. It may be impart due to a larger cleat and maybe a larger platform then the Quattro that attaches with a VERY small cleat and a medium size platform. I figured the platform played a big role in the more solid and powerful feel I got from the old Shimano pedal.

So, I wanted to duplicate that feel in an updated and lighter 08' pedal. Thus, I wrote my post looking for guidance. Hopeful this gives more clarification and ou may be able to offer some guidance in pedal selection?