Checking out the pedals, I saw they were actually magical transformer pedals. The clipless pedal was attached to a flat pedal. So the rider could choose between clipless shoes and any other kind of footware -- heels, rubber boots, running shoes, casual shoes, flats or flip-flops -- without having to change her pedal.

So convenient. So awesome.

I have a pair of bike shoes that I bought for bike touring.  After hours of riding -- and pushing down on pedals -- shoes that have a softer sole start to hurt your feet. It is possible to turn these shoes into clipless shoes, but I've always been nervous about being able to unclip my feet fast enough -- especially with kids on the bike -- so I prefer using toe cages or just slightly spikey mountain bike pedals that offer extra grip.

But maybe this double sided pedal would allow me to enter the world of clipless riding. Especially because I would always be able to flip the clipless pedal over and go back to the flat pedal.

The theory behind toe cages and clipless pedals is that they both allow you to take full advantage of the power behind your entire pedal stroke -- you work on the pull up as well as the push down.

What is your favourite pedal? Which pedals do you think work best when you are hauling kids? What works best for winter riding?

Happy riding!

Kathleen

Got family biking stories to share? I always love to hear them:  familiesonbikes[AT]momentumplanetDOTcom.