Choosing the right pedal
"I need pedals for my new bike..." seemed like a simple enough request, but the answer got way more complicated than I anticipated!
When shopping for pedals, spending a moment to learn the lingo & the basics can save you a lot of stress & help you to move quickly to the decision that best answers your needs.
There are a few basic pedal categories that will encompass most of the available choices. Flat Pedals (or platform pedals) are the most basic type of pedal & can be utilized in combination with any shoe or boot or (God forbid!) even bare feet. Clip-in or Clipless Pedals are the most popular category with avid cyclists & have many benefits. They also come with the complaint of not being able to dismount quickly without the possibility of falling. While most avid cyclists will have some unclipping attempt story to tell, these stories are typically told through grins & accompanied by laughter.
the Mountain bike shoe/pedal
MTB shoes have a recess at the ball of the foot in which a metal cleat can be installed that will interface with the pedal, securing the foot to the bike (hopefully) in the optimum position for comfort, control & power production.
the Road bike shoe/pedal
Road bike shoes normally have a smooth sole & feature a three hole bolt pattern for cleat attachment. The cleats are typically non-metallic & will wear with use, requiring more frequent replacement than the metal mtb cleats. Because of the exposed cleat design, walking in these shoes is normally more awkward & will damage the cleats prematurely.
MTB cleat
The MTB cleat is made of steel & nestles into the shoe tread, making walking more "normal" & more stable.
Road bike cleats
Road bike cleats are generally made of a plastic or composite material, securing a positive lock into the pedal without damaging it. Because of the greater exposure of this cleat, it will make walking much more awkward & will also damage the cleat with excessive walking.
"Multi-mode Toe clips"
You will often see this type of pedal on indoor cycles in gymnasiums. This particular pedal offers a 'flat pedal configuration with Toe clips on one side & a MTB pedal on the other side. This 'one size fits all' approach is not typically preferred, but it does work well for the right person.
"Toe clips"
Toe clips come in a few different forms, but they all provide an ability to secure your toes in such a way as to provide you a repeatable position for your foot & thus provide greater safety & control of your bicycle.