#!markdown
I personally feel that neither the "Trail" style pedals (M530, XT, or XTR) or
the old DX pedals are really well suited to use without clipless shoes. The
engagement mechanism sticks up above the cage in both cases, though the larger
cage on the M647 DX and M424 is slightly better. Passable for the occasional
few blocks to the corner store, but not for any real distance. Using these
pedals with flat shoes puts your foot at an awkward angle, messing with knee
geometry – not good. However, the cage on all of these pedals does help with
the times you end up riding a section of trail unclipped with the pedal in the
middle of your foot.
March 6, 2014, 6:14 p.m. - morgman
#!markdown I personally feel that neither the "Trail" style pedals (M530, XT, or XTR) or the old DX pedals are really well suited to use without clipless shoes. The engagement mechanism sticks up above the cage in both cases, though the larger cage on the M647 DX and M424 is slightly better. Passable for the occasional few blocks to the corner store, but not for any real distance. Using these pedals with flat shoes puts your foot at an awkward angle, messing with knee geometry – not good. However, the cage on all of these pedals does help with the times you end up riding a section of trail unclipped with the pedal in the middle of your foot.