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After having used platform pedals, I've recently started using Shimano SPD pedals on my cyclocross bike, which I mainly use on paved roads. I really like being clipped in, however, I have a condition with sore forefeet, with the pedals just making things worse due to pressure being applied in quite a small spot.
My question: What are the best pedals for distributing pressure across the largest possible area on the foot? Something like Shimano SPD SL?
All clipless pedals, including road versions, have very small contact patch. Even though road pedals are large, most of the size is just mechanism and actual contact patch is the small metal patch over the axle. The largest contact area is probably with MTB pedals that have metal frame around the clipping mechanism.
What you need is shoes with stiffer soles.
I have had flexy shoes from Mavic for both SPD and road pedals, and those were painful to ride. Stiffer shoes have been just fine with the same pedals.
Certain clipless pedals include platform-like components to support the foot. From the cleat brand I am using these include Crankbrothers Candy, Mallet and Double Shot (in the order of the increasing size of the platform).
The platforms are rotating around the spindle independently of the locking mechanism so that the pedals do not loose the four-side clipping feature.
The pedals offered to your preferred cleat system may provide similar pedals.
These pedals are all classified as MTB, but especially the smaller ones can certainly be used to even race professionally on the road.
