Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

As I mentioned previously, I'm a new drummer and really just doing 
this for "kicks".  I need to get a bass pedal, and I'm seeing two 
major designs, those that use two metal rods to connect the unit 
together, and those that use a large flat metal sheet.

http://images.misupply.com/products/thumbs/Ludwig/LA214FPs.jpg

versus

http://images.misupply.com/products/thumbs/Pearl/P100Ps.jpg

At first I thought that the large metal sheet MUST be superior, but I 
see that a few companies (Pearl, Tama, etc) sell the metal rod style 
in some units that cost well over $50-60, so they can't be THAT bad, 
can they?

I'm looking to spend $20-50 on this, what are your thoughts?