Author Topic: Which pedals  (Read 10214 times)

Which pedals
« on: 21 February, 2021, 12:44:53 pm »
Hi all just wondering what pedals everyone is using on there fixed gear I’ve been using shimano spds but would like to use some stiffer shoes but not sure of road pedals as they are single side

dat

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #1 on: 21 February, 2021, 12:49:02 pm »
Speedplay for me. Dual sided, loads of adjustment, free float. I tried to go back to spd-sl but didn’t last more than a month.

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #2 on: 21 February, 2021, 01:00:45 pm »
I use either SPD or Look Keo, depending on the type of riding I am mostly doing. At the moment it is Look Keo, as I'm mostly riding with little walking at any stops.

With single sided pedals, there is a knack to getting clipped in with the second foot. I find it is easiest if I start off slowly, and can usually get the pedal to flip over and get clipped in first time. The biggest issue tends to come when I need to get away quickly, such as when at a junction when having to clear a lane or two of traffic in short order. I get going without clipping in the second foot on those occasions, but then it can take a few attempts to get clipped in at a faster pace once clear of the junction.

For the number of times you might clip in during a ride, I wouldn't make the slightly more difficult process with a road pedal a determining factor. Comfort whilst riding will far outweigh that.

As an other option, rather than switching to road pedals you could look at stiffer soled SPD shoes.

Eddington: 133 miles    Max square: 43x43

fuaran

  • rothair gasta
Re: Which pedals
« Reply #3 on: 22 February, 2021, 03:54:14 am »
Could try some SPD pedals with a larger platform. I think they can give a bit more support and stiffness. Though would depend on what sort of shoes you are using.

eg the Shimano touring pedals (PD-A520 or PD-A600) are single sided, with a small platform.
Or there are various double sided MTB pedals with larger platforms. Though a bit heavier and thicker, maybe more risk of pedal strike.

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #4 on: 22 February, 2021, 06:45:27 am »
Plenty of road shoes can take two bolt cleats. If the sole is stiff the size of the cleat/pedal doesn’t matter. Ultimately you’re pressing on a skinny axle anyway.

JonB

  • Granny Ring ... Yes Please!
Re: Which pedals
« Reply #5 on: 22 February, 2021, 09:08:05 am »
SPDs for me, double sided entry reduces the faff, but then I use them on all my bikes. As noted above, there are plenty of stiff soled SPD shoes about.

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #6 on: 22 February, 2021, 11:32:07 pm »
I have flats on my fixie.  I have a strap on the right hand pedal, but don;t faff with it on the left.
simplicity, truth, equality, peace

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #7 on: 22 February, 2021, 11:43:43 pm »
SPDs for several reasons. Double-sided for easy entry and re-entry. Recessed cleats in case of walking. Less mass flying around in case of accidental unclippage.

Beardy

  • Shedist
Re: Which pedals
« Reply #8 on: 23 February, 2021, 12:15:37 am »
This chap reckons that Speedplay clones are the dogs dodahs and considerably cheaper into the bargain
YouTube about speedplay clones
For every complex problem in the world, there is a simple and easily understood solution that’s wrong.

rogerzilla

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Re: Which pedals
« Reply #9 on: 24 February, 2021, 07:18:41 am »
I use all sorts of clipless pedals on fixies (M540, A520, SPD-SL).  I wouldn't ride unclipped, as flailing pedals are nasty.

Having watched my friend accidentally unclip and faceplant last year (afternoon in A&E, pretty much every part of him bruised or skinned), don't ride with too low a tension or with SH56 cleats.  Especially if you are going for a Strava segment, as he was.  He hasn't ridden fixed since.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #10 on: 24 February, 2021, 07:55:07 am »
This chap reckons that Speedplay clones are the dogs dodahs and considerably cheaper into the bargain
YouTube about speedplay clones

Well he would because he is being paid to do exactly that  ;)

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #11 on: 24 February, 2021, 07:07:58 pm »
MKS Urban platforms with Christophe toe clips !

Well after about 55years its a bit late to try these new fangled things !

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #12 on: 30 March, 2021, 03:27:48 pm »
crank bros candy - basically an SPD but uses their own cleats. Double sided.

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #13 on: 02 April, 2021, 11:26:13 am »
SPDs for several reasons. Double-sided for easy entry and re-entry. Recessed cleats in case of walking. Less mass flying around in case of accidental unclippage.

  ^^^ Spuds, for all these reasons. And they are cheap, bomb proof and the cleat isn't made of some sort of wax (or basically the  pedal - see speedplay)

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #14 on: 02 April, 2021, 11:34:35 am »
I like SPDs for the general walkability, but I prefer the single-sided road/touring versions.  They're much easier to clip into than SPD SLs; I find them easier than the double-sided ones. 

You can get stiff-soled MTB- type shoes.

Before I swapped to clipless, I used clips and shoeplates, which involved pulling up the strap after clipping in.  The shoeplate ensured that your foot would definitely not come out until the strap was flipped loose.


Kim

  • Timelord
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Re: Which pedals
« Reply #15 on: 02 April, 2021, 01:46:41 pm »
SPDs for several reasons. Double-sided for easy entry and re-entry. Recessed cleats in case of walking. Less mass flying around in case of accidental unclippage.

  ^^^ Spuds, for all these reasons. And they are cheap, bomb proof and the cleat isn't made of some sort of wax (or basically the  pedal - see speedplay)

The logic for making the cleat out of a softer material is that it wears instead of the pedal.  Which is compelling when your SPDs develop an irritating click due to wear of the pedal mechanism, but much less so when your look cleats have a half-life comparable to that of overshoes.

ATACs seem to have a good compromise, in this respect (and lots of float, if that's important to you).  But I'm hesitant to recommend them here, because it seems likely that ease-of-engagement is more important than not developing a click for riding fixed: SPDs are superior in terms of ease of clipping in, and the ability to unclip, change your mind and then re-clip without lifting your foot off the pedal.

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #16 on: 02 April, 2021, 01:54:49 pm »

You can get stiff-soled MTB- type shoes.

I discovered recently  that it is now harder to find spd MTB shoes (which you want rather than road shoes with spd holes, so that cleat is recessed) that aren't really built up like proper rufty-tufty mtb shoes.

I got some Giro ones that are quite slinky, but the choice was pretty limited.

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #17 on: 02 April, 2021, 02:36:46 pm »

The logic for making the cleat out of a softer material is that it wears instead of the pedal.  Which is compelling when your SPDs develop an irritating click due to wear of the pedal mechanism, but much less so when your look cleats have a half-life comparable to that of overshoes.



Which is why I keep my Looks for the road bike, where I'm much less likely to go for a walk.

Fixed Gear gets spuds as I tend to use that around town and need to put a toe down more often.




Re: Which pedals
« Reply #18 on: 02 April, 2021, 02:39:08 pm »

You can get stiff-soled MTB- type shoes.

I discovered recently  that it is now harder to find spd MTB shoes (which you want rather than road shoes with spd holes, so that cleat is recessed) that aren't really built up like proper rufty-tufty mtb shoes.

I got some Giro ones that are quite slinky, but the choice was pretty limited.

Quite. I like Shimano's RT (Road Touring) range, but they are getting harder to find.

Here is a nice pair aimed at women.

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Shimano/RT5W-SPD-Womens-Road-Shoes/F7XK?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&co=GBR&cu=GBP&glCountry=GB&id=710122&ds_eid=700000001845766&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=UK_EN_Profit_Google_Shopping_All+Users_Brand_All+Products_Desktop&ds_cid=71700000047514192&ds_ag=B_A_710120_Shimano_RT5W+SPD+Womens+Road+Shoes_Shoes+Womens+Road_89+GBP&ds_agid=58700004770894836&ds_k=PRODUCT_GROUP&ds_kid=92700040713605997&ds_kids=p40713605997&gclid=CjwKCAjwgZuDBhBTEiwAXNofRP8ym28DT1IxqbPzlIf6PNch7StvRY4uNszvRj1r_nlyWg49u1TfVRoCGUsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

They are a good balance of a recessed cleat without looking like I'm about to take part in a rugby match.


Re: Which pedals
« Reply #19 on: 02 April, 2021, 02:49:56 pm »
I would have gone for Shimano by preference, because their shoes last really well. That model you link to looks ideal, as long as they have a stiff sole. Not sure how the woman's sizing would work for my wide feet though.

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #20 on: 02 April, 2021, 02:58:15 pm »
They are pretty stiff - not as stiff as my SIDIs, but not bad.  My current RTs are over 10 years old and the pair before were about the same. They are my daily shoes and are left to look after themselves.


Re: Which pedals
« Reply #21 on: 02 April, 2021, 03:01:05 pm »
Shimano shoes just won't die will they  ;D

I have a pair and they now look like tramp's shoes out of a ditch, but functionally they are perfect

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #22 on: 02 April, 2021, 03:04:06 pm »
I asked Mrs GC if I should replace this pair as the toe on one is a bit worn through. Her answer, 'they still work don't they...'

I took that as a  'no'

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #23 on: 02 April, 2021, 03:09:22 pm »
Your MrsGC is like the inner voice of my conscience. I got the same reply, but I ignored it and bought some Giros  :D

Re: Which pedals
« Reply #24 on: 03 April, 2021, 04:12:55 pm »
SPDs for several reasons. Double-sided for easy entry and re-entry. Recessed cleats in case of walking. Less mass flying around in case of accidental unclippage.

  ^^^ Spuds, for all these reasons. And they are cheap, bomb proof and the cleat isn't made of some sort of wax (or basically the  pedal - see speedplay)

The logic for making the cleat out of a softer material is that it wears instead of the pedal.  Which is compelling when your SPDs develop an irritating click due to wear of the pedal mechanism, but much less so when your look cleats have a half-life comparable to that of overshoes.

ATACs seem to have a good compromise, in this respect (and lots of float, if that's important to you).  But I'm hesitant to recommend them here, because it seems likely that ease-of-engagement is more important than not developing a click for riding fixed: SPDs are superior in terms of ease of clipping in, and the ability to unclip, change your mind and then re-clip without lifting your foot off the pedal.
When I rode with clipless pedals I went from shimano to time - I found them much more comfy.
I now only use clipless on the laidbacks and find shimano fine for that purpose.   (Also my time pedals are lacking a dust cap, which is integral to their mechanism apparently  :facepalm:)
simplicity, truth, equality, peace