Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Fixie pedals?

I've been riding a road bike for a long time. But yesterday's trip to my local bikeshop made me consider riding a fixie.

If I were to ride a fixie, what type of pedals should I use?

I have an extra pair of LOOK clipless laying around as well as a pair of mountain bike spd's. I'm proficent at using clipless so that wouldn't be an issue.

I've also seen a bunch of messengers riding around with cage pedals and chucks.

I'd prefer using clipless but I'm new to the fixie thing and I really don't know what's appropriate.

ride whatever you're comfortable with. if you plan on using the fixie for just training, whatever you use on your regular bike will be fine. if (like me) you use it for transportation and just hanging out/getting around, spd-type pedals and mtb shoes are excellent.

I just started riding fixed and had trouble mking that same choice. I ended up going with clips and straps. It was much cheaper, Easier for me to practice track stands on the undersides of the pedals, and I like to wear street shoes that i can walk comfortably in. Just a couple reasons that swayed me.

i'm using mountain bike spd's, but i'm thinking about switching back to track pedals, because trying to learn trackstandy bits isnt as fun when you cant clip out and fall way too hard

Avoid track pedals unless your going to use slotted cleats. If you're used to clipless use clipless I can;t imagine riding any ss without them since there are some pretty steep hills around here. If you want to use normal shoes then go with MTB cage pedals not road or track ones. The small loss of clearence is more then worth it to actually be able to pull up on the pedal. I had no trouble learning to trackstand with SPDs but I also haven't had a 0mph fall since I stopped using clips and cleats years ago.

Use what you're comfortable with on your other bikes. I've run clipless road, mtb as well as cages at some point or another on most of my bikes. They all have their +/-, most of which depends on how you intend to use your bike and personal preference. If you do decide to go clipless just make sure your cleats aren't overly worn- trust me, pulling out of a pedal is not fun, especially on a fix.

if using clips, make sure the pedals got some bite, I find it much harder to stop/control the bike/pull up on the pedal with flat platforms like mks gr-9 but have no trouble with the the rx-1s or the campy copies (sylvan etc...). the type of shoe is important, you need to be able to tighten down the strap and pull out at the same time, so shoes with slimmer pointy toes are better (in my experience anyway)...

I started riding fixed3 months ago and wernt with cages & straps b/c i have never ridden clipless before. So far no problems. Just be aware that depending on your bike, you may have a pedal crossover issue if you go with cages (i.e. at low speeds your front wheel will come in contact with the tops of your cages when you turn)

If you ride with no hand brake on the streets get clips and straps.
It is a lot safer.
Clipless pedals/shoes will sooner or later accidentally unclip and it will suck.

If you have the clearance MKS rat trap style Touring pedals are wonderful.

i'm using mountain bike spd's, but i'm thinking about switching back to track pedals, because trying to learn trackstandy bits isnt as fun when you cant clip out and fall way too hardYou should be able to click out of your SPD's just as quickly, if not faster, than pulling your foot out of a clipped pedal. I learned to trackstand originally using Speedplay road pedals.

I have an extra pair of LOOK clipless laying around as well as a pair of mountain bike spd's.
I ride LOOKs. They're nice for when I decide to do a serious ride, and if I'm just going to the store, they have a large enough platform to be comfortable in flip-flops. Then again, I ride with a front brake (for emergencys only, of course).

I'm thinking of getting Crank Brothers Mallets, or Time ATAC Z Controls so I have a platform and a clip.

Problem is, which one. I currently have ATACs so naturally you would think I would get Z controls because they have the same cleat. But Z controls cost twice as much as the Mallets

Eggbeaters are sure nice if you want to walk around an urban setting. I switch between Eggbeaters and Shimano/Look road pedals depending on the use that day.

"If you ride with no hand brake on the streets get clips and straps.
It is a lot safer. "

or get a brake. safer yet.

as far as pedals, 'appropriate' is whatever satisfies your needs. Your local msgrs prolly ride chucks because theyre on their feet alot. youre riding looks because youre not. all depends on how you use your bike.

i ride eggbeaters on my track bike because i wanted a mountain shoe. it's way easier to walk around.

i rock crank brothers mallets on my converstion so that i can wear regular shoes if i can riding somewhere i don't want to wear my bike shoes. plus the same shoe works for both pedals

iv been rockin the clips and straps for a while.. but have decided to go with some spds. after doing some alleycat races iv learned that i just cant get my feet in the damn clips fast enough under preasure... also going up hills, i hate the space that is created when pulling up if your strap is loose.

You should be able to click out of your SPD's just as quickly, if not faster, than pulling your foot out of a clipped pedal. I learned to trackstand originally using Speedplay road pedals.
buuuut i cant stand on the pedals unclipped as easily as flipping the track pedals over

"If you ride with no hand brake on the streets get clips and straps.
It is a lot safer. "

or get a brake. safer yet.

as far as pedals, 'appropriate' is whatever satisfies your needs. Your local msgrs prolly ride chucks because theyre on their feet alot. youre riding looks because youre not. all depends on how you use your bike.

or get two handbrakes and full body armor. Best yet stay in bed.

About shoes - I ride duegi touring shoes specifically designed for cycling with a nice hard sole. Most normal clipless shoe can also be converted into a clip and strap shoe it is just a matter of cleat (yellowjersey.org sells them). You will have more control and power transfer with a cleated shoe combined with clips and straps than with just a clipless pedal shoe combo - a reason a lot of track racers still use clips and straps.

"If you ride with no hand brake on the streets get clips and straps.

I disagree, I find that riding clipless gives me greater control over my speed. It puts more stress on my knees, but I can skid and skip much easier.

They say that clip&strap mantra because supposedly you can accidcentally unclip when trying to skid.

I personally have torn far more straps back when I used toe clips (wide shoes=strap and crank wear) than accidentally unclipped in my SPD era, and I also pulled my foot out of the clips accidentally a bunch of times. Basically 10-20 toe clips mishaps compared to 2 accidental unclips that I can remember.
To me, it seems a cult thing rather than safety. An SPD with tight spring settings and not too worn cleats should be safe enough for anyone.

Laminated double straps are preferred.

They say that clip&strap mantra because supposedly you can accidcentally unclip when trying to skid.

I personally have torn far more straps back when I used toe clips (wide shoes=strap and crank wear) than accidentally unclipped in my SPD era, and I also pulled my foot out of the clips accidentally a bunch of times. Basically 10-20 toe clips mishaps compared to 2 accidental unclips that I can remember.
To me, it seems a cult thing rather than safety. An SPD with tight spring settings and not too worn cleats should be safe enough for anyone.

Not all skids and skips are in a straight line either. Sometimes you will need to pitch the bike sideways etc. this can cause your foot to twist. With straps it is not a problem with clipless very much so. All depends on your riding style.

buuuut i cant stand on the pedals unclipped as easily as flipping the track pedals overwho said anything about standing on the pedals unclipped while learning to trackstand?

i already know how to, i'm just trying to work on handless ones

You should be able to click out of your SPD's just as quickly, if not faster, than pulling your foot out of a clipped pedal. I learned to trackstand originally using Speedplay road pedals.

this is certainly true, and after years and years of riding road with spd pedals i figured that they were the sensible way to go on my fixed bike. however after a few weeks and a couple of hairy rides where i had to dab rather than just trackstand i realized i wanted the easier access and exit of clips. i bought a pair of mks gr-9s and keep the straps slightly loose and i love them. just as much push/pull control but without the slightly unnerving (to me) locked-in feel of the clipless shoes. it's weird, but the tiny psychological difference makes riding a lot more relaxed, ie i don't retain any consciousness about my shoes/pedals when i ride, whereas before i did. it's kind of like having the front brake. i ride easier with it, even though i don't use it hardly at all.

maybe it's cause i'm gettin old and skeert!!! :o

I have pedals.

Mallets. Crank bros. They are nice.
But they're not red. I like red things. redredredredredredredredredredredreddredredredredredredredredredredredredre

^ my new favorite poster

clips and straps here. I've never tried clipless, but am thinking about it.

I have campy track pedals/cages with nice thick leather binda straps. I'm not worried about snapping the strap any time soon. I like to be able to wear my street shoes when I ride around town. they're great unless I'm wearing a shoe with a deeper cleat, then I can get a little caught up. I'm really curious about riding clipless on my track bike. It sounds like you have so much more control. I have a pair of sidi mtb shoes and spds for my road bike, but people put the fear of riding on spds without a front brake in me a long time ago. I'm also kind of a completely non graceful klutz type so I should just stick with what works. but yeah, I like the clips, they just look so classy.

I ride with double-sided SPD shimano pedals.
Since I ride in a suburban/urban setting, I like the ability to clip in without looking or feeling around.
I consider double-siders much safer than single-siders or toe clips and straps.
Additionally, a major aspect of my ability to do hills involves pulling backwards on the pedal with my heel, and I couldn't do that with street toe clips and straps.
I also use Shimano sandals because their more "transparent" sole has helped me properly adjust my cleat position, which has improved my spin dramatically.

There is no looking or feeling around involved with clips and straps either.

Why do you think doublesided clipless are safer than clips and straps? The danger of clipless is not getting in or out on time when you want to, but unclipping when you don't want that.

There are cleats for clips and straps too and those will lock you in just as well as clipless. On top of that they won't unclip when you pitch the bike sideways or twist your foot ever.

If you ride with a handbrake I guess clipless can be fine. But, if you ride without one I strongly suggest clips and straps. Look how many longtime handbrakeless riders ride clipless. I personally know none. There is a good reason for that.

I'll save the clipless for the geared road rides.

I have a pair of crappy Wellgo platforms with Zefal clips and QBP straps (brand f'ing new!) I sawed the outer part of the cage off the pedal to make them more uhhh..."track." The new straps feel great, btw! Old ones were wooorn out.