Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - What pedals do you use?

Alright guys, I'm onto my next question
(I love it when you guys fight over my silly questions like that kashimax tt protector)

So what pedals do you guys use and to give me a general idea, how much did it cost?
So far for my new ride, I'm leaning towards the MKS track "sylvan" pedals with the NJS XL toe cage from Ben's Cycle
but being the cheapass that I am, I'm coming back to you guys for other suggestions.

my .02 cents... buy some clips and straps that are nice and cheap at first (go used on the pedals). If you find that after a couple of weeks you're not lovin em, you can start saving for some clipless. If you decide you do like them, your only out like 20 bucks and will have a back up set of pedals just in case. MEC has some wellgo SPD for 30 bucks (or go used) and you can find many a shoe in the sub 50$ range online. I'm rocking some 661 Launch shoes which look like regular skate shoes but are spd compatible, also very comfy to walk and ride in. You may disregard this if you don't really care about clipless.

My advice is to get some decent straps the rest can be used if you want (silvans are a fine pedal for the money), but decent straps for sure. Cheap straps snap and then you are really hosed. Clipless is not ideal (dangerous) if you ride on the street. Search my previous posts on the topic for more opinionated comments regarding clipless.

My advice is to get some decent straps the rest can be used if you want (silvans are a fine pedal for the money), but decent straps for sure. Cheap straps snap and then you are really hosed. Clipless is not ideal (dangerous) if you ride on the street. Search my previous posts on the topic for more opinionated comments regarding clipless.

I agree, however, if you want the versatility and qualities of clipless, then buy a set of Look pedals from E-bay (I copped a pair for $5.00!), and pony up an extra $10.00 bucks for a pair of Winwood Insteps - toeclip and strap adapter cleats, for real world applications.

Speedplay x2's $20 off CL. I have not ridden fixed on the street yet...and when I do it will be in bike lanes with a brake, not alleycat style...

I ride the MKS pedal/clip and leather strap set-up from IRO. They're a little rough to get into with New Balance 574's on, but other shoes with more "street oriented" soles are no problem at all. I've only had them for a little while, but so far, so good.

I also have a pair of Bontrager MTB pedals with their "composite" clips and nylon straps on my converted fixie. I would say they work fairly well. They are easy to get into, but your feet slip around while in the cages.

eggbeaters, eggbeaters, and rat traps

I rock these:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/mks-gr9-platform.jpeg

MKS GR-9 (check ebay). They're pretty comfy. I use MKS steel clips and leather straps. There's a world of difference between riding fixed sans foot attachment vs. with clips + straps. I'd go clipless but I ride mainly for work / errands / alcohol. Chuck Taylors are my preferred footwear.

My only problem is that a pedal strike snapped the flip-up tab off my left pedal (an odd set of circumstances caused this: hangover, large rock, hastily trying to get up into the cage at the wrong moment) and that kinda makes it hard to get into whilst drunk / tired / stressed. I imagine the MKS Sylvan pedals would just bend or scrape in a similar situation. These are molded aluminum, hence the crackin'.

They've got a real small width, good for cornering fixed on 170mm road cranks. Though the edges of my feet know *exactly* what it feels like to kiss the ground at 20 mph.

I use the Sylvan tracks. They're quality pedals. I've decided against subjecting their more expensive offerings to street abuse.

Guess I never really answered your question. I ride the MKS Sylvan Touring pedals, nice and wide to fit my food, plus the flipside is the the same, so it provides lovely support for tricks etc. Pedal strike is not an issue with them on the Mark V pro with 165 cranks, but I can see how you might like something a tad narrower if your bb is lower or your cranks longer. Running those with MKS LL clips and toshi single straps.

i'm sporting some gipiemme sprint pedals with christophe clips and errbi
double straps. when i switched to double straps the feel was great. they
really hold your foot. i recommend double straps as opposed to clipless.

Shimano 520's with MTB shoes. Lightish, comfortable, stiff enough, and I can walk on them all day long. Black with a hint of silver. I do not think that they get any better than that.

GR-9s, man. I have a set of MKS AR-8s (nothing special road pedals) and elder Shimano 105s and a few others that don't even get names. The others are fine pedals if you have a stiff soled shoe, but if you're going with clips so you can wear street shoes get a street shoe compatible pedal too. That's the GR-9.

There are a few online options in the $25-30 range and if you ask at your commuter-oriented LBS you might be surprised to find they stock them.

The bearings can feel a bit rough until they break in, it's all in the luck of the draw. There's some controversy over whether or not they're serviceable. Some say no, Sheldon says yes. I'm inclined to think you can pop the end caps off and take them apart and service them just like anything else.

MKS ROYAL ****ING NUEVOS -- erection-causing loose bearing njs pedals
MKS RX-1 -- totally iced out cartridge bearing pedals. njs, naturally.

royal nuevos.

mks gr-9 w/ mks steel clips

I want to put the Eggbeaters from my Mtn bike onto a road bike. Is this a no-no in the road biking world? I was also going to stick with a pair of Mtn shoes. I assume that would be a huge faux pas!!!

I rock GR-9s and the Sylvans.
How big are your feet?
XL clips are pretty big.
I wear size 11-11.5 shoes and Large Clips are more than adaquate.
I'd worry a little bit about toe overlap with XL clips.

clipless. once you go there, it will all make sense to you. i use Time ATAC XS. I've never unclipped. Once, my crank arm came off the BB spindle but it was still attached to my shoe via cleat/pedal interface. I run these street and track. that's my word.

MKS Sylvan's, Soma clips, and EAI straps.

From one cheapass to another: MKS Sylvans look great for the money, but I scored some used Wellgo track pedals off ebay for like $5, and they work fine. If I were buying new I'd get the MKS Sylvan which are about the same $ as the Wellgos.

For straps, cheap leather or vinyl straps may suck, but cheap woven MTB straps are damn near indestructible. Woven straps can be frayed halfway through, and still not break. they will not fail suddenly, so you've got plenty of warning if they need replacement, and they are cheap as hell. Reinforced leather straps may look better, but for my (relatively little) money woven straps are the way to go.

Oh, and I disagree that clippless are dangerous. Mine are as easy to get out of as they are to get into. Arguably easier to get out of than clips and straps. I'd ride them everyday except that I don't want to wear bike shoes every day, so I use SPD pedals for longer rides, and clips and straps for commuting. Swapping pedals is no big deal. It takes maybe 5 minutes.

Oh, and I disagree that clippless are dangerous. Mine are as easy to get out of as they are to get into. Arguably easier to get out of than clips and straps.

Exactly that is the problem!

You don't want easy out!
Easy out can really really suck, especially when it is unexpected!

Exactly that is the problem!

You don't want easy out!
Easy out can really really suck, especially when it is unexpected!

My Ritchey SPDs have never come off unexpectedly, so I don't consider it a problem, but they are the only clippless pedals I have experience with. Most clpless pedals do have a degree of adjustability, so if you came out unexpectedly, you might want to tighten them up a bit. I have broken a steel campy clip though. I don't get the impression that clipless fail more than clips and straps.

Exactly that is the problem!

You don't want easy out!
Easy out can really really suck, especially when it is unexpected!

Unless you're riding on ice or other conditions where you may need to quickly put a foot down.

My Ritchey SPDs have never come off unexpectedly, so I don't consider it a problem, but they are the only clippless pedals I have experience with. Most clpless pedals do have a degree of adjustability, so if you came out unexpectedly, you might want to tighten them up a bit. I have broken a steel campy clip though. I don't get the impression that clipless fail more than clips and straps.

Even if the clip breaks you will be fine. The strap is what is crucial.
To some degree it varies on the riding style whether or not clipless work.
The bottom line is though that clipless are designed to release when a certain angle is reached -
Clips and straps aren't. Pick what feels safer.
I have seen devout advocates of clipless unclip and it was not funny.
All of them are clip and strap riders now.

Unless you're riding on ice or other conditions where you may need to quickly put a foot down.

So you'd ride clipless on ice?

Personally I'd opt not to clip into anything at all for really icy stuff.

Exactly that is the problem!

You don't want easy out!
Easy out can really really suck, especially when it is unexpected!

no, that's not the problem! it's more complex. i have never pulled out of eggbeaters or atacs (i've done so with SPDs, though). if you're technique is proper (that is, you don't twist either foot while skidding), you (likely*) won't have a problem with eggbeaters or atacs. honestly, i have pulled and pulled on my eggbeaters and they hold. they are easy to get out when you want to get out. if you have proper technique they will (likely*) not release unexpectedly.

*for all you "never say never" people

I don't think i could ever guarantee not to twist my foot regardless of the situation.

I don't think i could ever guarantee not to twist my foot regardless of the situation.

you can twist you foot slightly, just not to the release angle. there's still float.

actually, there is a difference in my old eggbeaters and newer candys. i feel much more "locked in" with the candys than with the 'beaters, on which i feel more "slippery." so i ride with a handbrake on the bike with the 'beaters. the candys, though, i have full confidence in.

have you tried riding with candys or atacs?

So you'd ride clipless on ice?

Personally I'd opt not to clip into anything at all for really icy stuff.

I prefer clipless on ice because you have such fine control of pressure/resistance while pedaling and you can unclip really quickly if necessary.

I want to put the Eggbeaters from my Mtn bike onto a road bike. Is this a no-no in the road biking world? I was also going to stick with a pair of Mtn shoes. I assume that would be a huge faux pas!!!
Maybe at your local spandex-convention. But I rock the nashbar clipless pedals with my MTB shoes for commuting and riding around town and they work great. Plus, my MTB shoes look (and feel) a lot like hiking boots, so I don't look like a freak when I show up at work.

I prefer clipless on ice because you have such fine control of pressure/resistance while pedaling and you can unclip really quickly if necessary.
Seconded. I prefer clipless on ice the same reason I prefer fixed on ice: better control.

MKS, sylvan, IRO, $18

I don't think anyone has brought this up...but...
I ride with pedals and toe clips, cause I like being able to ADJUST how tight my feet are in the pedals at different times...

for example...
when I'm riding in icy conditions, I loosen the straps...
when I practice wheelies and backwards circles, and the likes, I loosen the straps even more...
when I'm about to power up a steep ass hill...I tighten them shiets down real real tight...
and when I'm about to take a steep, quick decent...I tighten them shiets down as tight as I can

plus...I like to wear sneakers...they are comfortable

plus...I like to wear sneakers...they are comfortable

agreed. i like the MKS GR-9's too. comfy for chuck's, vans, dunks, pumas, asics, or whatever the cool kids are wearing. . .

for messing around and backwards circles, i flip the pedals over. if i tried backwards circles while clipless, i would die.

Seconded. I prefer clipless on ice the same reason I prefer fixed on ice: better control.

Your control will be just as good with clips and straps.

Another good indicator is looking at the long term fixed wheel cyclists and people that ride these kind of bicycles either for work or just get plenty of mileage otherwise.
Look what they ride on the street. Count how many ride with clips and straps then do the same for clipless. It is not for fashion, the choice is based on sound reasoning.

Clipless might superior and more convenient for roadbikes and mountainbikes, but is you ride them on a fixed wheel on the street you are really asking for it in my opinion.

lets look at the messengers and see what they say...A LOT of them *here* use clipless...a lot don't. i have heard of eggbeaters breaking. **** happens. I personally use g9-9s...f'n comfy as hell. probably going to go clipless or powergrips before too long. always bending/breaking cages...broken straps, too. and seriously, how many people actually adjust their straps often? i never touch mine, until they get too loose, then adjust them again when i overtighten them...when it's all said and done, get the gr-9's. the sylvans aren't very comfortable.

I tighten my straps on every ride.
Comfort depends on the shoe as well.

shimano spds I got for next to nothing ($10) and some specialized shoes that are really, really comfortable. They don't click when I walk or anything either :D

I have pulled straight out of ATAC's while skidding. Full tension too. Mind you it was a skid competition and I weigh like 200lbs.......o.k. 220.

I have pulled straight out of ATAC's while skidding. Full tension too. Mind you it was a skid competition and I weigh like 200lbs.......o.k. 220.

See!

well, that's just strange.

emergency stop in traffic, I can maybe see pulling out of ATACs, but in a competition... ?

get forward over the bars like the winner and you should be able to skid without any foot-retention system. anyway, did you eat it? or win?

this thread's been done many times.

I know it has been done many times, but research shows that only multiple exposures to the same message (ideally 4+) will cause a lift in awareness.

So again, Clips And Straps are the only way to go on the street when riding fixed.

See!

ok, ok. it happens. could've been due to worn cleats, though.

anyway, i weigh 150 and have complete confidence in my candys. 46x17, have you tried candys?

So again, Clips And Straps are the only way to go on the street when riding fixed.

please stop saying that, though. there is little weight to a blanket statement like this. be reasonable, please.

ok, ok. it happens. could've been due to worn cleats, though.

anyway, i weigh 150 and have complete confidence in my candys. 46x17, have you tried candys?

Of course I have tried clipless pedals.
Grey eggbeater candys to be specific.
I really liked the power transfer gain, almost as good as with slotted cleats!
But I unclipped twice during my week of trial. Once on the loose setting and once on the one that requires more twist. It sucked!
The other thing that happened was that I felt very disconnected from my bicycle with just being attached at the bottom of my shoe.

Regarding my statement - I am serious and I think the points I raised are valid and far from a blanket statement. Clipless are made to release under a certain strain and angle - it is a design feature!
Now how would that be a good thing for riding fixed?

Regarding my statement - I am serious and I think the points I raised are valid and far from a blanket statement. Clipless are made to release under a certain strain and angle - it is a design feature! Now how would that be a good thing for riding fixed?

yes, it is a design feature, but it takes user sensitivity to make sure that the design feature is only used when it is designed to be used (i.e., when you WANT to release)! user sensitivity, just like with ANY product.

Of course, but you will agree that a product that is foolproof is better than one that requires user sensibility.

Of course, but you will agree that a product that is foolproof is better than one that requires user sensibility.

i don't think ANY product is "foolproof," not even clips and straps. i concede, though, that they might be slightly better at preventing your foot from releasing, but, for me, because i'm "sensitive," the difference is negligible.

however, we're ALL fools (or cretins, morons, or lunatics).

I ride Shimano M540 (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=108&subcategory=1078&brand=&sku=10012&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=) ATB double-sided clipless pedals ($75) for their idiot-proofness.
They weigh a lot (350gr), but I can reliably clip in and out of them without looking or thinking about it.
Yes, I took a bad fall on ice with them last spring, but I hit the ground before I even had time to think about it.
I don't think the type of pedals would have made a difference, except for platform pedals.
For my present ice bike, I ride with Shimano PDM324 (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=108&subcategory=1078&brand=&sku=3025&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=) Multi-Purpose pedals ($55), which have a platform on one side and SPD on the other.
Very HEAVY (528gr), but reassuring on ice.