Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - newbie with fixed gear pedal questions

I have been riding bicycles for well over 30 years now, and have just built my first fixed gear bike (old motorbacon road frame, 700c fixed/fixed, set up messenger style) I ride it to work now almost everyday: only a 7 mile round trip in flat as a frying pan santa clara, CA but I'm 50 years old so it feels like 30 miles, and just love the thing

1) I am using platform pedals, and try as I may, I just can't seem to lock up the rear wheel,...do you need clips, or clipless pedals to skip stop? (yes I run a front brake)

I never liked toe clips in the first place, and strapping in on a fixie, sounds like just too much to deal with, so if I DO need to be strapped in I'll probably have to go with cleats and clipless, but,....

2) whats a good clipless/platform combo pedal thats good for fixies? (short enough for good clearance) as I'll sometimes need to ride it without cleated shoes.


thanks to whoever answers


may the thorns of death never find your tires :D

to lock the rear wheel with platforms, you'd either need a good pair of legs, or lots of practice. i can't do it (and hold it) standing on the underside of my pedals, but some can.

i prefer toe clips, just b/c i find it more comfortable. any good metal clips will work (mks makes good clips) with quality straps. strapping in isn't that much of a deal either, really. get them where you like em, and go ride. as far as pedals go, i don't know what to recommend really, but someone else will.

As far as clipless goes, Time ATACs Zs are really nice. They're the downhill version. If you live in Santa Clara and haven't been, you should definitely stop by Shaw's Cycles on Washington street to talk to them about track/fixed gear stuff.

I cannot recommend power grips enough for the application you describe. A quick search in this forum will show lots of love (and a little hate) for them.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001077&brand=&sku=1270&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Pedal%20Accessories

For $20 it's hard to go wrong as long as you don't mind losing some hipness points with the Kool Kidz Klub.

I've seen platforms with spd cleats on the underside. they clip in to a standard doublesided spd pedal and booyah, you've got a clipless on one side, and a platform on the other.

there are also pedals like the nashbar rodeo (link below), which pretty much have that situation built into them.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001078&brand=&sku=6223&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20ATB%20Clipless%20Pedals

Forte Campus is another spd/platform pedal. performance.com has them.

jamaican skids man one foot hooked under the other pushing back

atacs are the best pedals ever period

reckon,

come check out www.sjfixed.org it's for the fixed community in the south bay. we have rides almost everyday of the week if you want to come our for a ride or south bay related talk.

i use crank bros mallet pedals

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/tech/reviews/crank_bros_mallet_m/crank_bros_mallet_m04tn.jpg

they have good grip if you have to ride with regular shoes on like platforms, but work excellent as a clipless pedal. many people swear by crank bros and i'm no exception. you feel secure while still having a little side-to-side play (to keep your knees in good shape) and the cleats are small enough that on a mountain shoe they don't protrude at all.

I used the Forte Campus SPD/platform pedals for a good stretch last year - wholeheartedly recommend them (I've since moved to eggbeaters, which aren't so friendly to regular footwear). I've never been a fan of clips/straps and can't imagine riding platforms is a good idea while riding fixed for any length/speed.

I was able to skid a quick conversion with platforms (42:17 on an old steel Bianchi frame) I've been playing on, though this was on slushy/snowy pavement :p

On the smaller side of "still rideable in street shoes" I really like my Speedplay Frogs. The standing platform isn't huge but it'll do in a pinch.

reckon,

come check out www.sjfixed.org it's for the fixed community in the south bay. we have rides almost everyday of the week if you want to come our for a ride or south bay related talk. THANK YOU!,...very nice,...I'll definitely check that out.

and to all who replied, thanks as well,.....great suggestions,...and curiously, ALL pedals I was considering. I'll try a jamaican skid, duzzent sound that hard actually (I'll probably wilson real hard :lol:), I'll probably try it on the downtown sidewalks (crazy slippery when wet).

I have some cage pedals that have a clip mount, I'll grab a set or clip-ons and at least try them again,...but those nashbars, and the crank bros. sets look very attractive.

I always feel like seats, bars/grips, and pedals, are the things I usually go through several different styles/models till I find the ones I like, then sell off the extras (or save em for later builds).


I work as a plastics fabricator now, but previously ran my own custom motorcycle painting buisness for many, many years, so if I can offer any advice on anything paint or plastic, lemme know

ok jamaican skids are HELLA easy,...so easy in fact, I may just keep the platforms and just skid it if I HAVE TO.

after 15 minutes of practice, I can do it with either foot hooked under the front pedal too!

thanks for the tip,.......

as for the pedals, I took a look at all the models at my friends LBS, and the forte campus is the one I'll probably go with: good price, nice grippy cage, and takes SPD cleats

thanks again to all that replied