Folding Bikes - clipless on folders: which, how, why

while the clipless issue has come up in passing, I can't recall a thread devoted to the idea and the choices open to a would be cliplessee on a folder.

Me, I bought a secondhand Speed TR with powergrips, and found I really liked the extra pull they gave me, and am now thinking of going one better, and clipless, on a forthcoming Brompton S2L-X, and maybe on the TR. But there are different kinds of clipless right ? And Double sided and single sided? Are there some better for folding ? Etc.

while the clipless issue has come up in passing, I can't recall a thread devoted to the idea and the choices open to a would be cliplessee on a folder.

Me, I bought a secondhand Speed TR with powergrips, and found I really liked the extra pull they gave me, and am now thinking of going one better, and clipless, on a forthcoming Brompton S2L-X, and maybe on the TR. But there are different kinds of clipless right ? And Double sided and single sided? Are there some better for folding ? Etc.

There are removeable clipless pedals (MKS) but in my experience, I never remove nor fold my pedals. If you are similar, I would go with eggbeaters since

(1) they are relatively cheap
(2) they are relatively narrow -- low Q-factor
(3) they are the easiest to clip in and clip out
(4) they work with MTB/touring cycling shoes which are much better suited for multimode travel

I did a quick review of the MKS cube clipless pedals here, might be of interest:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=580106

There are removeable clipless pedals (MKS) but in my experience, I never remove nor fold my pedals. If you are similar, I would go with eggbeaters since

(1) they are relatively cheap


I use removable MKS clipless pedals as I find I do remove the left hand one when bagging my Brompton.

I'd like to say that eggbeaters aren't all that cheap but the other points invisiblehand make are true. A couple of other negatives on the eggbeaters are that they don't use an Shimano SPD compatible cleat enabling you to jump on someone else's bike. The same negatives are true of my MKS'.

In short, get some double sided SPD compatible pedals, unless most of your friends already have eggbeaters, in which case get them. Don't discount the MKS', they really do work well but are expensive and not compatible with the rest of the world.

Longtime clipless user here...

On my travel/folding bike I use the Power grips with the MKS quick release platform pedal. I don't wish to pack additional shoes. The power grips are the closest thing I have found to being clipped in. On a scale of 1 to 10 , with 1 being plain platforms and 10 being clipped in, I give them a 9. Which is quite good since I consider toe straps and clips to be about a 7.

In the past I have packed and used clipless pedals when traveling. What worked best for me was to find pedals that had a 6mm allen wrench slot on the axle's end. This made removal and installation quick and easy.

One downside I have found with the Power Grips is that after about 50 or 60 miles, the tops of my feet get a bit sore. But if I loosen my feet a bit and back of the pedaling, the pain goes away.

Like everything, it depends on how you use a bike. I have regular SPD clipless pedals on the Friday, although it does mean I need to take bike shoes or sandals with me when I travel with the bike. I just find them more comfortable to ride in, so it's worth the effort of another pair of shoes. If I used the bike for more commuting and folded it more often I'd probably try dual-sided SPD so I could ride with regular shoes as well.

SPDs on R20, Tandem and dual sided on MTB

LOOK compatible cleats on both of my roadies

I don't own a bike without clipless pedals, the benefits of being able to pull up as the other pushes down makes cycling easier and more efficient.

I use the half-and-half SPD/platform pedals on my Birdy. Most of the time when I fly I don't end up bringing the bike shoes, but if I'm riding around home or it's going in the car I will.

I have to take the pedals off every time I fly with it. I just bring along a Park Tools pedal wrench in the suitcase. I have no other need to remove the pedals.

I've got the MKS Ezy Superior Lambdas -- very, very happy in dry weather. I like the feel on my feet and they are fast and easy to remove. Plenty of grip with rubber sole shoes.

Unfortunately they are slippery when wet. I wish they had pins more like so many MTB pedals. When wet they are tolerable for my commute but not for longer rides.

Given how they are put together it looks possible to machine replacements for the parts that come into contact with the shoe and I am tempted to find a shop to do this. But before I go that far I want to try Power Grips with them. I don't think Power Grips are off-the-shelf compatible with the Lambdas but will kluge it if I can! It looks possible and I welcome guidance from anyone who has been able to make this combination work.

I use the MKS detachable system on one of my bikes. I can therefore swop from standard pedals to clipless occuring to my need. Apart from the cost there seems few diadvantagers really. They are light, smallest option for folding, and good performers. The only issue is it takes about one miniute to remove to change/remove them, compared to about 5 seconds for folding. You need MKS not SPD cleats however.

+1 for Eggbeaters.

One of my bikes sees occasional use without cycling shoes. I use CrankBros Mallets on that bike, and they work fairly well without cleats. AFAIK, no one makes a CrankBros compatible two-sided pedal, nor a sturdy platform that will clip into Eggbeaters. The OEM plastic platforms are definitely not sturdy. They're pretty much destroyed the first time you try to remove them.

thanks for this. I'd seen the mallets, and the appealed; but maybe I will actually put some powergrips on my brommie pedals - the shoes thing...

I'm trying to imagine explaining to the people in Amsterdam what bicycle shoes are and why you're wearing them on a bike designed to get you to your job (wearing a business suit) or to the store for a bottle of milk. =)

Sorry, just the idea of a foldy used pro-bicyclist style is something that never occured to me. xD

I'm trying to imagine explaining to the people in Amsterdam what bicycle shoes are and why you're wearing them on a bike designed to get you to your job (wearing a business suit) or to the store for a bottle of milk. =)

Sorry, just the idea of a foldy used pro-bicyclist style is something that never occured to me. xD

Not all folders are used a commuters... Mine is a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket that I take with me on long weekend layovers. So yes, I do use it ...as you say..."pro bicyclist". Hey, I have three days in a hotel.. what better way to pass the time than to go out on a good, long bike ride. No errand bike here :)

Not all folders are used a commuters... Mine is a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket that I take with me on long weekend layovers. So yes, I do use it ...as you say..."pro bicyclist". Hey, I have three days in a hotel.. what better way to pass the time than to go out on a good, long bike ride. No errand bike here :)

I guess you could use it that way. xD I love my foldies, since I can take them on the train/subway, but I unno if I'd want to take them on a long distance ride. I have a road bike in storage (my apartment is very small so I only keep the foldies at home) that I use for longer "for the sake of the ride" trips.

If you must have your "fix" though, I can see how they'd be a godsend when flying. =3

Take pics of your pedals please. This should be neat. =D

Depends on your riding situation I guess. Most of my five folders have plain old platform pedals. I ride to work a couple of km now on flat land. I don't want to do the whole shoe thing when I get to work. I just want to hop off and go right to work.

Ditto with milk runs to the grocery store.

That being said I just rode my Speed TR on a 90 km run last week with platforms and while it was a great ride, next time I'll slap my SPD's on before I go.

I'm an SPD fan, especially the double sided ones. Makes clipping in a breeze.

They have platform on one side and a SPuD on the other or they have double sided platforms with SPud's that recess when you put your foot on them. That's what I have on my mountain bike. If I can't clip in in a hurry I can still pump out some torque.

Totally depends on what the mission is for me.

John

Not all folders are used a commuters...

My modified Mezzo is often a commuter ,often an errand runner,often a city mobility aid. For these it has MKS deatachables standard. If its a longer run,the bike can easily do 20MPH+ for an hour even with me on it,than I swop to the clipless MKS detachable.

All bases covered.

Take pics of your pedals please. This should be neat. =D

No Problem.....

http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u11/bicycleflyer/My%20Projects/?action=view&current=Picture120.jpg