Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Pedals wrecking shoes

I purchased a fixie almost 6 months ago now and have been riding it a lot. It came with toe clip pedals with straps which have been great for convenience and even better for my wallet with not having to purchase proper shoes.

Unfortunately I've just made the connection between my new shoes having the sole destroyed more quickly than I would have liked. My pedals having been slicing through it when I've been out riding (cheap shoes fortunately)

So I did some research on the pedals and have seen that they are made for cleats http://www.yellowjersey.org/tocleat.html After reading a lot on here though I see that people ride with straps because they can use any shoe.

So, I'm confused. Do I need different pedals that can be used with any shoes, or am I missing something? I've attached some pictures of the pedals.

http://imgur.com/DSqGKs.jpg (http://imgur.com/DSqGKl.jpg)http://i.imgur.com/LG3B3s.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/LG3B3l.jpg)http://i.imgur.com/1kiQps.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/1kiQpl.jpg)http://i.imgur.com/95z7Ms.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/95z7Ml.jpg)

Some GR-9's will solve your shoe shred. You should be able to sells those pedals and get some new ones with profit or break even.

Since you have the full hardware, and its in decent condition those pedals are worth more thany you will spending on new pedals, straps, and cages. It might just take a bit of time before the right buyer comes along.

Thanks, I live in NZ so selling them might be more difficult but I can try my luck.They both have different straps too, so I'm guessing one side has been replaced.

Those GR-9's look nice, should suit the bike as well. Most of the cheaper pedals in stores around here are plastic and would look awful.

Does the price seem about right for these? http://tinyurl.com/2ahx86r Postage is about $27.

EDIT: Looks like I could probably get a cheaper setup from benscycles
http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1018_311_685&products_id=3294
http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=472

I'll see what I can get locally first

I loved my GR9's. I had a similar but different problem with clips. I like wearing chucks and metal toe-clips KILLED my instep. A friend accidentally broke one so I used the opportunity to pick up a pair of plastic quad-gate toe-clips. They aren't as classy but function>form.

I'll trade you my amazing GR-9s for your lame-0 600's

: D

Since postage is going to kill any deal you find, you can make those pedals a lot more pleasant to bike in. First up, remove that strange triangle thing that holds the cleat. It's just held on with a couple of bolts. Next, grind down the ridge at the back of the pedal. You should have a relatively smooth surface after that.

Yeah, those pedals were intended for shoes like these:

Shimano 600 pedals are quality pedals, but yes they are made for use with cycling shoes that use slotted cleats. Most "track" pedals are, too. That vertical plate at the back of the pedal slides into the slot in the cleat/shoe.

Using sneakers with these type pedals like like using a butter knife as a screwdriver. Yes, it will work. But, there are much better and more durable tools for the job.

(I like analogies)

This is also like buying a $200 super-ergonomic backpack then loosening the straps till it swings back and forth as it hangs down by your butt...then complaining about your back hurting.

Hey dude, I live in Wellington, and before I changed to clipless I used a set of MKS Sylvan pedals and toeclips with great success for work (I'm a courier).

The cheapest you can get Sylvans in NZ is from Bicycle : http://bicycle.co.nz/index.php/parts/single-speed-fixed-gear/pedals/soma-mks-pedals.html

Add some el-cheapo toe clips (make sure to get the right size!) and double straps if you can afford them. As far as I can see the problem with your current pedals is that you don't really have anything to stand on, and the Sylvans aren't a huge amount better. Maybe getting some GR-9's from overseas and then buying the rest locally would be a good idea. I'm sure you could sell your current pedals for more than you'd need to spend.

Oh and for what it's worth, Benscycles is awesome about posting to NZ.

Ben has the cleats for the Shimano 600/ Dura Ace pedals, it looks like it would be pretty nice to have a nice shoes with those cleats and pedals.

http://www.benscycle.net/bmz_cache/d/deac55aee61b80eebe4fba9b2d02b26c.image.700x524.jpg
http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2987

Since postage is going to kill any deal you find, you can make those pedals a lot more pleasant to bike in. First up, remove that strange triangle thing that holds the cleat. It's just held on with a couple of bolts. Next, grind down the ridge at the back of the pedal. You should have a relatively smooth surface after that.

So grind the cleat down so it's flush with the pedal? Hmm, that's not a bad idea and it doesn't ruin the pedal. I think I'd rather keep the lot intact though because it sounds like they are a decent set which I could probably use later on if I ever decided to get shoes and cleats.


Shimano 600 pedals are quality pedals, but yes they are made for use with cycling shoes that use slotted cleats. Most "track" pedals are, too. That vertical plate at the back of the pedal slides into the slot in the cleat/shoe.

Using sneakers with these type pedals like like using a butter knife as a screwdriver. Yes, it will work. But, there are much better and more durable tools for the job.

(I like analogies)

This is also like buying a $200 super-ergonomic backpack then loosening the straps till it swings back and forth as it hangs down by your butt...then complaining about your back hurting.

Nothing wrong with a good analogy. I'm thinking now that I should hang on to them and use them when I'm over riding flat pedals.

Hey dude, I live in Wellington, and before I changed to clipless I used a set of MKS Sylvan pedals and toeclips with great success for work (I'm a courier).

The cheapest you can get Sylvans in NZ is from Bicycle : http://bicycle.co.nz/index.php/parts/single-speed-fixed-gear/pedals/soma-mks-pedals.html

Add some el-cheapo toe clips (make sure to get the right size!) and double straps if you can afford them. As far as I can see the problem with your current pedals is that you don't really have anything to stand on, and the Sylvans aren't a huge amount better. Maybe getting some GR-9's from overseas and then buying the rest locally would be a good idea. I'm sure you could sell your current pedals for more than you'd need to spend.

Oh and for what it's worth, Benscycles is awesome about posting to NZ.

Those Sylavans don't look to bad and are priced the same as the GR9's. Gives me some options. The UK site wiggle.co.uk seems to have a decent selection of stuff with even better postage rates so I'll probably buy from them. Free postage if you spend more than $110 so I might see if anyone I know needs anything and buy a bit more. $43nzd for the GR9 or Sylavan's

Biggest difference in the pedals is that the GR-9's are platform. Meaning they don't take cleats, the sylvans will but they wont cause the issue that your 600's are now.

I'd sell the current pedals and get something that's more of a platform, like the GR-9s. If you want to use cleats in the future then get clipless pedals. Your pedals aren't the safest things to use on the road with cleats because you'll be locked in and will have to reach down to loosen the straps in order to put a foot down.

Just curious, what brand and model shoes are you wearing with the pedals you have ? Without knowing, but just a suggestion, perhaps a different brand and model sneaker ?

Just curious, what brand and model shoes are you wearing with the pedals you have ? Without knowing, but just a suggestion, perhaps a different brand and model sneaker ?

Cheap and nasty submerge shoes from NZ's almost equivalent of walmart. I'm not a big shoe person :/ I imagine something with a harder sole would be beneficial but I can still see them getting destroyed when climbing hills. A bonus though, the nice cut in the shoe acted as a rubbery cleat :p

Anyway, been browsing wiggle.co.uk and spending money. Came up with the following for pedals and a couple of extras so I'd get free shipping plus I figured $11 for a pedal wrench would be cheaper than paying a shop to fit them.

GR-9 Pedal: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/MKS_GR-9_Platform_Pedals/5360043868/
MKS Steel toe clip: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/MKS_Steel_Toe_Clips/5360043415/
Cheap strap: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/KF_Extra_Large_Nylon_Toe_Straps/5360010812/

and some tools
Pedros Trixie: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Pedros_Trixie_Fixed_Gear_Multi-Tool/5360049484/
Pedal wrench: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_Pedal_Wrench/5360028325/

Anyone see anything inherently wrong with anything?

I was thinking you're possibly trying to use a running shoe or something that has a paper thin sole on it as a reason it was tearing them up. Something that has a more substantial construction to it might've been a solution ? I wear a pair of older style black Reebok AI 3's. Basically something like these:

http://images.footballfanatics.com/productImages/_152000/FF_152371_xl.jpg

The sole is bulletproof and you can see they're leather and stitched together. Who knows what others lace up for the game with ? Vans, Skechers, there are plenty of tennis shoes that are made to take a beating. New Zealand ? Don't know if you have places like Ross or Marshalls, but you can pick up a pair for about what Wal-Mart will sell you something for.

Oh, the reason being, the pedals and clips you already have are pretty nice, you still need to replace the shoes you tore up and getting a good quality daily user shoe saves you the pedal upgrade. Not to mention cycling shoes and anything else.

everything looks fine. (i take it that the trixie is just extra tools you need, not just for the pedal business?)

the toe straps might not be necessary, if you've already got ones that aren't too beat. also, depending on your preferences, if you're looking at new straps anyway, maybe you'd want to try leather ones?

They aren't as classy but function>form.

You will get your ass BANNED for saying stuff like that around here, Mr!

@LoRoK - How are you doing now after your wreck? Did you break your collarbone? Anyway, just wondering and hoping you're ok. Last Friday a teammate of mine had his saddle clamp break during a race on the track and crashed bad. Broken clavicle, scapula and 4 ribs. Man, these fixies are dangerous!

I was thinking you're possibly trying to use a running shoe or something that has a paper thin sole on it as a reason it was tearing them up. Something that has a more substantial construction to it might've been a solution ? I wear a pair of older style black Reebok AI 3's. Basically something like these:

http://images.footballfanatics.com/productImages/_152000/FF_152371_xl.jpg

The sole is bulletproof and you can see they're leather and stitched together. Who knows what others lace up for the game with ? Vans, Skechers, there are plenty of tennis shoes that are made to take a beating. New Zealand ? Don't know if you have places like Ross or Marshalls, but you can pick up a pair for about what Wal-Mart will sell you something for.

I actually have a quality pair of nike zoom's for running http://www.zappos.com/nike-zoom-vomero-5-metallic-silver-black-neptune-blue-cool-grey-white-cool-grey That have a solid sole on them. I used them on the bike when I first got it but not for very long. When I noticed the damage on my new shoes I wasn't too keen on using nike's on it because they are too expensive to rip a whole in the sole. They could possibly be fine though. I think I may go with the new pedals still though because, well I like new things and at $116nzd for the lot with a couple of tools isn't too bad.


everything looks fine. (i take it that the trixie is just extra tools you need, not just for the pedal business?)

the toe straps might not be necessary, if you've already got ones that aren't too beat. also, depending on your preferences, if you're looking at new straps anyway, maybe you'd want to try leather ones?

Yeah, the trixie is just something I've been looking at for a bit. I'm not too fussed at this stage at spending extra on leather straps.

@LoRoK - How are you doing now after your wreck? Did you break your collarbone? Anyway, just wondering and hoping you're ok. Last Friday a teammate of mine had his saddle clamp break during a race on the track and crashed bad. Broken clavicle, scapula and 4 ribs. Man, these fixies are dangerous!

Thanks for asking, man. I'm doing mostly alright. My collarbone is ok, and I'm sure it's just a bruise in my shoulder but I'm going to have it checked out anyway just to make sure. Getting an MRI done soon. I don't want to have any lingering damage. I do still have a broken bone in my hand, which is painful and easy to tweak but for the most part I can still function with pain. I'm still able to ride. To think that I took on a mini-van and emerged with fairly minor injuries, I consider myself wildly lucky. Especially when a guy can just crash due to a mechanical and break 6 bones :(

ficapern, enjoy your new goodies ! :)

ficapern, enjoy your new goodies ! :)

Thanks.

Thanks for the help everyone. Just hit buy now on the above stuff plus I found that they have a 5 pound off coupon too so I bought a cheap saddle bag as well. Very happy with what I got for the price although will be interesting to see if/what customs charge me.

Thanks.

Thanks for the help everyone. Just hit buy now on the above stuff plus I found that they have a 5 pound off coupon too so I bought a cheap saddle bag as well. Very happy with what I got for the price although will be interesting to see if/what customs charge me.

If it's under $400NZ (including freight) Customs won't charge you a cent for GST. Anything over 400 and they bring the hammer down hard. Last time I did an order from Benscycle I had a friend add some stuff to save on shipping. Little did I know that the GST was double what we saved...

If it's under $400NZ (including freight) Customs won't charge you a cent for GST. Anything over 400 and they bring the hammer down hard. Last time I did an order from Benscycle I had a friend add some stuff to save on shipping. Little did I know that the GST was double what we saved...

Ouch! Ah that's good to know thanks! $118 all up so should be fine then.

Box of goodies arrived today. Tools, saddle bag and new pedals were all on the bike pretty quickly :D

Sad news though. Noticed the damn cog was slipping again today when I went out for a ride. Tightened the lock ring up a bit to get home and check it out. Took the ring and cog off and found this sad sight
http://i.imgur.com/DZD9dt.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/DZD9d.jpg)

Time for a new hub :( I have a feeling it was almost stripped when I bought it. Lesson learned, check things better why buying second hand stuff.

So, LBS has a suntour flip-flip hub for $60 NZD. If I can get a plain track hub cheaper I might go with that though. So quick question without starting a new thread. Other than being a cheap make, anything physically wrong with Suntour?

Otherwise, what would be a decent, cheap fixed gear hub?

EDIT: Hubs are expensive aren't they :( Might have to ride single speed for a while

So, LBS has a suntour flip-flip hub for $60 NZD. If I can get a plain track hub cheaper I might go with that though. So quick question without starting a new thread. Other than being a cheap make, anything physically wrong with Suntour?

Otherwise, what would be a decent, cheap fixed gear hub?

Hubs are expensive aren't they :( Might have to ride single speed for a while

Suntour is a good brand, at least the models that I have seen. IDK your situation in New Zealand, but perhaps you could find a Formula hub with cartridge bearings for less money.

Suntour is a good brand, at least the models that I have seen. IDK your situation in New Zealand, but perhaps you could find a Formula hub with cartridge bearings for less money.


$60 seems reasonable to me. I was under the impression that suntour was a cheap make but if they aren't then I'll go with that unless I can find a fixed/fixed hub for the same money.

Sorry, another quick question. For $200, would this be a good bike to get for the rear hub plus the rest as spare parts? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Cycling/Road-bikes/Large-57cm-over/auction-314180475.htm

EDIT: I need to look more before asking questions. Just looked on ebay and it seems that it would be a pretty average price.