Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Pedal issues, need some suggestions, advice, etc.

http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_1018_1958_925&products_id=7158

These are my current pedals. With mks steel clips, and toshi single straps. Surly steamroller running fixed.

When I wear my reebok classics, adidas stan smiths, etc. Running / tennis shoes. Getting in and out of the clip is a pain. The sole is kinda thick so the ridge doesn't bother me as much, but starting to feel it and my shoes are all getting a cut in them where the ridge is. I am sure it's only going to get worse. When wearing converse chuck taylors, they slip in nice, but the sole is way too soft. Very uncomfortable. And trying to stand and sprint is painful.

The bottom line is the ridge on that pedal hurts like hell. I want to get rid of it.

Back to the drawing board with pedals. Here is a few ways I think I can go..

1) Keep the clips and straps and go with the white industries urban platform pedal. They look pretty comfortable. Nice and wide. Can take double straps if I decide. They are kind of expensive, but if I could have a really comfortable pedal for the next few years I have no issue paying.

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=31102


2) Some kind of bmx platform pedal along with something like the reload or holdfast straps.

3) Go clipless. This will be the most comfortable solution, but will have to carry shoes 90% of the time. And change shoes.

What do you guys think? I ride quite a bit. 7 miles one way to work daily, and then anything else is on top of that.

no wai dude! 200 for pedals? Go grab some GR9 (i think) platforms. Then go put OMNOMNOMNOMs on your bike with the savings.

MKS GR9s are great and can be found <$30.

I've seen good reviews for the WI pedals, but, personally, I don't see a point in paying $200 for pedals.

Another option is to go clipless and pick up some of those new spiffy Mission Workshop shoes or something.

MKS sylvans.. or GR9s
i really like the WI pedals, but if i were to spend $200 on pedals, it'ld have to be clipless.

3) Go clipless. This will be the most comfortable solution,
This.

You know you'll like them, why not get them? If you are willing to spend $200 on White Industries' pedals, why not get a nice pair of shoes and pedal combo.

Pricepoint have loads to choose from at a low price, for both road (http://www.pricepoint.com/thumb/3-Parts-826-Road-Shoe/Pedal-Combos-False.htm) and mountain (http://www.pricepoint.com/thumb/3-parts-825-Mtn-Shoe/Pedal-Combos-False.htm) combo.

Like it has been said, you can get a nice pair of shoes + pedals for that price.

Yes, those 200 dollar pedals are badass. I don't see any place for them but a show bike. How are you going to feel when you take a spill and the first thing that gets scratched up is your expensive pedals. Not to mention any performance gains will be unnoticable except the "large kick plate." That in my mind is not worth the cost of the price tag.

shoes/clipless > 15-30 bmx platform+holdfast > 200 dollar platform.

I used to have this problem. I just put a piece of cardboard on the platform of the pedal so it levels it And cut a sheet of alum and put that in place of the platform. Then the ridge was very minimal. Now i have new pedals of course. but what eva

Thanks.

Just threw the BMX pedal thing out there. Really not interested in that one.

I was looking at the gr-9s. From what I have read they will be too narrow for me. I wear size 12.

I don't know. It will cost ~120 for decent egg beaters, or candy pedals, or comparable spd pedal. Then ~80 to ~120 for a pair of shoes. With including low end models basically looking at ~175+ for shoes and pedals. Realistically ~230 to ~250. Really the same price and now I have to carry around shoes everywhere.

Those WI pedals do look pretty nice. Especially this image.

http://www.whiteind.com/images/640_2_STRAP_TOP.jpg

They look really comfortable. It's a shame there are 2 options for pedals like this. $25 mks gr-9s, and $200 White industry. The even more messed up part is there are pages and pages of these pedals that were designed for slotted cleats, but where do you buy the slotted cleats and shoes at? I saw some over at yellowjersey. But you would think with 99.999999% of toe clip pedals being made with a ridge as sharp as a razor blade that slowly cuts into your foot, there would be more availability of the cleats also.

I just emailed them to get the width of the pedal. Would love to hear if anyone here has those pedals. There are some reviews and comments around the net. But would like to hear something bad about them, aside from the price. Thanks.

run clipless and carry some Vans(or whatever you are into) to slip on and walk with.

Since this a pedal thread, I'll just tag along and ask a question as well:
I have the stock pedals on my kilo tt, and was going to replace the plastic clips with steel clips, however, the steel clips mount on the front, and my current clips mount on the bottom. Should I just buy whole new pedals? Or buy steel clips and bend them to work.

If I had money I would for sure go clipless. So that's for the OP.

Since this a pedal thread, I'll just tag along and ask a question as well:
I have the stock pedals on my kilo tt, and was going to replace the plastic clips with steel clips, however, the steel clips mount on the front, and my current clips mount on the bottom. Should I just buy whole new pedals? Or buy steel clips and bend them to work.

If I had money I would for sure go clipless. So that's for the OP.

Those stock pedals are total crap and not designed for use with regular shoes. You can get some decent MKS or other pedals for under $30 that will work with normal clips and straps.

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=7059&category=113

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=16396&category=113

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=17085&category=1670

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=23762&category=1670

I was actually looking at the Gr-9s before I posted, so this just gives me more reason to spend and pull the trigger. But if the stock pedals aren't meant for normal shoes, and they aren't clipless, what are they supposed to work with?

I was actually looking at the Gr-9s before I posted, so this just gives me more reason to spend and pull the trigger. But if the stock pedals aren't meant for normal shoes, and they aren't clipless, what are they supposed to work with?

These

does anybody actually ride with the bmx pedals and holdfast setup AKA not just tricks and coffee shop strolls. they look comfy i just wonder if they actually work for more then ten minutes.

Those stock pedals are total crap
+10,000
buy new pedals immediately

does anybody actually ride with the bmx pedals and holdfast setup AKA not just tricks and coffee shop strolls. they look comfy i just wonder if they actually work for more then ten minutes.
I commute with holdfast style straps (blaq, because they were on sale) and they are alright. The upside is they work with a wider range of shoes, but I find myself having to re-tighten the straps occasionally, and they are a bit difficult to get into, which is a pain at stoplights. I know that holdfasts probably don't have that issue as much, though.

3) Go clipless. This will be the most comfortable solution, but will have to carry shoes 90% of the time. And change shoes.
After about 3 months of riding clipless, I decided to slap on my GR-9's again today and really enjoyed it. I might hang up my SPD's and clipless shoes for a while.

Here, with all these busy intersections, crazy traffic, messed up streets, etc, I've found (and this is subjective) that the benefits of clipless (in terms of power transfer and efficiency) sort of get wasted with so much stopping, going, dodging cabs, avoiding getting mowed over, etc. I've noticed that with clipped platforms, my riding is more relaxed, and less conservative (but not reckless). Overall, more enjoyable.

Your commute may be different though. If your rides are more straightforward / less stressful, clipless is great. Definitely a much more efficient pedaling system.


Anyways, once again, if you decide to go with platforms + clips + straps, I'll add another vote for GR-9's.

If you go clipless, most people recommend either Time ATAC's or Shimano PD-M520's. I have the 520's. Great, inexpensive pedals.

Used clipless for a bit on my road bike. Didn't really like them much to be honest. If I was going on a 50 mile ride down a trail clipless it is. But 10 miles through the city, rush hour traffic, stopping at the store, getting a bite to eat on the way to work - clips and straps are so much better.

Think I'm gonna give white industries a shot.

Forget the gr-9's. They are too small for me. If I didn't wear size 12 shoe I would go for the gr-9's.

Now I just have to decide if I should add a pair of toshi doubles to my shopping cart too hehe.

Will let you know how they turn out.

Forget the gr-9's. They are too small for me. If I didn't wear size 12 shoe I would go for the gr-9's.
fair enough. missed the part about the shoe size.

good luck.

Im a size 11. The GR-9's are horrible for a shoe that big so I will be the only one here to not recommend those pedals.

I currently run Shimano Ultegra pedals and Sidi shoes. It is sooo nice riding in them.

I vote go clipless.

Ended up ordering them a couple days ago. Should be here early to mid next week (free economy shipping which seems to drag).

Just going to stick with single straps. I prefer to crank on them as much as possible and pretty good at leaning over and slapping the left one open in a pinch. I don't think doubles would be good for me. The single holds me just fine. The doubles do look cooler though.

Also ordered some Panaracer T-Serv Messenger tires in 35's. 32's would of been better I think, but love how the steamroller looks with fat tires. But no sense to get some knobbies that will just wear down fast. So the T-Serv 35's it is.

I'll report back on the pedals after I get them and try them out.

anything made by WI is worth every penny.

My pedals came today. And somehow I ordered the wrong color. Wanted the silver, and ordered the black. I remember I was checking out the site a few days before I actually ordered and put a set in my cart to see shipping options. Then when I ordered there were 2 in my cart and must of removed the wrong ones. Can't believe I did that.

They are going to swap them out for me, luckily.

The t-serv tires in 35 are pretty sweet. The bike does feel a tad heavier, but the smoother ride makes up for it. Only just put them on a few hours ago and did a 5 mile ride.

Are Powergrips not cool anymore? I like them a lot....

I use holdfasts on platform pedals for regular riding and I really like them. I ride in adidas Samba Ks. Once you have them adjusted to your foot they're pretty damn perfect.

attached a pic of my urban ss 29er w/ the holdfasts

I just ended up keeping the black ones. Put them on my bike to see how they looked and thought they looked pretty cool with the black and silver. Wish I had silver cranks.

Here they are with mks clips and toshi singles.

They are extremely comfortable. Will update if I come across anything bad with them. Or if they crack in half the 1st time I wipe out with them.

black pedals definitely look better on an all-black bike. The silver ones would stick out like a sore thumb.

Yeah, I think the bike is a bit too black. I had a brooks honey saddle and honey bar tape. Took off the bar tape since it was very uncomfortable. And then the saddle didn't look right. So took it off for now. Looking at the black team pro classic.

Think I'm gonna put a few of the decals back on. It's nice you can pick up a new decal set for like $10.

Would also love to get silver crank, chainring, stem, seatpost, and handlebars. And then with the black seat, bar tape, pedals, and frame. Wonder how that would turn out.

Have seen a few steamrollers that look flat out amazing.