Mountain Biking - Other options besides clipless pedals?

If I don't want to invest in clipless pedals and cleats to go along what are my other options? Went out on the trail for the first time yesterday and we ran into a guy who had a single strap that went over his foot. Anyone have any information on these? My friend didn't know exactly what they were called, but said a lot of people swore by them.

Pedals that have toe straps or Clips. There is no written law that says you have to use clipless; it's just that they seem to be more efficient in transferring the power from your legs, through your feet into the pedals. But you don't have to use them if you don't want to.

They are called Power Grips. You can find them at www.nashbar.com among other places.

Originally posted by ljbike
Pedals that have toe straps or Clips. There is no written law that says you have to use clipless; it's just that they seem to be more efficient in transferring the power from your legs, through your feet into the pedals. But you don't have to use them if you don't want to.

I know. Just that a couple times my foot slipped off the pedal when doing jumps.

Originally posted by RegularGuy
They are called Power Grips. You can find them at www.nashbar.com among other places.

Have you used them? Do they seem to work well? And are they hard to get your foot out of quickly?

I'm not a mountain biker, but I've used clips/straps, Power Grips, and SPD's for touring and commuting. Nothing is easier to get out of in an emergency than SPD pedals with multi-release (silver) cleats, in my experience. Everything else requires a specific move or combo-move in a specific direction to release your foot. With SPD's with silver cleats it seems like you can just sort of pull out, and you're out, even though you don't come out during normal riding.

Maybe it's different on tougher terrain.

RichC

another option is to get a combo pedal. one side they have cleats the other you can use with a normal shoe, best of both worlds if you ask me... I think Nashbar (http://www.nashbar.com) has them for about $15 ;)

I still use conventional clips (plastic on the mountain bike, Campy aluminum on the Bianchi) and straps, primarily because I do not consider typical clipless systems practical for a commuting/transportation bike, and I am afraid that I will have trouble adapting back and forth between bikes with strap-in and snap-in pedals. Last year, I found a great closeout deal on Diadora mountain bike shoes. I left the break-out sole covers intact and use them or tennis shoes with all of my bikes.

if you're getting into jumps, or trials, on drop-offs,or any thing where you're life is in danger , you don't want to be attached to your peddals at all. You should invest in a good pair of platform pedals with the little spikes in them(azonic makes a few good pedals). You can do with these, all that you can with clip-ins , and more. On the other hand, if you just ride cross-country, or race, you would be better off with clip-ins, such as shimano SPD.

For road riding, clipless pedals are de rigueur. For around town, platform pedals are a wise choice (From bare-foot to any foot-wear, you're set to go). For off-road riding, there are excellent choices other than clipless, regardless of what the marketers tell you. Toe clips & straps remain a good way to go (Inexpensive, easy in/out, and wear any kind of shoe). But, in my 22 years of experience (And I've tried Shimano, Frogs, Bebops, ATAC, etc.), it's hard to beat the Power-Grip set-up*, especially if you ride a variety of rough terrain - You can always get a foot down and knowing that will make you better in the tough stuff (And the top-end pedal/strap combo is quality equipment - NASHBAR only carries the entry-level model). Another thing is modern clipless mountain bike shoes are mostly coming with very hard, almost plastic like lug soles, which have little or no traction in many conditions; but there are a number of excellent, so-called "general purpose" cycling shoes that still have a great soft rubber sole, are comfortable, and won't break the bank.

gruppo...

*Maybe you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but I seem to fall less than my buddies, especially in the slow going, and therefore have fewer skinned-up places, using the Power-Grips.

A friend at work just bought a bike with clipless pedals. Alex is very happy. More power and his feet are more comfortable. Straps must hurt. Look at your shoes. Where the straps make contact with your shoes, there are wear spots.
When I ride the hybrid, toe straps make my feet hurt.

I tried the power-grips and didn't like them at all. They stayed on my bike for about 15 minutes. You twist your foot in order to increase tension and it didn't feel natural to me at all. I haven't tried anything else, but I preferred my good old toe-clips over the power-grips. I finally put some money in to clipless pedals recently and would never go back, but I try to stay away from really dangerous stuff, so getting out isn't as big a concern for me.

Each to his own, but, as with anything new, it's important to take the time to properly install, set-up, and adjust/readjust the Power Grips to ensure a natural fit and then to take even more time to get used to them. It's also important to restate that, for me & many others, Power Grips are an equalizer on Epic rides (30 to 60 mile single track days far from civilization, often ridden alone, with lots of gnarly stuff / where, after monster climbs, you almost get tired of descending, and plenty of hike-a-biking - As the hardcore folks in Crested Butte say, "If you didn't have to carry your bike a bunch, you weren't mountain biking").

One "couldn't get my foot out" barely moving, tip-over off the downhill side of a shelf trail can ruin a good summer, let alone a high speed, screaming get-off where your life's flashing before your eyes and it hasn't got to the part yet where you're supposed to make a conscious effort to get your pedals to release - when in both cases the Power Grips might have been the difference between rehab or riding.

Of course there are lots of people riding clipless pedals, but some of them shouldn't or would be be better off without them, and they could put the savings towards a good set of wheels.

Personally I tried Power-Grips and couldn't get on with them - I found getting in and out too slow for comfort, and didn't like the feel of the strap tension whilst pedalling. I currently use Zefal Mini-clips (toe-clips without straps), on bear-cage pedals - I can get in and out instantly, yet my feet never slide off the pedals and i've got something to push against for the hills. I'd recommend min-clips from experience, but bear in mind I haven't used full toeclips and straps or clipless.

Richard

Like Richard,

I couldn't really get on with Power Grips, but they're worth a try, you might like them.

When I'm not using my Time clipless pedals, I tend to use bear trap pedals...

Good luck with your choice!

Rich

try duck taping your feet to the pedals, I found it to be the best solution.

yeh toe clips (aka rat traps) are good. They keep u attached, and somewhat secure but real easy to get out of. I used them for a year. They wear out after a little while but ucan get them pretty cheap. If u like the security taht u get when attached these are great, unless u'r doing hardcore trail riding, they would just get anoying. Which brings up the other advantage, u can just flip the pedal over and not use them if u don;t want to. As long if u don;t mind them dragging a bit.