Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - clipless for commuting

i'm thinking of doing it and keeping my work shoes in my locker. i've got a six mile each way commute with a lot of hills and one stop light(boonies) so lately i've been thinking going clipless on my fixed gear. has anyone done this and what are your thoughts?

Clipless and fixed and not looking back.

Get mountain set up if you're planning to walk a lot in those shoes.

The longer the ride, the more valuable clipless pedals become.

I think that 6 miles each way with hills is enough to warrant clipless pedals.

Clipless and fixed and not looking back.

Get mountain set up if you're planning to walk a lot in those shoes.

This.

I have a road setup, though, and I tend to walk around in my shoes a lot.
People look at you funny while you're clack-clack-clacking across their tile floors in stores.

all my bikes have eggbeaters on them... some day i hope to have atacs on all of them...

My commute is 13 miles each way, I have eggbeaters too. They're good for easy entry, but had problems with some of the newer sets being too loose. Actually replaced a set that was too loose, unclipped by accident a few times during hard start / stops.

Clipless and fixed and not looking back.

Get mountain set up if you're planning to walk a lot in those shoes.
+1

I commute on eggbeaters with my mtn shoes. I love the setup, and my mtn shoes are a little roomy for thicker socks in this god awful cold.

Do it! and got with the MTB set up

Shimano or Time is the way to go with pedals, although quality of the new crank brothers stuff is supposed to be better but, i think it's still too early to tell.

Did that for years. You won't regret it. I used spd's.

If you go SPD, go with double-sided pedals and try Shimano's cheapest moutain bike shoe.

With Shimano MB shoes, I sometimes forget I have bike shoes on my feet.

That said, I hear good things about all the clipless systems.

I keep a pair of work shoes at work (my work place specifies the shoes I have to wear at work), but, otherwise, I could comfortably spend the day in my MB shoes.

also you might wanna check out dzr shoes (http://dzrshoes.com/) for some nice, casual looking spd shoes. i don't personally use them but i've heard nothing but good things.

I use SPD's that have a platform on the reverse side. That way I can still take the bike down town in my work shoes comfortably.

all my bikes have eggbeaters on them... some day i hope to have atacs on all of them...

That's pretty much a lateral move. Eggbeaters and ATACs are the same style of pedal with ATAC being higher quality.

Try the Shimano R540 with some entry level Shimano road shoes on one of your bikes. They will make Eggbeaters and ATACs feel primitive. Really.

well my plan was some sidi d5's and eggbeater 3's. i'm brakeless now but i'm thinking of running a front brake if i'm clipless.

well my plan was some sidi d5's and eggbeater 3's. i'm brakeless now but i'm thinking of running a front brake if i'm clipless.

Might I recommend road pedals, especially if you are commuting, not on and off the bike.

MTB pedal systems have different objectives than road systems.

Things that are of primary importance for MTB systems:
- Double sided for fast entry because in MTB and Cyclocross racing there is LOTS of on/off/on/off the bike
- Shedding mud (for obvious reasons)

They sacrifice the pedal platform, fit (can't adjust your foot angle), and float. Their float systems are primitive.

Things that are of primary importance for Road systems:
- Float. If you are going to ride for hours, your foot needs some room to wiggle. Road systems have a free float. MTB systems have a return-to-center "float" where there is always tension. Road systems you can adjust the angle of the cleat. MTB you cannot.
- Platform. Road systems feel like you have MUCH more of your foot on the pedal. MTB systems feel like you are pedaling on a golf ball.


Man, I've used every popular MTB and road pedal system out there. There is a BIG difference between the two types of systems. If you are going to commute a moderate distance and commit to switching shoes, the road pedals are definitely the way to go. You won't regret it.

i'm brakeless now

http://www.newsrealblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/bandbutt_brknlaw1.jpg

[QUOTE=carleton;12145700]Might I recommend road pedals, especially if you are commuting, not on and off the bike.

MTB pedal systems have different objectives than road systems.

Things that are of primary importance for MTB systems:
- Double sided for fast entry because in MTB and Cyclocross racing there is LOTS of on/off/on/off the bike
- Shedding mud (for obvious reasons)

They sacrifice the pedal platform, fit (can't adjust your foot angle), and float. Their float systems are primitive.

Things that are of primary importance for Road systems:
- Float. If you are going to ride for hours, your foot needs some room to wiggle. Road systems have a free float. MTB systems have a return-to-center "float" where there is always tension. Road systems you can adjust the angle of the cleat. MTB you cannot.
- Platform. Road systems feel like you have MUCH more of your foot on the pedal. MTB systems feel like you are pedaling on a golf ball.


Man, I've used every popular MTB and road pedal system out there. There is a BIG difference between the two types of systems. If you are going to commute a moderate distance and commit to switching shoes, the road pedals are definitely the way to go. You won't regret it.[/QUOTE

good advice, but i live in Sandy, OR(rural) so the mud thing is a concern as on a rainy day my bike can get pretty caked. and i like the idea of mtb shoe where there are studs to hide the cleat when i'm walking seeing as how i ride everywhere and it would be nice not to have the clicking when i'm off my bike. and VW, it is against the law, but i live in a town where everyone drives a truck and cops wouldn't know the first thing about bike law so i'm not really worried. to be honest i've meant to install a front brake for a while, it just hasn't really been a problem so i keep putting it off.

Do you deal with any more road debris or mud than road riders/racers?

If you want to go MTB then do it. But, road pedals are better for longer riding/commuting IMHO.

definitely go clipless. i agree that if you can go road pedals, that's the ticket, but i can not, i stop and walk too much on a day to day basis with that bike.

also, you mention being brakeless, and wanting to use a brake now that you're going clipless, this seems backwards to me, if anything you should be more secure with clipless, not less. in any event, there is really NO good reason NOT to have a brake on a commuting bike IMHO.

That's pretty much a lateral move. Eggbeaters and ATACs are the same style of pedal with ATAC being higher quality.

Try the Shimano R540 with some entry level Shimano road shoes on one of your bikes. They will make Eggbeaters and ATACs feel primitive. Really.

I want the higher quality and I like the adjustability of the atac xs line and being able to rebuild them more so than the eggbeaters.

I actually have the r540s for my track bike, got them a while back and some road shoes... so thats my only bike that is not eggbeatered :p

That's pretty much a lateral move. Eggbeaters and ATACs are the same style of pedal with ATAC being higher quality.

Try the Shimano R540 with some entry level Shimano road shoes on one of your bikes. They will make Eggbeaters and ATACs feel primitive. Really.


i love my atacs. please explain why they will feel primitive?

i love my atacs. please explain why they will feel primitive?

See my earlier post regarding float and platform size.

There is a reason why road, triathlon, and track riders ride road pedals and only MTB and Cyclocross riders use MTB pedals (generally speaking, of course).

You gotta ask yourself, "Is my riding closer to road or MTB?"

I've used them all in the past.

It's just like cars. A jeep is great in certain situations. So is an Accord. If you were renting a car, which would you prefer on a long trip across the state? Which would you prefer to take camping?

The OP is taking a long-ish trip.

If you only encounter one stop light in 6 miles, it's worthwhile going clipless. Having said that, I used to use spds for commuting but have since went back to cages/straps since I prefer the convenience of wearing regular shoes.

(boonies)

This tells me road pedals, but if you´re not really doing much intense riding then I´d suggest mountain bike pedals for the bonus of easy walkability

This tells me road pedals, but if you´re not really doing much intense riding then I´d suggest mountain bike pedals for the bonus of easy walkability

I concur. I use MTB because I feel it makes me more versatile. I don't have 3 fixed, I have one, so if I need to get off my bike i'm able to without bringing a change of shoes.

If you only encounter one stop light in 6 miles, it's worthwhile going clipless. Having said that, I used to use spds for commuting but have since went back to cages/straps since I prefer the convenience of wearing regular shoes.

Actually, I would say if you have frequent stops, go clipless. It's way easier to unclip and clip back in than loosen and tighten straps. I would also suggest a double sided system for ease of clipping in.

Everyone is different, I commute on MTB pedals/shoes. I am constantly on off the bike, up and down stairs, running for my train etc. I couldn't imagine doing that in road shoes on a daily basis.

I've also ridden centuries with a MTB setup and have never felt hot spots or other discomfort. Honestly, the only time I use road pedals/shoes is at the track.

How is skidding with clipless? Is there a high possibility of unclipping mid-skid?

Depends on a few things. Cleat wear, pedal float & rider form are some that come to mind. I ride clipless and brakeless and have never had a problem, but I have also heard nightmare stories from some people. YMMV.

If you go SPD, go with double-sided pedals and try Shimano's cheapest moutain bike shoe.

+1

I have the cheapest shimano MTB pedals and shoes i could find, and am destroying them with road salt right now. some day i'll have nice things.

See my earlier post regarding float and platform size.

There is a reason why road, triathlon, and track riders ride road pedals and only MTB and Cyclocross riders use MTB pedals (generally speaking, of course).

You gotta ask yourself, "Is my riding closer to road or MTB?"

I've used them all in the past.

It's just like cars. A jeep is great in certain situations. So is an Accord. If you were renting a car, which would you prefer on a long trip across the state? Which would you prefer to take camping?

The OP is taking a long-ish trip.

ah points taken. never really thought of it like that.
when i went clipless[truthfully i've never ridden any style but atac] i wanted a MTB style full sole shoe because i no longer live downtown and when heading into the city on my bike i wanted something i could walk around in once i locked up. carrying extra shoes[even vans slip-ons] in the knapsack 100km round trip was something i was trying to avoid. almost all my friends who ride clipless use atac as well so it just seemed logical.
if you dont mind, what would you say is the biggest downfall of atac?
i'll also mention i run my cleats L<-->R switched for the more aggressive required disengagement angle and i wear sidi bullet2s which were a steal online at the time.

Clipless pedals were the best decision I have made for my creamroller. Cages weren't my thing because I have to deal with high arched feet and wouldn't fit in regular size cages. Love them.and will never turn back

ah points taken. never really thought of it like that.
when i went clipless[truthfully i've never ridden any style but atac] i wanted a MTB style full sole shoe because i no longer live downtown and when heading into the city on my bike i wanted something i could walk around in once i locked up. carrying extra shoes[even vans slip-ons] in the knapsack 100km round trip was something i was trying to avoid. almost all my friends who ride clipless use atac as well so it just seemed logical.
if you dont mind, what would you say is the biggest downfall of atac?
i'll also mention i run my cleats L<-->R switched for the more aggressive required disengagement angle and i wear sidi bullet2s which were a steal online at the time.

My last set of MTB pedals were ATAC. I had two bikes at the time a track bike with Shimano SPD-SL Ultegra and a CX bike with TIME ATACs on it. I bought the cross bike on a good deal with intentions of learning to race CX. I never did. So, after weeks/months of riding the track bike on the track, I decided to take the CX bike for a spin around town.

"OH MY GOD", I thought to my self. The cleat attachment was tiny compared to the road pedals. The float felt springy, not free. You can't adjust the angle that the cleat points (you can with road cleats). This determines which way your foot points. Then the platform of the pedal felt tiny.

The pedal under my foot felt like it was shaped like [] in the middle of the foot with the ATACs. With SPD-SLs it feels like [|||] with the platform extending almost the width of my foot. (sorry for the ascii graphics).

...,,...,,,;;;

My last set of MTB pedals were ATAC. I had two bikes at the time a track bike with Shimano SPD-SL Ultegra and a CX bike with TIME ATACs on it. I bought the cross bike on a good deal with intentions of learning to race CX. I never did. So, after weeks/months of riding the track bike on the track, I decided to take the CX bike for a spin around town.

"OH MY GOD", I thought to my self. The cleat attachment was tiny compared to the road pedals. The float felt springy, not free. You can't adjust the angle that the cleat points (you can with road cleats). This determines which way your foot points. Then the platform of the pedal felt tiny.

The pedal under my foot felt like it was shaped like [] in the middle of the foot with the ATACs. With SPD-SLs it feels like [|||] with the platform extending almost the width of my foot. (sorry for the ascii graphics).

Maybe it was your shoes?

First off Im not too knowledgeable with this stuff and might be confusing some basic things, but I ride with an SPD setup with LG moutain shoes that seems a lot closer to the ATAC setup than SPD-SL. I can easily adjust the angle of the cleat, but thats a function of the shoe, not the cleat, and I dont feel a pedal under my feet, I feel my foot on my shoe.

Im not sure I understand what float is, but unless I have the pedals clips cranked to really high tensions, I can wiggle my feet a decent amount.

I just rode about 65 miles on wed and the setup was comfortable the whole way. Being that they are mountain shoes I have little trouble walking around shops and bars, climbing stairs, or hiking through little bits of trail. There's still a little click from the shoes themselves but its gotta be a billion times better than walking around in road shoes with an SPD-SL setup.

AND...

http://www.dzrshoes.com/

Lets see you mount those road cleats onto a shoe you wont look like a dork wearing.

I don't think anyone looks like a dork wearing road shoes.

I guess it comes down to what the person prefers; if you think you'll like a road set up, go for it and the same with mountain.

I do.

Why?

Besides walking around all funny they don't look right with street clothes.

Besides walking around all funny they don't look right with street clothes.

Neither do helmets, lights, or messenger bags.

Neither do helmets, lights, or messenger bags.

yet i wear all these to the bar.

forreals tho thanks for your input a few posts up. i've been thinking of buying a proper new roadie in the next year or two and i might try a proper road clipless setup at that time.

Neither do helmets, lights, or messenger bags.

You're right about the helmet, wrong about the other two. I think the practical points I made are still worth considering.

You're right about the helmet, wrong about the other two. I think the practical points I made are still worth considering.

Which points?

If you haven't used a road pedal system, how can you comment on what is better? You are simply saying that you like your MTB pedals.

Which points?

If you haven't used a road pedal system, how can you comment on what is better? You are simply saying that you like your MTB pedals.

What Im saying is that all the things that you say road setups can do that mountain cant aren't really exclusive to big clunky road setups. It is possible to wear mountain setups that address all of the issues you had with them.

Which points?

If you haven't used a road pedal system, how can you comment on what is better? You are simply saying that you like your MTB pedals.
I have not used road pedals either, as a matter of disclaimer. However, I have toured with my mountain pedals for thousands of miles, and I can say that comfort was never an issue, regardless of whatever float or platform differences mountain pedals have from road ones. When you're traveling any sort of "long" distance, I'd be more concerned about saddle comfort than pedal comfort, quite frankly.

I would definitely suggest mountain over road if there is any amount of walking involved, though.

I have toured with my mountain pedals for thousands of miles
"Oh reeaaally?". He said sarcastically in a British accent.

......just curious. Anyone tried the Mission Workshop Rondel or know anyone who has experience with it?

ok, sorry i started the fat fight of mtb vs. road cleats. carleton, as always your advice is knowledgable and much appreciated. but i have my heart set on sidi D5's and seeing as how everyone says it's an opinion thing i think i'll try the mtb setup on my fixie commuter and put some road cleats on my lemond tourmalet and see which one i like better. but out of curiousity, carleton, what's your preffered road setup?

with spd style, start with low tension.

I've slowly been making my tension higher on my pedals and noticed significantly less "accidental" slip outs.