Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Clipless Pedals on a single speed?

Call me a newbie if you will, but as I browse the photos of the various bikes on this forum, I see that very few have clipless pedals. Why is that? I understand that perhaps on a fixie they wouldn't work well. But how about just a single speed?

They work on fg or ss.

I use my fg for commuting in the winter, so I use toe clips without straps to accomodate anything I need to wear for foot comfort. Any other time I could use clipless, that is if my son ever gives my shoes back.

Call me a newbie if you will, but as I browse the photos of the various bikes on this forum, I see that very few have clipless pedals. Why is that? I understand that perhaps on a fixie they wouldn't work well. But how about just a single speed?

The same reason they prefer steel frames with horizontal top tubes.

I use my SS just for running for coffee or quick errands. I have clipless for now but want double sided, clipless/MTB pedal on the other.

I ride clipless on my fixed gear, my singlespeed, my tandem, my mountain bike, my hybrid bike, my still-being-built road bike, and if I get another bike, I'll get another set of clipless pedals.

There is no form of riding that you can't use clipless pedals on.

I use my SS just for running for coffee or quick errands. I have clipless for now but want double sided, clipless/MTB pedal on the other.

Yeah, you'll probably like them. My son has those and loves them.

As another newbie to the SSFG world (well, I had single speeds up through 6th grade but somehow the I don't think banana seats and ape-hanger bars are what we're talking about here), I had this question in my mind regarding riding FG.

My new bike has a flip-flop hub and I currently have it spinning the freewheel side. I use eggbeaters on my road & mtn bikes, so that's what I use here. But, if (when) I give FG riding a shot I figured I would start with platforms but wasn't sure if people ever use clipless. Hmmm...I'll just step back and see what anyone says here. Thanks!

I see that very few have clipless pedals. Why is that?

bunch of cheapos

I think that clipless pedals work better for FG than any clip/strap I can think of. With SPD's or Crank Bros style cleats I have found it easier to clip in/out than it ever was for me to get in and out of my clips. I think the real issue is people want to be able to wear any shoes with their bike as most Fixie/SS riders are not routinely going on long sport rides but riding to some where or just cruisin' around town. If you want to use Clipless but dont want to have to wear SPD compatible shoes every time you ride your bike get some double sided pedals with SPD on one side and platforms on the other. Works great for me.

Clipless works really well on a fixed gear and I wouldn't ride any other way. Not sure why you think they may not work well.

I ride a fixie without clipless because that bike is used for campus commuting and quick bouts around town. So for those i dont want cycling shoes, i want to get off my bike and walk into class, or a shop. Perhaps if I felt particularly saucy and wanted to ride 40 or 50 miles on my fixie i would but clipless pedals on it.

The fixie is all about functionality, no gears = no problems... keep with that motto and take as many moving parts out of the equation

I just removed my left pedal. The bar and coffee shop are both close to home, and I got tired of the pedal gouging my calf as I walk.

I run a set of Look clipless pedals on my Pista (when both fixed or single). It took me 1 or 2 days of full riding to get completely comfortable after using them for the first time. Most people complain about having to either walk around in cleats or having to carry around a spare set of shoes. However it really is not that terrible having to carry around a spare set of shoes, especially in the summer when i wear moccasins/toms

Some people think clips and straps work better for brakeless fixed riding because you can accidentally pop out of clipless during massive skidz. I'm not one of those people.

Wearing comfortable shoes for walking around after you get to wherever you're riding to can be nice.

I always use clipless because I fall over and hurt myself when I use straps.

http://images.icanhascheezburger.com/completestore/2008/6/21/thisthreadis128585095970765586.jpg

I HAS QUESTION:

been thinking about getting some spd pedals for my pista concept build....
spd because the stationary bikes at my gym class (i go to spin class twice a week) have spd, and there seems to be a number of "cool" "street" spd shoes.....like mission workshop or whatever....

ok so question(s):
1. what is a good spd pedal?
2. what are some good makes of spd "street/urban/walk-around/coolio" shoes? i think there is mission workshop, chrome, some other company....what is that name? anything else?

I just removed my left pedal. The bar and coffee shop are both close to home, and I got tired of the pedal gouging my calf as I walk.

Post of the day.

http://images.icanhascheezburger.com/completestore/2008/6/21/thisthreadis128585095970765586.jpg

I HAS QUESTION:

been thinking about getting some spd pedals for my pista concept build....
spd because the stationary bikes at my gym class (i go to spin class twice a week) have spd, and there seems to be a number of "cool" "street" spd shoes.....like mission workshop or whatever....

ok so question(s):
1. what is a good spd pedal?
2. what are some good makes of spd "street/urban/walk-around/coolio" shoes? i think there is mission workshop, chrome, some other company....what is that name? anything else?

Shimano spd M520 (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&tbm=shop&sa=X&ei=wnGLTbTCIYz2swPUqbCQCg&ved=0CFIQBSgA&q=shimano+m520+spd+pedals&spell=1)? Inexpensive, robust, they do what they do. I have these on my CX bike and they also make decent commuting pedals.

2. what are some good makes of spd "street/urban/walk-around/coolio" shoes? i think there is mission workshop, chrome, some other company....what is that name? anything else?
Cannondale and Shimano also make some sneaker-looking two-bolt shoes. Go to REI and a few bike shops, look around, they should have a few types of more casual shoes.

I ride both and tend to switch back and forth between atacs and a pair of pedals with clips and double straps

I wish I had the money for some speedplay frog zero float clipless pedals. As what prevents me from riding clip less all the time is the float, which is healthy for some people, but without my foot being held strictly at zero my Q angle goes wonky and it causes my knee to get inflamed

YMMV just explaining the reasons behind what I ride as it might help you with your decision

I ride clipless on my fixed gear, my singlespeed, my tandem, my mountain bike, my hybrid bike, my still-being-built road bike, and if I get another bike, I'll get another set of clipless pedals.

There is no form of riding that you can't use clipless pedals on.

that is true however I hate changing my shoes 3 times a day when I ride to work. When I go on long rides I switch pedals to my eggbeaters

There is no form of riding that you can't use clipless pedals on.

Aren't they banned from BMX and trials competitions?

Aren't they banned from BMX and trials competitions?

trials I think you are right but even if not I certainly wouldn't want to use clipless doing trials not enough control. As for BMX they are only banned in europe for kids under 15 or 12 (I can't remember which)

that is true however I hate changing my shoes 3 times a day when I ride to work. When I go on long rides I switch pedals to my eggbeaters

seems like the dual sided pedals would be perfect for this, but I don't think they make one that's one side egg beater and the other platform and who wants to change shoes.

Some people think clips and straps work better for brakeless fixed riding because you can accidentally pop out of clipless during massive skidz. I'm not one of those people.

Wearing comfortable shoes for walking around after you get to wherever you're riding to can be nice.

I always use clipless because I fall over and hurt myself when I use straps.
I have never popped out. However, I have accidentally clipped in. lol


Cannondale and Shimano also make some sneaker-looking two-bolt shoes. Go to REI and a few bike shops, look around, they should have a few types of more casual shoes.

Trek makes these
http://s7d4.scene7.com/is/image/TrekBicycleProducts/09bo408798-408808?wid=389&hei=389&fit=fit,1&fmt=jpg&qlt=85,1&op_sharpen=1&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0,0,0,0&iccEmbed=0

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/Fixed22011.jpg

SPD's + Fixed gear = Awesome.

Nice bike Ryan. Kinda reminds me of a tall awkward kid, but still cool.

SPD pedals are great for all types of riding with a few exceptions. FG is not one of them. I have SPDs on all my bikes except my commuter because I want to wear street shoes on that bike.

seems like the dual sided pedals would be perfect for this, but I don't think they make one that's one side egg beater and the other platform and who wants to change shoes.
If you have an extra pair of cleats you could snap in some Winwood platforms.


Trek makes these
http://s7d4.scene7.com/is/image/TrekBicycleProducts/09bo408798-408808?wid=389&hei=389&fit=fit,1&fmt=jpg&qlt=85,1&op_sharpen=1&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0,0,0,0&iccEmbed=0
By sneaker-like I meant all laces. Like these Shimano ones (http://www.rei.com/product/811215) or these Cannondale ones (http://www.rei.com/product/720721).

or if you want/need to go cheaper check out these (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_513988_-1_202642_10000_202520):
http://www.nashbar.com/images/nashbar/products/medium/YS-AQ24-NCL-ANGLE.jpg
these (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_197266_-1_202630_10000_202520):
http://www.nashbar.com/images/nashbar/products/large/SH-MT21-NCL-ANGLE.jpg
these: (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_513999_-1_202642_10000_202520)
http://www.nashbar.com/images/nashbar/products/medium/YS-AQ34-NCL-ANGLE.jpg
or these: (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_168811_-1_202642_10000_202520)
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_513999_-1_202642_10000_202520
from nashbar all for less than $40. Can't vouch for the quality though.

I did not enjoy clipless pedals on my fixed gear, so I went back to clips and straps... but I will say that Shimano PD-M520's are great.

Nice bike Ryan. Kinda reminds me of a tall awkward kid, but still cool.

Thanks. That bike and I have shared many happy miles.

If you have an extra pair of cleats you could snap in some Winwood platforms.


By sneaker-like I meant all laces. Like these Shimano ones (http://www.rei.com/product/811215) or these Cannondale ones (http://www.rei.com/product/720721).
I am not normally one to trash someone's post, but those are ugly.

Once you go clipless there is no going back.

The brown shimano ones, are more "mtb" like now ...

Cant go wrong with the "campus" pedals ... ( shimano/wellgo/forte )

Cant go wrong with the "campus" pedals ... ( shimano/wellgo/forte )

Forte sucks

I am not normally one to trash someone's post, but those are ugly.
To each his own. They're less noticeable than walking around in shoes with velcro straps.

They just look like indoor soccer shoes with velcro straps. IMO they look much better. But aesthetics are subjective.

Once you go clipless there is no going back.

quite easily actually especially if you dislike carrying an extra pair of shoes

Forte sucks

Not, when its 60% off ... : o)

quite easily actually especially if you dislike carrying an extra pair of shoes

Hmm, I never ride with extra shoes. You know that they make clipless pedal and shoe systems that you can walk around in pretty comfortably with right?

Can wear different types of footware with clips/straps. My hiking boots work awesome in the winter and are much warmer and cost way less than any foul weather shoe.

Exustar touring shoe! Ride your clipless bike to a wedding in a tux without bringing extra shoes
http://prollyisnotprobably.com/2010/04/14/exustar_touring-PINP.jpg

Not, when its 60% off ... : o)
That's why I bought a pair and how I discovered that they suck


Exustar touring shoe! Ride your clipless bike to a wedding in a tux without bringing extra shoes
http://prollyisnotprobably.com/2010/04/14/exustar_touring-PINP.jpg

Before going in a Tux you have to buy shoes in patent leather
http://www.nonstopciclismo.com/products/NALVINBK_SM.jpg

Post of the day.

^this

Once you go clipless there is no going back.
yes, there is.

Shimano spd M520 (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&tbm=shop&sa=X&ei=wnGLTbTCIYz2swPUqbCQCg&ved=0CFIQBSgA&q=shimano+m520+spd+pedals&spell=1)? Inexpensive, robust, they do what they do. I have these on my CX bike and they also make decent commuting pedals.

+1 along w/touring shoes. Mtb, rb or tri shoes don't have the clearance to not 'click' when you walk. I've got a 14 yr old pair of C'Dale touring shoes w/t soles worn down that still don't strike when I walk. They look dopey, but I don't care. :p

i ordered a pair of mountain bike shoes and bought some egg beaters. I'm waiting for the shoes to come.

195082

195083

...this again?

Going up a steep hill on your clipless fixed is easily the best feeling there is. Pulling up is INCREDIBLE.

I tried to go back to track pedals and straps, but I don't get the same power pulling up as I do with clipless.