Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - clipless or straps?

Hey guys ive been riding my fixed gear for some years now and im gotten pretty accustom to it. I was looking into some other forum of foot retention. I've been using the stock pedals and single strap that has come with my windsor the hour for the whole time i've owned my bike which has probably been about four years now. I was wondering what you guys thought of clipless pedals vs straps for skidding and just overall riding. If I were to go clipless I was planning on buying the sneaker style shoes that are made by chrome and other companies. basically if that setup is more efficient than the single strap I have now or if I should go with a double strap with cages or velcro strap with flat BMX pedals. I weighing my options. thanks for the help.

why not both???
I use flat bmx pedals with straps during small rides or when i know i will stop a lot, but switch to clipless (look keo classic) when riding for longer/more of a workout, switching between pedals takes 2 minutes as long as you have the tools with you

I also do both, use a nice set of double straps and clips for commuting to work and school and switch to my Speedplays when I want to do a longer ride. It's never become a problem, a pedal wrench/allen key makes quick work of changing the pedals.

I have tested everything. look at my post: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/857364-Am-I-the-only-person-in-the-world-commuting-to-work-with-Pyro-Platforms

However, I have been focusing mostly on pedaling efficiency, to train myself for competition.
Just focusing on skidding is another thing.
I keep on switching from one technique to another. There isn't the perfect solution. Several buddies are going ahead with SPD cleatted shoes (DZR, Chrome, etc...) but those shoes are not OK for my office (so far).

Clipless. You'll wonder why you ever used anything else.

Platforms + cage/strap. Don't want to throw down $4-500 for shoes and pedals. (Winter clipless boots are expensive/impossible to find). -10F in SPDs doesn't sound like fun.

i use straps for casual rides.

SPD clipless for commuting and everything else.

Clipless. You'll wonder why you ever used anything else.

this.

OP, not trying to thread jack, just have a question that branches off.

Whats the difference between road and MTB clipless setups? I know its a difference between 2 and 3 bolt systems, but what does that translate to when riding?

Clipless. You'll wonder why you ever used anything else.

Having just recently switched over, I wholeheartedly agree. Climbing, spinning, and skidding have all become much easier and more natural.

OP, not trying to thread jack, just have a question that branches off.

Whats the difference between road and MTB clipless setups? I know its a difference between 2 and 3 bolt systems, but what does that translate to when riding?

Surface area contact (between shoe and pedal) is greater on Road.
Distance between ball of foot and pedal axle is smaller on Road.

And it is not necessarily a difference between two and three bolt pattern - but it is true that two bolt spd has gravitated toward mtb and touring (probably bc of sole tread clearance).

I have both Look clipless and various pedals with toeclips and straps. FWIW, most of my riding seems to happen on the bikes with toeclips and straps. I can use regular shoes in them for casual riding, and if I want more "performance" I can use slotted cleats (which in my experience work just as well in foot retention as clipless pedals, albeit needing a little more skill in operation).

depends on the application.

So a typical road cleat gives you a greater connection to the pedal? I've really been thinking about going clipless, but at the same time I might just wait until I buy myself a road bike.

Clipless. You'll wonder why you ever used anything else.
​I'm also going to have to agree with this.

I went from:

China single strap
hold fast on a quill track pedal
SPD and chrome shoes
SPD-SL and Giro Factors

Every time has been a never look back improvement. With nice SPD shoes like DZR or Chrome there's no excuse not to be clipless.

I had problems with SPDs pulling put, particularly with any sort of hipster tail whippy situation. So maybe try Time or Crank Bros.

I'm gay for SPD SL now, Ill carry shoes in a bag and deal with it if I'm commuting. Only lame thing is if you're on group ride, carbon soled shoes and brakeless gets interesting packed tight with people that can't ride bikes.

Next upgrade will prolly be SPD SL and hold fast for track days.

clipless. SO much Better.

and with a decent mtb shoe or touring shoe, walking in them for a decent amount of time wont be difficult or irritating.

Depends on the length/intensity of your rides. There are times where I'm perfectly happy riding clips/straps and wouldn't want to bother with clipless. For longer or more intense rides, I like having clipless.

Everyone who has ever tried clipless will almost unanimously agree that they are way better than straps for non-casual riding. Likewise, platforms are much more convenient for casual riding. Straps don't work well in either situation. With numerous dual sided (clipless/platform) pedals available that offer the best of both worlds, archaic retension systems (clips and straps) have long been obsolete and, these days, are really just for fashion.

You really can't go wrong with a pair of Shimano A530s
283462

or Shimano PD-M324s
283461.

The A530s are probably best if you plan on using the clipless side more often. The M324s have a full size platform and are better if you intend to use the platform side frequently. I use the M324s on my fixed commuter and ride the platform side frequently with no issues.
Clones of these pedals are available for less that what the Shimano pedals cost. Check Nashbar.

I disagree. Platforms without some type of strap offers no foot retention. I'm not down with riding brakeless(or even with just a front brake) without foot retention of some sort, so on a fixed gear bike the retention-less platform side becomes useless.

I disagree. Platforms without some type of strap offers no foot retention. I'm not down with riding brakeless(or even with just a front brake) without foot retention of some sort, so on a fixed gear bike the retention-less platform side becomes useless.

Eh...I ride platforms on my fixie more often than I ride clipless. Its never been an issue. Obviously, you should use retention if you plan on any type of non-casual riding, but that would be true of any bicycle...not just fixed gears. In these instances clipless works better anyway, which is why I condone the dual side pedals posted above. You should have a brake installed anyway. Like straps, brakeless bikes are obsolete and really only for fashion.

I mean... there are plenty of people here riding brakeless bikes regularly and practically, calling them obsolete would be a bit of a stretch.

I mean... there are plenty of people here riding brakeless bikes regularly and practically, calling them obsolete would be a bit of a stretch.

Look...its OK if you like brakeless bikes and archaic pedals or whatever if that is what you are into. Nonetheless, bikes with effective braking systems have vastly outnumbered brakeless fixed gear bikes for many decades. Likewise, clipless pedals have vastly replaced older retention systems.
Just because a few ride brakeless fixed gear bikes doesn't mean they aren't obsolete. People still heat their homes and apartments with steam radiators and go hunting with muskets. Just because something is obsolete doesn't mean its not OK to use it. Personally, while I appreciate some older technologies (e.g. fixed gears), I feel that obsolete pedal systems are not worth the trouble of trying to be a purist. Therefore I have gone entirely clipless on most of my bikes with a few set up with platforms for casual rides. YMMV

I personally love riding with clipless pedals, i have shimano mtb pedals on two of my bikes and two pairs of shoes, a more sneaker looking shimano mt-32 shoe that has decent confort for walking short distances, and a more serious looking gaerne tekna shoe thats stiffer, gives a better power transfer, gerat for longer rides.
But i wouldnt trust those pedals for riding brakeless, I've had a few scary unclipping moments while skidding. My brakeless bike has mks pedals with plastic clips and double straps.

Everyone who has ever tried clipless will almost unanimously agree that they are way better than straps for non-casual riding. Likewise, platforms are much more convenient for casual riding. Straps don't work well in either situation. With numerous dual sided (clipless/platform) pedals available that offer the best of both worlds, archaic retension systems (clips and straps) have long been obsolete and, these days, are really just for fashion.

You really can't go wrong with a pair of Shimano A530s
283462

or Shimano PD-M324s
283461.

The A530s are probably best if you plan on using the clipless side more often. The M324s have a full size platform and are better if you intend to use the platform side frequently. I use the M324s on my fixed commuter and ride the platform side frequently with no issues.
Clones of these pedals are available for less that what the Shimano pedals cost. Check Nashbar.

"Everyone"?: That's crap, clipless are a PIA; and too often a pain in the foot and knee. Getting clipless off my bikes was the smartest upgrade I've made to my bikes. Each to their own, but I think you have drunk a little too much of the koolaid.

OP, not trying to thread jack, just have a question that branches off.

Whats the difference between road and MTB clipless setups? I know its a difference between 2 and 3 bolt systems, but what does that translate to when riding?

All I can speak of is the difference between an "SL type" road pedal (shimano ultegra) and cranks bros candy mtb pedals. The shimano's, even with the yellow (float) cleat are like ski bindings - very little side to side movement. The eggbeaters are much "sloppier" in that there is a lot of side to side float. For commuting and general riding I prefer the mtb pedals for the float and ease of walking in the shoes. Most here would probably prefer a road type pedal as your foot is fitted much tighter to the platform.

"Everyone"?: That's crap, clipless are a PIA; and too often a pain in the foot and knee. Getting clipless off my bikes was the smartest upgrade I've made to my bikes. Each to their own, but I think you have drunk a little too much of the koolaid.

I don't drink koolaid. I try stuff and stick with what works best. I've tried straps...they suck compared to a good clipless setup.
In any case, outside of fixster-luddite Grant Peterson worshipper groups, this isn't even debatable.

Have you ever considered that your clipless pedals weren't set up correctly, or that your shoes didn't fit?

I don't debate the love affair with clipless, I object to the imperialist 'everybody'. Though, I'll note that in my rides, when I see the people actually out their riding their bikes, there is a healthy number NOT using a clipless system. I guess they haven't gotten the memo.

I still use clipless for spin class, they have always fit just fine... but never as comfortable as straps.

"Everyone"?: That's crap, clipless are a PIA; and too often a pain in the foot and knee. Getting clipless off my bikes was the smartest upgrade I've made to my bikes. Each to their own, but I think you have drunk a little too much of the koolaid.

Makes me think your pedal stroke sucks. Just sayin.

Straps/clips arent just to hold your foot in place while you do sweet dickhead skiddies all over the place.

I don't debate the love affair with clipless, I object to the imperialist 'everybody'. Though, I'll note that in my rides, when I see the people actually out their riding their bikes, there is a healthy number NOT using a clipless system. I guess they haven't gotten the memo.

I still use clipless for spin class, they have always fit just fine... but never as comfortable as straps.

Before you continue with the accusations of imperialism, carefully reread my first post. I did not say everyone agrees on this. I said it is "nearly unanimous" (among folks who use retention). And it is.

The "healthy number NOT using a clipless system" are mostly using platforms/flats...not straps.

My original point was that platforms are best for some things, clipless are best for others.

Straps are a compromise that allow some of the benefits of clipless while wearing normal shoes. But they don't offer all of the performance advantages of clipless...not by a long shot...this is not even debatable.

A dual sided (clipless/platform) pedal will give you all of the performance advantages of a clipless system yet will still provide you with all of the simplicity and convenience of flats without having to commit fully to either.

The only thing the archaic clip-strap system does is fully commit the rider to a clumsy compromise of both systems (IMO).

When I go on a casual or utilitarian ride, where performance is not a concern, why would I want to have to bother with a clumsy foot retension system of any kind? Likewise, if I am going to go on a long and/or fast ride, where performance is relevant, why would I want to wear flimsy street shoes and a partial retention system when I could go full clipless?

I am not disputing that there may be personal situations where straps are the best system, but I've never personally encountered such a scenario. And in most instances, I think its more about fashion (or, more often, resistance to fashion, which is still a form of slavery to fashion).

BTW, there is a huge ongoing debate in the MTB world about clipless vs flats. The debate will never be resolved because both systems have their advantages. However, note that no one has ever even mentioned straps in that debate. Why is that?

All I can speak of is the difference between an "SL type" road pedal (shimano ultegra) and cranks bros candy mtb pedals. The shimano's, even with the yellow (float) cleat are like ski bindings - very little side to side movement. The eggbeaters are much "sloppier" in that there is a lot of side to side float. For commuting and general riding I prefer the mtb pedals for the float and ease of walking in the shoes. Most here would probably prefer a road type pedal as your foot is fitted much tighter to the platform.

This isn't completely accurate. Most road and mtb clipless systems have similar amounts of float. The amount of float varies from system to system, so make sure you examine the specs before you buy. It is possible to buy totally fixed systems. I've always felt that some float is helpful but huge amounts are unnecessary.
The main differences between road and MTB systems are the width of the cleat/pedal interface and walkability of the shoe. Road shoes are more stable on the pedal and less walkable.
In practice, there really isn't a huge difference while riding, although road systems are more optimized for riding. If being able to walk for more that a few steps is as important to you as the ride itself, then a MTB system is preferable.

I don't drink koolaid. I try stuff and stick with what works best. I've tried straps...they suck compared to a good clipless setup.
In any case, outside of fixster-luddite Grant Peterson worshipper groups, this isn't even debatable.

Have you ever considered that your clipless pedals weren't set up correctly, or that your shoes didn't fit?

It IS debatable...

I own 12 bikes, some have BMX style plaforms, others have road style platforms, others have double straps with toe clips, others have single straps with toe clips. I have tried clipless, and while it is nice, it doesn't suit my needs. Clipless is only "better" if the type of riding you do is suited to it. For me, it is a bother and the benefits do not outweigh the downsides: (cost, shoes, having to swap pedals between bikes, etc...) On the bikes I ride that are for "sporty" riding, I find a properly set up combo of double straps and the right size clips with a pair of shoes that has a decent stiff soul ( I use the DVS/Cinelli shoes or Chrome sneakers) is just fine with me.

What exactly are we "debating" anyway; personal preference?

I should add one reason I prefer clips and straps to just platform is due to an accident I had once while riding to work. I was riding one of my road bikes that I had just built up, and had not yet installed the clips and straps. Well, I took my hands off the bars, riding "no handed" for a minute while I adjusted my back pack. My foot slipped off one of the pedals, and I was not able to reach the handlebars in time. So..down I went. If I had been using clips and straps...or clipless (which I don't prefer for the reasons stated above) I would have been fine...

Only my MTB and "townie" style bikes have platforms. Any bike with drop bars or a "road bike" I do like some foot retention.

What exactly are we "debating" anyway; personal preference?

I don't think we are debating anything really, at least I don't think I am.

I mean, there are certain things that are basically indisputable....like clipless is better from a pure road performance standpoint (e.g. racing). Flats are the simplest system and most approriate for the casualest of casual cycling. The vast majority of people on bikes are on flats and ride very casually. Clipless has largely replaced straps in the mainstream performance cycling world.
These are facts.

The rest, including what works best for each individual is a complex blend of circumstance and personal bias. YMMV.

My personal opinion is that clipless is the best system for any type of cycling that warrants foot retention. You can have the best of both worlds (retension and no retension) with a dual sided pedal (as posted above). Straps are largely a fashion anachronism (again, IMO)...but as I noted above, there may be situations where they are warranted.

nicely put.

It is true, a clipless pedal & shoe system offers many performance advantages over clips & straps.

Using that logic then, can you please explain to me why one would ride a fixed geared, traditional diamond frame bicycle rather than a geared recumbant? There are numerous performance advantages to a geared recumbant bicycle; aerodynamics, power output, comfort, safety, speed. These are also facts. Yet, folks continue to ride inferior diamond framed fixed gear bicycles. Whats the deal? Why do clips and straps continue to be used, even in professional track racing?

I do feel though, your argument is based on clipless vs clips & straps from a performance (road racing) perspective. Considering this forum is for ss/fg and the OP wants something that will be good for everyday riding and "skidding" I wonder where exactly you're going with your advice? Will the OP really benefit from a clipless setup if they plan to ride around, go on the occasional group ride, skid around with friends....etc. This is how most folks I know ride their ss/fg bikes. If they plan to do any serious riding they ride a road bike, usually with a clipless setup. So, that being said, should they (the OP) remove the clips and straps from their pedals and ride strictly platform?

What really has me scratching my head is this here:


Eh...I ride platforms on my fixie more often than I ride clipless. Its never been an issue. Obviously, you should use retention if you plan on any type of non-casual riding, but that would be true of any bicycle...not just fixed gears. In these instances clipless works better anyway, which is why I condone the dual side pedals posted above. You should have a brake installed anyway. Like straps, brakeless bikes are obsolete and really only for fashion.

I present to you this scenario: riding a fixed gear, platforms only, no foot retention...and as in my experience mentioned in the previous post, you take your hands off the bars (for any reason), and one of your feet slips off of a pedal. What do you do? Me? I learn from my experience and throw some damn clips and straps on my pedals. Call me crazy, or a slave to fashion, or whatever...but I like to have the option of riding no handed sometimes, to adjust a backpack, strach out my back...etc...and I'm not about to go drop a couple hundred dollars on a whole pedal/shoe system to do it. How does that make me a slave to fashion? Sure I have my tastes, but there really are reasons to use clips and straps from a practicality standpoint as well. You can deny that as much as you want, but it doesn't make it untrue.

When I go on a casual or utilitarian ride, where performance is not a concern, why would I want to have to bother with a clumsy foot retension system of any kind? Likewise, if I am going to go on a long and/or fast ride, where performance is relevant, why would I want to wear flimsy street shoes and a partial retention system when I could go full clipless?

This is my reasoning for having platform pedals on my Fuji and clipless on my other bikes. I have only found straps to be uncomfortable and annoying.

but I dont have such a strong opinion against straps for other people.

It boils down to this, some feel clips and straps offer the advantages of a platform pedal (ease of use, you can wear regular shoes, it is affordable) as well as the advantage of foot retention.

Others feel it offers the drawback of ... well i don't know what exactly the drawbacks are, really...but some folks seem to think they are for fashion only I guess? Which is a really redundant argument considering the forum IMO

This is my reasoning for having platform pedals on my Fuji and clipless on my other bikes. I have only found straps to be uncomfortable and annoying

There is a learning curve. I can't remember the last time I had any trouble getting my feet into clips and straps, it's second nature for me. I have seen people turned off by clips and straps because they embarassed themselves as n00bs being all clumsy trying to get their feet in and failing miserably.

They're just annoying and uncomfortable and I didnt realize until I moved away from them. The same learning curve can be applied to using one sided clipless pedals, which I do use in traffic without issues.

I dont care if others use them. I just use straps for other things, like holding a fork to a frame when the bike is on the stand.

Right, I know, that wasn't intended as a jab at your bike skills...I have seen it though.

I'm just trying to provide some perspective here. This thread really isn't doing much to answer the OPs question...they want to know what will suit their style of riding...and IMO they shouldn't change a thing. I do agree there are benefits to clips vs clips and straps...that's why they fell out of favor in many bike riding circles...but from the ss/fg perpective they fit right in. This thread isn't about the overall benefits of clipless vs straps...its about what will work best for this particular rider. That's my point. OP is not a roadie, and if they want to be one, putting clipless pedals on their freaking Windsor is not going to do it. Their a casual ss/fg rider and in the way they ride (including skidding) clips & straps is the way to go. Should they really spend more money on a damn pedaling system that is worth more than their whole bike?

i use clipless for casual rides and even down to the store...

sorry about all the typos btw. Too lazy to go edit everything.

i use clipless for casual rides and even down to the store...


Great story bro, tell it again!

Clips and Straps for LIFE! Although I did acquire some Look-style Dura-Ace pedals last year (they were on my DiamondBack when I bought it), I dunno if I'll ever get shoes and cleats for them.

Maybe I will get some sick Holdfasts for my Lambda pedals

Don't Lambdas weigh 2lbs apiece?

Proper pedals:

http://www.velobase.com/CompImages/Pedals/504C9CBD-F265-483B-A59B-26020B2E8229.jpeg

^ew, those cause major hot spots without a pretty stiff sole on your shoes.

They can get a little hurty with Chuck Taylors, olde Vans and other thin-sole + thin-upper shoes.

I like them best with thick soled running shoes. Super comfy and just-right retention for me.

http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/DSWShoes/223888_045_ss_01?scl=3.125&qlt=70&fmt=jpeg&wid=480&hei=359&op_sharpen=1

I tend to prefer a wider platform, like these Specialized touring pedals made by MKS. Wish they still made them (sigh) I'm using them with Christophe cages and straps
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6160/6230516937_9ddd98f6ea_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobrabyte/6230516937/)