Power Grips
02-06-06, 08:56 AM
#1
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Power Grips
I've always used toe clips, mostly because I am on a limited budget. But this weekend I tried something different: Power Grips.
I really love them. They are much more comfortable and they can be adjusted much more closely to the contour of my foot or the degree of tightness I desire. They are very easy to get in and out of, but they are snug.
They are simply a pair of straps about an inch or so wide that run from the top outside of the ball of your foot to the bottom inside, or diagonally across the pedal. You point your toes inward to get in to them, and as you straighten your toe naturally on the pedals, they pull more tightly around your foot.
When I used them Saturday, I really felt like my feet were one with the pedals, and I hardly noticed I was "wearing" anything to hold me in.
Anyone else have experience with Power Grips?
I really love them. They are much more comfortable and they can be adjusted much more closely to the contour of my foot or the degree of tightness I desire. They are very easy to get in and out of, but they are snug.
They are simply a pair of straps about an inch or so wide that run from the top outside of the ball of your foot to the bottom inside, or diagonally across the pedal. You point your toes inward to get in to them, and as you straighten your toe naturally on the pedals, they pull more tightly around your foot.
When I used them Saturday, I really felt like my feet were one with the pedals, and I hardly noticed I was "wearing" anything to hold me in.
Anyone else have experience with Power Grips?
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02-06-06, 12:09 PM
#3
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These would seem to be a great solution for commuters. I've got a 17-mile round trip, and from what I've read, I'm wasting all kinds of energy riding platforms. I'm not sure I'm up for clipless, though, for several reasons, including navigating Manhattan traffic, spending $100+, and having to wear special shoes every time I want to hop on my bike.
What pedals work best with these? Seems you wouldn't need the heavy-tread mega-mountain pedals, since the grips are holding you in already. (And since you'd want to be able to dismount easily. There's a post somewhere on BikeForums from a Boston cyclist who had a bad accident using PowerGrips, which definitely gave me pause.)
One tricky question, though: Little Big Man (and I hate to suggest this about a hockey fan), you're not in any way on the PowerGrips payroll, are you? Your post was so eloquent, see...ah...I had to ask.
What pedals work best with these? Seems you wouldn't need the heavy-tread mega-mountain pedals, since the grips are holding you in already. (And since you'd want to be able to dismount easily. There's a post somewhere on BikeForums from a Boston cyclist who had a bad accident using PowerGrips, which definitely gave me pause.)
One tricky question, though: Little Big Man (and I hate to suggest this about a hockey fan), you're not in any way on the PowerGrips payroll, are you? Your post was so eloquent, see...ah...I had to ask.
02-06-06, 02:10 PM
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I love mine too. When I saw the title of this thread I thought it was from a posting I put on about them. I suggest the Power Grips to someone else on a thread about toe clips and such.
My commute is about 16 miles round trip and I have not had any issues with safety. I don't know what happened to the Bostonian and his straps but I think those happen on whatever pedal style one goes with. You just have to get used to the one you choose. I don't have apicture to post but I heard they come in assorted colors now. My LBS suggested them to me when I went to a full time bike commute. I was skeptical at first but love them now. THe things I like about them is that I don't have to carry extra shoes for work. My dress shoes have not been scuffed up by them as they did when I had toe cages. Off of stops at busy intersections, I can stomp on the strap or the other side without worrying about getting the foot in the clip, etc. Once I'm out of the intersection and safe, I can get the foot quickly into the strap. I ride 365 in Minneapolis and have had no differences between snow and non-snow seasons.
Like my LBS told me, " They're pretty inexpensive so try 'em. Not too large of a gamble." They are easy to install yourself too.
My commute is about 16 miles round trip and I have not had any issues with safety. I don't know what happened to the Bostonian and his straps but I think those happen on whatever pedal style one goes with. You just have to get used to the one you choose. I don't have apicture to post but I heard they come in assorted colors now. My LBS suggested them to me when I went to a full time bike commute. I was skeptical at first but love them now. THe things I like about them is that I don't have to carry extra shoes for work. My dress shoes have not been scuffed up by them as they did when I had toe cages. Off of stops at busy intersections, I can stomp on the strap or the other side without worrying about getting the foot in the clip, etc. Once I'm out of the intersection and safe, I can get the foot quickly into the strap. I ride 365 in Minneapolis and have had no differences between snow and non-snow seasons.
Like my LBS told me, " They're pretty inexpensive so try 'em. Not too large of a gamble." They are easy to install yourself too.
02-06-06, 03:10 PM
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I bought them about 9mo. ago for my wife and her bike, but they can't attach to her pedals. I need to now buy new pedals...
Al
Al
02-06-06, 05:29 PM
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They work very nicely and give us the versatility we need for the stoker position on our tandem. I installed Power Grips on the stoker pedals, because I have 3 different stokers--8yr old daughter, 12 year old daughter, and my wife. Imagine the cost of all those clipless shoes and cleats?! The PowerGrips are easily adjustable for each of the stokers and easy for them to use. They are also very durable...I've had them on the tandem for three years and they are still in excellent shape.
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02-06-06, 06:22 PM
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02-06-06, 07:23 PM
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I used Power Grips for a few months before I got eggbeaters. I installed mine on some platform downhill/BMX style pedals.
I thought they worked quite well. The one thing that they didn't work quite so well with was the pedal action at dead bottom - that of scraping the foot backwards. My feet tended to slip out bit by bit no matter how snug I had them. So I don't think thay are quite as good as cleats. But hey, they are cheap.
The other thing that bothered me a bit was that installed the suggested way, the foot is forced outwards to the pedal edge. You can see that would happen on the Nashbar photo. I installed mine the other way round and had my feet nicely centered on the pedal, even a bit closer to the crank arm.
Don't think you won't fall with them, though.
They are also a good stepping stone to clipless.
I thought they worked quite well. The one thing that they didn't work quite so well with was the pedal action at dead bottom - that of scraping the foot backwards. My feet tended to slip out bit by bit no matter how snug I had them. So I don't think thay are quite as good as cleats. But hey, they are cheap.
The other thing that bothered me a bit was that installed the suggested way, the foot is forced outwards to the pedal edge. You can see that would happen on the Nashbar photo. I installed mine the other way round and had my feet nicely centered on the pedal, even a bit closer to the crank arm.
Don't think you won't fall with them, though.
They are also a good stepping stone to clipless.
02-07-06, 08:01 AM
#10
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Originally Posted by Bklyn
One tricky question, though: Little Big Man (and I hate to suggest this about a hockey fan), you're not in any way on the PowerGrips payroll, are you? Your post was so eloquent, see...ah...I had to ask.
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