sccr2337

Does anybody like using power grips while touring?

juggleaddict

uhh, i've got them on my single speed, but the only "touring" i've done was really just an overnight trip, on mostly flat terrain at that. i only have them on there because they just feel better than flat pedals, i don't think you can really use them to pull very much, and if you do, it's uncomfortable, they simply hold your foot in place in my opinion, and that feels better than nothing at all.

this is my 2 cents: if you're in the saddle all day every day for over a week or so, get some dang clipless, it's worth going through the effort, strap and extra pair of shoes to the top of your luggage if need be.

and i don't have a bike with clipless . . . yet O:-) but i've ridden them, and i would think it a necessity for comfort on a long haul

however, when it's all said and done, any pedal will get you there. but I would probably enjoy a more even distribution of power rather than pushing down every time

'sup to you though : )

zeppinger

I rode power grips on my pacific coast tour. 2,000 miles and they work out great! I admit though, I have never tried clip-less.

Dellphinus

I rode Power Grips for four years (not on tour, but many 60 -70 milers and a dozen or so centuries), then switched to clipless, for no real reason other than to try it. I would not hesitate to ride PGs on a tour. Rode with New Balance cross trainers.
Downside- you can't pull as hard across the bottom, and if you have really soft soled shoes, your feet can get sore. They will also make your shoes look funny (dark band where the strap rubs)
Upside- one pair of shoes, really easy out and in.

I can also highly recommend MKS touring pedals to go with them.
Mount the PGs with the logo inside- looks better

paul2

I've done three tours on my recumbent with Power Grips, and they work great.

Dellphinus

And with the logos facing in, too!

What are the dayglo "donuts" on your top tube?

zeppinger

I think the brand is Nathen but I am not sure. They are ittle stickers that come in a sheet that are VERY reflective. Work at lots of different angles and come in lots of colors. I think they cost $10 US at REI or on amazon. I up them all over my rear fender and on the sides of the bike for better vis on the tour. I took some of them off since but i still like them

Yes the logo is down. I dont like a lot of advertising and logos all over the bike when I can afford it.

nancy sv

I"m using PG now and really like them. We've pedaled 7000 miles so far and I have no plans to change. On our last trip I used clipless and they were very comfortable while riding. However, I got tired of having to change my shoes if we had to walk over a bridge or I wanted climb up a cliff to get a better photo. Now, I have one pair of shoes (and a pair of sandals to change into once I get off the bike) and I really like the convenience of it.

rmwun54

I've been riding with PG's ever since they were introduced, MTB, touring, and beater bike, but my roadie is clipless just because that is what we roadies do. I have five bikes and four of them are equiped with Power Grips, love them, can't live without them.

freemti

I've been using power grips on one of my bikes for awhile, but stuck to clipless for my "main" bike and for my first big tour last year. However, upon reflection, I've decided to go with power grips on both bikes and therefore for my 2-3 week tour this year. The only concern I have is what shoe choice to make. There is a very good chance I will be rained on based on in the late spring timeframe and just dumb luck, so something waterproof-ish is in order if not full blown waterproof. A decent level of cold weather protection would be nice, but I don't plan to bike in very cold conditions - we're talking East coast in late spring.

I'm also concerned about having some stiffness in the sole. To my mind this rules out a bunch of choices including plain sneakers/cross trainers etc... I'm thinking something like a light hiking sneaker/boot although a smooth sole would be better than thick molded "grip" style since from experience that makes getting into the powergrips with MTB/platform style pedals a smidge tricky, I don't plan to actually do anything more than very casual hiking around camp etc..

Thoughts?

rodar y rodar

My .02- I like PGs pretty much, but they`re a bit more finicky about adjustment than I expected. I`ve had them on my commuter bike for about two years. The selling point for me (and what keeps me using them) was that they really do grab well and let me ride or walk easilly in the same pair of shoes. The bummer is that I can`t switch between one pair of shoes and another without readjusting the strap. If I take off mid day in my workboots, I have to use the unstrapped side of the pedals because my boots don`t fit in. Still they`re a lot more convenient than my cleated shoes and much better grip than naked quill pedals, a little better grip than naked BMX pedals and they never bust up my shins : )

My questions- since I`ve never used toe clips and straps, would somebody who`s familiar with both care to compare the two? Are grip, need for good adjustment, and ease of entry similar? Also, a second for all of Freemti`s questions- I`d like a good stiff shoe for PGs and for BMX pedals too.

modbiker

I like powergrips a lot for touring, and commuting. I use them daily on my commutes, and used them on a long off-pavement tour last summer. I like being able to get off the bike and walk in normal shoes, especially important if I have to push the bike up a steep gravelly section. Recessed cleats allow you to walk ok on smooth pavement, at least until your shoes wear down a bit. But if the ground is uneven or rocky it's hard to get good traction. I find this annoying.

My favorite pedal to use with powergrips so far is the MKS Sneaker Pedal. It has a larger platform than the MKS Touring pedal and is much more comfortable for me. The only caveat with the sneaker pedal is that you need to grind a small notch in the powergrip mounting hardware to get it to fit, due to the shape of the pedal.

Sole stiffness is less of an issue with the larger pedal platform. I wear a stiff-soled hiking shoe, but I imagine I'd be fine with lighter cross trainers.

True that the strap adjustment is usually specific to a certain pair of shoes. For most of my riding this is fine.