"BMX" pedals and "fixie" straps for touring?
#1
The Rabbi
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,123
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
"BMX" pedals and "fixie" straps for touring?
I've been going back and forth on what pedals/straps to throw on my bike for this riding season and can't quite seem to make up my mind. I keep debating between something like a classic "bear trap" style pedal like these:
And a more modern BMX platform like these:
Over distance, I'm afraid the concave platform pedal could give me arch problems, but then on the bear trap, I could see the teeth creating problems as well. Curious if anyone has experience or a preference for either.
Now, for straps, I'm looking at something more like what a lot of the "fixie" riders are using these days, similar to these:
Normally I ride with toeclips and straps, but I've found they wear my shoes in certain spots, and seem prone to eventually creating uncomfortable pressure points in certain areas of the foot. I'm theorizing that a wider nylon strap without a toe clip would alleviate this but was curious if anyone has any long distance experience with such a setup.
And a more modern BMX platform like these:
Over distance, I'm afraid the concave platform pedal could give me arch problems, but then on the bear trap, I could see the teeth creating problems as well. Curious if anyone has experience or a preference for either.
Now, for straps, I'm looking at something more like what a lot of the "fixie" riders are using these days, similar to these:
Normally I ride with toeclips and straps, but I've found they wear my shoes in certain spots, and seem prone to eventually creating uncomfortable pressure points in certain areas of the foot. I'm theorizing that a wider nylon strap without a toe clip would alleviate this but was curious if anyone has any long distance experience with such a setup.
#2
Banned
the strap part is Optional , Platform pedals and shoes you can comfortably walk around in is a reasonable choice.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 1,501
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I run platforms on both of mybikes, the VP 001 pedals are not concave and are very grippy. https://www.ebay.com/itm/VP-001-Downh...item46099d8287
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Salt Lake City,Utah
Posts: 231
Bikes: Soma Saga, Soma ES, Salsa El Mariachi, Old Bianchi SS Conversion. Nishiki Cascade Beater
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I love my bear traps as long as I keep my ankles out of the way( bushwhacking'). But I must say concave pedals suck! What I look for in a pedal is a large and FLAT platform . The above pedals look very nice.
#5
The Rabbi
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,123
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Right after posting this, I found what I was looking for, the Sunlite Lock Jaw:
Liking that these have some "teeth" but a little lower profile, and a wider, fairly flat platform.
Liking that these have some "teeth" but a little lower profile, and a wider, fairly flat platform.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Incheon, South Korea
Posts: 2,835
Bikes: Nothing amazing... cheap old 21 speed mtb
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I like BMX platforms on all my bikes. They hold on to shoes really well and offer a wide stable platform. You just need to remember that they will rip open your leg if you let them. Caution is required.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,090
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1034 Post(s)
Liked 1,288 Times
in
742 Posts
I have BMX pedals on my LHT, they have the studs that grip very well. I would not put straps on pedals like I have, they would be next to impossible to get out of in a hurry.
#8
The Rabbi
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,123
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Yeah, I thought of that, but I don't think it'd be a problem anymore than the "teeth" on my MKS Sylvan's. Figure I'll give it a shot with/without straps.
#9
Senior Member
My impressions, based on 30 years of riding strapped in and the last 5 years also riding some bikes and tandems on SPD's, is that the thinking is probably/mostly correct imho.
The issue I have with SPDs and the like is that when things happen and I then incorrectly want to disengage (natural instinct but wrong), but I can't for whatever reason, but I waste a critical few milliseconds worrying on it rather than just reacting to the event (typically meaning to focus on laying it down well). Basically when bad happens, having loose leg(s) flying around in the mix is unlikely to be a good thing.
Decision on which to use for most folks will likely depend on experience.
/K