im a fixed gear rider who has moved into riding geared roadbikes as well. within the fixed gear world double straps are the preferred choice, yet ive never seen them used in any racing other than kierin track. all the classic road racing heros used singles.

i think the double strap has become popular with fixed gear riders as it gives you better connection to the pedals for skidding, and its looks cool = fashionable.


im guessing in the road racing days they used proper bikes shoes with cleats. but im wondering what is best on a geared road bike. should i stick with doubles or go to singles, and what are advantages/disadvantages?


i wear normal shoes, mainly vans slip ons.

The double straps have absolutely no value if you are riding without shoe plates and cycling shoes and the straps are not completely tightened down. If you want to use double straps on a road bike you may want to check out a pair of ICS toe clips. They do turn up on ebay from time to time.

well they do have value without bike shoes as they do indeed hold me feet to the pedals you cant deny that. im wondering if they are any better/worse than singles for geared road bike riding.

i tighten them down everytime i use them.

what are ICS toe clips? google doesnt really turn up anything useful. im using clips with two gates to accomadate my doubles.

I can remember racer friends back in the day experimenting with doubles on their road pedals, but they eventually went back to single straps. Of course, they were wearing bike shoes with cleats. Doubles are really a track thing, but of course that's where fg riders get their inspiration.

Personally, I agree that a double strap with sneakers isn't necessary. A single strap will keep your foot to the pedal, and is easier to loosen, should you tire of track standing.

I've been riding toe clips and straps for over 30 years, never felt the need for double straps. Probably just personal preference: if you think you need them, add them! Why care what we think?

A good single is just as secure as a double, and lighter/better looking to boot.

I have never even seen double straps.

You need to visit the SS/FG forum. They've never seen clipless pedals.

I guess that I did not express myself in a sufficiently clear way, in your case, double toe straps will not hold any better than a single toe strap and you are simply going along with a fashion. If you are not wearing shoes with shoe plates and your feet are not coming out, the fact of having one or two straps is immaterial, even if you tighten them up.

You can see a pair of ICS toeclips here: https://velobase.com/ViewSingleCompon...5-e1f1a812f457

I have a carbon speed freak friend who actually uses triple straps with Campy Super Record track pedals, and uses bike shoes without cleats. He can say what he wants, but clipless has to be a little easier than that.

I use MKS w/Christophe mini-clips on my SS. When I flip-flop it to FG, I'm glad I'm not tied in.

Actually, if you are wearing soft shoes and skidding, double straps can feel nice and secure across more of the top of your foot than singles. That said, I have ridden fixed with both singles and doubles, and probably prefer singles now. They are easier in and out, lighter and look arguably cleaner, and with more substantial shoes than Converse, totally comfortable too.

For my road bikes that have clips and straps, I've only used singles and always been happy with them. I also don't really ever tighten them down....

i definatly think doubles are better on fixed gears if you are skidding and using alot of reverse pedal, as it spreads the pressure across a bigger area of your foot.

ive been riding with and without doubles for the last couple of days on my geared bike. i dont think doubles have as much use as you dont have the reverse pressure. however without bike shoes they do offer a more secure feeling than singles.

im gonna stick with my doubles, even on the roadbike. if i had shoes with cleats id probably just use singles.

Here is a set of NOS ICS clips: https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=280340459173

13 views in the first 26 hours of a 10 day auction isn't that much, so they may go cheap. The seller has confirmed to me that they are size large clips.