good clipless pedals/shoes for fixed commuting?
04-09-07 | 04:03 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, ON, CA
Bikes: Bianchi ML3 Reparto Course; Rossi track bike (Campy Record and Miche components); Haro V4/V1; Vintage Bianchi steel roadie rebuilding to fixie
good clipless pedals/shoes for fixed commuting?
I'm looking for a good pair of pedals (clipless spd) to put on my fixed commuter. Also, looking for a good pair of shoes that I can walk in, and wear around in general (not that I will if I'm not riding, but thats the ideal).
I just have look road pedals and road shoes on my racing bike, and I am happy with them for my needs there. I'm pretty sure spds are the way to go for a commuter with my needs for commuting...which are:
-good pedal clearance (pedal strike sucks!)
-strong (not sure if this is an issue or not, I weigh 185lbs and ride hard - sometimes skid-stops, usually don't use brakes, track stand, curb hop, ride on rough Hamilton roads)
-durable (probably will put them on my touring bike in a year or so, if feasible)
-some float
-not concerned terribly about weight
-don't need multi-release ones
-don't necessarily need two-sided (or 4-sided in the egg-beater case) pedals, but if you have convincing arguments as to why such things would be useful on a fixed wheel bike, please share
-clipless system that doesn't put your feet too far forward (toe-overlap sucks when fixed) -- so either shoes with good adjustments or a pedal that doesn't clip in far ahead of the crank arm (not sure if this even happens or is a variation, but is here for completeness-sake). My current caged pedals don't have toe-overlap, so I don't think this will be a concern.
-not too worried about mud/road grim/gunk inhibiting clips, any system that deals with mud is merely an ancillary benefit
-Don't care about branding of shoe or pedal, so long as it does what I need/want
Not sure what else I need to think about, though I think I will find myself limited by what my LBS has in store for the most part, since I really am not picky.
Mainly I am looking for some personal experience and anecdotal advice any of you fixed riders have on pedal/shoe selection. What works for you? Why? Things to stay away from (like clipless-platform combos, or anything else)?
Thanks a bunch!
I just have look road pedals and road shoes on my racing bike, and I am happy with them for my needs there. I'm pretty sure spds are the way to go for a commuter with my needs for commuting...which are:
-good pedal clearance (pedal strike sucks!)
-strong (not sure if this is an issue or not, I weigh 185lbs and ride hard - sometimes skid-stops, usually don't use brakes, track stand, curb hop, ride on rough Hamilton roads)
-durable (probably will put them on my touring bike in a year or so, if feasible)
-some float
-not concerned terribly about weight
-don't need multi-release ones
-don't necessarily need two-sided (or 4-sided in the egg-beater case) pedals, but if you have convincing arguments as to why such things would be useful on a fixed wheel bike, please share
-clipless system that doesn't put your feet too far forward (toe-overlap sucks when fixed) -- so either shoes with good adjustments or a pedal that doesn't clip in far ahead of the crank arm (not sure if this even happens or is a variation, but is here for completeness-sake). My current caged pedals don't have toe-overlap, so I don't think this will be a concern.
-not too worried about mud/road grim/gunk inhibiting clips, any system that deals with mud is merely an ancillary benefit
-Don't care about branding of shoe or pedal, so long as it does what I need/want
Not sure what else I need to think about, though I think I will find myself limited by what my LBS has in store for the most part, since I really am not picky.
Mainly I am looking for some personal experience and anecdotal advice any of you fixed riders have on pedal/shoe selection. What works for you? Why? Things to stay away from (like clipless-platform combos, or anything else)?
Thanks a bunch!
Last edited by ubbaken; 04-09-07 at 04:49 PM.
04-09-07 | 04:13 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
My commute combo:
Pearl Izumi Vagabond 2: I admit that the main reason I bought these is that they were cheap (clearance at Copeland's). But they're also comfortable and easy to walk in.
Shimano 520 spd pedals: 2-sided, strong, reliable, inexpensive. Good bang for the buck.
Pearl Izumi Vagabond 2: I admit that the main reason I bought these is that they were cheap (clearance at Copeland's). But they're also comfortable and easy to walk in.
Shimano 520 spd pedals: 2-sided, strong, reliable, inexpensive. Good bang for the buck.
04-09-07 | 05:11 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,123
Likes: 4
From: Near Portland, OR
Bikes: Three road bikes. Two track bikes.
I use Speciallized mountain bike shoes and eggbeaters. I've never inadvertently unclipped with eggbeaters and they are easy to get out of with a wide release angle.
My advice is to go with the stainless steel model. Fixed puts extra stress on the pedals and the simple steel on steel bushing of the cheap chromed steel eggbeater is not up to the challenge. I started getting a lot of play on the inboard bearing (bushing).
My advice is to go with the stainless steel model. Fixed puts extra stress on the pedals and the simple steel on steel bushing of the cheap chromed steel eggbeater is not up to the challenge. I started getting a lot of play on the inboard bearing (bushing).
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
04-09-07 | 05:56 PM
#4
I second eggbeaters and the stainless sentiment. I ride a touring bike and my chromed eggbeaters self destructed after a year. The stainless variety are built wonderfully.
04-09-07 | 07:02 PM
#6
Mad scientist w/a wrench
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
From: Chucktown
Bikes: none working atm
+1 for crank bro's, although I feel like they're a little loose when trying to skid/skip soemthing with a little more locking tension might be nicer...could just be the abuse my cleats have gone through too though.
