If you own a pair of SIDIs, your feet will be happy - on, and off the bike. Okay, they are not slippers, or sandals, but man SIDIs are by far the best fitting, and comfy shoes on the market.

That's my opinion, so it must be right. I can't ride platforms.


... Brad

So for he folks that ride platforms w/ Powergrips, how do you feel the system performs in stop & go traffic? Is it a PIA to rotate the pedal around to get started?

Although I ride them un-modified on my other bikes,
riding fixt with straight platforms is not a great idea....
Here is a modded set of BMX'ers that are on my Fix :

I put straps or clips on everything I have (except the cruiser that doesn't go over 10mph) for almost the same reason. No surgery, but quite a bit of blood loss and a nasty scar on my heel from my foot slipping off a platform, as well as various other injuries, and coming less than 3 feet away from being run over by the car behind me.

It's about twice as hard as a double-sided SPD, and 1/4 as hard as regular toe clips. You develop a system of stepping on the outside corner of the pedal (since that's where the strap isn't), and then sort of 'kicking' in to the strap. If all else fails, you just ride it like a platform until you get through the intersection, and try again once you're moving.

I've never had a problem, except when I wear sandals and the straps get caught in the grips, but that happens with toeclips too.

Yes I do indeed!

I don't think its so bad. Only time I had a problem was when I was doing my fixed gear experiments with them. It's tough to hook your foot in the loop when the pedal won't hold still. Of course the solution to that problem is to learn how to track stand.

I ride with mine exclusively in stop and go traffic.

So its definitely a little more annoying thats straight up platforms, since there is a right side up... But, its MUCH easier than toe clips.

I found when the powergrips are new, its kind of annoying and I often just rode with one foot in, and the other foot on the platform side, until I cleared an intersection and had a moment to flip the pedal.

BUT,

as the powergrips wear, they tended to fit the form of my foot better and better, and often times i start pedalling, and found my foot naturally found its way into the powergrips accidently and naturally. After a few days of breaking in my feet almost always find their way naturally into the power grips as I get started, and only sometimes do I have to think about flipping the pedal up first.

Slap me down if I am wrong here, but as regard starting with these power grips... and do bear in mind I have not used them.

But pwergrips are something you can fit to flat pedals... yes?

So.. that being the case, when stopped and your foot is off the pedal, the weight of the powergrip will turn the pedal so that the side without the powergrip is upper most.. in short... a normal flat pedal?

So you set off from the lights... and only when you are moving use your toe end to flip the pedal and slip into the grip? So it should be no harder to start to pedal than a flat... and when safe you slip into the grip?

In the beginning, it's a bit annoying. After a while, your body "remembers" what to do, and it becomes almost reflexive.

Nothing wrong with a good set of platforms. I still use them offroad and have been tempted to go back to them on the 'mutter

All I ever use is flat pedals, even when touring on my Trek 520, no clips or straps at all.

They are great, and I've never slipped off them. (exept when acting the goat, ie: look, no hands or seat!..etc etc)

I disagree. Cycling to work gives me a good workout and I prefer to do it on the same bike I do my weekend rides on, which is a road bike. I can shower at work and store my bike next to my desk so for me platform pedals are a step into the past and compromises, somewhat, the purpose of commuting by bike for me.

Clipless is the only way to go.

I wear US size 13, and I use the tightest holes on the extra long straps. In fact I'm planning to punch another set of holes one size smaller and see how that works.

Not really. Mine hang 110-120 degrees forward from flat, so a little past vertical. Either side takes some work to get onto at that point. After a few months, it became a habit to step on the pedal with my foot moving back, which flips the strap up. The only problem is that the strap occasionally catches my toe and I have to take my foot off the pedal to reset it.

I have steel toeclips and I'm interested in PowerGrips. How do the PowerGrips compare to toeclips?

Now, this comes secondhand from my housemate, as I've never use toeclips. She used them before her PowerGrips, and said there is no comparison. The PowerGrips were easier for her to get in and out of and she felt the were more efficient. They also don't mar shoes like toeclips can.

I have big feet. My toe clips never really fit that well - even with modifications.

You are essentially correct. The only thing I can say against this method is that the powergrips can drag the ground when you are pedalling with the pedals upside down. For this reason, I usually would start with my right foot securely in the powergrip and try to hook the left side one on the first rotation. I'll admit to a quick little look down while doing this. Some people might not like that distraction in traffic.

PowerGrips come in an XL size. Good for winter boots, too.

You seem to have a persecution complex. No one thinks your feet aren't fine.
I've done 80+ mile rides on platform pedals. My feet were fine also. But I also have the added perspective of having done rides with clipless pedals also. For a long or fast ride, I would choose clipless pedals every time.

If you're happy with platforms, good for you. Some aren't. You don't need to justify yourself to them.

My father in law is a hardcore clip user... he tells me he can 'toe and heal' with them? I am assuming this mean that in addition to pushing down on one pedal... he also uses the other foot to lift the other pedal, which I suppose means he is getting twice as much drive for his energy?

This is why I find the Powergrips interesting, I am not keen on having to actually ,ess abput and snap my foot on to a pedal, but I would give the Powergrips a try.

Anyone ever used toe clips with flipflops? I was riding after a rain the otherday and my flipflop slid off the petal and almost wrecked me. Sorry, I am in florida, I am not giving up the flops!! Not even for biking. Plus if I even owned a pair of non-work shoes, I wouldnt want to get them wet in the rain

+1, I love my MKS+Powergrips solution. On my folding MKS's and my MKS Touring Pedals!!!

I'm gona have to break down and get them.

But that is the same as toe clips - right?

It's the same issue