Question: Do I need toe clips (or clipless pedals) on a FG? I read the late Sheldon Brown and he thinks it is a given, but I am wondering whether I can ride safely without?

I recently bought a Raleigh One Way and have been riding it for the last few days as a FG for my commute. I do not intend to do any of the fixie things: skids, trackstands, etc.
The One Way comes will toe clip pedal. Before I push off, I put my right foot in the clip, but I find it impossibly hard to get my left foot in the clip once I am moving.


Any insight is appreciated
Duppie

Time, every time!
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Sidi SRS only!
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there's a poll in FGSS about exactly this subject

https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/405988-pedal-poll.html

i am new to fixie riding too and i am using toe clips, was having a hard time getting one foot in the strap over the other but i am getting better at just flipping the pedal with my foot and quickly sliding my foot in

i like the clips and straps because i can wear my regular comfy sneakers with them

If you run a front and rear brake, then I guess you don't need foot retention, but it helps on climbs and descents and developing a good pedaling technique.

clips, straps, and a pair of high-top chucks is what im rolling on.

I did the platform thing for a while, but if youre running brakeless foot retention is so much easier, at least for me, it relaxed me completely once i got clips, started behaving more smoothly in traffic.

and if you arent rocking trakkies or skids, i think youre missing a lot of the fun of it. at least TRY them, youll see what i mean.


go real slow, point the toe and push down into the clip, not horizontally, down. since im still getting used to mine too, i feel your pain, but thats the best tip ive picked up thus far..

yeah you have to try the skids...i started doing them in some loose sand in front of my house and now i am practicing trackstands in my living room, getting better

i agree, if you ride a fixed gear take advantage of the little things you can do on the bike

my fave thing to do is hit up a park with a fountain, you can circle it forever doing trackstands because the incline is always away from the centre. mad practise, and nobody bothers you...

+ if ur brakes are shot you can skid to a graceful halt instead of dying.

Thanks for all the quick replies. To calrify: I do use both front an rear brake.
I may have to try track standing, because I can see it being advantageous when waiting for a red light, etc., but I'll pass on the skids though.

Given that information, do you guys still think I need toeclips/clipless pedals?

Duppie

The only danger is having your foot slip off when you're going fast, and having the pedal come around and break bones - if you're not worried about or can't see it ever happening in your situation, rocking platforms is fine enough I'd say. I rode my winter FG on platforms right up until Tuesday night as it was just more ideal for me on ice/snow.

I personally will be putting eggbeaters on my newer FG build, the idea of platform fixed scared the hell out of me, but it's not super crazy - I ran that way since Jan 1 this year, so... I was also easily able to trackstand. I could also skid - but honestly it was a lot of effort to do (can only use one foot/leg) even with 42:17 (66 or 69GI I forget)

Either or. Foot retention on a FG is a good idea IMHO.
I can't stand toeclips and find clipless much easier. However, that is more of a matter of personal preference.
Shimano xtr pedals are what I prefer at the moment.

It doesn't matter what we think. If you rock front and rear brakes, take the clips off and ride. If you like it, cool. You don't need foot retention to do a trackstand and if you want to skid, just do it Jamaican style (one foot pressing down, the other foot hooked under the pedal pulling up).

Clipless all the way. I'm never going back to platforms or toeclips if i can help it.

I'm a Crankbrothers fan though Bebop pedals are mighty intriguing.

yeah i think we are all right on this one, specially the platforms comments. you can rock nice skid without having to go jamaican style on platforms, i know, ive done it. just a bit of kung-fu and not being afraid of bruising your thigh on your drops... assuming you have drops...

either way, what i wanted to say was my confidence riding fixed with clip rose because i had easy access another entire spectrum of pedal control (the pulling up) EASILY available to move my cranks and essentially the back wheel.

I felt clips afforded me more control in my slowing, better foot angle in my pedalling, and easier adjustments when something startles me in a trackstand. i found it felt safer riding in heavy traffic with clips. not to mention if you pull up AND push down when you ride, anything attaching you to the pedal helps.

but its up to you, specially since you ride brakes. you can do whatever feels comfy, of course

note: i said "easily" because its possible to pull up on platforms, ask anybody who pulls tricks.

Another vote for Time ATAC. I started using Shimano M520 but found even with newish cleats & pedals and max tension I still sometimes would pull out when pulling up on pedals for a sprint like start or when standing up hills. I don't skid either, but am more comfortable to know that I can resist pedals without concern of pull out.

I've never had a pull out on the ATACs.

For commuting double sided and recessed cleats are very nice.

Al

I don't think i'd do regular platforms on my fixed. I'm getting the hang of stopping/slowing down without using brakes and the toe clips have been helpful for that. Also, I just feel safer with them, especially when going downhill. I use toe clips with straps because I really don't want to have to buy new pedals and shoes and I don't like having to change shoes around. That said, I am having some problems getting the second foot in. I'm learning by taking off pretty slowly and getting the foot in place. Hopefully with time, I'll be more graceful with it. I know people tend to enjoy clipless more, but this works for me right now.

Thanks for all your replies.
The consensus seems to be that it can be done without as long as you use front and rear brakes, but to get access to some of the more advanced FG-specific riding you need clips or clipless pedals.

I may for now stick with the toe clips and use bdaisies advice (start moving slowly) to see whether I can get both feet in. Otherwise I may put some campus pedals on the bike, since I am not a fan of clipless pedals on my daily commute bike (needing special shoes etc.)

Duppie

This is good advice too. I need to try that.

Foot retention is a good thing in any kind of cycling, and even more so with FG. You can find pictures of some pretty knarly injuries from pedal on shin action due to runaway pedals on a FG. Puncture holes and ripped up skin and such. But beyond the safety issue, developing good spin is important for efficient one-gear riding, and foot retention tends to improve pedaling technique. Amirite?

So I recommend finding a foot retention system that works for you. Have you considered Powergrips?

the pointytoe into clip on its way up seems to work okay for me, so yeah, give'r!

i think you are right super,

and what are powergrips actually? id google, but personal experience stories are more interesting.

EDIT: I googled, powergrips look like they kick ass. anyone use them?

Haha, not pedal on SHIN action, unless you're going backwards.

Powergrips are a very simple design. Basically it's a fat strap that goes across the pedal (from left-front of pedal to right-rear on left pedal and opposite on the right pedal) at an angle. The riding inserts foot at an angle and then twists his foot (and the strap) slightly to tighten it up. It's simple, but effective. It can't rival clipless for that locked in feel, but in terms of finding a good compromise between performance and convenience, it's a great option.

Clipless for me. I have Shimano 520 pedals on my commute bike. The only time I'll ride the FG unclipped is around the park with my 4-year old. But if you're going faster than 10mph and in traffic, I need to be solidly attached.

well i just spent a fifty on clips and straps, they work great but are a pain to get in and out of, even though i spend about an hour a day doing trackstand drills and in-and-out drills on them.

mebbe when these salsa marioni knockoff straps crap in ill go buy a pair of red powergrips and see how they perform, physics dictate they are a sweet idea, thanks super! I learned about something new today.

you may just need some practice. when i started riding fixed i had trouble getting into the clips/straps. After a week or so it was no problem. Also It helps if the pedals have a tab on the bottom (see: https://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=453) That will help your foot flip the pedal as the crank is rotating. This is really a personal preference issue but what ever you choose foot retention is a must, even if running a brake.