FG + Power Grips: Pedal Orientation Problem
 

I installed Power Glides and MKS Urban Platforms and had my first ride today. I'm completely sold on this combination.

When I first put them on, the weight of the straps caused the pedals to flip almost upside down, making it hard to get into them. I added small weights to the fronts of the pedals so the "flip-tabs" point up and slightly to the rear. Are there better ways, or do people just learn to flip the pedals and get into the straps no matter how the pedals are positioned?

What is a Power Glide?

Great question! Sorry - shoulda been Power Grips.

Use dual sided clipless pedals!

So skip the straps and use clipless shoes? I like wearing ordinary shoes. I'm okay with the straps, just wondering how others have dealt with getting the pedals to hang in a convenient position. My solution ( weight the pedals) is okay, but I suspect other people get into toe-clips and straps differently. When I get better at this, I may take off the weights and see how I do.

All toe clips, in my experience, flip over. After a little while it will become second nature for u to flip em into the right position.

The Urban Platforms have a large "flipper" to facilitate getting your feet into the pedals. Practice using them and it will soon be second nature.

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Precisely! Dealing with clips and straps and either not being able to get your foot out easily or not getting a huge benefit of using clips and straps isn't for me. I like good solid foot retention that allows me to use the upstroke, keeps me from slipping at all (since I am clipped into the pedal) and allows me to get out as easily as I wish is great. Sure I do have to wear special shoes but since I use MTB pedals I can still walk on them if need be.

If you truly use toe clips and pedals properly you will actually have a cleated shoe and have the straps cranked down on your foot so you cannot really get out. That is what the pros did for many many many years till they invented clipless pedals and now you can twist your foot slightly and be out in no time!

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Trump/Sheen 2016 ; )

I agree that there's nothing like cleats and toe-clips for solid foot retention ( I had them in the '80s), and clipless pedals and shoes give the same benefits but with more convenience. Some day, I may break down and try them.

I gotta say,though, the Power Grips were a big improvement over no foot retention at all. I rode that way for most of a year, taking the downhills slowly and carefully on my FG bike. The Power Grips allowed me to exceed 30 mph for the first time on a downhill. They are easier to get in and out of than toe-clips (have those on my geared bike) and become snug when you rotate your foot into proper position. I can see myself becoming more and more comfortable with them. So far, I've used them on just one 20-mile ride.

Oh I am sure they are an improvement and I don't mean to say they aren't but clipless is much better. Once you go clipless you will understand the greatness. Great retention but easy in and out!

power grips (and anyone who stands by them) are total trash

Before all you clipless guys get started the OP already said he's sold on the power straps. I think we can agree there's a time and place for clipless, straps, or both and everyone's got their own preference.
Anyway, pedals with straps always hang upside down, don't waste time putting weights or any other nonsense on the pedal. ride for a few days and it'll be like second nature slipping into them.

I deliver in clipless. I ride in the summer in clipless. I ride in the rain in clipless. I ride in the fall in clipless. I ride centuries in clipless. I ride in the snow in clipless. I ride in the spring in clipless. Never tried straps, cages, etc. Don't feel like they are worth the hassle of fighting with the pedal. Once you clip in, that audible "click" is very satisfying. I am not saying one is better than the other. For others, straps and cages and whatever else goes with that might work. For me, SPD on everything.

P.S. Gum walls and steel frames FTW

I love kids. They're the future of America.

As I said, I've tried two different kinds of foot retention. No doubt, I'll try clipless some day.

im an adult who will never put power grips or feetbelts on my bicycles.

There's a lot of stuff you'll never do. That doesn't necessarily mean those things suck for everyone else.

+1. As they say in France, Shack-on-a-sawn-goo (each has his own taste). And whoever fixed the thread title, thanks - I appreciate it.

Total trash checking in.

I'm pretty happy with the Power Grips on mine. The nice thing about them is that if you miss getting your foot in the first time around, they function as flat pedals as long as they need to, no matter which side is up.

+1 This.