Ask the Community
04-09-17 | 08:09 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: C'bus
Bikes: cheap ones
I ride the A530's on my touring bike for the reason you described--wanting the option to ride the bike casually around town with whatever shoe, but then clipping in for longer rides. They're a great, versatile pedal in that regard.
For riding fixed, though, I do enjoy having a double sided pedal and not having to think about it. I rode with Shimano A520's for a while, but would get annoyed in traffic when clipping out and trying to clip back in again. It's not the biggest deal, really, but since I already had a pair of M520's I switched back and haven't regretted it. Something about cranks spinning and clipping in with ease just makes it worth it.
My advice: grab a pair of A530's and find out for yourself. You can always switch back to your M520's if you want. Wellgo also makes a fairly popular platform/SPD pedal, too (big fan of the oil port for maintenance): Wellgo R120B Sealed Bearing Road Pedals | Chain Reaction Cycles
For riding fixed, though, I do enjoy having a double sided pedal and not having to think about it. I rode with Shimano A520's for a while, but would get annoyed in traffic when clipping out and trying to clip back in again. It's not the biggest deal, really, but since I already had a pair of M520's I switched back and haven't regretted it. Something about cranks spinning and clipping in with ease just makes it worth it.
My advice: grab a pair of A530's and find out for yourself. You can always switch back to your M520's if you want. Wellgo also makes a fairly popular platform/SPD pedal, too (big fan of the oil port for maintenance): Wellgo R120B Sealed Bearing Road Pedals | Chain Reaction Cycles
04-09-17 | 01:25 PM
#27
Clark W. Griswold
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,190
Likes: 6,597
From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
I would be doubtful you would want to not be clipped in while riding fixed. If that is the case, something with a "cage" around the pedal (not a toe clip but extra material around the pedal to give you a stable surface) will help rather than a platform on one side and clipless on the other.
04-09-17 | 03:20 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: C'bus
Bikes: cheap ones
I would be doubtful you would want to not be clipped in while riding fixed. If that is the case, something with a "cage" around the pedal (not a toe clip but extra material around the pedal to give you a stable surface) will help rather than a platform on one side and clipless on the other.
I don't see what the big deal is. I don't live in a hilly area and my bike has a front brake. I'd just like to be able to ride to the store or the bar without having to wear special shoes.
Pedal straps might be a better solution but I hate the way they look.
04-09-17 | 04:39 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 12
From: Philadelphia
Bikes: Surly CreamRoller. 98 Giant Rincon. SE UVT
I just bought some new bar tape, I accidentally bought some with adhesive backing. I always use the non adhesive kind, is there any problem I'll encounter with me applying it without pulling the tape backing off? I never tried it this way before.
04-09-17 | 05:34 PM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
Bikes: steel track
Seems like you wouldn't be able to stretch the tape properly, and that the backing wouldn't tack correctly to the bar and tape surfaces it wraps around.
04-09-17 | 06:09 PM
#32
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 14,779
Likes: 743
From: Northwest Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Adhesive makes a mess and is a PITA to clean.
Back in the day tape never came with adhesive. It was just a strip of leather or cork and was wrapped so that it wouldn't come off - overlapped properly, in the direction of pressure from the hands, etc. Millions of riders never had a problem. I see no reason why it wouldn't work for @Philasteve.
-Tim-
Back in the day tape never came with adhesive. It was just a strip of leather or cork and was wrapped so that it wouldn't come off - overlapped properly, in the direction of pressure from the hands, etc. Millions of riders never had a problem. I see no reason why it wouldn't work for @Philasteve.
-Tim-
Last edited by TimothyH; 04-09-17 at 06:16 PM.
04-09-17 | 06:29 PM
#33
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,861
Likes: 41
From: Coeur d' Alene
Bikes: 3 Chinese Gas Pipe Nerdcycles and 2 Chicago Electroforged Boat Anchors
04-09-17 | 06:31 PM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
Bikes: steel track
Adhesive makes a mess and is a PITA to clean.
Back in the day tape never came with adhesive. It was just a strip of leather or cork and was wrapped so that it wouldn't come off - overlapped properly, in the direction of pressure from the hands, etc. Millions of riders never had a problem. I see no reason why it wouldn't work for @Philasteve.
-Tim-
Back in the day tape never came with adhesive. It was just a strip of leather or cork and was wrapped so that it wouldn't come off - overlapped properly, in the direction of pressure from the hands, etc. Millions of riders never had a problem. I see no reason why it wouldn't work for @Philasteve.
-Tim-
04-09-17 | 07:02 PM
#35
Thread Starter
Veteran Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
The backing will simply break up as soon as the tape is stretched, and covers too small an area to affect adhesion.
04-09-17 | 07:24 PM
#37
Thread Starter
Veteran Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
What you are seeing in that image is simply the outer packing plastic to keep the tape from unravelling. The inner adhesive strip is very thin and does not cover the whole width of the tape.
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I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
Last edited by TejanoTrackie; 04-09-17 at 07:52 PM.
04-09-17 | 09:14 PM
#39
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 4
From: Raleigh
I've already been riding fixed for a couple months now without foot retention and I didn't die in some horrible firery crash.
I don't see what the big deal is. I don't live in a hilly area and my bike has a front brake. I'd just like to be able to ride to the store or the bar without having to wear special shoes.
Pedal straps might be a better solution but I hate the way they look.
I don't see what the big deal is. I don't live in a hilly area and my bike has a front brake. I'd just like to be able to ride to the store or the bar without having to wear special shoes.
Pedal straps might be a better solution but I hate the way they look.
Foot retention isn't the key to humanity's survival. Sure makes a fixed gear bike better though. Don't knock it till you try it.
And putting on special shoes to bike is half the fun.
What part of Columbus do you live in?
04-09-17 | 10:20 PM
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 516
Likes: 12
Non adhesive tape always slides around from my experience, especially if it gets wet from riding in the rain. The paper backing will probably rub off/tear during application so just peel it off and let the adhesive do its job. lots of stuff you can use to get the sticky stuff off later without damaging the bars.
04-10-17 | 12:18 AM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 12
From: Philadelphia
Bikes: Surly CreamRoller. 98 Giant Rincon. SE UVT
Thanks for the advice everyone, I'm going to just give it a shot without taking it off. I have a feeling when stretching it, it will expose a little bit of the adhesive so we'll see where it gets me.
04-10-17 | 02:52 PM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: C'bus
Bikes: cheap ones
Do you hate toe clips and straps? Or the thick straps for platform pedals?
Foot retention isn't the key to humanity's survival. Sure makes a fixed gear bike better though. Don't knock it till you try it.
And putting on special shoes to bike is half the fun.
What part of Columbus do you live in?
Foot retention isn't the key to humanity's survival. Sure makes a fixed gear bike better though. Don't knock it till you try it.
And putting on special shoes to bike is half the fun.
What part of Columbus do you live in?
I'm in the suburbs, Grove City
04-10-17 | 09:31 PM
#45
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 10
From: dEnVeR
Bikes: CENTURION / LOOK / Bianchi
Depends on how often you use your bike. Normal use i'd go with cleaning the chain every 2 weeks and re-grease hubs etc every 6 months 
04-11-17 | 09:19 PM
#46
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Ok, my turn: Who makes a 1" quill stem that has a quill that isn't 42 feet long? I'm short. I ride a 49cm frame. Every quill I can find is longer than my left leg. Help please community.
Last edited by Dewey Haftu; 04-11-17 at 09:24 PM.
04-12-17 | 03:15 AM
#47
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
Bikes: steel track
Buy any quill stem you like, disassemble, hack as much off the angled part (at a similar angle) as you want, reassemble. Done.
04-12-17 | 07:32 AM
#48
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 10
From: dEnVeR
Bikes: CENTURION / LOOK / Bianchi
Need some help setting up a SS CX Surly Steamroller.. I need to acquire a 42t(ish) front chainring (130bcd) and brakes that will accommodate 700c-35 tires.. I would pick stuff up from Scrod but he doesn't really stock these kind of items..
Good places to go shopping?
Good places to go shopping?
04-12-17 | 08:10 AM
#49
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 268
Likes: 8
From: Toronto
Bikes: Schwinn Voyageur SP | Sekine SHS-271 | Wabi Special
The challenge may be your headtube length, and how tall the stem is above your headset.
If there's a bike co-op in your area, head over there and look for vintage SR stems. I once had one that was 60mm!
04-12-17 | 08:19 AM
#50
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,861
Likes: 41
From: Coeur d' Alene
Bikes: 3 Chinese Gas Pipe Nerdcycles and 2 Chicago Electroforged Boat Anchors