Are there any issues with clipless pedals specific to fixed gear bikes? I'm gonna buy my first fixed tommorrow and it comes with clipless--i've never rideen clipless. i was thinking it might not be a good idea to try and get used to two whole new systems at once. Should i have the LBS swap out the pedals for rat traps?

BTW how much does a basic cleat shoe for the clipless run?

Keep those clipless pedals and learn to use them on your geared bike if you've got one. Learning clipless on a fixie may not be such a good idea, let alone this being your first fixie as well...

Depends on the pedals, and condition of the pedals. Cheap SPD's aren't too reliable for serious backpedaling/skidding. Can't go wrong with the Time ATAC's.

Depending on what kind of pedals (2 or 3 bolt mounting pattern), the shoes can be had pretty cheap. I like the bottom of the line Shimano MTB style shoes, which work with 2 bolt pattern cleats (SPD/Time ATAC/Eggbeaters/a few others). Cost me $60 at REI, plus the cleats.

i think i may just buy a cheapo pair of rat traps until i get used to the bike. that seems liek the best option.

Some sort of foot-holding system is a good idea on a fix. Clips/straps, Clipless, and Powergrips come to mind.

in building up my fixed gear conversion i used moutain bike spd pedals and ive had no problems getting used to them.. a couple 0 mph falls here and there but mostly the first time i tried them.. the last fall was a freak accident in which my cleat got caught in a pedal as i was cruising up to my apartment door.
i say just dive in, take a few hours to adjust and itll be fine..
i can't imagine riding fixed with anything else

I had been riding Ritchie SPD's on my fixie for years (but with a brake) so I wasn't too concerned since I didn't do a TONNE of skidding or skipping...

But then I had a minor crash that busted my brake caliper and nothing else...how perfect! So I went to Toe straps while I got used to relying on my skipping and skidding...

Anyways I used the straps for a long time...but did notice a huge lack in efficiency since I was wearing my old converse shoes most of the time...comfy, but flimsy soles..

So I splurged and got a pair of the Time ATAC XS Carbon pedals...WOW! A little tough at first...clipping in isn't as easy as when you first go to SPDs...but once you're in...you are IN!

I love these things! I know there have been a lot of threads talking about the best clipless pedals for fixies (Especially when brakeless) and I have always been a little paranoid of unclipping with no brakes...

But it didn't even take a day to get 100% confortable with the ATACS (on tension setting 2). I've pulled pretty hard to skid and skip and no casualties (knock on wood).

The float that these babies have is...WEIRD..but I am starting to like it a lot already!

Anyways...to answer your question Skankingbiker...

A shoe for clipless SPD riding can get fairly cheap if you are on a budget...My suggestion is that if this is your first pair...don't buy online (even though I'm an online retailer).

Go and try on some...go for Mountain bike shoes rather than road...much more versatile and comfortable for your first shoes...

Mountain Equipment Coop here in Canada or REI in the states are good places for discount prices on entry level shoes..

You can even get shoes that look like VANS or Airwalks that have cleats..Not the most efficient because of their flexible soles...but definitely comfy..
Just a couple options...

just make sure you tighten those pedals!! and if this is your first fixie...ride with a brake!

What about Speedplays?

Anyone have those?

My 2cents: I just switched over to clipless (Time ATAC XS, as well). It's great. I love it. It's only been two days and I'm already very comfortable. With that said, if you're just starting out, get clips and straps. If anything so that you can learn how to trackstand properly without keeling over all the time. The set-up I was using cost like $20 at the LBS. It's worth it. I might be riding in an alleycat today, and I'm going to throw the cages back on if I do, because I'm not 100% confident in my abilities to clip out quickly yet.

Yeah the straps and pedals I had were old crappy plastic pedals that came on my wife's road bike (she already had clipless ones so we just threw the POS pedals in the cupboard...They worked like a charm for what I needed them for...and once I was comfy....Time ATAC time!

i've been using crank bros. candy sl's for about 6 months now. i'll never go back to straps. i feel so much more locked in and in control, plus skidding, skipping, and trackstanding are a lot easier.

BUT: i've accidentally clipped out a couple of times. the first was because my cleats were worn.. i found out the hard way that eggbeater cleats wear really fast. luckily i wasn't hurt. then yesterday (on 2-week-old cleats) i was trackstanding and sort of hopped and pulled up on the right pedal to move my rear wheel into a better position when suddenly.. pop! i was out again. this was at a stop sign, so no harm done.. but dang, that makes me nervous. i hate clips and straps but may go back simply for the security. i don't run a brake, so the idea of skidding down a hill to a stop light and popping out of the pedal scares the $#!t out of me.

$.02

i totally contradicted myself there. sweet.

Just wanted to toss in a plug for Crank Brothers Eggbeaters. I just switched to them from SPD's, and I'm loving them so far. With my SPD's, I popped out a number of times while applying excessive backpressure during a poorly executed trackstand. It was hard for me to find the right tension to prevent 0 mph crashes but allow backpressure.

On the eggies, it's never a problem. As I'm sure most people know, there is no tension adjustment...the release angle is determined by the position of the cleats. But once you're in, the vertical tension is rock solid. I can pull off all the crappy trackstands that I want now!

That said, I have no experience with clips & straps. I started out clipless on my road bike, and never looked back.

I cranked my SPD's down as tight as they'd go, and I'd still pop out occasionally on a skip/skid. I would never trust them brakeless. Never had a problem in a trackstand though. If thats happening, I'd say chances are you are twisting your feet, and unclipping, and it's a technique issue, not mechanical.

Thanks for the info. Based on the posts i decided to just buy a pair of cheapo pedlas w/ straps until i am used to riding fixed. I can always but the clipless back on when i'm ready and have more money to buy the shoes.

I think the advice you've already gotten is sound -- I don't think I'd want to learn fixed and clipless at the same time. My first (and only) fixed gear has TIME ATAC clipless pedals, and I started riding it with them, but I was quite thoroughly used to the clipless by then.

I actuallly tried fixed with platform pedals and toeclips once, and I found it a lot harder than clipless -- the ATAC pedals can be clipped into on either side, so you don't have to flip the pedal over. I found it really difficult to flip the pedal to get my feet into the straps on a fixed.

But of course, like anything, practice makes perfect.

The cleats on the beaters, candies, quartros, etc. are made of brass, no? How quickly do you go through them?/How many miles?