So you'd ride clipless on ice?

Personally I'd opt not to clip into anything at all for really icy stuff.

no, that's not the problem! it's more complex. i have never pulled out of eggbeaters or atacs (i've done so with SPDs, though). if you're technique is proper (that is, you don't twist either foot while skidding), you (likely*) won't have a problem with eggbeaters or atacs. honestly, i have pulled and pulled on my eggbeaters and they hold. they are easy to get out when you want to get out. if you have proper technique they will (likely*) not release unexpectedly.

*for all you "never say never" people

I don't think i could ever guarantee not to twist my foot regardless of the situation.

you can twist you foot slightly, just not to the release angle. there's still float.

actually, there is a difference in my old eggbeaters and newer candys. i feel much more "locked in" with the candys than with the 'beaters, on which i feel more "slippery." so i ride with a handbrake on the bike with the 'beaters. the candys, though, i have full confidence in.

have you tried riding with candys or atacs?

I prefer clipless on ice because you have such fine control of pressure/resistance while pedaling and you can unclip really quickly if necessary.

Maybe at your local spandex-convention. But I rock the nashbar clipless pedals with my MTB shoes for commuting and riding around town and they work great. Plus, my MTB shoes look (and feel) a lot like hiking boots, so I don't look like a freak when I show up at work.

Seconded. I prefer clipless on ice the same reason I prefer fixed on ice: better control.

MKS, sylvan, IRO, $18

I don't think anyone has brought this up...but...
I ride with pedals and toe clips, cause I like being able to ADJUST how tight my feet are in the pedals at different times...

for example...
when I'm riding in icy conditions, I loosen the straps...
when I practice wheelies and backwards circles, and the likes, I loosen the straps even more...
when I'm about to power up a steep ass hill...I tighten them shiets down real real tight...
and when I'm about to take a steep, quick decent...I tighten them shiets down as tight as I can

plus...I like to wear sneakers...they are comfortable

agreed. i like the MKS GR-9's too. comfy for chuck's, vans, dunks, pumas, asics, or whatever the cool kids are wearing. . .

for messing around and backwards circles, i flip the pedals over. if i tried backwards circles while clipless, i would die.

Your control will be just as good with clips and straps.

Another good indicator is looking at the long term fixed wheel cyclists and people that ride these kind of bicycles either for work or just get plenty of mileage otherwise.
Look what they ride on the street. Count how many ride with clips and straps then do the same for clipless. It is not for fashion, the choice is based on sound reasoning.

Clipless might superior and more convenient for roadbikes and mountainbikes, but is you ride them on a fixed wheel on the street you are really asking for it in my opinion.

lets look at the messengers and see what they say...A LOT of them *here* use clipless...a lot don't. i have heard of eggbeaters breaking. **** happens. I personally use g9-9s...f'n comfy as hell. probably going to go clipless or powergrips before too long. always bending/breaking cages...broken straps, too. and seriously, how many people actually adjust their straps often? i never touch mine, until they get too loose, then adjust them again when i overtighten them...when it's all said and done, get the gr-9's. the sylvans aren't very comfortable.

I tighten my straps on every ride.
Comfort depends on the shoe as well.

shimano spds I got for next to nothing ($10) and some specialized shoes that are really, really comfortable. They don't click when I walk or anything either

I have pulled straight out of ATAC's while skidding. Full tension too. Mind you it was a skid competition and I weigh like 200lbs.......o.k. 220.

See!

well, that's just strange.

emergency stop in traffic, I can maybe see pulling out of ATACs, but in a competition... ?

get forward over the bars like the winner and you should be able to skid without any foot-retention system. anyway, did you eat it? or win?

this thread's been done many times.

I know it has been done many times, but research shows that only multiple exposures to the same message (ideally 4+) will cause a lift in awareness.

So again, Clips And Straps are the only way to go on the street when riding fixed.

ok, ok. it happens. could've been due to worn cleats, though.

anyway, i weigh 150 and have complete confidence in my candys. 46x17, have you tried candys?

please stop saying that, though. there is little weight to a blanket statement like this. be reasonable, please.

Of course I have tried clipless pedals.
Grey eggbeater candys to be specific.
I really liked the power transfer gain, almost as good as with slotted cleats!
But I unclipped twice during my week of trial. Once on the loose setting and once on the one that requires more twist. It sucked!
The other thing that happened was that I felt very disconnected from my bicycle with just being attached at the bottom of my shoe.

Regarding my statement - I am serious and I think the points I raised are valid and far from a blanket statement. Clipless are made to release under a certain strain and angle - it is a design feature!
Now how would that be a good thing for riding fixed?

yes, it is a design feature, but it takes user sensitivity to make sure that the design feature is only used when it is designed to be used (i.e., when you WANT to release)! user sensitivity, just like with ANY product.

Of course, but you will agree that a product that is foolproof is better than one that requires user sensibility.

i don't think ANY product is "foolproof," not even clips and straps. i concede, though, that they might be slightly better at preventing your foot from releasing, but, for me, because i'm "sensitive," the difference is negligible.

however, we're ALL fools (or cretins, morons, or lunatics).

I ride Shimano M540 ATB double-sided clipless pedals ($75) for their idiot-proofness.
They weigh a lot (350gr), but I can reliably clip in and out of them without looking or thinking about it.
Yes, I took a bad fall on ice with them last spring, but I hit the ground before I even had time to think about it.
I don't think the type of pedals would have made a difference, except for platform pedals.
For my present ice bike, I ride with Shimano PDM324 Multi-Purpose pedals ($55), which have a platform on one side and SPD on the other.
Very HEAVY (528gr), but reassuring on ice.