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-   -   Is this pedal sytem so wrong? (https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/274625-pedal-sytem-so-wrong.html)

el twe 03-04-07 11:09 PM

Ahahahaha.

coelcanth 03-05-07 12:04 AM

when you get to the track, change into these and pretend it's 1985..
slotted cleats were good enough for a long time.. you will be pretty solid
and it's what your pedals were designed to work with

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photo...-ERGOB-blk.gif


Originally Posted by endo shi
So I just started riding in the velodrome. I use a [track pedal/clip/double strap/samba sneakers] setup which works reasonably well, but I notice most guys who are serious about track and don't give a sh*t about street riding use a clipless system alone or a clipless system in conjunction with straps/clips. I've been thinking a long time about what may work best and is economical.


Retem 03-05-07 12:16 AM


Originally Posted by SamHouston
Times @ 17 degree release are sprint worthy, never pull out

I haven't pulled out of my atacs at 13 degrees so I would say they are beasty a lil hard to get into it takes an assertive push but hey very solid

endo shi 03-05-07 12:18 AM


Originally Posted by coelcanth
when you get to the track, change into these and pretend it's 1985..
slotted cleats were good enough for a long time.. you will be pretty solid
and it's what your pedals were designed to work with

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photo...-ERGOB-blk.gif

Oh believe me I looked at those today, and they're availible in only one size- mine. But I think I'd be going a little too retro grouch with those. Will they definitely work with any of the traditional track pedals? I'm using c-rec pista right now.

LóFarkas 03-05-07 12:41 AM

I'd go buy those things if they're cheap. I think they're hot and not too retro at all.

Edit: I's buy them if I were hell bent on getting a bombproof shoe/pedal system for track, and not concerned about looking silly when I don't have a coach to lean on when I stop =>falling over.

Retem 03-05-07 12:46 AM

yes they work fine

Landgolier 03-05-07 12:47 AM

Maybe I think too much like the rock climber I am, but if I get into a new sport, and I'm getting the hardware sussed out, and I think up some ultra jingus way of rigging stuff that none of the people that have been doing this for years are using, I generally hold off on trying my way for a while until I know what I'm doing.

blickblocks 03-05-07 01:42 AM

Either go old school with non-clipless cleats and toeclips or go new school with clipless. You don't need both.

mander 03-05-07 02:36 AM

I read in Cycling+ that some track riders do use straps with clipless setups, basically for extra security in case of an unclipping during hard sprints. I don't think it's as completely weird of a thing as some of you are making it out to be.

MarkWW 03-05-07 02:45 AM

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that setup won't work. I tried it on a pair of those pedals that I had lying around. I don't remember exactly why it didn't work, but it was something with the clip not lining up right at all. It really bummed me out, too, since I was hoping I had found the next big sprinting setup since SPD-SL and straps.

Maybe I'll give it a try again and figure out what was wrong with it.

endo shi 03-05-07 02:49 AM


Originally Posted by MarkWW
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that setup won't work. I tried it on a pair of those pedals that I had lying around. I don't remember exactly why it didn't work, but it was something with the clip not lining up right at all. It really bummed me out, too, since I was hoping I had found the next big sprinting setup since SPD-SL and straps.

Maybe I'll give it a try again and figure out what was wrong with it.

Thanks. You actually gave me a 100% relevant answer to my question, and molified doubts that I am crazy. I would be interested to find out exactly why it didn't work if you ever get around to it. PM me so this thread can RIP.

filtersweep 03-05-07 05:07 AM

It has never happened to me. I use SPDLs on my fixed gears... work great.

dutret 03-05-07 06:42 AM


Originally Posted by TimArchy
The only people at the track who regularly use anything but looks, spd-sl, or speedplay are sprinters. They have thighs approximately the size of your mom and do things like rip teeth off of cogs.
Thor Hushvod rides Looks and he is one of the best sprinter on the road. He is stronger than anyone on this forum and if he pulls out of the pedal its because either he did something wrong or the pedal is defective.

You will be fine with any decent well maintained pedal system. You might want to consider something that would work on the street too like atacs. The vast majority of people who start using them don't stop. If you are sure you want a track only option you will be fine with any road pedals. If you are really really scared of clipping out get spd-rs. Unless you are a world class sprinter you are not going to pull out of them. The downside is they are a ***** to get into or out of even when you want to.

If you are cheap don't forget your clip and strap pedals were probably meant to be used with cleats anyway. Get some of those cheap NOS shoes from nashbar and just use them. It'll be super cheap and work almost as well as clipless. People don't do it anymore cause it's a hassle on the road but it's not so bad on the track.

hey I missed the second page.

LóFarkas 03-05-07 08:41 AM

Everyone keeps telling people how they won't clip out because much better/stronger sprinters don't. I think they got the whole thing backwards... Pro racers train 6 hours every day and they tend to have a pretty decent technique... If I went to a track and tried to sprint all-out I'd quite possible clip out because my feet would be flopping all over the place.

goodall 03-05-07 08:54 AM

If you set the release tension on Looks to as high as they'll go, you won't unclip. The only guys who do the clipless+strap thing are a few pro sprinters and paranoid wannabes. For more security, get the black cleats with zero float. It'll feel more like clips and straps. I use the $20 Nashbar brand Look knock-offs, they're solid believe me.

lyledriver 03-05-07 10:40 AM

I like the OPs idea, but I think he only needs straps, and not toe clips.

dutret 03-05-07 10:51 AM


Originally Posted by goodall
If you set the release tension on Looks to as high as they'll go, you won't unclip. The only guys who do the clipless+strap thing are a few pro sprinters and paranoid wannabes. For more security, get the black cleats with zero float. It'll feel more like clips and straps. I use the $20 Nashbar brand Look knock-offs, they're solid believe me.

I have to disagree with this. I could pull out of my looks with the tension all the way up. They may have gotten better since I got mine but I still wouldn't trust the arc looks even with the black cleats. I have never used the keos tough so I don't have an opinion on them. Any of the newer system seem fine though.

The problem with the original idea is it doesn't make sense and it's all about creating a solution to a problem that didn't exist in the first place. You get a small platform, poor clearance, and a super low end pedal(that is more likely to release in the first place.) I'm not ever sure whether the strap would even do any good. Since it's coming out wider then the clipless part of the pedal it seem like if you unclipped your foot could slide off the side as opposed to popping back in.

DaSy 03-05-07 11:39 AM

I ride track and only use Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL's, they are very secure, and with the tension up, are very unlikely to unclip.
If your form is so poor that your feet are liable to kick out sideways enough to disengage the pedal, then I would say work on your form rather than attempt to bolt your self to the pedal.
Assuming a reasonable pedal techique, I think it pretty unlikely you would rip your foot from the pedal.
Some pro track riders do put straps over SPD-SL's etc, but at the end of the day, they are putting it all on a few seconds of all out power, and want to try and cover all possible problems when in competition.

dirtyphotons 03-05-07 11:44 AM


Originally Posted by DaSy
If your form is so poor that your feet are liable to kick out sideways enough to disengage the pedal, then I would say work on your form rather than attempt to bolt your self to the pedal.

yep

get_nuts 03-05-07 01:19 PM


Originally Posted by TimArchy
You can't mount the clips so that they will allow you to strap in while on the spd side. Or, maybe its possible, but the stack height on the spd side is huge. your foot is way off the plane of the axle and you'd have to stretch the clip way out to fit your foot in. It would not be comfortable. Not to mention that if you crash, your foot will not come out, one of the major reasons people switched from clip and strap to clipless.
The only people at the track who regularly use anything but looks, spd-sl, or speedplay are sprinters. They have thighs approximately the size of your mom and do things like rip teeth off of cogs.
Thor Hushvod rides Looks and he is one of the best sprinter on the road. He is stronger than anyone on this forum and if he pulls out of the pedal its because either he did something wrong or the pedal is defective.


Originally Posted by endo shi
This is the only intelligent thing anyone has said.

That's about right. I know what you're talking about and I don't think you'll have any trouble at this point in time with a normal road pedal setup - LOOK or Time RXS or something until you develop some serious torquing ability. Until that time comes, I wouldn't worry about it.

That said, I don't think the old cleats-style setup would be very expensive, probably no more expensive than yours. I know you can get MKS track pedals with that weird quill for like $30. You could also probably find some used old track shoes on ebay for cheap. They'd probably be in very good condition if they weren't ridden much outside the track.

roadgator 03-05-07 07:35 PM


Originally Posted by baxtefer
tell that to lance

the few times he slipped during tour coverage were most likely because he wasn't fully clipped in to begin with. durring the heat of a race its possible. but once you are in, you ARE IN. never came unclipped on mine.

Retem 03-05-07 08:13 PM

zero float is a bad idea bad bad idea it is really bad for your knees

I have atac's on all three of my bikes and I wear my sidis all day long with no problem

endo shi 03-05-07 08:51 PM


Originally Posted by Retem
zero float is a bad idea bad bad idea it is really bad for your knees

I have atac's on all three of my bikes and I wear my sidis all day long with no problem

Jobst Brandt doesn't think float is such a great idea: http://yarchive.net/bike/spd.html

MrCjolsen 03-05-07 09:02 PM

I've been riding clipless for almost three years. Once, I put some straps and clips on my fixed gear and went for a ride. Quite scary. I had lots of trouble getting in and tightening them. Then I had trouble getting out. After one trip around the block and put the clipless pedals back on.

Also, I've never come out of clipless other than once when I was trying to majorly mash the big huge gears on my road bike. And I keep them adjusted pretty loose.

fix 03-05-07 09:38 PM

Look Keo = Vise Grip for shoe


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