I bought my first fixie about a month ago (it's an old Bianchi frame converted to a fixie with a Phil Wood flip-flop hub-only $100) and I love it. I've been riding with cages on platform pedals, but since the pedals are really crappy, they're falling apart. I'm trying to decide if I want to get some kind of pedal that I clip in or just stick with platforms with cages.

So in the month that I've ridden the fixie, I definitely want my feet somehow attached to the pedals because sometimes they could slip off at a bad time. So far I haven't encountered any kind of riding that would be bad for me to have clip-in pedals, so I kinda want to just get those, but what do you guys think? Is there some dangerous situation I could get in that would be bad to be actually clipped in for? I pretty regularly hear people suggesting to get cages when you build a fixie, but I just don't see why I shouldn't clip in all the way. Also, any suggestions on what kind of clip-in pedals I should get if you think clip-in is wise? I am not at all familiar with the different kinds.

Blam.

Glad you want foot retention. Get some decent mks pedals/clips/straps, those last quite a while and work for me.

You could always get bmx pedals + holdfasts. They are becoming pretty popular these days.

Okay first a lesson in what kind of pedals you are talking about. The "Cages" you speak of are called clips. They use a strap to hold your feet in place. The other pedals that you "clip-in" are called clipless. The advantage of clips and straps vs. clipless pedals is that you don't have to wear special shoes. The advantage of clipless is that they are more efficient because you can put pressure on your cranks for a full 360 instead of just up and down like with traditional clips and straps. I don't ride clipless but I'm assuming they are actually easier to get out of in the event of crashing because you kind of twist your foot out sideways instead of pulling back.

Clipless is not a good choice for fixies IMO. Your majority of fixie riders ride in town (if you are tour riding on a Langster, either you are unhuman or dumb) and with clipless pedals, it becomes a hassle for starting and stopping constantly.

I would bet money that opinion is in the minority. I certainly would contest it. I almost exclusively ride with clipless because it is a good choice. No pull outs, not hot spots, better shoes.

Track stand, brah.

I'll track stand most of the time, but if I unclip it takes one thoughtless motion to clip back in. totally effortless- not a big deal

BMX pedals and WIG straps. Way more comfortable and practical for city riding than pedals/cages/straps designed for track or ancient road racing.

I prefer my ancient set up.

I got wig straps. Going over to clipless.

Oh don't think I'm knockin clips and straps. I loved my GR-9's, double somas and double straps for some time, I just prefer BMX and Straps now... I guess I did sound kinda pretentious. My B. Ride what you like (:

I didn't take it the wrong way, it's all swell.

You clearly have no experience with clipless pedals.

make sure your pedas are omni-directional, since fixies can pedal in both directions.

Clipless > Platforms w/ Holdfast > Toe clips & straps

I use Time ATACs and have never had a problem except for one accidental pull-out. They're pretty easy to clip in and out of, hold securely, and you can use MTB shoes with recessed cleats if you want to walk around and not carry extra shoes.

I was leery of clipless before I tried it. I will never go back. Being locked in is so much more secure than in clips/straps. But clipless shoes don't make good walking shoes, so I wouldn't put them on your bike if it's a commuter.

depends on the shoe

Thanks everyone. I'll probably go with holdfasts or something like that since it's a commuting bike and I don't feel like carrying an extra pair of shoes.

Dude, clipless pedals are practically ideal for this.

Adding my opinion just so its clear to everyone that the guy who claimed clipless pedals are impractical for urban riding is naive at best and an idiot at worst. Super hassle free to clip in and out of, and for all those claiming they can't be walked in get mtb shoes. My Adidas fell apart, so for the first month I had them I wore my Shimano's almost exclusively, and while I probably didn't look super stylish it wasn't uncomfortable at all.

It seems odd to me. You should be able to do both because if you can't do either, you are likely no good with the other. Your performance should improve, but you shouldn't radically improve by going clipless or visa-vasa. If you have, then you weren't using themcorrectly to begin with.

I swapped to clip-and-straps some time ago to keep things fresh and keep me sharp. I am much better pedalling after practicing in clipless all these months. Clipless let you learn how to "spin" the cranks, you see? Grab with the feet and spin the pedals right? No more stomping down on it. ... But then I wouldn't go touring with em. I am gonna slap on my SpeedPlay for that.