any ideas, advice?

Yeah - there's a 'search this forum' in the upper right corner of your screen.

It's kind of like brakes/no brakes. Lots of noise and strong opinions.

I use clipless in the spring summer and fall, but switch to BMX platforms when it gets icey.

I switched from spd's to clips and straps two weeks ago. Still thinking...

Quit thinking, get drinking!

amen!

I use mini toe clips (no Straps ). It give me plenty of control without that locked in feeling. I'll probably switch to clipless when I feel more comfortable.

I have SH55 multi-release clips on an MTB type shoe with Shimano SPD pedals- I think they are great- it is easy to disengage and I have not fallen yet- I can also walk about in them no problem- good power boost over platforms and your feet don't slip off the pedals- give them a try.

That is the operative word

I'm currently running clipless Shimano 535s and loving it. I ran clips and straps for a few days to try it out and didn't like them. My foot didn't feel all that secure on the upstroke and I had a heck of a time trying to cinch the straps down while pedalling. Eggbeaters are $50 at Dan's Comp so I may be switching to those as I have heard many a good thing about'em. I may give clips a try again, perhaps on my next bike build and for a longer period of time.

everyone's different. Some believe clipless are the end-all and be-all of efficiency. Others prefer the versatility of clips. Some beleive the world will end or you will die in an incredible crash if you ride with platforms. Some believe riding fixed attached to a pedal in any manner is suicide.

Its all about preference and what suits YOUR needs; not other peoples preferences and what suits THEIR needs.

Me? I ride duel-sided. Clipless on one side when I want to fool myself into thinking it makes a diff. Platform on the other which I ride 90 percent of the time.

Really depends on what you are comfortable with. I ride with clips on my fixie but clipless on all my other bikes (well except for the cruiser for obvious reasons). Since I do most of my commuting and running around on my fixie I like to wear street shoes.

Stevo, be careful not to confuse block and platform pedals. Platforms are conventional toeclippable pedals that have a flat platform for the foot to rest on versus the usual frame-style. Block pedals are the flats with no clips, like BMX.

Me, I ride platforms...with clips, and love them.

bostontrevor, I would be happy to disagree with your definition of 'platform', but it would really be an exercise in semantics. (who's to say what constitutes a platform?)

Lets agree I was referring to 'pedals designed to be ridden without any need for clips, straps, cleats, bindings, clamps, staples, or glue.

Yes, well who's to say what constitutes a "clipless" pedal? I'm basing myself on traditional bicycle nomenclature (when platforms were more common than they are now--or so I'm told) and the fact that the only platform pedal still in manufactured (MKS GR-9) is sold as a "platform pedal". Whereas manufacturers of "block" pedals call them such. Sadly it may be a fading distinction with the loss of choice in platform, but so long as there is a platform pedal out there, it's useful to still be able to talk about "a pedal that one can use with straps and clips but is not designed with a hard-soled cycling shoe in mind."

indobitibly. In my opinion, platforms (or blocks), are clipless pedals. I refrain from referring to them in that way; who am I to argue with the marketing deparments of the cycle industry?

anywhoo, Given your desire to refer to 'a pedal that one can use with clips and straps but is not designed with a hard-soled cycling shoe in mind', then would a touring pedal (classic rat-trap) be a 'platform', or a 'block'?

Given your definition, How do we differentiate true 'block' pedals (those constructed of rubber blocks) from bmx, mtb, touring, or cruiser pedals (those not constructed of blocks)? Given my definition, how do we refer to the GR-9? (clipped platform?).

Like I said, it's all semantics. Sometimes we try too hard to label everything. Sometimes a pedal is a pedal. Sometimes a 'pound of cheese' is easier.

It's not the marketing department of the cycle industry except inasmuch as bicycle parts have been made by industry and they probably promulgate a common terminology. But it's not like they've got some sort of hidden semnatic agenda.

Traditional road pedal. Or frame pedal.

Aluminum block, steel block, serrated aluminum block, aluminum beartrap. See there are lots of adjectives and whole other names out there. I'm not trying to start an argument of any kind, I'm just saying that the term "platform pedal" is commonly misused vis-a-vis its traditional meaning. There is still use in the old meaning. Maybe it doesn't matter and it will go the way of boulevard, avenue, street, et al and lose its particular meaning, but it does have one traditionally and still does, particularly in this context.

Hell, Sheldon Brown agrees with me, Gary Fisher disagrees (and what is the Gary Fisher company's agenda in spreading this new use of "platform"?). You make the call.

Back on topic. I'm converting my road bike to a fixed gear, and my roommate is building a pursuit bike, and several of our friends are fixie freaks.

We've concluded that it takes a while to adapt to fixed gear and get truly comfortable with it, and during this time it is probally a good idea.

Once you're comfortable, go clipless. As was said whatever you feel comfortable with. Personally I feel comfortable with toe clips, especially since I found some old school specialized cycling shoes with the stiff soles for maximum power output *roars*

Got clipless on my work bike, as tight as they'll go. They keep me in when I want, and can unclip when I want.
On my 'to the shop, pub, friends house, etc. etc. I got clips and straps just cause I don't want wear cycling shoes. They don't feel as secure, but I get the advantages of being stuck to the bike.
And I haven't fallen over since the first week of clipless, but have fallen over with clips/straps last weekend

Ok, my two cents. Clipless pedals are nice, useful and sane, SPD's being probably the best for street fixie riding.

But I ride clips and straps. Period

If you're new to fixed, I would go with whichever you are already comfortable with. You can change over in the future if you desire.

I'm just f'ing sick of wearing these stiff soled sidi's all the time. I like my eggbeaters, but my clips wear out WAY too fast, and I'm too lazy to carry a spare set of shoes with me. I suppose i could just leave them at school, but again, sloth.

So i'm working on convincing myself that i should use clips and straps for the upcoming winter, and just see how I like them. Any thoughts on clipless v. clips for winter use?

I hate myself for not using the search function.

"Any thoughts on clipless v. clips for winter use? "

clips dont get fouled up with ice/mud/crud like clipless bindings and cleats do. With clips, and especially for 'double sided flat pedals without clips' you have the huge advantage of multiple shoe choices. Warm sunny winter day? Wear your regular street shoes. Bitter cold day? Wear the workboots. Snowy day? Wear the sorrels.

Personally, I find clipless to be far less convenient than the advantages gained by using them. I certainly click in when I'm going for a 'ride', but that's about 10 percent of the time i'm on my bike.

I dont see the delimma in trying to 'convince yourself', just go to the LBW, give'em 5 bucks for a used pair of cheap pedals and try it.