Pedal Q
 

Ok, I've been clipless for quite some time now but would like to explore once again to the toe clip style pedaling system for both nostalgic and simplicity reasons. My quest is to find a good pedal first and then find the clips for them. I'm thinking mini clips for now, but that would be an entirely seperate thread as I read they are not well liked. But, more on that at a later date...

For now, I see that the track style pedal is popular these days and the Wellgo RO-25B's are well liked for the money they are. I also notice that these look like copies of the MKS Nuevo pedals which cost quite a bit more.

My question - are the MKS Nuevo's really worth the extra hundred or so clams (give or take a few) over the Wellgo's? I don't mind spending the money if it is well spent. Thanks.

The purpose of the metal clip is to hold the toe strap open so that you can stick your foot in. That's it's only job.

To my knowledge, mini toe clips don't do anything but keep your foot from slipping forward. I'm not sure if that's a real problem. You can't get any support for the pedal upstroke as you would if you properly tightened a toe strap.

If you have a single speed, I say just buy some quality platform pedals.

Thanks - it is for a single speed. I also should have added that this is for road riding, no track riding, approx. 80 ~ 100 miles a week.

If not, and just a good quality platform pedal is all I need, are the track style pedals in topic still a good choice or are they too slippery for use without a toe clip and strap? (I guess this is where the mini toe clip might come into play)

Not a direct answer but: I have nice vintage racing pedals and newer mid-level pedals, and I really don't see the difference. I've repacked the older hi-end pedals, they run smooth but hardly something to drool over. I ditched clipless for cages a few years a ago, don't miss clipless at all.

But...truth is, Powergrips (straps) are my favorites for road bikes and I'm fine with their stock performance pedals, which look like MKS knock-offs. Not an elegant or popular choice, but they work damn well - especially with the flexibility of positioning your foot inboard or outboard, deep or shallow, while riding.

So, just saying.

For the record - Wellgo RO25Bs are a copy of MKS RX-1 pedals, not Custom Nuevos.

I've had a set of Wellgos for well over a year with lots of miles on them and think they're awesome.

Unless you plan to ear shoes with slotted cleats, or like to wear shoes with much stiffer soles than I do, you might want to rethink any type of track pedal.

I know this isn't what you're talking about specifically, but I found an old pair of 105 pedals in my garage and tossed them on my single speed. I made it, but wow were my arches sore from riding with [essentially] a skate shoe and those pedals. That ridge hurts like a mother if you don't have the right shoes. I have no problems with the same shoes when I'm using mtb pedals like these

105 pedals-
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...pedals2of2.jpg

MKS GR-9s solve that problem.

I concur. Couldn't ride more than 5 miles with the 105s and Converse.

Mini clips are worthless, better off spending your money on titanium valve caps, or actual foot retention ;)

Thanks for the replies and clarification everyone. I see how the RO25b's closer resemble the RX-1's. The GR9's look nice, but they look slippery if there weren't any cages on them, no?

The mini clips I was looking at are two. These:

http://www.velosolo.co.uk/mkshalf.html

and these:

http://www.bgcycles.com/stainless-toe-clips.html

The Velo Solo site reads that the MKS are made from a heavier guage material stock to help eliminate the flex to aid in pulling up. The Bruce Gordon site just reads that theirs are made from 3/16" stainless tubing. I have no idea on the rigidity of them.

72 bucks for mini clips?

http://i.imgur.com/CP23j.gif

As ol' carleton said:

Clips are pretty much useless without straps.

+1. On longer rides track pedals with clips and sneakers = unhappy feet. The track pedal footprint is so small that you end up losing a lot of power without the full setup (clips, straps, track shoes and cleats). I found some benefit to mini clips, but you really need stiff soles to use track pedals comfortably and get the full performance potential. After 6 months commuting with track pedals in various configurations I finally binned them and went clipless.

Thanks guys. Yeah, I agree the $72 is pricey, but if they worked so be it. Hey, there is also the $267 option :) http://brucegordoncycles.bigcartel.c...trapless-clips

I don't want to loose alot of pulling foot retention, but if I went with open platforms I would loose it regardless. I figured the mini clips would at least keep the foot from sliding forward with slippery pedals, like the GR9's look to be. Sounds like full cage might be the only way to go if I want to do this. Plus, being used to clipless I am already used to the pulling power.

I own 3 bicycles that cost less (combined) than those godawful pedals.

I take it you don't like the White Industries? :)

Actually, the pedals themselves are about $200 or so, it's the mini clips that jacks the price up to $267.

But they're on sale!!!

I guess I just find it stupid that anyone would buy those pedals that cost more than an entire clipless setup.. with shoes.

To me the Bruce Gordon design makes good sense because conventional flat metal cages and toe clips tear up you shoes at the toe.

My daughter used mini clips on an urban bike for years, she loved them but wasn't using them for efficiency. Toe clips are better than nothing, they are hardly worthless, but they aren't worth spending much money on.

Some people don't like clipless. However, not that much money is needed to be spent on quality platform pedals. The stuff from WI does seem to be very nice though. I would guess that those pedals are no exception.

fixed

People spend lots of $$$ on other parts of their bikes, why not pedals as well? Do we need to ride on frames that cost over $500, $600, $800 - no, but some do. Why - because they can afford it. IMO, pedals are important as they are one of the key body contact points. I'm not saying that I would spend $200 for a pair of pedals, but some people might... and more power to them.

@bfloyd6969...i have used every kind of foot attachment over the years & at the moment i am using those mks halfclips you linked to earlier with my wellgo track pedals & like them very much.

ironically, when i posted my bike in the "what don't you like" thread a few days ago...my miniclips were the very thing that got attacked most, but they work for me.

they are very light, very easy to get in & out of, "adjustable" by either pressing them shut or prying them open a little. being steel, they are stiff enough that i can get upward pull on them when i need it.

have fun & good luck...

Thanks, markaitch. I was curious to know if they are actually a thicker grade steel than standard toe clips - now I know.

What about straps without clips like Holdfasts or Retrogression? Adjustable, light, lot of power but not "nostalgic". I think Retrogression has some that are designed to work with track pedals.

Or you get the Lyotard pedals that served as the inspiration for those White Industry pedals:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Lyotard-MB-Ma...hWg~~60_58.JPG

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lyotard-MB-M...item256f44d39b