Notices
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Last night

Old 01-09-05, 08:51 PM
  #1  
The King of Town
Thread Starter
 
manboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 681

Bikes: Haro Backtrail 20" (MISSING), Fuji Berkeley fixie, Huffy cruisercommuterdeathmobile

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Last night

I saw a cool brakeless fixie parked outside of Cora in Norfolk. I took a closer look: flat bars, lugged Trek frame, fairly spiffy wheels.

Then I realized something.

The thing had platform pedals.
manboy is offline  
Old 01-09-05, 08:53 PM
  #2  
無くなった
 
HereNT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Sci-Fi Wasabi
Posts: 5,072

Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I ride Primo BMX platforms in the winter without straps. It actually feels safer on the ice...
HereNT is offline  
Old 01-09-05, 08:54 PM
  #3  
seeking simple
 
schwinnbikelove's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 1,031

Bikes: Yes!

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Oh my god, the humanity of it all!
schwinnbikelove is offline  
Old 01-09-05, 09:20 PM
  #4  
la vache fantôme
 
phantomcow2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NH
Posts: 6,266
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I wont use clipless in winter, unless its just road. I tried it a few days ago, was riding in the snow, it was the fluffy kind and i totally lost control at one point and couldnt bail out in time. Maybe its still me getting used to clipless but im with platforms for now, maybe i will give "powergrips" a try.
phantomcow2 is offline  
Old 01-09-05, 09:47 PM
  #5  
seeking simple
 
schwinnbikelove's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 1,031

Bikes: Yes!

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I've sort of been entertaining the idea of those powergrips, too. I've never ridden anything but platforms only, and I'm actually riding those *gasp* cheap resin pedals, despite the fact that I've dumped hundreds into my bike. Hey, I like 'em!

The thing about the powergrips I'm wondering, is that I ride with my tippy-toes, and wonder if they'd work. Toe clips have always been too deep for me. Hmm.
schwinnbikelove is offline  
Old 01-09-05, 10:15 PM
  #6  
Beausage is Beautiful
 
Fugazi Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Saitama, Japan
Posts: 5,504

Bikes: Nabiis Alchemy

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 8 Posts
Originally Posted by phantomcow2
I wont use clipless in winter, unless its just road. I tried it a few days ago, was riding in the snow, it was the fluffy kind and i totally lost control at one point and couldnt bail out in time. Maybe its still me getting used to clipless but im with platforms for now, maybe i will give "powergrips" a try.
It also would have something to do with the specific clipless pedals. Some ice up a lot more easily than others. I wouldn't ride spuds in the winter. Eggbeaters sure, but I'd be wary of most others outside of maybe the Time MTB pedals.
__________________
Yo. Everything I’m doing is linked on What’s up with Dave? but most of note currently is Somewhere in Japan.
Fugazi Dave is offline  
Old 01-09-05, 11:31 PM
  #7  
ogre
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: arlington, va
Posts: 399

Bikes: surly steamroller fixie, '90 cannondale SR 800

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
newbie questions, galore:

by platform pedals, you all mean just regular pedals, without straps.. right?
do most people use clips i.e. pedals with straps -- as opposed to clipless -- on their fixies?
and what are powergrips?
drolldurham is offline  
Old 01-10-05, 01:25 AM
  #8  
無くなった
 
HereNT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Sci-Fi Wasabi
Posts: 5,072

Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
If you'd quit googling my mom and just google, you'd know the answer to two of those questions...

Regarding question 2, it's all personal preference. Some people switch according to the season, so it varies. I prefer clipless, but won't use them when it's really slick out.
HereNT is offline  
Old 01-10-05, 01:49 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: austin/san antonio corridor
Posts: 114

Bikes: a dozen or more at any given time. currently: pro concept pro, badd 24", hutch trickstar, looptail pk ripper, reynolds quad, 82 hutch pro racer, yamaha "a" model, matthews monoshock, and several more.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...3&category=388

https://www.monkamoo.com/catalog/Prod...hinburger.html

=D
pgringo69 is offline  
Old 01-10-05, 02:14 AM
  #10  
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 44
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
i just got some powergrips and im having a hell of a time getting used to them, so far they seem to me to work better around the tip of toes as when i get my whole foot in there and pull up nice and hard my feet come off the pedals... im sure tighter straps will work better, but if i tighten them i wont get my foot in, is this a break-in issue or do others have these issues with powergrips?
invisible is offline  
Old 01-10-05, 09:04 AM
  #11  
Rebel Thousandaire
 
Ya Tu Sabes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 733

Bikes: Public D8, Yuba Mundo (cargo), Novara Buzz (1-speed, soon to be 2-speed w/ a kickback hub), Xootr 1-speed folder

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I've been reading a book on the history of bicycles, and I've gleaned that back in the day when all bikes were fixies, a whole lot of people rode brakeless on platform pedals. I don't know what this proves, except that it can't be that terrible so long as you proceed with caution. (Then again, in those days it was also common for workers operating heavy machinery to drink bourbon at lunch.)
Ya Tu Sabes is offline  
Old 01-10-05, 09:18 AM
  #12  
shot
 
shot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 297
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Recovering from a serious broken leg here and riding fixed on big BMX platform pedals is good rehab.

Can't twist out of clipless for a while. But NO problems on platforms at all...
shot is offline  
Old 01-10-05, 11:01 AM
  #13  
Retrogrouch in Training
 
bostontrevor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Knee-deep in the day-to-day
Posts: 5,484
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
My road/track bikes with the slicks have toeclips. They're fine for non-icy days. When it's snowy, icey, or slushy out I bring out the mtb with the super mean trials pedals for greater shin damage.

I've gone down (or over!) enough times in the snow to know that I don't want to be attached to my pedals on those days. I'm probably not going fast enough for it to be worthwhile anyhow.
bostontrevor is offline  
Old 01-10-05, 11:04 AM
  #14  
Rebel Thousandaire
 
Ya Tu Sabes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 733

Bikes: Public D8, Yuba Mundo (cargo), Novara Buzz (1-speed, soon to be 2-speed w/ a kickback hub), Xootr 1-speed folder

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by bostontrevor
I've gone down (or over!) enough times in the snow to know that I don't want to be attached to my pedals on those days. I'm probably not going fast enough for it to be worthwhile anyhow.
I usually just keep the straps really loose. That way my feet won't slide forward off the pedal in slippery conditions, but I can still eject prior to impact (in theory, anyway).
Ya Tu Sabes is offline  
Old 01-10-05, 11:26 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
jimv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 391

Bikes: Surly Steamroller, Rodriguez (custom SS)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by invisible
i just got some powergrips and im having a hell of a time getting used to them, so far they seem to me to work better around the tip of toes as when i get my whole foot in there and pull up nice and hard my feet come off the pedals... im sure tighter straps will work better, but if i tighten them i wont get my foot in, is this a break-in issue or do others have these issues with powergrips?
There seem to be 2 types of powergrips. One has a series of holes in the strap to provide adjustment, while the other has a vise-like clamp, with no holes. I've tried both in the past and were surprised how well they worked. The clamp type allow very fine adjustment but the hole type feel more secure.

I must admit that I thought they were a gimmick but they do work well. I still prefer toeclips and straps but my friend Al uses powergrips exclusively. My only complaint with them was that the metal piece that forms the forward attachment point for the strap was too weak. After a good climb I had to bend them back into position.

You aren't trying to slip your foot straight into them like a toe clip are you? They're designed to be entered/exited with the toes in toward the bike and heel out. It's when the foot is brought into line with the bike that the straps tighten around the foot. Sorry if that's overstating the obvious.

Take care

Jim
jimv is offline  
Old 01-10-05, 02:01 PM
  #16  
Track Rat
 
gotambushed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 128

Bikes: To many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
a bunch of guys here ride the fast clips, ie, no strap, just a spring toe clip,
i just ride clips in the winter with combat boots, or clipless SPDs when theres not to much snow, i've tried the fast clips and their nice, but i still like my 105's
gotambushed is offline  
Old 01-10-05, 02:13 PM
  #17  
ready for the freakout
 
jitensha!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: the 757
Posts: 991

Bikes: Spicer track

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
manboy: that's my friend Gary's bike. if you see a blue Cannondale locked up at Cogan's, Fair Grounds or the Taphouse, that's mine.
jitensha! is offline  
Old 01-10-05, 05:45 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
DKfix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: N.Y. State (for now)
Posts: 102

Bikes: 1 Fix,2 SSs-more to come

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
HEY manboy! That's my baby! I work at Cora. I use platforms because I just like them better. I have eggbeaters, but it's the shoe thing. I like my steet kicks!

Last edited by DKfix; 01-11-05 at 06:33 AM.
DKfix is offline  
Old 01-11-05, 09:49 AM
  #19  
ready for the freakout
 
jitensha!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: the 757
Posts: 991

Bikes: Spicer track

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
gary! good to see you on here, man...
jitensha! is offline  
Old 01-11-05, 10:08 AM
  #20  
h8r
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: District of Columbia
Posts: 45

Bikes: IF Crown Jewel, ByStickel fixed gear, Trek 520

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Cora has some good french toast. My friend Jimi lives down there and rides a steamroller. Norfolk is a cool place to ride but the only hill is the bridge.
h8r is offline  
Old 01-11-05, 01:10 PM
  #21  
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 44
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
thanks jimv, ive been enteing like you said, but i still cant get them to be loose enogh to get into but tight enough to really lift up in with out pullinb my foot off the pedal. when i lift and my foot comes off, it ends up rotating too, not cool... thanks for the reply though!
invisible is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.