Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
Reload this Page >

straps, toe clips or clipless pedals?

Search
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)

straps, toe clips or clipless pedals?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-12-12 | 03:31 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 49
Likes: 0

Bikes: 1997 Gary Fisher Paragon, 1988 Schwinn World Sport (FG conversion), 2005 GT Performer, Leader 729

straps, toe clips or clipless pedals?

What do you guys use / recommend? Why?

I use toe clips for mountain biking, but am debating what I should use when I get my fixed gear up and running.

Thanks.
ginshun is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-12 | 03:50 PM
  #2  
Jaytron's Avatar
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,244
Likes: 28
From: San Jose, CA

Bikes: CAAD 10 4, Dolan DF4, Fuji Track Classic

You already own clipless, how is this even open for debate?
Jaytron is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-12 | 03:52 PM
  #3  
Scrodzilla's Avatar
Your cog is slipping.
Titanium Club Membership
Sheldon Brown Memorial - Titanium
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 26,053
Likes: 100
From: Beverly MA

Bikes: EAI Bareknuckle

All three FTW.
Scrodzilla is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-12 | 03:56 PM
  #4  
Jaytron's Avatar
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,244
Likes: 28
From: San Jose, CA

Bikes: CAAD 10 4, Dolan DF4, Fuji Track Classic

Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
All three FTW.
Thissssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Jaytron is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-12 | 03:57 PM
  #5  
Jandro's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,059
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
Originally Posted by Jaytron
You already own clipless, how is this even open for debate?
This.
__________________
Attack in the feeling because it says I'll win absolutely.
Jandro is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-12 | 04:18 PM
  #6  
illdthedj's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 2
From: Modesto, Ca

Bikes: klein quantum, litespeed tuscany, bianchi pista concept, centurion comp ta, centurion super le mans, traitor ringleader

yah clipless all the way.
but if you are some fixebro skid-master...

(this is just conjecture/assumptions btw)...
maybe double straps with clips MIGHT be better? this is just based on my assumption, that when i try to skid im locking my back leg and pull up with the other, and that maybe if you are skidding all the time in clipless pedals you could potentially accidently pull your foot off the pedal (if say you accidently twisted your foot while pulling up)

i dunno just guessing really. i dont skid much/at all on my fixed gear bikes. i use spd on the pista concept and double straps on the 'sweet psuedo-hipster fixay"...but i especially dont skid on the bike with clipless pedals because i feel like i might pull my foot out and crash or something.

anywho my 2cents.
illdthedj is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-12 | 04:23 PM
  #7  
ddeadserious's Avatar
Cat Enthusiast
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,227
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth, MI

Bikes: All City Nature Boy

I find slowing down and skidding to be significantly easier with clipless pedals than with clips/straps. If you're using this bike for distance, I'd go clipless hands down.
ddeadserious is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-12 | 04:31 PM
  #8  
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 49
Likes: 0

Bikes: 1997 Gary Fisher Paragon, 1988 Schwinn World Sport (FG conversion), 2005 GT Performer, Leader 729

Maybe I was not clear. I do not own clipless pedals / shoes, I just have standard pedals with toe clips attached. I am debating clipless pedals, but am on a budget with the fixed gear project and don't know if I want to buy new pedals and shoes.

Really debating whether I can just stick with a regular pedal and toe clip pedals or if I should be straps instead of (or in addition to?) toe clips.

Keep in mind I have never even ridden a fixed gear bike, and have no idea how to skid one at this point.
ginshun is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-12 | 04:37 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Clipless = Best for riding (this seems to be everyones opinion, i have no personal experience).
Toeclips = Best for riding somewhere where you need to do any amount of walking.
Straps = Best if you need to do some walking and don't want toeclip wear on your nice shoes.

As far as feel and ease of use goes, I think straps are way below toeclips.

Last edited by Rootzilla; 07-12-12 at 04:41 PM.
Rootzilla is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-12 | 04:38 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 1
I would say spd clipless for everything besides loooong rides. I've tried them all and SPD is more efficient than straps and easier to clip in/out and walk then spd-sl.

just get a spd pedal and a 2 good pair of shoes. one for long rides with STIFF carbon soles like shimano or sidi's and a casual shoe like chromes or dzr's
8bits is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-12 | 04:39 PM
  #11  
Jaytron's Avatar
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,244
Likes: 28
From: San Jose, CA

Bikes: CAAD 10 4, Dolan DF4, Fuji Track Classic

I feel safer on clipless tbh man. I always had this fear that my foot would slide out of cages. I also didn't like the amount of "play" i got when pulling up, compared to clipless. Then again, I went clipless within a few days of getting my first road bike, which was a while before I even got my first fixed gear. (Hadn't tried clips/straps till I got the fixed gear)
Jaytron is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-12 | 04:44 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 8bits
I would say spd clipless for everything besides loooong rides. I've tried them all and SPD is more efficient than straps and easier to clip in/out and walk then spd-sl.

just get a spd pedal and a 2 good pair of shoes. one for long rides with STIFF carbon soles like shimano or sidi's and a casual shoe like chromes or dzr's
Aren't even the casual SPD shoes really stiff when compared to most normal shoes? I tried some touring SPD's in store and wouldn't have wanted to walk much more than couple of hundred yards in them.
Rootzilla is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-12 | 04:54 PM
  #13  
timechaser's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia

Bikes: Fuji Track Pro, Bianchi Pista, Jamis Xenith T2

lots of pedal have adjustable entry and release tension

Originally Posted by illdthedj
yah clipless all the way.
but if you are some fixebro skid-master...

(this is just conjecture/assumptions btw)...
maybe double straps with clips MIGHT be better? this is just based on my assumption, that when i try to skid im locking my back leg and pull up with the other, and that maybe if you are skidding all the time in clipless pedals you could potentially accidently pull your foot off the pedal (if say you accidently twisted your foot while pulling up)

i dunno just guessing really. i dont skid much/at all on my fixed gear bikes. i use spd on the pista concept and double straps on the 'sweet psuedo-hipster fixay"...but i especially dont skid on the bike with clipless pedals because i feel like i might pull my foot out and crash or something.

anywho my 2cents.
timechaser is offline  
Reply
Old 07-12-12 | 05:02 PM
  #14  
DevinL's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Boulder, Colorado

Bikes: Cannondale CAAD10 '12 SRAM RIVAL

Clip-less all the way. No reason for an explanation.
DevinL is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rocky Gravol
Classic & Vintage
261
10-13-20 07:46 PM
The Golden Boy
Classic & Vintage
23
09-22-13 08:46 AM
rbpanaligan
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
28
04-02-11 03:16 PM
chickenfried
Road Cycling
1
03-13-11 05:36 PM
daven1986
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
7
05-10-10 07:34 PM

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



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

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.