Power grips, clipless or toe clips

gtvlusso
gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
edited April 2009 in Commuting chat
Hi All,

I am considering my options (as it is payday and I need to make a purchase.....):

On my fixie, I currently use 1/2 length toe clips on MKS sylvan pedals - they have no strap, but hold my feet in place to the minimal degree - fine for most uses. However, when hill climbing, things can get a little out of place!

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-MKS- ... -10678.htm

I have full length toe clips and leather straps, but have found that trying to get my foot back in - should I have to put a foot down anywhere is a friggin nightmare!

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-MKS- ... s-7915.htm

Would power grips be any better?

powergrips-pedal-straps.jpg

Should I just put an old set of SPD's on?! Last resort, as I like the fact I just wear converse pumps on this bike......[/url]

Comments

  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Clips. Be at one with the bike. :wink:
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    Do you mean the half clips I currently have fitted or fitting my full toe clips and straps?!
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Sorry, clipless/SPDs.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    Hmm - My SPD shoes are rubbish though and I don't want to have to carry a pair of walking shoes in my bag.........I am so divided about this!!
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    You have a more immediate priority: that bar tape. Please explain. :shock: :)

    P.S. New shoes.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    Hadn't heard of powergrips before. Very tempted to try some out myself!

    This guy likes em: http://bicycledesign.blogspot.com/2007/ ... grips.html
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Clipless.

    K?

    Specialized BG shoes with cleats are perfectly good walking shoes, you can't hear the cleat, and they're comfy enough to wear all day and the next day!
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    He's not after comfy though, he's after /cool/ innit... :P
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • georgio15
    georgio15 Posts: 77
    sarajoy wrote:
    Hadn't heard of powergrips before. Very tempted to try some out myself!

    as am i. anyone know where i can get pedals and straps from the uk? don't really want to order them from the US
    i want one: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Cinel ... orus~Eurus)_2009/5360040482/
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    cjcp wrote:
    You have a more immediate priority: that bar tape. Please explain. :shock: :)

    P.S. New shoes.

    What I had in shed!! Bit "Republican", but hey - I stand out!

    As for shoes, I love wearing converse boots - I also have flat feet, so I wear orthotics, the only cycling shoes I have got that are any good are my Sidi SPD-SL road shoes - can't walk in them - they were damn expensive. My Diadora SPD shoes are bloody uncomfortable and cause some pain after a while.......

    I use the fixie bike for everything "town" related and most days commuting.
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    LOL at the thought of converse boots being good for feet!!
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • FyPunK
    FyPunK Posts: 160
    +1 for Spesh BG's and spd's.
    www.justgiving.com/aidyneal Cycling Manchester to Blackpool. Look out for number 1691
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Clipless.

    K?

    Specialized BG shoes with cleats are perfectly good walking shoes, you can't hear the cleat, and they're comfy enough to wear all day and the next day!

    yup thats what i have, other option is if you don't want clipless is to get some proper MTB flats that will grip rather than the roadie pedals, will look bloody silly and chunky though which would spoil the lines of such a nice looking bike.
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    biondino wrote:
    LOL at the thought of converse boots being good for feet!!

    +1!

    I think, though, that he's wearing his orthotics in them...

    GTV - I also have (very) flat feet, hence my love of Birkenstocks, but find the specialized BG shoes very comfortable and supportive.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • NGale
    NGale Posts: 1,866
    I have to wear orthotics in all my shoes accept my cycle shoes (which are very comfy and would highly recommend the dhb M1 from wiggle)

    Connies ruined my feet even though I still wear them I hate them with equal passion as much as I love them
    Officers don't run, it's undignified and panics the men
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    biondino wrote:
    LOL at the thought of converse boots being good for feet!!

    +1!

    I think, though, that he's wearing his orthotics in them...

    GTV - I also have (very) flat feet, hence my love of Birkenstocks, but find the specialized BG shoes very comfortable and supportive.

    +1 SPD Birkenstocks! You have just earned a million quid! What a bonzer idea!

    BS's are so comfy. I have several sets of orthotics, they are as expensive as shoes to be honest! I have a set for smart shoes, trainers/running and a specific set for cycling.

    Some great ideas here - I will look at the Spesh shoes - see how the instep is.
  • fossyant
    fossyant Posts: 2,549
    Get Spuds....the only thing
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Yup +1 for the Spesh BG, light comfy and easy to walk in look cool, what more could you want.
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Agent57
    Agent57 Posts: 2,300
    Personally, I find SPDs an annoyance for stop-start commuting. Besides having to leave a pair of proper shoes at work (or carry them to and fro every day), getting a quick getaway at the lights is made considerably less slick with having to clip in. Often,I start pedalling without clipping in, just to get moving, but then my foot's liable to slip off the pedal.

    If I had a separate bike for commuting, rather than using my road bike, I doubt I'd put SPDs on it.
    MTB commuter / 531c commuter / CR1 Team 2009 / RockHopper Pro Disc / 10 mile PB: 25:52 (Jun 2014)
  • stuaff
    stuaff Posts: 1,736
    PowerGrips are available in the UK from Chain Reaction and Evans, among others. Those that like them, really like them. I admittedly didn't give them much of a chance- I put one on, then took it pretty much straight away as I was having so much bother getting my foot in and out. If I'd tried them on the road, I'm sure I'd have had a moment or ten. So I returned them. A few months after that, I went for SPDs (Shimano A530 flat/SPD combo pedals plus DHB T1 shoes), and felt more comfortable and confident with them straight away, the inevitable 'falling over when having a practice leaning against the wall' moment notwithstanding. About an hour's practice or so, then I went out on my first ride with them (well, rode round somewhere quiet to have a go clipped in) and had no problems, I quickly felt comfortable with them. And that was with the cleats in the wrong position (since sorted by my LBS). Unlike PowerGrips, with SPDs you know exactly when you're in or out, you can feel and hear the change, and I found that reassuring. I don't know if I'd ever have felt comfortable with PowerGrips, but I doubt it. I use SPDs a lot in town- not for commuting (why I have combo pedals)- and don't find clipping in and out a bother. Opinions of course differ...
    PowerGrips may well be great for you, but if you try them, make sure you can return them. I'd recommend SPDs, in any case, as if you couldn't guess that....
    Dahon Speed Pro TT; Trek Portland
    Viner Magnifica '08 ; Condor Squadra
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