Fixie - What pedals?

Highway_To_Hell

I recently purchased a Fixie that I plan for using when out with the kids and commuting to work, it came with bog standard flat pedals and I put on strapless clips to help getting the pedal into the correct position when restarting. I want to move to full clipless pedals but also have the easy of being able to hop on the bike with ordinary shoes (when out with the kids)

Two questions: (bear in mind I not sure of all the pedal types and terminology)

1. How hard is it to get use to using clipless pedals on a fixed gear bike. – I have no problems with clipless on my road bike. - I plan on swapping my road bike pedals onto the bike this weekend to see how I get on.
2. Are there pedals available that incorporate a flat side and a clip-in side that will take my current road bike shoes (sds-sl I think, something like this )

If I have to I will get new shoes that incorporate the clip (this style )and allow you to walk easily these can be used for commuting – can people advise on which ones I should go for?

Thanks

TinyExplosions

Easiest are single sided spd pedals. I use Shimano M324's, and there's a few people out there on Shimano A530's too.

Alternately, you can get double sided pedals with a big enough cage to allow you to use normal shoes (like these M424's which I've also used in the past)

As for shoes, you just need to get some suitable for SPD, or mountain biking. Wiggle have a load of cheap ones, and most you can walk just fine in.

If you're used to clipless on the road, you'll be fine on the fixie!

Vélo

I have the Shimano A530's on two of my bikes. I'm thinking of getting a pair for my MTB also.

blorg

If you are used to clipless on the road bike definitely get clipless for the fixie, I think it is a hell of a lot easier with clipless. Your feet can get bounced off in certain situations if you are not firmly attached. Double sided is a good idea if you want to be able to use normal shoes.

Caroline_ie

I have these at the moment, but I kinda prefer these other ones that I have, I have them for 3 years on various bikes, they're great fir the price.

Lumen

There is no perfect solution.

I have both single-sided (A530) and double-sided SPDs, and much prefer the DS as the SS never seem to be in the correct orientation when starting off from the lights (unlike Look-style ones which tend to hang perfectly).

So I tend to use stiff-soled cleated MTB shoes and deal with walking slightly like a penguin.

If I was bothered by the walking I'd buy softer soled cleated shoes, since I hate riding without cleats.

72hundred

Sry to hijack the thread, but can anyone recommend a good set of shoes for SPD's with the cleats recessed back into the shoe (allow for comfortable walking). I'm looking for something like a "casual shoe" (not as informal as runners).

EDIT: Along the lines of these one (which don't actually have my size/colour combo)- http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/dhb-t1-new-zoom.jpg

Highway_To_Hell

thanks for all the advice, I think I will call into Cycle Superstore on the way home as they seem to be discounting pedals and shoes at the momment.

thanks

blorg

72hundred wrote: »

Sry to hijack the thread, but can anyone recommend a good set of shoes for SPD's with the cleats recessed back into the shoe (allow for comfortable walking). I'm looking for something like a "casual shoe" (not as informal as runners).

EDIT: Along the lines of these one (which don't actually have my size/colour combo)- http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/dhb-t1-new-zoom.jpg

I use Specialized Sonomas for commuting which are pretty normal looking. Only downside is they don't have any tread so wouldn't be good for hiking up a slippery trail for example. But for walking around footpaths, fine.

TinyExplosions

I have these:


I wear em in the office all day, and they're very comfy. The cleat sticks out a little bit, but it's not too bad (though I will get a dremel to it one of these days)

Raam

I use these M520 pedals and I like em.
Very easy to clip in or out as they are double sided. No platform, but I never ride the bike without bike shoes, so that's no big deal for me.

Moreofthatjazz

time atac pedals would have to be my recommendation... they wear quick but are damn comfortable with a good deal of float and are easier to clip out of in those woah sh** moments when you just have to dab off a kerb or a car or infant etc.

DirkVoodoo

I have the M520s too. Really good pedal for the price, you can make short (~2km) journeys in normal shoes fine, anymore and the constant foot movement and toe gripping of the pedal seem to cause a bit of discomfort.

It's also handy having a dedicated pair of commuting shoes for wet weather and sweat. You aren't wearing the one pair of shoes all day so it gives your feet a bit of relief.

I wear Shimano MTB shoes and while they are not the best looking or indeed white like my puma runners, I much prefer being clipped in on the bike.

Caroline_ie

I have these ( I think they don't make them anymore ) They're great to walk with, I wear them all the time.
( I love Nike cycling stuff ... I know it's wrong )

DirkVoodoo

I have Nike snowboarding gear, while its ridiculously priced they do make good stuff.

blorg

You can get removable plastic platforms that attach to one side of a double-sided SPD. They aren't great but they are OK for occasional short trips with normal shoes. The pedal will always fall with the SPD bit up. Some pedals may even come with them.

thesunwashot

I reckon that double sided clipless are the best bet on a fixie. Having to reorient a pedal whilst the cranks are going round is pretty tricky in comparison with a double sided clipless where your foot can just attach.

I started out on my fixie with toeclips and found it really frustrating, especially when going down a hill when the cranks are moving quickly. I'd used toe clips for years before too so its not like I wasn't used to them.

A lot of the MTB shoes are comfy enough to wear out and about when walking around too so you may find you don't need the option of using the pedals with normal shoes.

I use the M540 pedals which come with a free set of cleats (which you won't get with your shoes generally) so I think work out a better deal than the M520 ones.

blorg

thesunwashot wrote: »

I use the M540 pedals which come with a free set of cleats (which you won't get with your shoes generally) so I think work out a better deal than the M520 ones.

All pedals come with cleats!

Trojan

I wear these and walk around in loads. Actually, I often wear them when I'm not cycling at all that day - d'oh.

Highway_To_Hell

Ended up getting simano M324 SPD pedals and Shimano MT41 ATB shoes no problems uncliping but will take a while to get the nack
of cliping in while the pedal is spinning. I have to head in a round town tomorrow to do a few jobs so I will get around 50km of practice in.

again thanks for all the advice.

AstraMonti

Highway_To_Hell wrote: »

Ended up getting simano M324 SPD pedals and Shimano MT41 ATB shoes no problems uncliping but will take a while to get the nack
of cliping in while the pedal is spinning. I have to head in a round town tomorrow to do a few jobs so I will get around 50km of practice in.

again thanks for all the advice.

I have these shoes and i 've had these pedals. I found the pedals really annoying when i got used to the cleats because they would always come with the flat side up so i ended up getting new. The shoes are great for commuting and very comfy to wear them, but if you want to make long trips (40+ kms) get some lighter ones, these are quite heavy,at least at my 48 size.

Mint Sauce

howdy, redirected here, looking at the a530 my self, now not a serious rider my self, have an entry level road bike, sometimes wear trainers, sometimes wear my MTB SPDs, ocasioally, depending on how the legs are feeling will even switch from the cleat and will spin my pedel round to the platform side, as for the cycling currently doing a few miles in the week, up to 20 or 30 mile spins at the weekend, try and do one big organised ride/event each year as something to aim for (doing 1 or 2 this year), up to 70miles, wouldn't be competing in any of these, apart from just trying to complete it. seen a few of ye's using the a530, and wondering how you found them on the longer rides, and how the contact felt between your shoe and the pedal, ie, do you find there is enough contact and support between the outside edge of your sole and the pedal and not a wobbly feel, and can they used for something more than the daily commute

current pedals are simalar (only by appearance, different brand and alot cheeper) to the m324.

Highway_To_Hell

@Irish-Stew

really only use my bike with M324 pedals for commuting and short spins with the kids as I keep my relatively decent road bike (with look Keo pedals) for training and triathlons/duathlons. The longest I have done on my fixie is around 50K with the SPD shoes on and they were grand. I do find that if wearing ordinarly shoes you need to flip the pedal to the non cleated side as the cleat is slightly raised and makes you shoe feel un steady on the pedal. As for wearing the SPD shoes off the bike they are not the most confortable due to the stiff sole but I did wear them all day in work yesterday without any major problems.