Pedals... are flats ok?

so, just picked up my fuji track, and omg the pedals are shite, also dont like the plastic toe clips.

coming from a bmx/mtb background, ive always just used flats, even racing xc (was worth it for the comments).. anyway, are they really that import for fixed, if im not that bothered about skidding??

just asking, cos these are gonna drive me crazy

If you don't clip in or use straps the you'll never get the full feel for riding fixed - SKidding is pat of riding fixed, but perhaps the most important thing is to make the bike feel like it's attached to your legs.

If your not clipped or strapped you are basically just riding a bike that looks cool, but the damn pedals wont stop going around! ;-)

SKidding is pat of riding fixed

What?!?

Sorry but thats total bollocks. I know some people like to rely on a skid as their only means of stopping, but there is no reason why you really ever have to - unless thats the style of riding you wish to adopt.

I agree that retaining your feet to the pedals is particularly important when they are going to be constantly in motion. Some people don't, but you really don't want your feet flying or slipping off the pedals when they're zipping round.

What?!?

Sorry but thats total bollocks. I know some people like to rely on a skid as their only means of stopping, but there is no reason why you really ever have to - unless thats the style of riding you wish to adopt.

+1

Skidding is totally part of the experience - it's a natural means of controlling your speed when attached to the pedals..... and it's dam fun if your ragging around on 42X20

at 7mph

haha, yes!

bit hard *not *to skid with 56 gear inches!

I can skid my pomp sitting down, on 66 GI

I've got a conversion at the moment that's 42X20 as I'm waiting for a new crankset to arrive.... it's ridiculous!

.. anyway, are they really that import for fixed, if im not that bothered about skidding??

While these two are comparing their inches with each other, if you're not bothered about skidding thats good. You'll have more control over the bike, and your tyres will last infinately longer. I think most people would agree to attach your feet to the pedals in some way though. Either with [better] toe clips, or maybe try some clipless pedals.

If you're not bothered about skidding then you're going to be using a front brake, but even so, you'll still often need to be able to slow your back wheel down using your legs, as the front brake can only do so much.

If you're really against the foot retention maybe try singlespeed with a back brake, or you're set on fixed, still fit a back brake and just never go too fast!

solid advice there

skid, skid, skid, skid - all night long..... wooooo hooooo

I made this wicked skid mark last night

Get foot retention for full control, you'll become accustomed to it quickly, I personally think clipless is easier if you have never used clips and straps. If you go with flats I would say keep the rear brake so you can fully control the rear. The choice however as always is yours.

i cant get spd shoes in japan, dont import them over size UK10, and i would wanna try them before i bought.

and its a fuji tractk, with no drilling for rear brake.. i guess i should get some metal toe clips then..

maybe try power grips, never tried them myself but some people love them.

my options are either flats, or soma double straps... dont think power grips export to japan.

maybe i should just practice more.. but with uk12, on crappy pedals, it sucked

mks LL toeclips and nylon straps.. you'll get the hang of it. You'll be skidding in no time.. ;-)

the difference double straps make are massive in my opinion, even ghetto diy one like mine.

skidding is a waste of rubber IMHO :) Resistance, Resistance !!

skidding is a waste of rubber IMHO :) Resistance, Resistance !!

but you can't resist smoothly without foot retention.

Even if you don't want to skid I believe knowing how to skid is a useful skill. A quick skid can allow you to change direction very quickly. Although you may not want to do that from day to day (it is a waste of rubber you're correct but it's fun!) there may be one time where it is very useful and save you from an accident.

but you can't resist smoothly without foot retention.

Even if you don't want to skid I believe knowing how to skid is a useful skill. A quick skid can allow you to change direction very quickly. Although you may not want to do that from day to day (it is a waste of rubber you're correct but it's fun!) there may be one time where it is very useful and save you from an accident.

true story

and its a fuji tractk, with no drilling for rear brake.. i guess i should get some metal toe clips then..

That's weird. I've just bought a Fuji Track 2008 and it has holes for front and rear. The brake bridge is gappy with lots of air through it and the hole/ring in the centre of it could easily take a rear caliper if need be. Non?

Oui.

That's weird. I've just bought a Fuji Track 2008 and it has holes for front and rear. The brake bridge is gappy with lots of air through it and the hole/ring in the centre of it could easily take a rear caliper if need be. Non?

oh, maybe.. hole seemed too big to me.

Re-visit:

I rode fixed-on-flatties for about eight months before succumbing to peer pressure and fitted old skool clips. It took a while to get used to using them and I toppled over a couple of times, but after two months I think I can say I've given them a fair chance.

But I still don't get it. I don't pull up on the rising pedal significantly and I always wear grippy shoes that give reasonable pull through on the right pedals. I don't skid and I don't care. The front brake gives me as much additional stopping power as I might need 99% of the time and the back brake is there for the other 1%. Then there's all the clipping and unclipping for traffic lights and traffic jams I can't get round. And if I leave one foot unclipped then the cage will always scrape on the ground.

The clips are coming off.