Pedals... are flats ok?

That's what trackstanding is for.

Try SPD's, they are incomparable in control to clips/straps. I've got double straps and four-gate clips and they're only about 50% as tight as SPDs. They're fucking awesome.

IMHO, riding without foot retention is either stupid or pointless to be riding fixed.

I see what you mean. I started riding fixed only a couple of weeks ago and bought clips/straps as I didn't like riding flat - my ratio is a bit spinny and my feet came off a few times...

Took the straps off straight away though - as soon as my feet came out I couldn't get them in again! I find it ok to get my feet back in clips alone. Really need to learn to trackstand though, that'd help!

Just learn to do it proper-like! It doesn't take an age to get used to it, and it'll improve your cycling tenfold!

Try SPD's, they are incomparable in control to clips/straps. I've got double straps and four-gate clips and they're only about 50% as tight as SPDs. They're fucking awesome.

IMHO, riding without foot retention is either stupid or pointless to be riding fixed.

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Just ride SS if you don't want to be strapped in - probably the most unsafe form of bicycle to take on the road is a fixed without foot retention

And if you cant deal with getting in and out of the straps, just get double sided SPD's - easy as can be, i use em and never bother track standing as its more hassle than just uncliping

Climbing hills and standing starts are much easier and faster when you can pull up/push down simultaneously with both feet at 3 + 9 o'clock on your pedal stroke.

If you're running fixed with flat pedals and two brakes you're missing all the benefits to be had and just making thing needlessly difficult and dangerous for yourself. Get a freewheel. Or use foot retention. Or some shinpads.

^ and a anchor, that always helps.

I feel really uncomfortable on any bike if I am not clipped in- feels like I have lost a lot of control that I would normally have.

Just what you are used to I suppose.

I just can't see the danger of fixed without foot retention. As I implied, I don't ride with slippy shoes (brogues, flimsy gym shoes, whatever) and in eight months I didn't lose my footing at any speed. And if I were to, I don't see the risk to my shins: I would simply sit down hard, maybe brake and find the pedals again.

Please note: I am not having a go at those who ride brakeless and/or prefer to use skid stops. Each to their own goat.

On the other hand, I might try SPDs sometime. A pricey experiment though.

Just out of interest, why do you ride fixed? You use two brakes, never use your legs to slow down... What's left? You just don't like coasting? Am I missing something?

I feel really uncomfortable on any bike if I am not clipped in- feels like I have lost a lot of control that I would normally have.

Just what you are used to I suppose.

+lots
Borrowed the mrs's bike a while back when I trashed my commuter while (ahem) fixing it. Kept lifting my feet off the the pedals and half missing them on the way down again. Felt orrible.

Riding fixed without foot retention is not unsafe...
...as long as you dont ride down hills, or go fast.

i see nothing wrong with riding fixed with flat pedals. it's not for me but is hardly dangerous. i think you can still thoroughly enjoy riding fixed without being attached to the pedals.

I do use my legs to slow down most of the time, with a bit of back up from the front brake when I need it. The back brake is there for emergencies. Going fast, I still have to keep my feet on the pedals. If anything, I could argue that it's safer to be aware of whether I'm within my limits of cadence.

Whilst that is no doubt true you are speaking from a position of never having extensively used clipless or clipped pedals.

If you do try them I suspect that you would have a different view point after a while.

As for the expense of trying SPD's- old pair for a fiver from here, and some freecycled shoes?

The cleats will be worn and the shoe's might smell, but you could try it for very little.

I have been riding flats with no cages for a while now, my feet never come off but they do move around on the pedals.

I've just ordered some new pedals, with cages and straps, and I'm hoping that it will make riding a bit easier, as I won't have to concentrate so hard on keeping my feet on as much.

I did try them years ago on a freewheel bike and hated them, but obviously I didn't need them on that bike anyway.

The pedals I ordered are kinda double sided just cos I would imagine it's gonna take a while getting used to getting my feet back in quickly, I'm trying to learn to track stand back not making a lot of progress I have to say...

are ok if you haz da braks.

But clipless is better because you get to wear funny shoes.

Rocking Time RXS cleats today- I fear all stairs.

Doesn't have to be - I've just bought some good old M540 Shimano MTB spd pedals with cleats from eBay for £21 delivered. And you can get cheap SPD compatible shoes - second hand or new from Lidl for £16...

On the other hand, I might try SPDs sometime. A pricey experiment though.

That your new build hippy?

are ok if you haz da braks.

But clipless is better because you get to wear funny shoes.

Or that, missed that. Worn cleats probably won't enamour you to SPDs though.

As for the expense of trying SPD's- old pair for a fiver from here, and some freecycled shoes?

The cleats will be worn and the shoe's might smell, but you could try it for very little.

The pedals I ordered are kinda double sided just cos I would imagine it's gonna take a while getting used to getting my feet back in quickly, I'm trying to learn to track stand back not making a lot of progress I have to say...

It's not that bad, as long as your pedals have a wee pin to flick the pedals round you'll get down every time in a week or less. Spend an hour tooling about in a quiet street getting in and out and you'll have no problems.

I would say that whilst everyone has their own likes and dislikes, it's very telling that the only people supporting flat pedals are (relatively) new to fixed. I would ALMOST go as far to say that not liking being strapped down/clipped in is a confidence issue, but obviously without knowing the cyclist in question that remains a theory.

Seriously, the difference between well dialled in SPD's and flat pedals is so great, you might as well push the fucking bike if you're not attached to the pedals. How do you swing through gaps in traffic or countersteer effectively if your feet are going to slip off the pedals?

I just think its pointless riding fixed without foot retention - sure you can pootle about, but its a bit like buying a blurayplayer, and plugging it into black and white tv.

I have friends that think me insane for riding clipless whilst mtb'ing, but again it's what you get used too.

I've been riding clipless since I was 14/15 (1991- Christ!) and I am now too used to the additional control to go back.

I can perform a fairly decent bunnyhop on flats so know that you can grip the pedals when you need to, but clipless still wins it by miles in my view.

they changed my world..... now let them change yours.

I'd like to know where edscoble stands on this issue.