Pedal / cleat combo on fixed

[ttcycle]

Hi guys

Need some insight here - I'm having problems with pedals and cleats. On all my bikes (mostly freewheel and two fixed) I've got Look Keos, they're not double sided and on fixed this creates an unsafe issue. If I've not clipped in after pulling away at traffic lights despite attempts to, I'm stuck hovering and cycling one legged. Problem is I'm trying to flip the pedal onto the right side but that doesn't always work, at times, when flipped on the right side it doesn't engage and clip in and as the cranks rotate I haven't got the short bit of time I would on a freewheel to clip in.

Problems - if I lose my footing on the moving crank whilst I'm hovering over the pedal this could esp if going fast bash into my shin.

Pulling away at traffic lights, if I miss clipping in, then that slows me down and fast traffic across several lanes is not a good time for this to happen.

How the hell do I get this to work most of the time without changing systems? Even if it's only happening two or three times on a 12mile commute, with the stop start nature, it's not ideal.

Would really value suggestions that don't involve double sided cleats.

Thanks

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Clips and Quoc Pham works for me.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Is it possible to nip up the bearings so the pedal rotates with the crank? If you see what I mean?

 

[ttcycle]

Is it possible to nip up the bearings so the pedal rotates with the crank? If you see what I mean?

Not sure what you mean? Any more details? I know what you mean by the end result just not sure how that can be arrived at.

 

[ttcycle]

Do you mean tightening the bolt that holds the pedal spindle into the crank so it doesn't spin freely? Will investigate.

Loving commuting fixed apart from the clipping in issues

 

[Sharky]

Pedal bearings should be very free and when foot not engaged, the pedal should stay in a completely vertical position, with the front of the pedal at the top, a few degrees pointing to the rear. When trying to dock, the shoe should just slide horizontally fron the rear, just above the pedal axle and the pedal will automatically rotate forwards to a horizontal position. You shouldn't need to flip the pedal, it should happen automatically. If it doesn't dock first time, just keep the shoe in contact with the pedal and on the second rotation, a bit of jiggling should dock properly.

other strategies are - track stands (I can't do them) or look out for lampposts or railings where you can stop without taking your feet out.

I use keo's, with fixed and gears and they do seem a bit harder to engage than the old Deltas, but you get used to them.

Good luck,keith

 

[ttcycle]

I don't tend to have problems clipping in on keos, that's not the issue as I've used tgem for years on the roaf and they're fine on the track. I've never experienced keos staying upright everytime when your foot isn't engaged. I find that the jiggling you mention doesn't resolve the issue, especially if they're not on the right side. When I was running the bike SS again no issues, it is the combo of crank rotation with pedal surface not always being upright.

I can trackstand on freewheel but not yet on fixed oddly, began riding fixed on Sunday so in time I'll learn it.

 

[ttcycle]

Also have to clarify I commute in London on a 24mile round trip with busy multi lane traffic with lots of pedestrians, last minute manoeuvres and stop starts due to traffic lights so clipping in and out happens a lot over the commute.

The pedal being in the right position doesn't happen automatically and I'd be happy to hear how you manage that.

 

[DaveS]

Try adding a weight to the tail of the pedal. The pedals are designed to be heavier at the back so when not in use always point skywards. As pedals got lighter, this mechanism became less effective. Don't know how you would attach such a weight but for experimental purposes you could tie something round the locking gate. You have my sympathy. It's a universal problem. Double sided is the conventional fix but in 25 years of using them I never found a way to stop them creaking. Given up now and stick to single sided. I also glue a strip of rubber (old inner tube) along the bottom of the axle so at least my foot doesn't slip off if the pedal IS upside down and I can push that vital next rotation.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

What I mean is, you can have a bit of pre-load on a sealed bearing pedal. Not much, but just enough that under its own weight the pedal rotates with the crank arm.

This means that within one rotation it'll be in the perfect clip in position - has to be, just think about it.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

FYI,
I use clips and fixie shoes. I now don't even need to look to get my left foot in - kinda like muscle memory. I can't do it with my right as it's always my lead off foot.

Maybe in time you'll get a similar type of thing and it's just a matter of practice?

 

[young Ed]

Would really value suggestions that don't involve double sided cleats.

crank brothers egg beater, 4 sided!

sorry i will leave now
Cheers Ed

 

[Pennine-Paul]

Just get some cheapo shimano double sided spd's, you can pick em for around £20
You set off,stomp on pedal.job done

 

[clarion]

Seems to me that having different pedals (and therefore different shoes) for just one bike in the fleet isn't very practical.

It's not like ttcycle is new to either clipless pedals or fixed (ttcycle rides track).

 

[oldstrath]

I agree with bromptonfb - clipping feels natural now (and did so after about 3 weeks of only fixed) right footed (I lead left). Definitely a muscle memory thingn- trying to do it the other way round is comical.